Spent the better part of today getting the good stuff out of Buford's interior, and prepping to pull the engine/trans.

There is one advantage to "newer" cars. The entire power-unit is designed to plop in as an assembly, and just connect hoses & plugs to the car. Everything's on quick-connects. In about 4 hours I had everything drained & disconnected. Didn't even mess with the exhaust manifold bolts - a Sawzall takes care of the pipes quick - and the only thing I needed an impact for was the trans crossmember to frame bolts.

Sometime this week I'll kick the crossmember out of the way and have the engine out. The entire thing will come out as an assembly - all wiring, PS hoses, AC hoses, heater hoses, ECM. Kinda cool... nothing like our "old" stuff.

Why are we disassembling Buford?

Buford has terminal cancer... A few months ago I went to jack up the left front for something, and the jack went up, but Buford didn't! Pushed the frame just aft of the "kickup" right into the A-pillar & rocker panel. Also, the entire front suspension is completely worn out. Like most of us, the important parts are good, it's just what they're carrying around is shot. The plan always was to scavenge his LT-1 & 4L60 for the black car sometime... and I've got too many vehicles around. Earlier this year I was looking for a Roadmaster/Caprice wagon gas tank (side inlet) for the future conversion, and wound up getting the entire powertrain. Buford will be spares, or a hotter rebuild for next year (or 3) down the road.

Engine & Trans is out and dangling on the hoist. All the "good stuff" (easy pickin's/money parts) are off the shell, and I'm giving it a week or two on CraigsList.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/pts/1881804827.html