Motor...T-case and Tranny painted...

Its been a couple of weeks...mostly sorting out my paint situation.  I ordered three products to paint the motor, T-case and transmission...high temperature primer, high temperature metallic silver and high temperature black.  So my first box had the metallic silver...and clear coat...hmmm...I didn't order clear coat.  Called...yep...they sent the wrong thing!  So the primer I didn't get was sent right away.  But...no black paint.  I called...its coming from the east coast warehouse...4 phone calls later and it finally gets sent.  Something about lots of missing paper work.  But...its here and I finally got the drive line painted.  I began by masking the mounting holes with tape and paper so paint would stay outside the motor.  I then primed the everything.  I thought it looked great just in primer!  Its amazing how it looks all cleaned up with a fresh surface.  I followed the primer up with metallic silver on the transfer case and transmission.  They are originally aluminum and never painted...so thought painting them would bring out the shine.  Since I didn't have the black engine paint I decided I would use the frame paint on the engine mounts and the transfer case bracket.  I had to mask the t-case which took some time since I did some intricate work there.  Both turned out great!  Finally my engine paint arrived.  I masked some more and shot a couple coats of black.  AMAZING!  It looks awesome!  I think people will also get a laugh out of my "paint booth."  I hung parts being painted using string and hung them from the roll cage...nothing like improvising.  Next up...getting the engine put back together...

Engine Cleaning...One Big Messy Job

Well the frame is complete...so on to the next item of business...the engine, transfer case and transmission.  I decided to give the mechanicals a good going over...see where they leak, what needs replacing, etc.  For the most part they are in GREAT shape.  The transfer case is a replacement...SOR replacement which means a quality rebuild at some point.  I know using it before the tear down it worked just fine.  Now it looks clean too.  The transmission is the original.  It cleaned up nicely but has lost its silver coloring.  The engine...very messy but very clean now.  I went through about two cans of engine degreaser and several bottles of water...along with several pairs of gloves.  It was tough getting all the little angles and such...but feel it turned out well.  I managed to take most of the workings off the motor so I'll have to replace some seals...no biggie there.  Other things I'll be replacing...all hoses...they were spray painted on!...the belts...the fuel pump and all lines...along with the spark plugs and wires.  So overall it won't be too expensive.  The other thing I will be doing is painting.  I ordered primer...aluminum metallic for the t-case and tranny...and satin GM black for the motor and bell housing.  I wanted something generic so I could paint the car any color and it would go with it.  I think it will look great! 

I also received my bumperettes in the mail this week.  On my way back through Springs...I stopped and picked up some stainless steel hardware...and now have them mounted up.  Man do they look great!  Got a good deal on them too! 

I also managed to get the parking brake off the t-case...and now know why it never worked.  The rear seal on the drive shaft leaked out...and the whole parking brake assembly was filled with fluid and grime.  So I guess I will be ordering a rebuild kit for the brake which includes the t-case seal...and hopefully it will work when I'm done!