I haven't been on the Tenere or any other bike for a bit. Sometimes you have to stay home and get things done. I pulled my 76 455 HO TA into a garage to get some work done on it. I had it up on the lift to change the clutch and decided to finally get the rear main seal upgraded so it doesn't have a slow leak. I am not going to be doing that. It also has a left exhaust manifold leaking. So the engine got pulled and they finally got the manifold off. They noticed the valley pan gasket was leaking. Ok, replace that. Hey, how many miles you got on this? 104,000. Think I should replace the timing chain while we're there? Yep. Ok, do it. Next day I get a call... you need to come down here. 15 minutes later I am looking at a cam lobe that is round and worn down. Just one! Well, looks like I need a new cam! So it will be a bit bigger than stock and a new Edelbrock intake. I took all the tin up to be bead blasted then have spent some time priming them and painting with the correct paint for a 76 Pontiac. Along the way I found out thst both exhaust manifolds were cracked. I took thos and got them repaired. Waiting for those and the Valley Pan to be bead blasted and then those will be painted. Spent some time today spritzing kerosene on the block and scrubbing it with a wire brush. When I got most of it I then used Simple Green and several nylon brushes to get things cleaner. Almost done. Another 2 hrs tomorrow and I should be ready to spray the block with Brakleen to remove any oil residue prior to painting. Thought about using a torch to ensure any oils are removed. Not sure yet. Been also mowing and raking a bit as it is fall. I had 2 beautiful days to go riding but had to make the car a priority. Soon back to the bikes and doing so.e winterizing and cleaning/maintenance. Hopefully will get some nice days in November yet.
Fan spacer. Ready for color coat.
A rusty pump bead blasted and all pretty again. This was a replacement and was never painted before.
Thermostat housing. It was flaking as it was removed a few times in 47 years.
Fan and one of the pulleys. My 17 yr old son looked at that fan and asked... isn't that missing a couple of blades? Nope, they came that way.
Looking pretty good but the one closest is screwed up. I saw a spot by the grommet thst wasn't covered. I told myself to wait 2 to 4 minutes and shoot it again. Did I listen. No, so I tried wiping the sag and I new better. So, it's drying overnight here.
More pulleys, engine mount and a primered oil pan. I look at that pan and these days it looks like a diesel PU truck pan! 7.5 liter or 455 CI.
Started with 200 grit, then 400 grit. Thought about 800 grit but was impatient. Just should have sanded a broader area to make sure I got all the 200 grit scratches.
All primered again. You can see some 200 grit scratches but not bad.
All pretty again. That's the timing chain/water pump housing hanging up.
“Screw That!”
