Sharp Re-engineering

There's a joke about 

how mail order "bolt-on" parts,

usually require modifying...

cutting, welding, re-drilling holes...

Some kits are "universal",

and will fit any specified application.

Those are the worst.

Red flags flying just mentioning it.

The better kits focus on a specific model,

leading most to believe the engineering 

part is completed.

This was a project I watched Jason 

get snookered on.

A huge example of why not to bid on a job.

This was supposed to be a simple motor

and transmission swap,

in a 1964 chevy Malibu or chevelle.

This is when YouTube and online research,

makes a project seem much easier.

You'd expect a small block chevy 283

would be similar to a stroker 383,

and a th350 transmission similar to a 700r4.

Nope.

To get this combo wedged in,

Jason had to fab a new tunnel,

notch the crossmember and exhaust.

Definitely not the bolt-on the owner 

or he had predicted.

At this point it looked finished.

I came in expecting the car to be gone,

and instead it was tore up.

Again.

Holey chit...

The tie rods were hitting the oil pan!

A shallower pan was located.

Not sure if the original one had extra capacity,

or if the new one was extra small.

The pan did work,

and the stroker crank didn't bang 

on the sheetmetal.

At this point frustrations were high.

A week job pushed into 3 weeks,

without a comparable change in pay.

Glad it wasn't my project!

I was the lucky one to test drive it,

and relearned why I have mechanically

challenged hot rods.

(Flathead/bias ply tires, tired engines...)

This thing flew!

If anyone saw a chevelle screaming through the barrio,

it wasn't me.

Holey chit!

Made me want to rebuild the 40's 5.0 engine!

We had made a bet how long this would last,

before something broke.

2-3-4 weeks.

I think I won.

So if you need help,

give Sharp Re--engineering a buzz!

TP