Just purchased a 1981 Indy 500 pace car

[NCTyphoonKid]

Looking good...
can you get a vanity plate "PATINA" for the Pace Car?

If it’s available I could probably get a personal plate but not sure I’ve thought about a couple ideas for a personal plate

 

[NCTyphoonKid]

Polished up the trim rings and reinstalled them, keep in mind I do not plan to run these wheels long term as I plan to upgrade to the gold GTA 16” wheels although I do like the looks of these. I also fixed the gear indicator on the gauge cluster as it wasn’t reading correctly when shifted through the gears.

 

[grass doctor]

Polished up the trim rings and reinstalled them, keep in mind I do not plan to run these wheels long term as I plan to upgrade to the gold GTA 16” wheels although I do like the looks of these. I also fixed the gear indicator on the gauge cluster as it wasn’t reading correctly when shifted through the gears.

I love those wheels very unique

 

[NCTyphoonKid]

I love those wheels very unique

I like them too I wouldn’t mind having another set of them there just hard to find though

 

[NCTyphoonKid]

Stopped by the machine shop today all the parts but the oil pickup and rocker arm covers caps in but they should be here Monday or Tuesday. The block is bored and will be getting one final clean and then reassembly starts. If all goes well I should have it back late next week or the following week (fingers crossed). I also ordered everything to have the engine ready for installation from the paint to the new sensors. Also ordered a new coolant overflow tank and washer fluid tank and a new battery bracket as mine was missing. I’ve got to get a adapter to hook up the test pipe to the smaller diameter pipe off the flange. But it’s coming together fingers crossed it will be running by the end of the month or early September. Also put insurance on it today too

 

[NCTyphoonKid]

Indy #148 is a runner again, I picked the engine up from the machine shop Thursday evening and got it reassembled and reinstalled. Just fired it up for the first time today and so far so good. Has a exhaust leak I’m going to fix tomorrow and the valve cover gaskets are leaking so going to replace those with a set of the blue felpro rubber gaskets. So far it’s done a 20 minute round trip with no problems

 

[grass doctor]

sweet!! is that the color they used on the engine or your choice ??

 

[NCTyphoonKid]

sweet!! is that the color they used on the engine or your choice ??

They came in blue I think up until 83 or 84 then they went to black. But I painted it back in its GM corporate blue livery

 

[1986 Buick GX1]

Indy #148 is a runner again, I picked the engine up from the machine shop Thursday evening and got it reassembled and reinstalled. Just fired it up for the first time today and so far so good. Has a exhaust leak I’m going to fix tomorrow and the valve cover gaskets are leaking so going to replace those with a set of the blue felpro rubber gaskets. So far it’s done a 20 minute round trip with no problems

When using the blue felpro rubber gaskets make sure the metal portion of the gaskets clear the lips on the valve covers. I had to trim the metal on the inside of the gasket to clear the lip on the 1986 model year valve covers.

I don’t know what the 1981 model year valve covers look like, just a heads up.

I’ve read a lot of threads where guys say the felpro gaskets leak. It seems more common with factory valve covers (‘86-‘87) than aftermarket valve covers as the aftermarket valve covers are machined flat and have no lips to interfere with the metal part of the gasket.

 

[Mark T-TB]

Sweeeeet!!

 

[NCTyphoonKid]

Exhaust leak is fixed and the valve covers leaking oil is fixed however with that being said it looks like the oil pan is leaking so it will probably come off this coming weekend so I can address it. All in all I’m very happy with it! Just need to tie up a few more loose ends but it’s pretty much complete for now.

 

[NCTyphoonKid]

Rear main is replaced and isn’t leaking oil everywhere fingers crossed that is all good now. It has now decided to leak antifreeze as the heater core decided to come apart right after getting the rear main done. New core will be here tomorrow going to try and get that done before the weekend so I can enjoy the t tops and put some more miles on the engine. I have a few more loose ends to tie up under the hood but it is pretty much about done. I ordered a new washer bottle from Kirban but it’s on backorder still. I just put my original on for the time being.

 

[HotAirWH1]

Your perseverance is paying off. Congrats !

 

[NCTyphoonKid]

Ordered one of the console risers with cup holders, quality is nice and it’s very comfortable i like it I ordered it from gbodyparts. Also added in the front frame braces and that made a big difference in stiffening up the car.

 

[Frederickdav]

Ordered one of the console risers with cup holders, quality is nice and it’s very comfortable i like it I ordered it from gbodyparts. Also added in the front frame braces and that made a big difference in stiffening up the car.

My son bought a console riser from Kirban's for my T. The car gets Christmas gifts me, not so much.

 

[NCTyphoonKid]

According to UPS my new GTA wheels from classic industries should be here tomorrow. I hope so cause I have the tires at the tire shop ready to be mounted and I’m ready to see them installed. But for now a little center cap p*rn. These are the updated 84-85 GN & 86-87 T Type center caps with the updated snap ring to hold them on the wheel tighter as I think many people know the originals tend to fly off... so here are the brand new center caps that will grace the GTA wheels, also pictured is one of my original 85 GN center cap for comparison to the new ones

 

[Mark T-TB]

^^^ Looks great... but now you are causing more envy with those caps! Mine look nothing like that and I used quite a bit of black RTV to hope I never lose one.

I'm looking forward to seeing the "new look"

 

[HotAirWH1]

Where did you buy them caps ? got some new turbo 6 caps still in the packages that came with my GN rims, but those t type caps rock. Gonna look bitchen' on your ride. Anyone want to trade for "turbo 6" caps ???

 

[NCTyphoonKid]

^^^ Looks great... but now you are causing more envy with those caps! Mine look nothing like that and I used quite a bit of black RTV to hope I never lose one.

I'm looking forward to seeing the "new look"

Are you using the original caps or the newer cap with the snap ring?

 

[NCTyphoonKid]

Where did you buy them caps ? got some new turbo 6 caps still in the packages that came with my GN rims, but those t type caps rock. Gonna look bitchen' on your ride. Anyone want to trade for "turbo 6" caps ???

Found them on eBay from a seller named “Tamraz” I know gbodyparts sells this style too.