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Got this far, all systems go! Then came to a screeching halt. M&K about to come out with a new ST version 2 in 1 out. It should be the perfect muffler for me so I am sitting on my hands until I can get them on one. I call Brian at M&K every couple of weeks to see about availability. He, like many others, is having parts and labor issues.

Love the look of those SSIs!

I could reinstall the motor as it sits then add the muffler later, but really no point in that. If M&K cant get this muffler to me soon I will explore other options. When things start moving again I will update.

regards

Your engine looks great!! Going to have to do the same to mine at some point. Very helpful thread.

A thing of beauty!

Haha thought you might like those SSIs on there since you sold them too me!

Thanks again for a square deal Joe.

Thanks for the complement.

Wish I had more progress to report. Changing the oil tank seal, installing an AFR gauge etc. If you look around you can always find something on these cars that needs attention.

Project stalled for quite awhile awaiting a new muffler. Trying hard not to fall down the “while you’re in there hole”. Looked at the dirty oil tank today and was tempted to remove/clean/restore it but its not leaking and the sender works as it should so i will leave it be for this year.

Indications are my muffler should be arriving soon so time to clean up a couple of items prior to its arrival. Today I changed the external thermostat oil line that is required with SSIs. The old nut was a beast to get off. Had to remove the other line as well (that nut came off easy peasy) for access and it still took me a couple of whiles to get the nut to break loose.

Open end wrench 36mm, same with extension, same with longer extension, air chisel on three different sides, removed the other line, pipe wrench with extension, cut oil line off the nut with dremel, impact wrench with 36mm socket, dremel a channel in the side of the nut, put the air chisel blade in the channel and Yipee we have movement. Even after it broke loose it was still hard to turn.
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Used anti-seize on the new ones. They look much nicer!

In preparation for my first engine reinstall got a few questions.

1. New muffler should be here soon. Should I wait for it and install it while on the engine stand, or put the engine in then add the muffler later. I feel like the engine install would be easier without the muffler taking up space.

2. Starter mounted before or after install? It’s an 83 stock 3.0. My preference is before but I have read it can interfere somehow.

3. The trans is still separated from the engine. Should I put the omega spring/release arm assembly on before the trans is mated to the engine, afterwards, or after the drivetrain is reinstalled in the car? Am concerned about damaging those pieces when it comes off the engine stand onto the lift table.

Thanks guys. Can’t wait to get her going again.

1. I have a new Dansk muffler I installed with the SSIs
while on the stand.. have taken the muffler out while
engine is back in the car.. not to hectic at all.
2. I did install the starter while the trans still out
With the engine..didn't find any interference when
Putting engine back in the car.
3. I would leave the omega spring and clutch arm
Off until engine in the car, due to you have to do
a little measurement ( feeler gauge) when installing
Your clutch cable.
Good luck.

Glad to hear the starter will not cause a problem. Easier to put it on while everything is out of the car. Will def leave the Omega spring bits til after. May also put the muffler on after as I don’t want to worry about denting or scratching it on install. Thanks for you response.

+1000 on this type of kit. I have the same type of kit from Craftsman and it has saved my bacon more times than I can count.

Yeah those things are a must have. They just work. Found them much cheaper online since I bought my set.

1: Leave the muffler off until the motor is back in
2 and 3.... Mate the motor and trans out of the car, leave the omega spring off until the whole thing is installed, then install it. Install the starter after mating the trans, before it goes in. There is NO interference when reinstalling and putting the starter in is a real PITA with the motor in the car.

Muffler arrives tomorrow!! After a trial fit I will take it off, get the motor off the stand onto the lift table and proceed as you have outlined.
Thanks

You have the heat exchangers on? It makes for a nice flat surface to keep the engine on during install.

Yes I do.

I put all of it on before install. But as a complete rebuild I could flip it upside-down on my stand.
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My test fit has become an install. Some levering required to get the flanges lined up so for now I’m going to leave it on and install everything as a unit. This muffler is also smaller than the original so clearance should not be an issue. If things become difficult I can take it off if necessary.

Looks great!!!

She’s in! Took me most of Thursday afternoon but mounts all torqued up and I didn’t seem to botch anything up so far.

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I retrospect if I ever had to do this again I feel ok with doing the drop by myself. I had never done it before and managed it in a couple of hours with no issues. However…..

If I ever put one of these back in again the best tip I can give anyone doing this for the first time is….. get a friend to help you with the install. I put the motor in alone and would not do that again. It would have saved me a couple of hours and lots of head bumps and sore knees having someone to bump the engine around while I layed underneath trying to get that first trans mount bolt in. It was exhausting to get up, move the motor 1/4 inch, get back under, try to wiggle the bolt in, then back up to make a slight adjustment etc etc many times.

In the end it got done. Now to start hooking up everything else.

So Friday I start hooking up my all new oil lines to complete the SSI mod. Very disappointing.

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First the mounting tab might work if it were welded to the very end of the tube up near the threaded end, but its welded on about a quarter inch from the end. It looks close to the tin screw in the pic but is not really.

Second the crossover tube is laying against the header. The least of my worries.

Third is the hose kink. A common problem that I was hoping would have been fixed by the suppliers by now. I will loosen everything up today and try to lessen the kink but am not feeling confident that will help much. May have to resort to the hose clamp trick that I have read about but hate the thought of having to do that. It just seems like a bailing wire fix for something that really should fit better.