73 Engine Restoration Complete

[Jimmy P.]

Just wanted to share a couple pix of my L48 restoration. The engine had a lot of aftermarket parts on it when I purchased it last April. It had no ignition shielding at all, an edelbrock intake, an edelbrock carb, Accel Coil, red heater hoses, aftermarket chrome air cleaner, no A.I.R system or correct radiator hoses just to name a few. So you can see I've been very busy this past winter trying to get most everything correct. I would like to thank all you guys on the forum for all your help and encouragement. I think she turned out pretty nice.

[Bill L.]

Re: 73 Engine Restoration Complete

Very nice work!!

Regards
Bill

[Harmon C.]

Re: 73 Engine Restoration Complete

Very Nice !!!

[Leif A.]

Re: 73 Engine Restoration Complete

Great job, Jimmy.

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 73 Engine Restoration Complete

Thanks again , It means a lot hearing it from you guys who I know appreciate what a challenge it is to restore the cars to originality. I have more to do on the car, but I also plan on driving it and enjoying it as much as possible this summer.

[Alan S.]

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 73 Engine Restoration Complete

Yes Alan, I am very pleased with it. It still needs some of the little things for detail, (ie. The little drab olive green vacuum hose clamps for the egr valve). I'm sure you feel the same way, it is the challenge of the search for the correct OEM parts that makes this hobby so addicting. They are not getting any easier to find either! Especially for the 73, not because I own one, but it is unique in many ways. After all, isn't this what the NCRS is all about?
Regards,
Jim

[Larry M.]

Re: 73 Engine Restoration Complete

Jimmy,

Very nice work. I can't imagine the time and effort (and cost) involved to track down and purchase the correct components. It had to be quite rewarding to bring them all together, and bring the motor back from it's 'modified' state. Were you able to sell any of the pull-offs to recoup any $$? And, any 'before' pictures for comparison?

Larry

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 73 Engine Restoration Complete

No I haven't tried to sell the edelbrock carb or intake yet. I think I'll hang on to them for awhile. Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures of
the engine when I first got it, although now that I think about it my insurance agent took some before insuring it. I'll check to see if they can email them to me.
I did attach one below that I found , that I took at one of the first shows I took it to last summer. I had already installed the top shielding and replaced the large yellow Accel coil from the firewall.

[Edward J.]

Re: 73 Engine Restoration Complete

Jim, Some nice details there. I have a question maybe you can answer, did 73 have the metal oil cap? My 72 L48 has one of those rubber push on caps.

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 73 Engine Restoration Complete

Yes Ed, the 73 L48 have the metal twist off cap painted engine orange. They will either have an "s" (Stant) or an "x" on the center rivet. On L82's the cap is chrome because of the polished aluminum valve covers, with an "s" on the rivet. The LS 4 on the other hand had the rubber push on type on the passenger side. (Raised "oil" in block letters with a smooth background). According to the 73-74 TIM&JG "Rarely an original LS4 with an unpainted rubber oil cap is seen."

[Terry M.]

Re: 73 Engine Restoration Complete

Yes Ed, the 73 L48 have the metal twist off cap painted engine orange. They will either have an "s" (Stant) or an "x" on the center rivet. On L82's the cap is chrome because of the polished aluminum valve covers, with an "s" on the rivet. The LS 4 on the other hand had the rubber push on type on the passenger side. (Raised "oil" in block letters with a smooth background). However, the 73-74 Judging Manual mentions the unpainted rubber cap is rarely seen.

I think the point of that comment in the 1973 TIM&JG is not that the rubber cap is seldom seen, but rather that an unpainted rubber cap is seldom seen. As we say at work: "Communication is a wonderful thing; when you have it."

[Tom R.]

Re: 73 Engine Restoration Complete

It still needs some of the little things for detail, (ie. The little drab olive green vacuum hose clamps for the egr valve).

Nice work! I have begun seeing those spring clamps in vendor bins among the Carlisle collage of vendors. If you don't get a chance to get there, drop me a note mid August and I'll put them on my list. I would to do it now...but I'll probably forget.

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 73 Engine Restoration Complete

Thank you Tom, that is so nice of you. I am planning on going up this year, but not sure what day. I will drop you an email in August ,we can exchange cell #s. I would very much like to meet you.

[Steve L.]

Re: 73 Engine Restoration Complete

A couple of shots without the air cleaner would be nice.
Do you have a TSC solenoid installed. I don't see the wire running up the left side valve cover.