My New 263

[freeman]

Hi All,
I've finally had time to work on my project. I have decided to try and get a running driving chassis before I start to build the body. I have been focusing on getting the motor up and running. (long overdue!) Attached are a couple of pics. The bracket for the paxton is complete, still need to build the air cleaner for the supercharger and add the blow off valve. I plan to send the valve cover and oil filter out for chrome plating. Still need to run the fuel lines to the throttle bodies and finish up the exhaust. The wiring is complete for the fuel injection and need to install it. Other details, I installed an alternator in place of the generator, used the front and rear bell of the generator and made a new sleeve to fit over the alternator. I've added a PCV to the vent on the left side of the motor. Hope to start working on the radiator and hoses in the next couple of weeks and fire the engine soon after that. Thanks everyone for looking.
Pat

 

[firstofeight]

Blown 263

Boy howdy! THREE YEARS. Or has some been posted elsewhere?

Anyway, welcome back into the frey. Anxiously awaiting.

My hopped up 263 has several thousand and a teardown and re assembly.

Ben

 

[bob k. mando]

looking nice! :thumbsup:

 

[freeman]

Thanks guys.
I know 3 years, life sometimes gets in the way of projects and hobbies. I'm hoping to stay on it now that things have settled down for me. I'll post more as I progress.
Thanks
Pat

 

[LONG]

got the email notification. glad I popped in to see this. lookin good man.

 

[freeman]

Thanks Long.
Had more time this weekend to start the plumbing. Just about have the engine fully plumbed, still need to finish a couple of vacuum lines, fuel lines are complete. Have to make lines to the tank. May have some time tomorrow to finish the vacuum lines. Out of town the rest of the week, hope to get back on it next week.
Pat

 

[suntreemcanic]

Nice job pipe bending.

 

[freeman]

Thanks Suntree, first time using stainless, a little harder than steel lines, had to buy some different tools but so far am pretty happy with the results.
Pat

 

[Jenz38]

Nice to see thats it goes on....
Absolutley awesome your bend- job.
I'm courios about the running engine :thumbsup:

 

[freeman]

Thanks Jenz.
Getting closer everyday to fire the engine, received the engine wiring harness today, worked on the blower air filter. Hoping by the end of August if everything goes right.
Pat

 

[freeman]

Getting closer, fuel lines complete, gas tank at the powder coater, Supercharger Blow off valve installed, more exhaust tomorrow. Had to deal with the water temperature sender today. New gauge sender is 1/4 NPT, thread in the head for the original is 5/8-18". Decided to drill and tap the head at the same location for 1/4 NPT, looks like it should work, waiting on the sender to confirm.
Pat

 

[freeman]

Getting closer but still not there, unfortunately, I've gotten busy at work and have little time in the shop, fortunately, I was able to get in the shop today and finish the exhaust. Need to re-run the pressure fuel line and fuel filter was in a bad spot after running the exhaust. Need to mock up a radiator, hoses and wire the starter, alternator, fuel pump, ignition switch to fire it up after adding all the fluids. Hopefully, in the next week or so, I will hear some noise.
Pat

 

[bob k. mando]

being busy at work is usually better than the alternative.

 

[freeman]

Bob, this is true. I was able to get in the shop today, finished all the wiring, filled all the fluids and turned the key but unfortunately bad news, my stainless fuel lines are all leaking at the connections. I'm thinking the stainless lines may not have been correct. I'm not sure if they are annealed but they seemed to flare fine. I'm thinking I am not getting enough crush in the fittings. Hopefully, I can do some research and figure this out, I may have to make new lines but that is just a little more time. I'll keep plugging away.
Thanks
Pat

 

[bob k. mando]

on the plus side, it sounds like once you figure out what's wrong with all of the fittings you can fix them all.

 

[freeman]

Success!

Finally! Today was a successful day, was able to fire my engine for the first time. Had it running for about 15 minutes, made several adjustments to the fuel injection program, and was running better and better. I hope to get back on it tomorrow but glad it went smoothly today. Thanks all for the positive comments. More to follow. I've tried to upload a video of the engine running but no luck. If someone knows how to do that, please let me know and I will upload it.
Thanks
Pat

 

[freeman]

More adjustments today, all was going well until the ignition module decided to die. Have to get another this week. Have a small issue with the supercharger belts, they want to slip off the tensioner. It will work with one belt but not two, will have to re-engineer this, may have to move the tensioner, maybe make the tension grooved for the two belts or possibly change the lower crank pulley allowing for wider belts. May have to do all changes. I'm just happy to hear the motor run and not have any major issues. Will need a better battery, voltage drops below 10V at times when cranking and the fuel injection can't live with that. More to follow.
Pat

 

[firstofeight]

263

Fantastic!
What engine module are you using? What EFI ? I am using an original GM 7 pin, with distributor modified with HEI magnetic pu inside, controlled from the GM [ 1990 Chevy PU] ECM. So far so good.

I would be so thrilled to feel that engine driving when the Paxton kicks in.

Ben

 

[freeman]

Hi Ben,
I'm using a Pertronix module in the stock distributor. The fuel injection system is made up of two Moon 97 style throttle bodies each with two Chevy fuel injectors from a small block (tuned port type, multi-port). The wiring and computer (Sportsman XFI) is from FAST and the programming is being handled by Imagine Injection out of Glendale, AZ. It is fully programmable via a laptop. I can't wait to see what it will drive like with the Paxton either, but that won't be for a long time, still have to build the body. The chassis is almost complete, need to run brake lines and add the electronic power steering as well as the clutch switch for the Columbia two speed. The wheels are being built currently and that will be the final touches for the chassis, hope to have that all complete by the beginning of next year. I'm looking forward to building the body, hopefully, that will be fun.
Thanks
Pat

 

[firstofeight]

263

OKAY!!
Don't dawdle too long. I am getting old, you know, and I NEED to see it go.

Ben