So I have the Ventura up and running again after a couple weeks of work and aggravation.
What started out as putting the new wheels and tires on, grew into fixing the annoying oil leak it has had for some time. That progressed to pulling the motor out, finding out that the main and rod bearings have seen better days, and ultimately deciding to put the 350 that's been living under my bench for the last 5 years or so back in. I did order all new bearings for the original 260 motor and I will put it back together this summer, but I will run the 350 for the foreseeable future.
I also took the catalytic converter off, and had a local muffler shop make up a new section of pipe to permanently delete it. Big difference in the performance, it will now burn rubber with very little effort, even with 2.56 gears! I also found some kind of restrictor inside the y pipe that I removed, weird thing, I will have to take a picture of it, never seen one before.
The 350 has been sitting untouched since I pulled it out, except for me occasionally turning it by hand to make sure it doesn't lock up. I dropped it in, did absolutely nothing to it except add fresh oil and filter, and it fired up almost instantly. I let it run for about 25 minutes when I got it going on Tuesday night, then shut it off to check the oil level, look for any leaks and put the hood on. Then I tried to start it again and nothing, no clicks from the starter solenoid, nothing. Battery had power, lights all worked, but no juice to the starter. Hmm. I spent about 90 minutes checking out the wiring to the starter and crossed the terminals, starter engaged fine, still nothing when turning the ignition. Damn.
Went out last night and dug a little bit deeper, turns out the neutral safety switch took a dump, never had one go bad before. Bypassed it and good to go! Got a few blocks into the maiden voyage and the alternator **** the bed. Brought it home and called it a night again.
I had a spare alternator, installed it after work today, finally good. I will have to do some small things yet, but I am really happy about how well it goes now. Sounds better too.
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