mike343sharpstick's 69 Javelin project

[mike343sharpstick]

I don't know To add to the strangeness, it all worked perfect for the two years I've been driving the car. I only just changed out the transmission, nothing else, UGHH.

Does the negative cable go straight from the battery to the engine block?
Nope, The battery is in the trunk, ground to the chassis. I guess all of those Prothane mounts and shiny paint are good insulators.

I'm going to run to a parts store soon and get a couple of those ground straps and make sure the engine and trans are both attached to the chassis, and yes some paint will need to be sacrificed.

[SuperBuickGuy]

rather then grinding a hole in the paint- why not drill then tap? Put a bolt with a star washer to puncture the paint and call it good? Use stainless

[mike343sharpstick]

Got it! I didn't have time to get to the parts store (stupid work :D). So when I got home I took a piece of steel strapping and drilled a hole in each end and connected these two bolts.

The battery was charged and the thing fired up. What a relief!

So as it was sitting there warming up, I couldn't resist a test drive so I put it on the ground and off I went on a maiden 5-speed voyage. This is going to be fun!

A few things I was worried about are no problem.
I did not get the flywheel balanced matched to the flex-plate that was on there, I knew it was a stock 343 part so I figured there was a good chance it was correct. I got a bit lucky with that, it runs as smooth as it did before.

Another observation is that the G-Force T5 is a little loud,in a good way.

Now to put it back up and finish up all the little stuff and double check everything and tighten the shift ball. I also need to put the passenger seat back in yet and finish bolting in the driver seat. It would be a lot more enjoyable if it wasn't so freakin' cold out in the garage.

[Brian Lohnes]

YAHOO!!!!!!

Great to hear that you cruised it!

[milner351]

[mike343sharpstick]

Took it out for more of a spin yesterday and a tank of fresh fuel. Based on the fuel cost the 5-speed was a damn good idea :o
At about 75 mph in 5th I'm at about 1,500 rpm, wow . I know the stock tach is off some but wow what a Highway cruiser this thing is gonna be.
Now that I have the 5-speed in I can do some math to figure out the optimal rear gear that will go with the 401 I'm building. It's raining today so I won't be able to give it a good thrashing today again. ;)

[Blazerteam]

I guess no burnout vids then? .. you are probably more of a road racer that loves late braking into a turn

[mike343sharpstick]

There will be a burnout vid ;)
It's hard to do a vid when your alone, however my daughter is old enough to take a short vid now :D
I've abused my tires more in these two short drives than I've done with the automatic all last summer

[Blazerteam]

There will be a burnout vid ;)
It's hard to do a vid when your alone, however my daughter is old enough to take a short vid now :D
I've abused my tires more in these two short drives than I've done with the automatic all last summer

Tell me about it..i have done more harm to the rear studded tires the last weeks,than the last 3 winters :D.

Yep..your daughter should be the right one to make a vid..her mother should be glad you are such a responsible father

[SuperBuickGuy]

isn't it amazing, put a stick in the car and it's like it's a brand new (funner) car...