What To Do With The 403

[langss]

I have, and this would be some what of an assumption, the engine that came in my car (may or may not be the original) and the one I bought to replace it (came out of a 4dr Olds car). They are being replaced with a Small Block Chevy. I don't think keeping either engine is worth the space they are taking up. The car had been hit hard and soon will get the Firewall and Cowl straightened, so the last Subframe Bolt can be installed, and the Passenger Door, can be aligned. Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see this once wrecked/nearly totaled, California car as being something valuable in the future. What do you all think.

[Wallington]

I think it would be handy to know if it's what came with the car, as easy as checking the number. Torque rules on the street. I didn't follow the rest of it or what asking. Engine was swapped, then car totaled anyway? In which case the numbers are just for interest than anything else. And the standard Chev swap, well, I have nothing to suggest with that one.

[langss]

I think it would be handy to know if it's what came with the car, as easy as checking the number. Torque rules on the street. I didn't follow the rest of it or what asking. Engine was swapped, then car totaled anyway? In which case the numbers are just for interest than anything else. And the standard Chev swap, well, I have nothing to suggest with that one.

I was trying not to be to confusing, but this poor car, got off to a bad start from the "Get". I actually test drove it, when I was looking for a TA in 78. It had been "Special Ordered", and backed out on, everybody wanted a Black Car (Smoky And The Bandit) and the dealer was on the hook for a pricey car nobody wanted. Fast Forward 1985, I see it wrecked, sitting in a Neighbors Driveway. He's a  Licensed Auto Dismantler and he bought it for Parts for his TA. Well that didn't work out, and I bought it. Time passed and after talking to the Original Owner, The car had a lot of problems, some fixed under warranty some not, so that's where the question of originality comes in. Apparently, it had an ongoing overheating problem, blown head gaskets, broken head bolts, and assorted other things. I'm not interested in going further down the 403 rabbit hole. I've got lots of Small Block Chevy stuff and the 403 is no High RPM motor. This car is headed for Willow Springs, never going to see the street again. But if there was value in holding on to the perceived original engine, I would consider keeping it around that's all. You helped me out with the Exhaust, that was looking like a problem, not so much anymore and I thank you.     

[Wallington]

If no intention of keeping original or restoring or not even sure if engine is original then sell it to someone that wants one. The SBC needed to be a high winding motor, it had no low-down torque. Good 403's were getting hard to source, along with the others, although in recent times with LS swaps a few more have popped up. Someone buying the converted car in the future is likely someone who sees it as it is at time of sale, not because there's a spare block elsewhere stored for years.

[langss]

If no intention of keeping original or restoring or not even sure if engine is original then sell it to someone that wants one. The SBC needed to be a high winding motor, it had no low-down torque. Good 403's were getting hard to source, along with the others, although in recent times with LS swaps a few more have popped up. Someone buying the converted car in the future is likely someone who sees it as it is at time of sale, not because there's a spare block elsewhere stored for years.

Thanks for your input. I was never concerned with the "Resale" aspect, And the only reason the car didn't end up in the Crusher was "It was Evidence In The Legal Battle That Followed The Accident". It's been off the DMV rolls for close to 30 yrs. The last time I considered restoring it was 05 and the DMV wanted to go back to 85 for registration and fines. Now it would have to go through California's Specially Constructed Vehicle BS, Pass Smog, and get a new Vin. That was the whole point of my original post. Other than the Clutch Linkage, and the Hole In The Floor For the Shifter, I'm not changing/doing anything else to the car. It's already got a 76 Camaro Subframe, and eventually it will have the front clip from a 79. I was just curious what anyone thought about keeping the 403 around. Obviously selling it was always the option.     

[Wallington]

In that case, hold onto it...until you get a deal worth letting it go for. It's often a case of having the right guy need one that is also local enough to collect. Put all the accessories and brackets, aircleaner etc aside, if you even have any left from it. All worth a fair bit now compared to buying piece by piece and shipping on each part. If engine buyer wants to put it in his Buick, Bus, speedboat, then sell the Firebird parts separately.

[langss]

In that case, hold onto it...until you get a deal worth letting it go for. It's often a case of having the right guy need one that is also local enough to collect. Put all the accessories and brackets, aircleaner etc aside, if you even have any left from it. All worth a fair bit now compared to buying piece by piece and shipping on each part. If engine buyer wants to put it in his Buick, Bus, speedboat, then sell the Firebird parts separately.

Thanks for that suggestion. I have everything. In fact the only difference I found between the engine that was in the car and the one I bought, was the TA engine had the "Oil Pressure Sending Unit" mounted on a bent piece of tubing in front, and the Carburetor has the "Idle Adjustment Screws Accessible". Otherwise they were exactly the same. So ya...what I don't use for the swap goes with the engine. 

[Wallington]

Yes, the oil extension was required due to the revised brackets for Firebird models, the regular angled brass block in the top fouls them. Don't lose the extension tube, the reproductions are rubbish and too long. This means the sender gets pushed past the loop bracket retainer. They don't care too much because the sender they sell is too large anyway so you can't use the bracket and then won't know it never fit. I did a post on here once years ago about comparing and modifying to fit. These parts still don't exist in reproduction, just the incorrect tube, so make that all 3.

Edit.  No, looks like thread long gone. It was about 12 years ago as I had to drive the engine shop to test fit for pics. But it had been referenced numerous times, seemingly still pre-crash. I'd post it again but not sure anyone had any real interest then or now!

Edit 2. I found some of my posts in another forum that blocked me, that's what you get for being a major contributor. Seems also that there may now be a repro bracket and small sender in the works, I need to study that one further.

[langss]

Yes, the oil extension was required due to the revised brackets for Firebird models, the regular angled brass block in the top fouls them. Don't lose the extension tube, the reproductions are rubbish and too long. This means the sender gets pushed past the loop bracket retainer. They don't care too much because the sender they sell is too large anyway so you can't use the bracket and then won't know it never fit. I did a post on here once years ago about comparing and modifying to fit. These parts still don't exist in reproduction, just the incorrect tube, so make that all 3.

Edit.  No, looks like thread long gone. It was about 12 years ago as I had to drive the engine shop to test fit for pics. But it had been referenced numerous times, seemingly still pre-crash. I'd post it again but not sure anyone had any real interest then or now!

Edit 2. I found some of my posts in another forum that blocked me, that's what you get for being a major contributor. Seems also that there may now be a repro bracket and small sender in the works, I need to study that one further.

That's good to know, Thank You. I left the "O" engine intact, and made a copy of the tube for the new one. I bought all the same fittings, and a new Sending Unit. There were no brackets or anything supporting the Sending Unit, it was just hanging on that tube. I realize after talking to you, that car had a lot of work done on it. I guess swapping the Engine out of my crashed 86 TA into my crashed 78 TA isn't such a bad thing.