Just picked the car at Carlisle over the weekend and can't describe how excited I am to be a mopar owner and a classic car guy again. I had a 64 elcamino in HS w/ a 350 LTI, 4 spd Muncie, and 4:11 gears. It was a blast and I am glad to be back.

My (Avacodo green) Satellite is mostly stock w/ 40+k miles. Great shape with some modifiactions to the engine (318). Headers, intake manifold, edelbrock carb, flowmasters. She sounds and looks great but needs a few things. The work was done in Michigan in 03 by Bill Reicher.

Question: In terms of a tune-up. What should I do first? I just want to cruise her for a while, then drop a 440 that my buddy has waiting for me. In the mean time I want to keep her rolling nicely. I appreciate all feedback.

 

are you gonna make a GTX clone?

 

Change the oil, check the plugs & points, and if you have any questions at all about the brakes, FIX em. Last thing you want is to have her doing all kinds of go, and no stop. Check your hoses and belts, and keep a watch on temps and pressures. The best thing you can do is to drive it some till it tells you there's a problem.

 

thanks for the info. I pulled the radiator over the weekend and am trying to figure out weather to fix, replace, or replace with a larger one for the 440 to come in the near nfuture. I'll download pics asap.
-C

 

the 440 needs a larger radiator than the 318

 

The radiator was found to be pretty clogged so I am having it re-corded (?) and added a third layer. The guy at the shop claimed the larger radiator would need modification to fit properly. With the radiator re-corded and the third layer I was told it would be fine. When I drop the next engine in I'll spring for the $900 be cool radiator. This is running me $500 as it is. Any suggestions on suspension upgrades and disc brake conversion in preparation for the new HP?

 

what kind of brakes do you have now?

 

with it being stock sat i wanna say it would have manual drum brakes maybe disc if sport sat id say if it has disc fix em if it dont get them ....... ever have your drums over heat and fade at speed ? you can always box up the old stuff and save it
goodluck with it sounds like it will be a fun ride

 

the drums should be fine though

 

I appreciate the feedback.

 

Sweet looking ride sat id go all wheel disc if the funds are there and with the 440 going into it later id just make sure its all tuned up and drive it till the weather hits then change out everything you are going to do just as long as you get it done by next season do you have a trans for the 440 and id look into some shorty headers so you have a bit of room to work under the hood but all in all take your time and do it right the first time

also glad to have you as a MoPaR person

 

make sure you run a oil with zinc it in or else bye bye motor
it happened to me

 

67 run the VR1 valvoline oil it has some of the most zinc in it for you engine

 

Thanks Challenger. I'm off to the auto parts store tomorrow to pick up some tune up essentials. Should I add red line zinc additive with the VR 1 or is that over kill?
-C

 

you shouldnt need it
that has enough zinc in it

 

That is a NICE ride. its super clean. congrats. when you get rthe RB in that baby, youlll wonder why you waited so long to switch. have fun.

 

Thanks rr69. I am going to work on acquiring the 440 this winter. In the mean time can anyone suggest any suspension/drivetrain modifiactions that are necessary with a large engine upgrade? I would love to change the tranny to a 5 speed. Its an auto now. Not sure of the gears in the rear....

 

you can easily check the rear end ratio
jack the back of the car off the ground
put a piece of chalk on the bottom of the driveshaft, and a chalk mark on the bottom of the tire
and count how many times the driveshaft turns after the wheel makes a complete 360 turn