1985 Monte Carlo SS

[Crispy]

So a thread a while back talking about "The one that got away" got me thinking...and spending...

I bought a clapped out 85 Monte. Got it with the engine apart and pretty bubba'd but this was a guilty pleasure, impulse buy so I didnt care.

Had a 350 from an 87 truck, CCC deleted, half the heater box chopped off, straight pipes on mid length headers, unneeded hood pins (wtf?!), oh a dogged out 350 with busted rings.

I yanked the engine out and sold it with full disclosure of the condition. I'm currently working on a junkyard L31 that should be in very soon. Kept the L31 stock for now except some long tubes and an edelbrock vortec intake. Got a carter fuel pump to supply the carb, and a mr gasket regulator to keep it dialed in.

New engine mounts, new tranny mount, TCI torque converter lock up kit, and a little engine paint.

Here are some pics of the progress made as of last week. I have to snap some more of the l31 and the mess in my garage.

I've since removed the decals and if anyone wants to make an offer on the wheels they will be for sale soon. Tires are good with no cracks but are 10 years old. Looking to get 3rd gen firebird formula wheels. (GNX look a likes)

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[Crispy]

I tore apart the interior and sold the seats and console for a surprisingly good price. Then I hit up Harrys U Pull it in Hazelton, PA and got the leather seats and console from an 03 Monte Carlo, also got a new ACC carpet. I cleaned and dyed the interior panels black with duplicolor fabric and vinyl paint. Gonna have my neighbor patch up a few small holes in the floor pan so I can set the carpet in and get to work on those seat brackets. I've ran all the wires for a sub and amp, and next up is the wiring for the power driver seat.

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[Derick C.]

These cars are cool as F

 

[Crispy]

Thanks man. Always had a soft spot for them. First one I bought was when I was 18, then again at 25, now maybe the 3rd time is the charm.

Here are a few more shots of the interior and seats to go in.

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Engine is partially assembled. Pretty much in mock up stage before I cinch everything down. I need to change the oil filter adapter. The van this truck came from had the oil cooler option and the adapter plus filter are too long. I should be able to run a standard length filter and clear, if not then I'll run a shorter one.

The power steering bracket needs to be cleaned and painted, the alternator bracket has been cleaned and paint and is ready to install. Later I'm going to wire the oem SI alternator wiring to CS130D that came on the engine.

Oil disptick and tube is from an F body LT1. Perfect fit.

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[Crispy]

Oil cooler adapter is replaced with a regular one. Filter is still pretty close to the header but it fits and I bought a rock auto close out of wix made 51069 filters a while back. I dont think its gonna be much fun doing an oil change on this lol. Oh well.

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[Crispy]

I finished assembly on the stand. Got the intake torqued down, dropped the distributor in, got my oil pressure sender and fuel pressure safety switch teed in. The belt I ordered which was supposedly for an engine without AC did not work, was way too long. Dunno if it uses a factory delete pulley so I ordered a Dorman delete pulley and am hoping the belt will work. I was able to sell the oil filter adapter on ebay for a few bucks and it covered the cost of the new adapter, and delete pulley so thats cool. I mounted the starter and decided to order the factory heat shield for good measure.

After wrestling the engine some and sliding the tranny back some I was able to get it dropped on the mounts but now I'm wrestling the alignment of the trans to the back of the block. It was pissing me off so I walked away for now. Later this week I'll get the cherry picker back on and get the engine and tranny mated.

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Still to do before first fire is wiring and plumbing the fuel pump, wiring the fuel pressure safety switch, and wiring the alternator conversion. I think I'll have it running in pretty short order.

 

[mcarlo86]

Sweet car! Always wanted an SS Monte from the 80s. Gonna be fun to watch how this turns out!

 

[78C10BigTen]

So a thread a while back talking about "The one that got away" got me thinking...and spending...

I bought a clapped out 85 Monte. Got it with the engine apart and pretty bubba'd but this was a guilty pleasure, impulse buy so I didnt care.

Had a 350 from an 87 truck, CCC deleted, half the heater box chopped off, straight pipes on mid length headers, unneeded hood pins (wtf?!), oh a dogged out 350 with busted rings.

I yanked the engine out and sold it with full disclosure of the condition. I'm currently working on a junkyard L31 that should be in very soon. Kept the L31 stock for now except some long tubes and an edelbrock vortec intake. Got a carter fuel pump to supply the carb, and a mr gasket regulator to keep it dialed in.

New engine mounts, new tranny mount, TCI torque converter lock up kit, and a little engine paint.

Here are some pics of the progress made as of last week. I have to snap some more of the l31 and the mess in my garage.

I've since removed the decals and if anyone wants to make an offer on the wheels they will be for sale soon. Tires are good with no cracks but are 10 years old. Looking to get 3rd gen firebird formula wheels. (GNX look a likes)

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I would left the decals but way cool car! What are you wanting for those wheels? Also sweet s10!

 

[78C10BigTen]

I tore apart the interior and sold the seats and console for a surprisingly good price. Then I hit up Harrys U Pull it in Hazelton, PA and got the leather seats and console from an 03 Monte Carlo, also got a new ACC carpet. I cleaned and dyed the interior panels black with duplicolor fabric and vinyl paint. Gonna have my neighbor patch up a few small holes in the floor pan so I can set the carpet in and get to work on those seat brackets. I've ran all the wires for a sub and amp, and next up is the wiring for the power driver seat.

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Dude ya shoulda hit me up when you when to harrys! Its like a half hour from me! I coulda met up with ya and went junk yardin with ya!

 

[Crispy]

Sweet car! Always wanted an SS Monte from the 80s. Gonna be fun to watch how this turns out!

Anything to do with the user name? One of my fave cars growing up. I got all nostalgic and had to have it lol.

I would left the decals but way cool car! What are you wanting for those wheels? Also sweet s10!

If the decals were a little higher quality I woulda considered it but they were too big and a thin die cut cut vinyl. Its either gonna stay that way or I'll try and score later model SS decals. That S10 is our little work horse, we take it out around the woods and use it to feed and water the animals. I have a ton of LED lights, could probably land a helicopter with it if I wanted haha. As for the wheels, I guess enough to cover a set of black mesh 3rd gen f body wheels.

Dude ya shoulda hit me up when you when to harrys! Its like a half hour from me! I coulda met up with ya and went junk yardin with ya!

Harrys in Hazelton? That place is like 20-25 mins from me. I'd be down for a meet up, especially to wrench on some cheap parts.

 

[78C10BigTen]

H

Anything to do with the user name? One of my fave cars growing up. I got all nostalgic and had to have it lol.



If the decals were a little higher quality I woulda considered it but they were too big and a thin die cut cut vinyl. Its either gonna stay that way or I'll try and score later model SS decals. That S10 is our little work horse, we take it out around the woods and use it to feed and water the animals. I have a ton of LED lights, could probably land a helicopter with it if I wanted haha. As for the wheels, I guess enough to cover a set of black mesh 3rd gen f body wheels.



Harrys in Hazelton? That place is like 20-25 mins from me. I'd be down for a meet up, especially to wrench on some cheap parts.

Yea hazelton. I live in catawissa. Bloomsburg is right next to me.

 

[Crispy]

H
Yea hazelton. I live in catawissa. Bloomsburg is right next to me.

Oh ok you aint very far from me then. Opposite side of 81

 

[Madhorn]

Great build. Keep the pic coming.

 

[Catbox]

Man.
If you were closer, I would be all over those wheels.

Nice project car sir!

 

[Rusty Nail]

Ya know SS monte Carlos had factory aluminum bumpers - not steel. Check it out.

And you made the right choice on the decals imo. Good mark of a cheap paint job/p.o...any plans to get the stripes ? Pretty sure Phoenix Graphics sells the kit.

I sold my SS and spent some good time prepping it for delivery today as a matter of fact.
A 275/60/15 will fit out back with a little hammer action on the inside of the wheelwell -factory wheels
I always wanted an aftermarket "NASCAR type" factory spoiler it's called. Looks the same but is two inches taller and finally, you can double up the front air dam if you buy another one and flip it upside down - it bolts together.
Just sayin.

Good luck @Crispy