For those of you still keeping track at home....

Sunday was a slow day... Since we knew starting out that we really couldn't accomplish a lot today, we got a late start (along with the 3am bed time last night). About noon, Garth showed up, and I had already managed to get into my first mess of the day. Somehow, my spark plug socket became lodged on the #2 plug, and we spent quite a while tackling that 'problem'. Finally got the pass. side plugs installed, and decided to start on the Taylor cut-to-fit plug wires. Oh joy...

Managed to get all the plug wires on the plugs fairly easily. But, running these things through all the looms and bracketry of the accessories was a VERY time consuming process... I would NOT have wanted to try and run them with the optispark connectors already installed. Anyway, we got the 4 pass ones run, and cut the first to fit. Let me tell you... Slipping those optispark boots on was a real PITA!!! The tiny sample size package of silicone grease lasted about 2 wires worth. Time for a trip to the store.

Purchased more grease and came back from lunch. Finished the pass. side so I stuck the driver's side head on the fit those. I could not believe how easily the AS&M driver's header went in place! Dropped right down from the top! Sweet... Stuck a couple of bolts on to hold it in and screwed all the plugs in in about 2 minutes. Quite a contrast to the pass. side. Ran the wires and cut the ends to fit. Cool...

After finishing up the wires, we decide to see how much banging and prying is going to be required for the custom y-pipe. Carl had stopped by at this point, so he crawled under with us to help support it. To all our amazement, it fit right in place! I must commend Rocky again for his piece. Of course, it wasn't bolted in place yet, but it really looks like it's gonna slip right in. COOL!

So, pulled that back out, pulled the driver's header back off, and basically called it a night. I've lost my help (left town), so I'm on my own again (hint hint to any of your Austinites! :). I finished up what I could tonight, and decided to clean the garage. Everything is again organized for the next round.

Well, first thing tomorrow I'll be calling around trying to find an Impala SS head gasket. Hopefully the one dealership which was closed on Sat. will have one. If so, then I'll get the head on tomorrow and maybe finish up the exhaust system. If so, then Tuesday may be the intake manifold and wiring. I can see the end of this fiasco, as I feel the worst is past (pass. side header and wires). Hope I'm right.

Total time invested to date: 2.5 + 10 + 15 + 4 = 31.5 hours. Granted, a lot of that time was wasted with the gasket situation and socializing, but still not too bad... I'm guestimating another 8 to fire her up! :)

Sigh........... BTW, I've been taking pics along the way that I'll hopefully get scanned. The ones of the 'lopsided' engine (pass. side all done, driver's side piston showing) should be interesting! :)