454 Engine Swap: Drilling Flexplate, Shimming Starter, and Weighing Engine (78 Firebird Ep.34)

We are re-using the factory flexplate, but it is a bit of a problem since I want to bolt it to a torque converter with a different bolt pattern than what it came with. The converter has a 10 3/4” pattern while the flexplate is 11 1/2”, but that won't be a problem because we have a drill press and files to slot the mounting holes.
Then, we'd better figure out a starter that is going to turn this engine over and go through the setup and shimming process to get it positioned just right. Finally, what does it all weigh? I've heard pretty different numbers thrown around for big block Chevy engines so let's find out for ourselves!
Timeline of filming: March 23rd, 2020 - December 30th, 2020
Song List (Order of First Appearance):
0:01 Sunday Drive - Silent Partner
3:58 Glen Canyon - Dan Lebowitz
11:33 Summer Love - The 126ers
(All music provided by KZbin's Audio Library royalty free.)
Thanks for watching, and joining us on this adventure! Please let us know what you think! Consider supporting us via Patreon as well! / fuzzydiceprojects
Follow our Instagram for more pictures and teasers: / fuzzydiceprojects
Check out our second channel for a variety of other content: / @fuzzydicepastimes

[@FuzzyDiceProjects]

I'm looking at this as, more or less, the end of the engine rebuild mini-series. I can't believe I let it take 22 episodes, but we have covered pretty much everything that was done to the engine outside of the car. In my head, the next few episodes are going to move through things faster but I have barely started editing them so I'm not sure where that will take me. That is the goal, at least. Next episode will certainly have the 350 coming out of the Firebird, and I am excited to get to it!

[@JS-wc4xs]

I'm excited to see the upcoming videos, although I'm well aware of the insane amount of time required to shoot and especially edit. I absolutely love your channel; whether it's the indepth guides, the arduous adventures, or just your style and humor I greatly appreciate your content. Thank you and keep up the great work.

[@giovanefortuna]

I love this channel!

[@jqc00]

Love the episodes!!! Keep them coming!

[@RobotJustice]

The level of detail is what's made this series interesting for me! So many build videos out there that just gloss over all the little things, when we all know it's the details that take up all the time.

[@worsley3000]

This build is everything ya want in a you tube series love it

[@alexandercurtis4427]

This has got to be one of my favorite series on KZbin right now

[@michaelwilliams6922]

This is my favorite you tube series lol

[@polaxis842]

Same here

[@joelharris3073]

Same dude.

[@drrb4ever]

Same but he takes so long to post 🥹

[@ChaseDaPlaya]

Same, and I just realized he’s in my state, hood to see the car in person one day

[@coverfrequency2305]

I enjoy the development process. Most build videos go over the process like it's no big deal and don't point out problems. Where as you guys point out what didn't work so well and say things like " yeah that could be better". It's not amateur it's development and that's what it feels like for someone doing something for the first time with confidence.

[@edwardmyers1746]

Real neat to see this old school building taking place in 2022

[@geoffoneida487]

I always hit the like button before the episode even starts

[@Roxaschao]

the worst part of a Fuzzy Dice Projects video is when it ends, your videos are so mellow and i click them as soon as i see them go live, cheers mate

[@Maxprofits101]

Thank you for converting measurements to metric. Much appreciated by myself and the rest of the world that exists outside of America. 😉

[@pv2smurf]

Perfect way to start a Saturday 🤘

[@nattyrights]

Waiting for new videos in this series is something I've learned to accept. The serenity prayer helps.

[@troudbalos333]

Wow! What a journey that was. I cant wait to hear that engine purr.

[@Firebird400]

I have had one of those starters on my 78 firebird for the last 5 years and it’s been fine. Great video as usual. Thanks for the entertainment

[@razorsfury6519]

I'm excited to see the swap and it's first fire up!

[@armandoruiz8478]

this you tube channel is by far my favorite. can't wait for the next episode. Thanks

[@Aiika__]

im blown away by the production quality of these videos. I love seeing the process of you figuring this out and making a beautiful engine at the end of it. Enjoy these videos so much and i hope you continue to make more :)

[@Antoniya-xz3tn]

I'm very happy that you are not a sellout like some other youtubers. It's the same amazing quality channel since day one. I wish you very best. Greetings from Bulgaria 🇧🇬 Can't wait for the first start.

[@LionWithTheLamb]

Cough, Roadkill.... Cough, VGG.

[@Jack81D]

Oh boy, seeing videos pop up from this channel in my feed always makes my day! Cant wait for the install and first start !

[@FuckMargaretThatchher]

Eat. Sleep. Desperately reload fuzzy dice projects praying that there’s another firebird episode.

[@corporalclegg914]

unreal. I pray for Porsche & mein Online-Kumpel prays for Pontiac. Viel Glück da drüben, Karl.

[@Reffuhnayr]

I absolutely love this series. It is so inspiring to me; You do the absolute best you can with the tools and time you have available and you are so patient in recording the process. I love it!

[@JeepGuy8686]

I was hoping you would have a video this morning. Can’t wait to see this run.

[@zdravkomomci7570]

I've watched your series from day one and you have done alot and on your own, . I really admire your willpower and just like the C10 am looking forward to that big day well done mate👍🇦🇺

[@PhoenixT1953]

Engine looks sweet man, glad to see it will be soon installed into the car

[@judeg.8101]

Fantastic work and very informative and entertaining. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@crimthegrim]

I ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO THE UPDATE VIDEOS!! SO EXCITED

[@randy6805]

This makes me happy to be awake too early

[@mrjockey87]

Niiiiice! I binged all the previous episoder just last night! This hits the spot juuuuust right today.

[@masmit123]

Great episode !

[@rexcameron995]

I have a powermaster starter in my 1991 truck, been 2 years no problem at all. Very powerful.

[@umad42]

I always look forward to your uploads, excited to see the 350 come out and the big block drop in

[@peppermintgamer3856]

I think these videos are comes out great. Don't fear about it dragging out from what you've said you've cut it down alot so you've done great.

[@alexanderskripnik6179]

Guys, I'm watching you from the Chevrolet Blazer V8 project. I have a 1995 Blazer and I've been thinking about putting a V8 on it. Unfortunately, due to the geopolitical situation, it is now difficult to bring the idea to life.

[@captaingreatvalue3176]

You are a mechanical genius

[@Ragingxplorer92]

I love the channel I’m not a Chevy guy but I watch anyway because you’re filming it😂

[@zanderxymox]

I love your persistence when it comes to this stuff, knowing me I would have found it too difficult to figure out a long time ago. I enjoy watching you work thru all the issues and making it right in the end. Hope to see this car in person someday, as I am also in Maryland :)

[@JoDoDesigns2011]

👍👍👍👍👍 can't wait to hear it fire up

[@thrillbilly9785]

Been following this build since the beginning. Good work

[@ryanweintraub9448]

Going from seeing this series over months and months to Cleetus McFarland's crew putting in an SMX engine within a week is interesting to see. Both are equally interesting to me, and I'm excited to see the first burnout this engine does

[@hesslerk]

I bought the same starter for my 388, so far so good.

[@dragondead100]

by far my favorite series ever thanks for all your hard work :)

[@JakeTheBear1]

I really enjoyed your style of story telling! Really love your Firebird and Pinto series! ❤

[@2nerdy4u]

Man I'm excited to see this firebird start up!

[@josephcross6327]

I always enjoy your projects, and the process you go through

[@brett8349]

This series is like a drug addiction, I am always jonesing for my next hit.

[@StormHawksHD]

Great work as usual Mike.

[@ipoopmuffins]

this series is such a tease man lol, cant wait to hear it run

[@eumoria]

Hey man congrats on the build. Every single thing gave you issues and you found clever, budget solutions to all of them. I really hope it all ends up making you happy... but with your determination I'm sure it'll make you happy come hell or high water LOL. Congrats, again :)

[@CharlieMetcalf]

You always do a superb narration job making your videos fun to watch. Thanks again for taking the time to entertain us with you cool a$$ videos!

[@Travis7109]

I would love to see some half hour to hour long episodes come out of your channel eventually. You do good work

[@RickSolid1]

I really do look forward to your vids. Knowing you’re on a budget making sometimes questionable choices appeals to me and I suspect many many other people as well

[@RESTORATIONRESCUE]

Great episode and I got so excited thinking you were gonna start it outside the car!! But great job and can't wait to see it in the car!

[@NO-background-music-in-videos.]

Reason the factory did not tighten those bolts was due to the fact its adjustable and if they tighten them up with lock tight it be harder later to move it.

[@brentrichards1200]

That's an absolutely gorgeous engine.

[@itsduncan4864]

Awesome man I can't wait to see that motor in the firebird

[@maxvindication7828]

I’m so fucken excited I HAVE BEEN WAITING YEARS FOR THIS

[@turnersgarage6134]

Great video as always

[@thorstenwolters9025]

I love that vlogs! Please do me a favor, keep doing that brillant work! A big cheers from Hamburg, Germany! And now I drink a good beer for it!

[@devdoesitbest6974]

Its been a long jouney but I cant wait to see the old engine removed in the next episode

[@TheJoecb]

Such an awesome job you're doing, excellent build.

[@sandyv4819]

I've recently bought a 86 dodge truck before winter with the full intention of fixing it up and getting something nice and hopefully reliable? I know it's probably against my better judgement but I'm definitely referring to this channel lol. I know he's mostly done Chevys but hey. A engines a engine at the end of the day. Just a different bolt pattern or firing order!

[@maltepalte95]

Taking my chance to say, Love your videos man!

[@barthanes1]

I thought you were going to split our eardrums with some combustion there for a second. I guess I'll have to wait a bit longer.

[@syncronisity1]

I would have welded the original holes, ground them smooth (or taken them to a machine shop and had them milled), then I would have built an adapter for the pilot so it would have been perfectly centered, then I would have drilled out the new holes. Admittedly it would have been a lot of work, but I think it would have been worth it.

[@corypixley2173]

We need to see the next chapter of the ointo

[@russellgiardina]

This is incredible stuff. Art, really.

[@frtaylor29]

Can’t wait!

[@brianbanks3044]

Great job

[@Gectms]

Love your videos dude!

[@12yearssober]

Those flexplates were weak from the factory. I've broke 4 of them myself on stock motors. 2 of them cracked from the torque converter bolt inward. I would prepare to replace it with something aftermarket in the future.

[@oriancunningham]

Another banger

[@NeverLetOff]

Let's go!

[@soup4564]

Thanks!

[@lietus4192]

Time to fix up the firebird , make it worthy of the engine

[@MikhailScottKy]

Given how tight the engine bay is I would suggest placing the headers in the engine bay before you put the engine in the car.

[@FuzzyDiceProjects]

We already got it in place but in case someone else is reading this, I would agree. Driver's side header was fine but we had to unbolt the passenger side one and guide it in with the engine to get it past the crossmember. It was frustratingly close but just wasn't going to happen with the transmission still installed.

[@elliotgeise4742]

Great video as always, love you stuff! Just FYI while I can't speak to the spark plugs I have had bad luck with Accel coils before so i would be weary of the quality, however it looks like you have a few hundred of them so no worries if a few are bad 🤣

[@rwt8851]

You are going to have a hard time with those plugs. you need to go one or two ranges cooler than factory. and gap them about 0.20-0.25, for blown engines. you need to gap them lower for the boost or they will flame out. IE the boost will blow the spark away at 0.35. Also the reason for cooler plugs is for detonation. Also you will want to read the plugs straps for the timing mark. less timing than original for starters then bring it up slowly.

[@c0wb0yTV]

you make awesome content, thank you

[@scuff433]

love your videos ❤

[@stinger1533]

awesome!

[@repentnow1720]

FYI - With boost you may want to consider a plug gap of 25 not 35 as boost has a tendency to blow-out the spark - ask me how I know!

[@g1ngersnaps149]

fucking love these videos. thanks for putting in metric conversions btw

[@g1ngersnaps149]

Ah yes very real

[@robertvillafan1220]

Nice

[@milesparris4045]

You gotta try the Bauer step bits. They're maybe a dollar or two more for the 3-pack and they cut MUCH better without the grab when they go through like the Warrior you used.

[@gbodyman73]

I know this channel is all about doing things on a budget. But throw those Accel header spark plugs in the trash!!! They are pure garbage! Love the channel and the vids!

[@cce3325]

I second that. They were on clearance for a reason.

[@sinankilci8860]

I can't stop thinking that valve...

[@rexmedina4561]

Someone put in the wrench time. It’s an amazing machine 😏😂

[@matthew87ism]

Woo

[@dcallan812]

You didn't colour sand the flexplate!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣looks nice 2x👍

[@VSigma725]

I imagine part of the engine swap process is going to be stiffer front springs for that 454...

[@scotthultin7769]

If you have a stronger coil and that is nice job

[@jakleo337]

A 7.3 International diesel from a 1990 ford Pu weights 1500 lbs. Twice the weight of your combo.

[@weedwacker1716]

Is it all about the friends you made along the way?

[@alexstromberg7696]

I hope it will make more than 500hp

[@sorbustin]

Noice.

[@literallyanythingelseother]

Finally it is over. Could you imagine this blew up right away lmfao

[@rgbigdog]

Too bad you don't have an engine run stand. It would be nice to get the engine running to check for oil /coolant leaks. And to dial it in before it goes into the car.

[@jeorgelowpez2069]

Knurling? @5:07 looks like splining to me

[@Chris_hqv]

Ich Mags ❤

[@jakegackle7398]

So, you may have already, but, if you haven't changed it, that is REALLY going to need a beefier transmission. If you're planning on driving it any variation of how that car should be driven, the one you have in there won't last long...

[@Tigerfire75]

Is the suspension strong enough to keep the car from being a low rider up front?

[@FuzzyDiceProjects]

When I replaced the front springs a few years ago, I chose the heavier ones used for factory big block cars and on top of that it has the overload shocks. If anything could carry that without breaking a sweat it should be able to. Hopefully.

[@drasticmezures]

I recently watched the four Pinto videos. Did you guys ever figure out what was making it overheat?

[@RebornRockerVids]

Drink when you see a torque wrench 😂