Install Edlebrock heads on 1978 Pontiac Trans AM (engine in car)

Car is a 1978 Pontiac Trans Am with a Pontiac 455 under the hood. Engine overheated and blew a headgasket. Here I swap the factory iron 4X heads for Edlebrock 87cc performers. I still don't know why it overheated, I suppose I won't know for sure that I've fixed it until the summer heat comes around.
Links:
Vice Grip Garage BBC v8 rebuild video. Pushrod length segment at about 14minutes in.
• BUDGET Chevy Big Block...
Fast Monty’s Garage on electric cooling fans .
• How to Upgrade your Co...
Heads and accessories from Butler Performance

[@NickGoesSkrrrrrt]

love the reaction to the water pouring in the interior at the end... nice to see someone who doesn't take these things too seriously. i've had similar reactions when water leaks into my c5z - must be a gm thing lol sweet car!

[@davebdave1]

Thanks. I’m not opposed to driving it in the rain but I need to bring a towel if I do.

[@caseyc8603]

I was thinking to myself you're awfully brave taking it through a car wash without it possibly leaking and then you showed that it was pouring 😂

[@davebdave1]

Lol, It was a lot worse than I expected.

[@77chevy4x4]

3:00 mark ……..had my engine doing the same thing… always 6 months in engine would warm up and milky ways would be on the stick As shown that scraper was the bad guy by the last guy ….. A had a groove just enough for a leak to push through.. Because of it … Had to Emery cloth the area and fill with weld epoxy . But hairline scratches made it possible..

[@davebdave1]

Glad you solved it. So far no problems but I really haven’t driven all that many miles. I just take it on short trips to warm it up and blow out the dust. Maybe burn a little rubber. I need to pull the filter again but I’m a little afraid to do it.

[@davebdave1]

Glad you solved it. So far no problems but I really haven’t driven all that many miles. I just take it on short trips to warm it up and blow out the dust. Maybe burn a little rubber. I need to pull the filter again but I’m a little afraid to do it.

[@FloodExterminator]

Damn that Trans-Am sounds nasty :O

[@pb68slab18]

Header bolt tip! You can get stainless steel socket head cap screws that are pre-drilled for safety wire. I still use a high quality lock washer teamed with .030 stainless safety wire will never let those bolts come loose!

[@Firebird400]

Never did the wire thing but remflex gaskets are really good.

[@pb68slab18]

I worked on aircraft in the Navy and on real race cars and motorcycles in civilian life. Safety wire is mandatory on many things and for good reason! Still use in on my street 'toys'!.@@Firebird400

[@JustinEdson]

Beautiful car!

[@davebdave1]

Thanks!

[@dirtdiggerbear1075]

dig that colour

[@davebdave1]

Thanks, It’s Subaru Pacifica Blue Pearl

[@dapetik]

Another Virginia guy!? I'm in the c ville area.

[@timothygarrity5181]

You have clearance Clarence!😂

[@davebdave1]

roger Roger :)

[@Shade_tree_garage01]

and this got me to sub haha

[@davebdave1]

I’ll take it, subbed back at you

[@Travis7109]

Electric fans should be on a relay and not just a fuse

[@davebdave1]

Thanks, video didn’t show it but I did have both fans on a single relay and fuse. I now have two relays and two fuses. Also two temperature switches so they don’t both start-up together. Seems to work ok now.

[@VegasRT500]

That is a very nice 78 Trans Am you have. I have a numbers matching 1979 Trans Am SE 400 4spd WS6 car, AC,T-tops with black hobnail interior. I pulled the original engine and trans and put them in storage. I then built a Pontiac 455, forged pistons, Edelbrock heads, RPM intake, hydraulic roller cam, Holley 950hp and Dougs Headers. It runs really good. I installed newer style Sanden AC compressor kit and made sure my AC ducts were in the proper locations and tried to seal them up best I could but the AC blows really weak out of the vents. I put a brand new AC/heater blower motor in but that didnt change anything and is still weak. The heater blower motor I purchased was from Autozone and is the same blower motor for all the 2nd gen Trans Am/Firebirds. Does your blower motor move alot of air if so may I ask what brand?

[@davebdave1]

That sounds like an awesome TA. I love the SE 4-speed cars. I have the factory blower/evaporator with an aftermarket Compressor. When I bought the car it didn’t blow very well out of the dash vents and the problem was the diverter doors. I added a vacuum accumulator and bought a replacement vacuum manifold on eBay for the dash controller as the original was leaking. I also blocked the crotch vent for the passenger (sorry passenger). That did the trick but now it doesn’t blow in high but I have a new relay that I hope will fix the problem. System is 134 and it blows reasonably cold.

[@VegasRT500]

@@davebdave1 Do you have some part numbers for that Vacuum Accumulator and that Vacuum manifold as I am not sure what those even look like? I appreciate your reply and if you dont have part numbers I will try to google those and find out what they are.

[@davebdave1]

For the accumulator/reservoir I used a Dorman 47076, the Manifold is called a Vacuum Mode Control switch, can’t find new but here’s a rebuilt one on eBay. You have to remove the dash A/C control to change it. www.ebay.com/itm/402975995096

[@BADD400]

Do you have subframe connectors installed? Great looking Trans Am

[@davebdave1]

Thanks, no subframe connectors but the BFG tires don’t grip all that well. As long as I don’t upgrade the tires I don’t think I need them.