A Manly Day

I decided that today will be the start of the 403 project. If you don't know what I'm talking about, it's like this: I'm taking a 1978 Buick Century 2-door fastback and fitting in an Olds 403.

Currently the car has an Olds 307 in it. Previously I had an Olds 260 in it to replace the original Buick 3.2 liter V6. The car was set up to be fully loaded. It started off with a TH200 automatic transmission that I replaced with a turbo-hydramatic 350. I have a th400 that I can put in, but I'm seriously considering a 4 speed manual instead.

But I digress from my thoughts. Today I took my first step. I removed the power steering system from the car and put in a manual steering box from an S10. This is a conversion I wanted to do on almost every one of my cars over the years. This was the first time I was able to figure out how to get it done.

The Internet is a great tool. My brother-in-law bought this same steering box for his 91 Camaro project. With a little research I found the same box would bolt right up into my car too. So for under $100 on eBay I got one too.

At the same time I got an alternator bracket from a 78 Trans-Am which used the Olds 403. I have to figure out how this thing bolts in and the result will be a seriously less cluttered engine compartment.

My bro-in-law picked up an electric fan for the radiator for me. That is another quick, easy, and useful upgrade. Removing the old fashioned fan and clutch can free up about 20 hp.

I hope to be driving this car by the end of the summer. I can't wait!