PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

I know it's been a long time, folks, and I do appologize for that, but finally, my Bonne should be roaring back to life this weekend.

The Bad: Spun Cam Bearing



The Ugly: Chipped Piston :sad5:


The Good: 30K mile 2001 GTP motor for $300
"PICTURES TO COME SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I was at the point where I was about to rebuild my current motor, when this GTP motor popped up. Was for sale for awhile, but the price finally dropped and the seller was getting desperate and my funds (and low oil pressure) demanded that this was the smarter route to take. Almost all of the "go fast" parts will be swapped from my old motor to this one with a minor exception.

Dang Bob... You were brutal on that motor...

Glad to see you around and even happier that the car will soon be back on the road again

Going to a cam and back to stock rockers, eh?

willwren wrote:Going to a cam and back to stock rockers, eh?

Spoilsport!!!!!!!!!

Who told you?!?!?

And thanks, Don. Things have been pretty hectic for some time, now. I am looking forward to getting back to normal (whatever that is, for me )

Echo SSEI wrote:

willwren wrote:Going to a cam and back to stock rockers, eh?

Spoilsport!!!!!!!!!

Who told you?!?!?

And thanks, Don. Things have been pretty hectic for some time, now. I am looking forward to getting back to normal (whatever that is, for me )

No one has to tell. If you are tore down that far and it isn't in the engine bay, why not?

Looks like fun next year. Make sure to post some progress reports.

Ha....well, the "replacement" motor hasn't been torn down, yet. The question was to cam or not to cam. But, your right, Matt...as long as the motor is out and easily accessible, it's a great time to do it.

Lots of pics to come. (I was sure Thomas had a pic of the replacement motor, but I can't seem to find it in photobucket).

Swap-over of parts begins Friday with install, hopefuly on Saturday.

I knew you spun a bearing but, Wow, the chipped piston is news!

Seems like that's what happens to all these older engines when you push them.

Yes, I think it would be foolish not to swap out the cam at this point.

Real nice find on that engine.

Thomas WOULD have told me, but he didn't. I just made sense.


That's what I'd have done.

willwren wrote: I just made sense

I hope that isn't a first?

A rarity for sure, but it happens.

Hey guys Mind if I join this post?

Yeah Bill, I would have told you when I found out myself but.. the cam actually shipped yesterday, I think.. I know it shipped anyway and it will arrive Thursday.

Anyway, Even thou Bob has had (I hope) the pleasure of driving my GTP and my Vette for daiy drivers over the last few months, i'm sure he'll be even more thrilled to have his Bonneville home again. and believe it or not, it still has the number from Woodburn on the back window.

I'm traveling on business right now but I'll be home Friday morning, then we'll start on Bob's motor, hopefully Friday the prep will be completed.
Saturday the plan is to install it., start on wiring, Saturday or Sunday. Tune it Sunday and I have Monday of work so worst case... I hope, Bob will drive it home.

Then Bob can wash the Woodburn number off the back window.. and close this final chapter.

Sounds like you have quite a weekend planned. Glad to see he has your help, otherwise I could have seen a road trip from a bunch of Oregonians.

Anyways, good luck on the build and tune.

... Anxiously awaiting! I saw the engine on the stand....parts neatly scattered on the garage floor... poor tealy sitting at an awkward angle in the driveway... chatted with Thomas and his out of town family members for Thanksgiving...and yes, that Vette...oh my that Vette... I can't begin to explain what a ride in that did for me.... <glazed look comes over the eyes>....

Any who... Hot Dang! this will be so cool when Tealy is finally...finally back together and home again....

I suppose I'd drive a Vette if i had to...hahahaha thatd be amazing.
I've been wondering what was going on with your car for quite sometime now, good to see progress, its sure going to be nice to hop back behind that wheel.
And a Cam?? I'm excited now!

Man oh Man, oh Man...it seems like forever and a day and it is so, so nice to hear that you will be getting this green monster machine back "on the road again, just can't wait to get on the road again"...as Willie would say! My wife will be so happy to know that it will be back and better than ever (and you know what I mean don't ya). I too am anxiously waiting for pics!! Good luck Bob and Thomas!

Geez, Bob...I thought someone kidnapped you! I hope that everything goes smoothly.

Thanks for the support and well wishes, everyone.

The chipped piston was certainly a surprise. There was no indication if that was part of the original problem, or it happened sometime after the initial problem. It wasn't really discovered until after the heads came off.

Although I have certainly enjoyed driving Thomas' GTP and then the Vette, I am ready to have the Bonne back. I felt guilty everytime I would drive one of Thomas' cars, but he would insist I take them, so we could take our time getting the Bonne back together and I wouldn't have to buy a beater just to get around. I can't thank you enough, Mr. T, for everything you have done. You are truly a best friend!

A trip form the Oregon contingent would have been a blast (plus, Matt, you could have had Thomas do some additonal tuning on the 00+). Luckily in addtion to Thomas, Ben is joining in on the fun as well as a couple of great great guys from the local GP club.

Unfortunately, Tracy, when you get back this way, I'll be picking you up in Teally. But the Vette is only a half hour away and if Thomas takes you for a ride, it will be a whole different experience than when I drove you.

I am definitely excited about the cam. Should be some good fun and I figured I had to do something to keep trying to push the ET down just a little.

Yes, Neil, it seems the long saga is finally (hopefuly) coming to an end. I still owe Cherie a proper ride in the Bonne, since last year's ended abruptly.

Dick, in a way, I did get kidnapped.....by life. I can never remeber so many things all happening at once. I am not out of the woods, yet, bbut getting the Bonne back and running is a step in the right direction and I look forward to becoming a regular , here, again.

Echo SSEI wrote: I felt guilty everytime I would drive one of Thomas' cars, but he would insist I take them, so we could take our time getting the Bonne back together and I wouldn't have to buy a beater just to get around.

Just for clarity... I insisted that you didn't rush into something, don't feel bad about, feel good about it, just focus on spending your money on the right choices.

Echo SSEI wrote:A trip form the Oregon contingent would have been a blast (plus, Matt, you could have had Thomas do some additonal tuning on the 00+).

I must have missed something here.. are we going to have guests in AZ?

Echo SSEI wrote: Unfortunately, Tracy, when you get back this way, I'll be picking you up in Teally.

That's not unfourtunate.

Echo SSEI wrote: if Thomas takes you for a ride, (In the Vette) it will be a whole different experience than when I drove you.

Might not appreciate the ride as much. kidding..

PDXGTP wrote:

Echo SSEI wrote:A trip form the Oregon contingent would have been a blast (plus, Matt, you could have had Thomas do some additonal tuning on the 00+).

I must have missed something here.. are we going to have guests in AZ?

I was making a point that if there wasn't anyone else, we would have made the trip to get Bob back on the road. LOL

I am just glad that you are there to assist Bob in getting the work done and letting him use your cars. You and Bob are great guys and are welcome to have my help in any way.

Good luck on the rebuild and please keep us informed and take a lot of pictures.

Got-cha Matt..
You know, your still more then welcome to come and help out

I'll be home tomorrow, I'm at F11X right now, packing my bags actually.. ready to come home.

Its going to be a busy weekend. but getting teally back on the road again will by far make it all worth while.

You know...... for what it worth, I think it would be great to see some people take the road trip, our local track is open right now.

Later...