Pete's Manta Montage

Welcome to my Manta Montage page. I will try to keep this up to date as I get my car in running shape and make modifications to it. I am keeping this mainly for my own history of what I have done, but you can use it for a guide of what not to do when working on cars.

For more Mantas or to find one of your own visit www.mantacars.com

Specifications

• 1985 Manta Montage
• Weight - 2,160lbs
• Formerly - 1981 Chevy Citation V-6 with the following known modifications:
  • Holley 4160 4bl carburetor
  • performance cam
• Soon to be - 2000 Monte Carlo 3.4 V-6
• 4 speed manual
• Rear tires 295/50R15, Front 245/50R14.

History

20050117 The 2.8 is out

20050109 Prep for swapping out engine

20041001 First Car Show

20040913 Master Cylinder mastered!

20040628 Master Cylinder Take-two

20040614 Working on swapping out the dual single master cylinders for a single dual unit.

20040229 & 20040304 Playing locksmith and replacing bleeder valves.

20040228 Drove to get weighed.

20040225 First drive.

20040222 Final preparations to get on the road.

20040214 New rotors and calipers installed.

20040212 Finally received rotors.

20040130 Waiting on parts.

20040118 Timing and Pedals

20040115 Rotor, caliper, and rim evaluation and planning.

20040111 Interior assessment.

20040110 Out of the garage under it's own steam.

20040109 More progress on site image friendliness than the car itself. Enjoy.

20040108 Hydraulics and some beautification. Also, changed to sized images on the page for easier viewing on browsers that do not support auto-resizing of images like the latest IE.

20040106 Finally got the engine running without pouring gas down the carb directly. Happy day.

20040105 Totally rebuilt the carb, but finished too late to test it. ;-(

20040104 Figured out the fountain of gas and why the engine will not run now.

20040103 Decided to make pages instead, that way this page stays shorter.

20040102 - Purchased the Manta from the original builder. I towed the car home on a U-haul auto carrier, round trip about 1,200 miles. When I got the car home I pulled a 'Tim Taylor' when I went to open the engine cover and snapped off the lever. Finally, after about 10 minutes and a with assistance from my wife, I was able to use an adjustable wrench to maneuver the remaining interior release stub and convince the engine cover to open. The engine will turn, but does not seem to want to stay running and a strong gasoline odor is smelt soon afterwards. I suspect new plugs and cleaning out the carburetor will  make a big difference as far as that goes.

Project List - Short Term

I plan on doing the items in this list.

• Replace muffler.
• Electrical system seems good, need to install and hookup a horn, though. Found horn, think wire is just not connected. 
• Backup lights not working, not sure if switch or bulbs.
• Reverse shift cables since 1st is 2nd and 2nd is 1st and 3rd is 4th and 4th is 3rd right now. Just figure out how to reverse the lever on the one in the engine bay, it will be easier.
• Fix up interior since the carpet is falling down on the sides and front.
• Replace bushings on front suspension.
• Redo wiring at some point. Fuse box is in an insanely tight position under the dash, would like to relocate to engine bay.
• Replace shocks all around. Replace springs with silver ones.

Project List - Long Term

Items I am either planning on doing within a year or two or ideas I am just entertaining.

• Install a CD player and some small speakers, possibly locate them in doors.
• At some point after having it on the road for a while would like to cut the front and make it lift forwards to allow easier access to the master cylinders, radiator, and front suspension components. As I get further into the car I really want to do this, it will make working on the front components so much easier.
• Replace the fuel cell with a canister type cell or possibly relocate it underneath the front of the car when I make the front of the car open forwards.

Partially Completed

• Clean body and wax it up. Did the front, but need to finish the entire car. It has just been too cold to put the rubbing compound and wax to it lately.
• Install shoulder belts. Currently only has lap belts.
• Redo front running lights, appear to be cut in half, do not seal. Would like to relocate in the front bumper beside the air intake, but will require cutting. Maybe attempt at some point when doing the front lift change.
• Replace engine and transmission. Supercharged v6 2.8 or 3.4. Going with a 3.4, got one out of a 2000 Monte Carlo on eBay cheap. Engine looks like it is in good shape, going to mate it to the 4 speed.

Completed Items

• Installed engine cover release and re-installed the hold-down pins in the engine cover so it secures now. Release works well, but will replace the temporary lever I made eventually with something that looks more finished.
• Installed Fiero emergency brake to left of drivers seat. Works ok, still needs some adjustment.
• Brake calipers and rotors installed. Got Fiero rear brake calipers and slotted/drilled rotors.
• Motor is timed and running well.
• Pedals are too close together and it is hard to hit the gas w/out the brake. Maybe bend clutch and brake to the left? Just needs a good inch or so.
• Get some before pictures to have after it is running and looking good.
• Redo the weather stripping. Really is falling out and in poor shape.
• Check the front end body alignment, appears to favor the left. Looks worse than it is, only about an inch off if that.
• Got the passenger door lock straightened out, turns out the key did not fit the lock. Altered the tumblers to match the key.
• Redoing the brake cylinders. Replacing the dual units with a single dual master cylinder.

peterfournier@fournierware.com