Event Coverage The Long and Painful Road to the HAMB Drags

I've been working on a checklist to get the '54 ready to make another trek across this great land of ours, and land in Mokan for the HAMB Drags. It was an easy list, extensive but very doable and included a list of fairly routine tasks. Some surprises popped up, but they just got added to the list, and then checked off when done. At the beginning it looked something like this:



I worked on the list, checking things off, making good time, when I ran into an unplanned snag. The wheel bearings that I replaced a year ago had failed and were making terrible sounds. I blew the rear end apart, started over with new bearings and seals, found a cylinder that was leaking, so replaced those too, including some new brake line, new shoes, and everything seemed like it was looking my way.

(up in the air, rear apart for new bearings, cylinders, shoes)



(back down on the ground, ready to roll, just a few things left)



Yesterday we were enjoying a gorgeous afternoon, driving the 54 all day between several stops we had to make to visit friends and family. It was looking to be a wonderful day.

Then, this happened:



While cruising on the highway, I smelled a burnt oil smell, and I thought, "man, the guy in that truck up ahead needs to get things looked at. That smells terrible." Then that truck turned off, and I realized it was me that smelled bad . I hate when that happens... Anyway, I then began to hear a terrible clacking and screeching come from under the hood. I let off the gas, but had to keep it running to get to a safe place to pull off the highway. Shut the motor down, and popped the hood to find white smoke billowing out the breather tube. This ol' 239 is done for. Called AAA, got hooked back home, tried to turn it over once more with the key, but it wouldn't budge. seized up solid. Not sure what happened. All the oil is gone, and aside from being spread across the bottom of the car, I'm not sure where it went.

SOOOOO, will he make it to Mokan, you ask? I dunno. I've got 8 days to make it happen. But I have some great friends who have already volunteered their time to help, and I have good leads on 3 different good engines. This afternoon should bear some fruit in that regard. In the meantime, I leave you with this:



And the new list, lots of work, but only one line long...

 

I met with some good fortune today. Through the acts of good friends and family, and a little leg work, I came home with this:



The story goes like this: A couple brothers owned a landscaping and excavation company, and ran a farm together. They used Ford trucks in the 50s and 60s, and had several y-blocks around because when a truck was used up, they'd pull the motor and have it rebuilt and put it on a pallet for when one was needed. Dozens of y-blocks were rebuilt by a local machinist for these guys over the decades. Once, a newly rebuilt motor was installed in a truck, and only last about 30 days before it grenaded. Because of the parts used, and some defect determined, Ford took responsibility for it and replaced the block under warranty. It was warranted with a '57 312 block, built up, and never installed. The newspaper stuffed into the intake ports indicate it was put away in 1966.

And now, this week, it's gonna get installed in the '54 and make a trip to Kansas to break it in!



So, here we go. New y-block, approx 150% horsepower increase, and a 3,000 mile road trip break in. Woot. I owe a great debt of gratitude to Old Man Bob, my buddy Pete (for tracking down the engine, and releasing his claim on it for my benefit, and the use of his truck to bring it home), and the generosity of my mom, who decided to help take the edge off this unexpected surprise. I'm a really blessed guy. And win or lose this fight, I win.

 

Ha! Moose, somebody's gotta bring up the rear...


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