Projects I Just Bought a Hot Rod Model A Roadster That Was Built In 1959...

We will see soon enough...

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I was hoping this was the case^^^^. I'm afraid it was not. The owner/rebuilder was there and on the defensive saying I got it too hot cranking on it too long and burned it up using 12V. This was after a quick glance through the case. I had to remind him that we talked about the fact that it would be running on 12v and that he said it would be ok last week before I authorized the rebuild. I told him if I need to convert it then let's just do it? He said he'd put new springs in it and we'd try it again before we do that. WTF man....

I left it with them and picked it back up this afternoon after the nice lady called to tell me it was ready. I was going to ask for him and make him spin it in front of me but decided I'd had enough "customer service" for one day. Hopefully I can get out to the shop tonight.

To be continued....

 

Sure hope it's good this time! Post a video of the smoky shop after that motor lights off.

 

^^^^^can't wait to see that Olds run

 

X a bunch!!

 

Darn
Sounds like he forgot, got defensive, and now wants to do a quick job to get you gone. Hopefully the new springs weren't an additional charge.

 

Hopefully I can get the 46 back on the road before you fire this up! The cars nice and filthy so it’s a good time to come wailing down your dirt road to visit

 

He missed his chance to make the best out of a bad situation, so much for customer service and an opportunity to get a little PR for his business!

 

It's funny when I was there to take it back he said something about shiny new silver springs and I was thinking those springs in there are black? When I picked it up there was a bag with 4 black springs in it. One rusty and with an end broken off? When I popped the cover off the starter when I got in my truck there were 4 shiny new springs in there...imagine that?

 

imagine that

 

Still fighting the Olds! Does anyone watching have a good Edelbrock OL396 intake they’d part with? This one has been modified to fit a 371 at some point and does not want to seal up!

 

Rocky roads with smell of the open road wafting by your nostrils...feeling your pain...and I know the fluffed off make you feel picky attitude. Sucks

 

Just scouting out on eBay for your manifold, but you better mortgage your house to get this one... She's GORGEOUS though!! Just a teaser...

 

Please explain the modified to fit issues with the intake not sealing. Pics?


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Might be that if the motor/heads are 303, wonder if the heads are 324? The intake ports are different I believe. Here is a NOS one.http://hotrodcarbs.com/store/edelbrock-p/n-1875-ol396-1949-1953-olds-v-8.html
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Edelbrock-...459571?hash=item465556c0f3:g:vo8AAOSwGtRXybyM

 

I am going way back into my late 1950 memory about Olds V8 engines. If I remember correctly the heads from the 1955 and 56 would fit the earlier engines but the early intakes would not work with those heads. The included angle on the early heads was different from the 55/56 heads where the intake manifold fit thus causing an improper fit. I don't remember if the manifold or the heads were modified to make a manifold fit. The angle was off about 3 degrees. Don't know if this will help any or if my memory is completely correct, its been a long time ago.

 

Yes I saw that one! Too rich for my blood, ha! It is for a 324 anyway and while it may work the ports would not be matched I don't think?

It is really hogged out and and port matched to the 371 ports. In doing so the runners were blended into each other. 371 gaskets may work (I had 303 and they leaked at the top.)

Heads are for sure 303 with the smaller ports. According to my old Moon catalogue the OL396 B is for the '54-'56 engine.

This Olds business is all new to me so I will take all the info I can get, ha! Thanks for your thoughts!

Thank you all for the input!

 

My first thoughts were that you would say it won't align up correctly and needs a fresh angle mill cut to align with the heads at the same degree.


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Nope. Bolted right up. I knew it was modified and took a chance wanting to use what came with the car but no dice! I suppose I could weld some material back into it and make it work but that would be a project in and of itself! In the interest of time I will source another intake.

 

Its not a good idea to force start an engine that has been sitting for 30 years or more. They did that to my Crestliner so they could sell it as a 'running' car and it does run but weakly and it smokes, very low compression. Seals and gaskets dry up and its going to leak, rings stick in the pistons, valves open but wont close completely, a valve spring that has been compressed for many years will never go back to height, the list goes on and includes damaged parts from forcing it to run. The smart thing is to disassemble, clean, inspect and replace parts as needed. This gives you a good, driveable engine with known components from day one

 

You & Moriarity must share the same horseshoe!. HRP

 

If you will go back to earlier in the thread you would see that I had to pull the heads to get it unstuck then rebuilt the heads and installed new intake valves to replace the damaged ones? I'm not "forcing" anything but instead trying to replace only what needs replacing at this point to maintain the finishes and feel of the original build. Thanks for the insight!

 

Cactus1 You are doing an awesome job. I read every post on this thread very carefully. My comments are aimed at all the guys on the HAMB who think its a good idea to start an engine that has been sitting a long time. I have a 57 year old truck that was running when I got it but it didnt run long before it started knocking and I found it had the factory rod and main bearings. With new parts now it should be good for a long time. In 1961 or 62 there was a Model A coupe here with rear fenders, no fronts like yours and I have never forgotten how much I liked it.

 

My apologies. I misunderstood your post I guess. Thanks for the compliments and joining me for the ride!

 

I'm not sure all of this is accurate. Rings stick in grooves due to carbon desposit build up, not because they've been sitting. Springs don't loose tension because they sit compressed for long periods of time, they loose tension from repetitive motion (cycles). As long as the compression is less than the elastic limit of the steel, the springs (and the rings) will return to their normal position when the compression on them is relieved.

 

I DM'd you on IG.

You are correct that the 324 ports are larger than the 303 ports. 324 heads had the numbers 7 (1954), 8 (1955) or 10 (1956) stamped on the centre exhaust port. Number 10 heads are the best of the 324 heads for a few reasons. Earlier 303 heads were either stamped with the number 2, or not at all (from what I understand). Taking a look at the pictures, I don't see any numbers stamped on the exhaust port, suggesting an early 303 motor.

1954, 55 and 56 heads for a 324 will fit on a 303 motor. You can use the earlier 303 intakes on later 324 heads, though there will be a port mis-match. (303's had smaller ports). You'd have to use the 303 gasket. The later 371 motors had an head angle change, which means that earlier 303s and 324's won't work without additional material being added to compensate for the angle and width change, or later 371s won't work on an earlier 324/303 without machining to narrow up and change the angle.

I wonder why the intake was ported out for the 371. Obviously not intended for that motor, unless the plan was to upgrade to a 371? If the angle of the intake was changed to fit the 371 motor, that would be why you're having sealing issues.
The 324 intake will work on the 303 motor, you'll have to use 303 gaskets.

 

Not to take away from Mike's thread - only for the moment... My only concern for an old hemi that I will be dropping in my chassis is related to a completely rebuilt engine that has been sitting for a long time - 10 years. I have dual valve springs, lubricating the valve train and down the cylinders by spraying GIBBS lubricant to prevent any rust build-up, spinning the engine, etc. Any advice on this - appreciate this a lot!

 

Mike, Stick that hopped up 371 I gave you and be on the road! Trouble is; That trans. And early rear end, and axles, probably couldn't stand the "torque!

 

Mike, I had contacted Ross Racing Engines, ( Olds. Specialists) about using that manifold on the 371, and they told me they could mill it to fit. Maybe they could do the same for the 303.