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Projects Another 54 Chevy 210- 4 Door Budget Build

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by EnragedHawk, Jul 27, 2020.

  1. EnragedHawk
    Joined: Jun 17, 2009
    Posts: 1,229

    EnragedHawk
    Member
    from Waco, TX

    Hi all!

    Picked up another project and want to start documenting it here and also ask a lot of questions. I picked it up a couple weeks ago, but wanted the title situation settled before I put any work into it. I now have a title in my name, and I’m ready to get started.

    I ran across this 54 Chevy 210 on the interwebz. Long story short, I got the car for $500. It’s incredible just how complete it really is. It came with the seats, all the glass, all of the trim (or so it seems this far), fairly solid floor (needs a few patches), engine, transmission, head and tail lights, door handles, plenty of stuff I’m forgetting, and even the original bumper jack.

    My goal is to budget build the car as is. I’d like to run the original 235 and three on the tree. Paint won’t really be an option, but I plan to strip the car to bare metal anyway. If it gets lowered, it’ll be blocks and cut springs most likely (at least for now).

    I’ve already got a list of questions, but wanted to get the basic intro for this project done first. Hoping to really dive into it next week. I’ll
    Likely pull the engine and trans first and see what I’ve got to work with.

    I’ll also be video documenting for anyone interested:


    Adjustments.JPG
    IMG_4400.JPG

    Now at home:
    IMG_4549.JPG
    IMG_4551.JPG
    IMG_4552.JPG IMG_4553.JPG
    IMG_4611.JPG


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  2. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,390

    Squablow
    Member

    What's the giant valve in front of the distributor?!

    Glad the car is being saved. Shame it's apparently seen a lot of exposure already but certainly looks fixable.
     
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  3. 302GMC
    Joined: Dec 15, 2005
    Posts: 7,856

    302GMC
    Member
    from Idaho

    ^^^^^^^^^^^^
    Home Depot Ranco valve ..
     
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  4. EnragedHawk
    Joined: Jun 17, 2009
    Posts: 1,229

    EnragedHawk
    Member
    from Waco, TX

    My guess is a makeshift heater control.


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  5. carolina chevrolet
    Joined: Nov 14, 2018
    Posts: 197

    carolina chevrolet
    Member

    That looks more like surface rust than primer to me. That one should be fun to rebuild, parts are plentiful for those. I'll be watching this thread.
     
  6. EnragedHawk
    Joined: Jun 17, 2009
    Posts: 1,229

    EnragedHawk
    Member
    from Waco, TX

    Oh yeah, definitely a lot of rust.


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  7. FRANK GRELLE
    Joined: Oct 15, 2018
    Posts: 127

    FRANK GRELLE
    Member

    i will be watching! love this stuff!
     
  8. EnragedHawk
    Joined: Jun 17, 2009
    Posts: 1,229

    EnragedHawk
    Member
    from Waco, TX

    It’s not much of an update, but thought you guys would appreciate this.

    I hit up my nephew the other day. He’s a car guy but doesn’t have much mechanical experience yet. I thought he’d like the opportunity to learn. Lord knows I like the opportunity for free minions.

    Adjustments.JPG

    The first night they started at 8pm and stopped roughly 4am. The next night they had it out in a couple hours. I didn’t do anything but help them guide the engine out.

    They did a fantastic job!

    IMG_4632.JPG



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  9. EnragedHawk
    Joined: Jun 17, 2009
    Posts: 1,229

    EnragedHawk
    Member
    from Waco, TX

    Well, it’s a start. Still haven’t gotten the engine on a stand yet. Hopefully soon. It will turn by hand, so that’s good.

    IMG_4698.JPG

    IMG_4705.JPG


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  10. EnragedHawk
    Joined: Jun 17, 2009
    Posts: 1,229

    EnragedHawk
    Member
    from Waco, TX

    Compression is all over the place. This is new to me, and I’m sure it’s a quick google search (which I’ll do next), but anyone care to chime in on what my next move should be? I figure the engine could run like it is, but not well. I need to check oil pressure too, but don’t have a spare gauge handy.

    Here’s the compression check for anyone savvy:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]


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  11. RMONTY
    Joined: Jan 7, 2016
    Posts: 2,540

    RMONTY
    Member

    A couple of stuck valves maybe. Pull the valve cover and check the rockers and make sure the valves are moving freely. PB Blaster on all of them!
     
  12. EnragedHawk
    Joined: Jun 17, 2009
    Posts: 1,229

    EnragedHawk
    Member
    from Waco, TX

    So, I let some oil sit in the cylinders, and this is the best set of readings I got:

    Cylinder 1: 155
    Cylinder 2: 155
    Cylinder 3: 135
    Cylinder 4: 115
    Cylinder 5: 140
    Cylinder 6: 150

    There’s obviously something up with 4. 3 and 5 still off as well.

    I have tried that yet, but I did get a look at the valve train. It “looks” ok, but that’s not saying much.


    Should I be getting oil from this tube when cranking? I’m not seeing anything currently. I’ve got an oil pressure gauge, just need to get it hooked up.
    [​IMG][​IMG]


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  13. RMONTY
    Joined: Jan 7, 2016
    Posts: 2,540

    RMONTY
    Member

    3 is ok, 4 is a bit low, 5 I wouldn't be concerned with but they all may come up if you can get it started. You arent going to see oil like you would on a SBC, but you should see some oil oozing around the rockers. You can pull the distributor and spin the oil pump up with a drill to see if you are getting oil pressure. You will have to make an extension to match the tang on the bottom of the distributor out of an old screwdriver or similar.
     
    Last edited: Aug 6, 2020
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  14. EnragedHawk
    Joined: Jun 17, 2009
    Posts: 1,229

    EnragedHawk
    Member
    from Waco, TX

    Didn’t think about using a drill. I’ll for sure try that!


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  15. RMONTY
    Joined: Jan 7, 2016
    Posts: 2,540

    RMONTY
    Member

    What are the casting numbers on the head and block?
     
  16. EnragedHawk
    Joined: Jun 17, 2009
    Posts: 1,229

    EnragedHawk
    Member
    from Waco, TX

    Head is 3835913 and the block is 0249299F54. I think it might be from a truck.


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  17. EnragedHawk
    Joined: Jun 17, 2009
    Posts: 1,229

    EnragedHawk
    Member
    from Waco, TX

    Spent a little time this evening on the car. Getting closer each time! [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Haven’t messed much with the engine yet. I want to start getting things out back together before make a bigger mess.


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  18. trevorsworth
    Joined: Aug 3, 2020
    Posts: 1,444

    trevorsworth
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    It really is amazing what a wire wheel can do for a car.
     
  19. Looks pretty darn solid. That's gonna save a lot of work, and give you a good base for painting it.
     
  20. EnragedHawk
    Joined: Jun 17, 2009
    Posts: 1,229

    EnragedHawk
    Member
    from Waco, TX

    Got the 235 to fire up!

    Multiple thing I should mention before you start getting on to me...

    Yes, the engine should have been better supported.
    Yes, leaving the fan on there was dumb.
    Yes, we probably ran it on starting fluid longer than we should have.

    BUT IT RUNS!

     
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  21. Baumi
    Joined: Jan 28, 2003
    Posts: 3,043

    Baumi
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Congrats on getting your engine running!, Yeah, kind of a sketchy setup, but I have done dumber things myself...you lived to tell and that´s what counts.
     
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  22. EnragedHawk
    Joined: Jun 17, 2009
    Posts: 1,229

    EnragedHawk
    Member
    from Waco, TX

  23. EnragedHawk
    Joined: Jun 17, 2009
    Posts: 1,229

    EnragedHawk
    Member
    from Waco, TX

  24. MO54Frank
    Joined: Apr 1, 2019
    Posts: 440

    MO54Frank
    Member

    Cool old car. Keep going, you’ll get there.
    It is fun to get an old motor that’s been setting a long time to run. Congrats.
     
  25. What a transformation with the flap wheel !!!!
    Pretty much rust free.
    Cool car
     
  26. RMONTY
    Joined: Jan 7, 2016
    Posts: 2,540

    RMONTY
    Member

    I hope you were wearing a mask when you were stripping all the tetanus off that thing!
     
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  27. EnragedHawk
    Joined: Jun 17, 2009
    Posts: 1,229

    EnragedHawk
    Member
    from Waco, TX

    Alll done! Kinda...

    [​IMG]


    I still want to hit a few spots again. I’ll probably go over the whole car with a different brush.

    I need to finish up with the engine. Might slap some paint on it. Next I’ll clean up the engine bay. Also need to start looking for door latches. I think I only have one of four.


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  28. EnragedHawk
    Joined: Jun 17, 2009
    Posts: 1,229

    EnragedHawk
    Member
    from Waco, TX

    Been a little busy with the car. Man it’s tough staying in a budget. Haha I should seriously sell the car right now. In its current state, I can probably make the biggest turn around on my money.

    Anyway, pulled the clutch and flywheel. Had the flywheel turned.

    IMG_6252.JPG
    IMG_6283.JPG

    I was going to order a new clutch, but the shop that did the flywheel said is be better off having it rebuilt. I didn’t even know that was a thing. Anyway, I’m a little spent out for right now, so that will wait.
    IMG_6236.JPG


    With the engine able to fire up, I cleaned and painted it up. I wanted to throw it back in the car this week, but I really want the transmission back together first. The paint was free, so black it is!
    IMG_6284.JPG


    Worked on getting the frame cleaned up. Pulled the master cylinder out too.
    IMG_6286.JPG
    IMG_6287.JPG

    I figure I just need to get the clutch pedal action working smooth again then throw it back in. I’ll be putting a firewall master cylinder on instead, so I don’t need the brakes working.


    Also I finally went through all the crap in the trunk. Lots of stuff! Only obvious missing thing so far is the rear driver door latch. Hoping I still run across it. They seem to run about $50 shipped on eBay. I’d rather not do that.
    IMG_6319.JPG

    Anyway, lots of work and not much to show for it. Decided to throw the front clip all together as a sort of motivation booster. Looks pretty sharp. At least in my head. Haha

    IMG_6289.JPG
    IMG_6290.JPG
    IMG_6294.JPG


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  29. EnragedHawk
    Joined: Jun 17, 2009
    Posts: 1,229

    EnragedHawk
    Member
    from Waco, TX

    My stupid Olds kept me from getting much done on the 54. Now that it’s fixed, I got a little more done today. Been parts gathering too.

    Picked up a brake master cylinder, booster, proportioning valve, and pedal assembly for $40. The assembly will take some modifying to make work, but I’m going to try and set it up like the kits that come from Speedway Motors where it bolts to the firewall panel.
    [​IMG]

    I had a one wire alternator sitting on the shelf, so I modified the generator bracket to adapt to the alternator. That’s a lot of trouble for an addition 6 volts. Haha
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Hopefully can start getting the brake pedal assembly mocked up soon.


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  30. Tall t 26
    Joined: Oct 6, 2017
    Posts: 242

    Tall t 26
    Member

    Solid project !!
    Looking good.
     
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