Projects Mild custom '51 Pontiac Chieftain

Wash wash wash

Rain rain rain

Night out on the town(!), cruise to the milkshake stand with my sweetheart.


Phil

 

Engine rebuild ✓

 

Cylinder three.

That's a little mediocre. 7 has come round, at a healthy 125psi but has a clicky valve. I can deal with that.

3 however was set just after TDC compression and filled with Berryman B12, which drained down to the top of the cylinder and then stayed there. Leaky valve. 3 and 7 are cycle neighbors so those will have been sat with a valve each open for 6 months.

I'll pull the head when the weather's not threatening to rain and lap the valves back in. That should solve this issue.

Phil

 

I love the skirts, but it also looks really cool without them. Just say'n. Look'n good & running better; good on you Phil! Bet the shakes were GR8 too.

 

I got yes to the visor and fender skirts.

 

No to the visor (they just funnel more bugs under them, into a hard-to-clean area of the windshield/screen). No to skirts.... show off those whitewalls!

 

Goodness gracious me.

When did batteries get so gosh darned expensive?! $210!

Brand new 810 Amp unit there, which cranks the engine over significantly faster than it's ever done before.

Now, the engine doesn't hiccup and falter at idle. Funny, that. Hopefully this one lasts, got a 2 year warranty at least.

Phil

 

Just sat burning my legs on the concrete, rechecked the valve clearances. Found a couple loose bolts on the manifold also.
#3 intake isn't sealing properly, can hear it wheezing.
Could be worse. #8 exhaust had come loose- last one to be done when it was hoying down with rain last time. Figures.

Phil

 

Old cars are terrible. They never start well. Etc.

 

That's the quickest starting, smoothest running Pontiac straight eight I've ever heard!

 

Yea, terrible indeed! Lol

 

Bought a few things for the car, via mail order. The first (unexpectedly) arrived today, so I decided to make good.

The rear wheel trims had been painted by previous owner unknown, and were starting to look a little sorry for themselves.

I started to take the paint off and discovered the original red lacquer underneath, now faded to a pale brown. I had speculated when I did the fronts (which had only the red paint on when I got the car, no lacquer) that the original color scheme was to be translucent in order to make them look jeweled.

The metal has been protected (mostly) so was in nice clean mirrored condition with few scratches.

Masked it all off with fine line.

Several coats of red.

Back on the car and looking nice again.

Shame that's as much rake as the car gets, so you don't really get to see them, but I know they're there. In a few weeks I'll cut and polish them once the paint is fully hardened.

Phil

 

I'm glad to see you back in the swing of things; I'm loving the updates!

 

I now have a new device* with a smaller pulley. The battery now charges at idle.

Phil

*yes, we all know what it is. Sorry.

 

Bought some little condoms for the dash lights.


Almost '59 Chrysler. I like that.

Phil

 

Ditch the kilts.... um.... er....uh...skirts, THEN we can all see your purtty whitewalls and wheel covers!

 

That's cool! Where the heck did you find those???

 

Local Napa.

 

Thanks!

 

Whats the NAPA number Phil?

 

look'n good Phil. Show off them rear wheel covers & I love the dash lights. Heck, I still love the entire car.

 

Auto Meter 3207.

 

Taking the covers off also shows a bit too much of the old ferrous oxide. If you know what I mean.

 

Added a fan. This weather is a touch warm (95°F, 85% rH). Even my inspection sticker is peeling off.

If nothing else it just stirs the hot air about a bit.

 

Why break tradition? Chocolate malt tonight.
Had some guy (definitely old enough to know better, on the cemetery side of the semi-century) tailgate me. I'm doing the speed limit, I'm not going any faster because I'm turning in here. Yes, my brakes work better than you thought, yes if you were further back you'd be able to see my lights. No, I don't feel sorry for you. Yes, I guess I might be whatever it was you shouted at me for doing that. Yes, you are what I gestured back.

Some people.

 

Decided to go head out and take a couple snapshots tonight.


My favorite, "Down on Main Street".


Second, up by the church.


Phil

 

You really have that paint shining!

 

It buffs up okay. I can't get any closer than that though... It's a good twenty-footer. But it's my twenty footer and it makes me smile.

It had a hard run out and a hard run back, high speed about 60 miles. I need to check compression on #3 and see if the valve is still leaking.

Phil

 

Someone I know got busy with that there photograph editing.

I think that's awesome!

 

I'm with Ya Phil. Tailgate mainia is like cellphonitus, no age limits.....& no brain required. Love the car in front of the church. Two of my favorite things ........