Projects Mild custom '51 Pontiac Chieftain

Yeah, dishwasher soap is a little too caustic. I'm working on a slightly more gentle degrease.

Phil

 

Well, good deed done for Christmas; stranded motorist given assistance.

Hope y'all have a happy holidays!



Phil

 

Tonight's endeavor: Valve guide cleaning.


We begin with a toothbrush, some dowel and a few hand tools.


Cut down, notched and filed.


Fitted in with superglue.


Carefully trimmed.


Calibration checked- success. It's now clamped so the glue can set thoroughly overnight.

Also, spring retainers have come up clean. It proves that Pine-Sol has:

Pros
- Cleans oily grime
- Smells okay

Cons
- Takes forever

So, not so bad but I don't feel like waiting so long for results, but it is shifting 60+ year old muck so I'm going to give it a break on that front.

If the guides come up clean and the brush doesn't fall apart then I'll lap the good valves in and reassemble.

Phil

 

You've got that right Doc!

 

Ended up drilling a hole through the brush head and driving a pin through to hold it all in place. This, however worked really well and all the guides cleaned up nicely.


Started to lap the valves in and ran out of time.


Looking good so far though.

Hopefully more at the weekend.


Phil

 

Once you get those valves done, hop a flight to Kentucky and help me! I'll buy lunch

 

Why fly? Would be a nice drive, come springtime.

Phil

 

Yes sir! Bring that Indian to bowling green in June

 

Holley Hot Rod Reunion?

 

Yes sir, gives you a goal lol

 

That's a 650 mile goal!

 

Consider it an extended shake down run

 

My worry is it would end up as a shake apart!

 

Nah, from what I've seen you've got a good mechanic on the job

 

Today the temperature and humidity shot up suddenly, leaving the garage and its contents well below the dew point. Everything condensed, the oil I put on the block deck turned into creamy mayonnaise. Yuk.


I did a few more valves before running out of clean shop rag. Plus, it's really sweaty out, 72F at 98%rH. The paper kitchen towel I was using was just tearing apart from the damp.

I put the aircon on in the side workshop to try keep the humidity down, all the rest of the parts are stored in there.

Phil

 

Brief escape from doing the car.



Found an old can of paint that was still good so threw it up on the doors and wall.
Brightened it up a bit in there.

Phil

 

Betcha those walls won't stay bare very long ….

 

No, I want to put up some lights.

 

I just might have a wicked "Pontiac parts and service" sign out in my stash, if so it'll be on its way

 

I was eyeing it up for a mural of some sort, maybe...

We'll see


Phil

 

Lloyd
If Phil does not want the sign, I would be interested. Send me a pm on how much you want for it

 

Not really something valuable, reproduction tin sign. Just something to help cover that wall Phil has polished up

 

Did a few more valves. Need to finish cleaning the collets and retainers and I'll do the springs on them.

Phil

 

I’m rewiring with a new harness my 50 silver streak but my sausage fingers are to big to get some unhooked behind the gauge panel how does it come out? Like you did. Thanks

 

First, wire clip holds the wires up, next to the speedometer drive. Speedometer drive unscrews. There's a bunch of wires that come down the A pillar next to the screen, one goes to the left hand nut on the fuel gauge (should have a rubber bungy and red warning label).

Ammeter wires come off, temperature gauge wire and the two power wires on each gauge. Oil pressure line undoes. All illumination bulbs pull out (4 off), turn signals and bright lights indicators too.

Once all that's out of the way there's two nuts at the bottom, two at the top that hold the gauges in. I find a finger's length extension bar and a ratchet help get access.

I had the driver's door open, shoulder down on the floor, looking up past the hood pull and parking brake mechanism allows easier access to the outside pair, leaning over a little and reaching up past the ventilation duct controls will let you reach the other side.

Flashlight is essential!


Head on dimmer switch, Houdini style shoulder twist to get in past the door, halfway out of the car, looking up past the handbrake mechanism. Retaining nuts arrowed.


From the same position looking up past the steering column, using left arm to reach nuts (one just up out of view at the top). For reference that's the ignition switch and cigar lighter below.

The bottom will tilt out but the threads hold it in place. Get out of the car, crush your face against the steering wheel, reach up under the dash and support it from behind, other hand ready to catch from the front. It's moderately heavy, about 4lbs so take care not to drop it.

Phil

 

Knock knock knock.... you in there Phil?

 

I'm here...?

 

Just checking on ya! Making sure you wasn't abducted in time square!

 

Nope, spent the day cooking and eating with friends and family. Hope y'all had a pleasant New Year.

 

Got up under the car tonight and pulled the crank round 360°. All the water on there is condensed water out of the air, the engine is still below the dew point because it is so massive and takes a long time to change temperature.


Lapped in the last 2 valves (minus the 16th that I need to order) and cleaned up the intake spring seats and retainers, with the exhaust ones left to soak.

Tomorrow through to the weekend is meant to be cooler and more dry, might be able to reassemble a little and set clearances.

However, if the rest of the week is to be used as a yardstick for that, unlikely.

Phil