Projects Mild custom '51 Pontiac Chieftain

I really like the first gear on my 53. It is really short and it gets into second before I am even across the intersection. But after that it just slowly gets up to speed.
Also I like you take your dog in your car, cool dog!

 

It is very short, especially so with the low ratio rear end. I must've set things up halfway right, this morning I stamped my foot down from a standstill and left an 11 down the street. That was surprising, didn't think it had it in it!

 

Adjusted the wiring and now I can run a 2-pin blinker relay.
Borrowed the one from my other OT car and now I have working turn signals again.

 

It's an everyday car, parked up at work.

Phil

 

110mph wind took the roof off a good part of the garage. What a mess.

Phil

 

Bummer, hopefully everyone is ok.

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Well that sucks... is everyone okay? And if so, then my next question is, is the Pontiac okay?

 

Yeah everybody is safe, the house didn't take any damage and the car remains intact. I'm glad I decided to put all the boards up on the door, because without, they'd have blown in onto the car.

 

Glad to hear that everyone is ok. The damage to the garage is unfortunate, for sure, but you and your family are very lucky all the same.
Mike

 

so sorry to see the damage. Glad that you and your family are safe and the car is also.

 

Wrangled that up onto the roof and nailed it down. Not perfect but it'll do for now

Secured the other piece that was loose.

Need to get some 2x2's and some more tin. Half of the roof is in the next street, according to my neighbor.

Phil

 

well,the good thing is that who's ever yard it IS in--will help you move it!!

 

I am led to believe it's in the drainage ditch of the school parking lot.

So, I need to go tidy that up tomorrow

 

This is progress.

Fixed the garage doors, got everything secured. Little more cleanup tomorrow

 

Got back to the least broken pieces, picked up and am recycling the least junk bits of wood back into the lean-to for the lawnmower (where I'm stood taking that photo), will get new to redo the workshop roof.


Took the car out and gave it a wash. That cheered me up a little.

Phil

 

Glad you, your family, and the car came through okay!

 

Had a jaunt into town to clear my mind and also pick up some roofing nails.

Phil

 

Sweet ride bro!!!


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Thank you. It's a good 50/50 car. Looks great at 50 feet, or at 50 mph!

I need to reset the valve lash now it's done nearly 700 miles, and a few other odds and ends. It's been fun to drive about in though, lots of smiles and waves.

Phil

 

Finished building the roof frame. Got the first sheet of metal on, too. Ran out of light and too many mosquitoes tonight to carry on. I ache all over!

Phil

 

I would like a nail gun right about now. This is hard work.

Phil

 

Self drilling screws and a drill..... Much easier.

 

Yes and no; this is a planned thing. The frame is all screwed together now, the tin held down with nails (each with a neoprene seal). The nails are the weak link, if another storm gets so bad that it decides to take the roof, I'm hoping it only takes the tin and not the frame too. The previous builder used nails for everything so the roof tore up the frame with it.
Repairing the frame plus putting new tin takes time. New tin is quick to fix in comparison.

 

Alrighty, that's that pretty much done. Hopefully regular programming will resume soon.

Phil

 

Went grab a chocolate malt.

Phil

 

Had a bit of time and inclination last night so I set my headlight aim a little better than it was against the remains of my garden fence.

High beam is a bit more useful now.


I stopped at the store and bought a new oil pressure warning light switch, the old one failed closed so the light wouldn't go off.


Spilled some oil doing that- that's 400 miles, I think it's due a change. Diesel oil is great for the zinc and such in it but really scours the soot off the inside of the engine.


I have a pair of the correct model (but in 12V) horns now. They need a bit of TLC, so I bought a can of black enamel for them. I'll also have to build another bracket for them too.

Phil

 

Phil what brand of oil is that and what weight? That is some nasty looking oil after 400 miles

 

Traveler brand 30W. I don't think this engine saw routine oil changes in the past. The detergents in the oil are scouring it clean. The next few changes are going to be the same but it should clean up eventually.

Is not causing any excess oil consumption, the valve guides have all been cleaned and the rings and pistons are recent. It's just pulling a lot of dirt out.

I'm doing many changes in short time, cheap oil works for that without being a dent in the pocket book.

Phil

 

Little metalwork tonight. The lid off one of the new horns, rubbed back. A few dents present.


Bash bash bash


Better. Wiped down.


First coat of black. Got full of dust typically so that'll get a rub down and repeat once the paint is hard.


Cleaned the horn itself up. The face of the trumpets and the round lid are the most visible parts so they recieved a little extra care.


Bottom cleaned up and painted, drying.

Enough for tonight,I think.

Phil

 

There's one done. Other one needs doing now!

Phil