Technical What did you do with your car today? * NEW*

Also took the clock apart and sent out for minor repair and cleaning. I'm jazzed to have a '48 Chevy with the original clock that actually works.

 

Replaced the cheesy Aftermarket LED headlights with original lenses bulbs and trim. Sorta original, 12V.

 

June 29th 2021 Put tools away from the nailhead block painting and cleared the deck for the next operation - pistons and crankshaft. Disassembled piston assembly one and spent some deep ponder mode thinking on how to go about cleaning the various components.

I am at sea since I haven't done this before and was concerned about removing the wrist pin retainers because I couldn't see them. Turns out I couldn't see them because there aren't any. The wrist pin is held against movement by the connecting rod pinch clamp.

Examining the piston showed a chunk missing behind the oil ring. I could see the oil ring from inside the piston. That can't be good. I went back into ponder mode again as Cream's Disraeli Gears played in the background.

 

I do not think anything is missing behind the oil ring,if it`s like on my kitchen Jeep motor,it`s a part of the design.
The oil must come in somewere!

 

Except that it is jagged and broken, about 3/8" x 1/8", and is the only piston affected. It may be okay to use, especially if I can't find a source for new pistons. Got to measure the cylinder bore next to find out what I'm looking for in terms of replacement.

 

Took my wife to breakfast, played hooky from work. It was our Anniversary.

 

Someone will have a piston.

Ben

 

Congratulations on your anniversary, nice car to take your lovely looking wife out for breakfast.in.

 

From the BillyBob Shop log

June 30th 2021 Hunted up my dial bore gauge. micrometers and dial caliper and commenced to measuring the nailhead cylinders so I can order rings and maybe new pistons.

Fumbled around for awhile as I'm new to this and my OEM eyes don't help much, but I eventfully came up with a WAG of forty thousandths oversize pistons and bore. I'm going to keep at it until I'm more comfortable with my findings and I'm going to see if my machinist friend, John, will swing by after Sunday coffee to check my measurements.

I would like to find '56 heads, pistons and rods for this build but, I've been unsuccessful in that search and I may have to live with what I have. The only certain thing is that more research is in order. Beer of the day was Free State Brewing Company's Ad Astra Amber Ale.

 

A huge job today,installed the Alliance Tag.
Beer of the day was Åbro 7,3 and the music was Creedence
Clearwater Revival.

 

Performed a roadside rescue for a stranded fellow motorist !!!

All part of the service...

 

Tried to figure out why my Thunderbird is running like crap and won't hardly idle. The OT stuff that makes it a great driver that gets good gas mileage is also what I hate when it comes to trying to figure stuff out that I am not as familiar with working on... Maybe I can get it all back together in the next day or so and see if I made any difference.

 

Looks great Chris, a big improvement, when are the wide whites getting installed?

 

Drove my three year old to daycare. She’s actually singing.

 

Finally got around to checking the toe using the dinguses I made. It was toed out over 1/4"! No wonder I could barely keep it between the ditches. Set it at 1/8" in, HUGE improvement.

 

I like the "dinguses". What tires are those?

Ben

 

Here's a thread on the dinguses.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/tech-week-toe-in-tool.1229275/
The wheels, tires and hubcaps I got used off Cragislist just to get it running, for $200, mounted, balanced and ready to run. They tires say American Classic.

 

Thanks Pete. Wheels and smoothies are here. Wide whites are about another 3.5 weeks for delivery.

Met with some early V8 Ford guys in West Virginia today. Looked at some excellent collections and picked up a new seat and window frame for the '38 project.

Chris

 

Cleaned it for a car show Sunday!

 

Got my bumpers back from the chrome shop. A little later than I’d hoped, but they came out really nice and shiny, so I’m happy.

Got them reinstalled. Tomorrow morning they’ll squish their first bugs on the way to Scrap Drive.

 

Made a decision to yank the rear axle [Winters quick change] out of my 34 coupe for inspection of a nasty noise. Also, I had my son help me lift the cylinder head back on my 50 Pontiac coupe's straight 8. Will bolt it down tomorrow, maybe.

UPDATE: got all my head bolts cleaned and drove the 34 to NAPA for some traditional Permatex non-hardening sealant. New thermostat will arrive shortly. Also cleaned the air cleaner bracket and thermostat housing, shot them with acid etch primer. Ready to bolt the head down.....hopefully tomorrow?

 

If you need a place to cut your glass H B Reynolods inc. 3251 Babcock Blvd. cut all my glass for me, and I think they will install it in the frame also, I broke one of mine trying to install it because I had the wrong size tape, and had to buy another. If you install it yourself take your frame with you to measure the channel and the glass to get the proper size tape you need for the job.

 

Put the rebuilt spring pack in with the assistance of the neighbour. And went for a test drive..... Mercury Rising !!!

 

Much better !!!!

 

I spent some time fitting my oil pan back together and getting it ready to weld up !

 

Cant decide if I should paint it the correct black with light blue valve covers, or the entire thing light blue.


Got the timing chain, heads, and intake all bolted up after final cleaning with acetone. Decided to paint after I get timing cover and oil pan on. Machine shop painted the heads the wrong Ford blue.

 

At first glance it looked like some kind of neat dragster body.

 

Black is nice for hiding dirt and stains. Also oil leaks, unfortunately.

 

All welded up , now to see if it leaks !

 

Hey, shiney metallic blue top & flat black body, that's a great idea! It looks fantastic!