She's "done" and made it out to her first show & shine & cruise...scroll down As it often happens, this has turned into a more costly, long term project than I'd ever imagined or hoped. Still not done yet, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. A bit of background... Bringing it home: http://jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=286560 After some clean-up: http://jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=287058 http://jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=337235 Now, in the midst of blowing up the Caddy in my '60 and getting the rebuild going on a hot little 472 (Thanks mctim64!) I've had some time to get back to the task at hand. After Tim McMaster (mctim64) rebuilt the heads and Dick York (dickster27) rebuilt the intake on the 'Bird, I did manage to test-fire and make sure all was well (sorry for all my chatter, I was really tired): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wCH--Zcgxk Afterwards, I blew the engine compartment apart for a semi-proper detailing and repaint. That pretty much brings us up to date. If you're asking why I didn't mask off the chrome valve covers, here's why (the full Edelbrock treatment, as well as a set of spun bells from Sellers Equipped. All polishing was done by ChromePlaterJosh): Thanks for looking
Had a few folks ask me about securing the stacks to the carbs... The industry I'm in affords me the ability to explore lots of tapes, etc. These necks of the carbs have single-sided glazing adhesive tape affixed, sticky side to the carbs... Since I milled about 1/2" off the bottom of the stacks for added hoood clearance, the diameter of the bell had increased clearance between it & the carb flange, allowing for the thickness of the tape. The tape easily compresses and remains that way long enough to slide the stack down over the tape. The tape then expands, and creates a firm interference fit. No exposed fasteners = happy BIGREDTODD
Well, I had quite a year in 2011 between a career change, having my first child born, losing my Dad, and my favorite great uncle...I'm back at it! For anyone that thought this project was dead, I've made some good head way as of late, and will soon be ready for the show & shine season! Just one picture for now, and it's from a cell phone...sorry. But added to the completed list: Brakes (upgraded to a dual master cylinder, but still manual) Fuel system to the pump (new tank, lines, pump) Ignition (Mallory tach drive, new coils plugs, wires, looms) Exhaust (Sanderson ceramic-coated headers, full exhaust coming) Wrapping up the cooling system and a few other details now, then the Edelbrock goodies will go back on, hopefully for the last time!
It's a unit for a 1968 Mustang with manual front/rear drums. It bolted on (with the lower 2 bolts) and fit in the stock location. I just painted the upper 2 bolts body color and crewed them in. I ran the rear reservoir down the the original front/rear "T" location, blocking the original outlet to the front. I ran the front reservoir to the original front left/right "T" location. I routed the lines along the lower-inside of the steering column tube, since the Sanderson headers route over the top and around the outside of the column. Very tight clearance to the battery tray heat shield since the outlets on the M/C are on the driver's side, but it works. BRT
Off to the exhaust shop today! Everything came together nicely, and virtually without incident...95% done under the hood. A bit more hardware for the hood latch, waiting for a period battery & hold down to arrive, and then it's time for some topless fun!
BIGREDTODD, I have a '57 T-Bird in line behind a couple of other projects. Have you found any interesting things that will improve safety or make the car more friendly (mainly things like a collection system for gas vapors from the carburetor/tank or a better rear main seal)? Charlie Stephens
The only safety improvement (in my opinion) is the dual reservoir set-up that I'm very happy with. As far as the vapors, I drive it with the top off. That seems to help!
Well, I met my goal, made it to the Graffiti Night cruise in my home town of Modesto...car performed beautifully, just needs to be final tuned... The finished engine compartment (I caught the fuel line clamp on the #1 carb) Here's me and the Bird "Audrey" at the cruise as captured by a local auto journalist: I also had my sister's '62 Lincoln (which she got from Dad after he passed) gone over for her, so we could park & cruise together...she was pretty happy... Her '62 got a lot of attention, too...repainted in the original color...
Todd, Very cool ride...always loved them 'lil Birds ! Like 'em without skirts too !! My first car was a '58 Bird...you can see it in my Albums. Continued good luck with this one, Jonnie www.legends.thewwbc.net
Have had a few questions, so I thought I'd answer them all at once...Dad & I bought the Lincoln in 1987 (if I recall correctly) at the Turlock Swap Meet. I was 9 years old at the time, but still remember the test drive. The paint was dead, but the body was straight as an arrow and absolutely rust free. The intererior remains original, though showing age on the driver's seat, to this day. Dad gave the Lincoln to her (and I a '61 Imperial) years before he passed. It took me a while to decide on the fuel line set-up. My goal was to keep the look simple & uncluttered, but reliable & as "period" appearing as possible. That being said, I took several liberties. From the pump to the filter/reg. ass'y I used a hard line that exits the pump with a 90º brass fitting identical to the factory pump inlet line fitting. The regulator & filter are from Speedway & have functioned beautifully thus far. As supplied the regulator was chrome, and the filter was polished. I fastened them together with a brass union, as they were both female pipe thread at the outlet/inlet. I then scuffed, primed, and painted them Ford red to match the engine so they'd blend in to the front of the engine. From there, rubber lines, brass nipples, and stainless constant-tension clamps were used. The fuel block is a reproduction piece from Edelbrock, and the gauge was purchased from Dick York at dickshotrodplace.com (who also built & restored my carbs). I deliberately set the initial advance on the retarded side. When I put it where it runs the best, the car wants to be driven FAST, and just explodes to hi rev's when the 3x2 is opened up. Not the best way to go about working the bugs out. So far I'm very happy with my Mallory Uni-lite. I did notice that it had a bunch of end play from the factory, so it will need to be shimmed. But very crisp, and far easier to start than the old W&H dual point. My carbs bleed down a bit,too. I don't know that there's much way around it. my rear carb seeped a bit when I fired it up again, but has since stopped, so the gaskets are hopefully getting reinvigorated. I think the shit gas may be evaporating faster than ever also. The seeping was my fault. I ran the car a couple times, than took it all apart, and due to more pressing family issues it sat dormant for 1 1/2 years. Geez, just realized I wrote a book here. Hope some of it helps someone...
What happened to the '61 Imperial. I'm interested. Great pic of you and your sister. Glad to see a girl driving an old car.
They sure are. I bought them on Ebay, so they may very well have been "seconds" with the seal I got. But with all the fitment issues I've heard about their products, these have been awesome. Specific fitment for the Bird, and all I had to do was widen a couple flange holes. I still have the '61 Imperial. It runs/drives, but will need attention before it returns to any normal duty. It's in safe, enclosed warehouse storage with about 50 other cars belonging to equally demented friends of mine. Not for sale, though. I've sold everything I plan to at this time, although the Shoebox & '63 Cadillac may find themselves on the "bubble" if need be. Thanks for bring this back up. Was a fun read. More changes coming for the Bird, but this spring will be a focus of ironing out my '60 F-100, that really started all of this hot rod craziness.
Some how I had missed this thread!!! It is so great to see a 'little' T-Bird that has not been over restored and sitting in someones collection!Very nicely done!! ROY.
Thanks. No real updates, but a few things in the works. Going to get rid of the conti' kit and install a '55 rear bumper like fellow HAMBer "AndrewnTX" did on his green '56. Then I'm going to install Custom 300 bumper guards (front & rear) like fellow HAMB'er "A54studebaker" did. Have all the parts, other than the bumper brackets. Just need to do it!
Still enjoying the Barn Bird...took it to the American Graffiti festival in Modesto a few weeks ago...a friend snapped this shot as we rolled by: Sent VIA top secret BIGREDTODD Mobile HQ
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