Projects Mild custom '51 Pontiac Chieftain

That's motivation on the wall my friend

 

Your car looks bad ass. I wish I lived near you when you were looking at the Catalina because I'm trying to sell a 1966 right now. I'm not having much luck. I think I'm going to end up keeping it. Good luck with your Pontiac. I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun with it.

 

Today was not a fun day; I had my left eye shot with a powerful green laser to cauterize the retina, which had begun to tear. My eyeball is now protesting as the painkillers have worn off. However, we are back towards something a bit more relevant.

I cleaned up the exhaust valve spring retainers because they were grubby. That's about it for tonight, but checking on the shipping tracking shows hopefully my replacement valve will arrive Saturday. Just in time for some severe weather to hit.

Phil

 

That eye deal sounds miserable buddy, hope it feels better and you can sleep. Saturday will be here soon. Shows an 80% chance of rain here

 

Hope you are feeling better today Phil. What they do today with lasers is just amazing. Glad you caught that one before it became worse.

 

Just sore today.


In other news, new valve (sans bend) has arrived.

Phil

 

I wish you the best with your eye issues. They can drag on sometimes. I have a friend going through similar issues.

 

Only had a little time today, but I lapped the new valve in to the seat, and got #1 intake and exhaust cleaned, installed and the clearances set to 13 thou'.

Phil

 

She'll be singing a sweet song real soon sir

 

There's a Pontiac similar to your's here in town. I'm going to the "Gathering" in the morning, if it's there I'll get some pid's. It is PRISTINE!! I don't know the owner.

 

Ooh, do grab some pictures if you can please. It's inspirational!

 

Wasn't feeling too hot today, but went out to the garage and did a little more work on the engine.


Got #6 intake and exhaust put on and the clearances set.

Phil

 

Take your time Doc, i hope you get healed up soon....

 

Put 4 more springs in, I will set the clearances later.

Foggy day, the engine is sopping wet, all the oil has gone like mayonnaise again.

Phil

 

As a side note, I am going to go drive this road in the Chieftain when it's going. It's just right.

 

If you ever go down in the wooly swamp, you better not go at night

 

Marie will love that Pontiac.

 

That'll do for tonight.


For tonight be spookly and quiet (apart from my neighbors occasionally shouting at the game on the TV)

Phil

 

I'm good, I rewired the headlights. Ain't no rou-ga-rou gonna come find me, mais non cher.


(There's the picture I was looking for!)

 

Lol goofy ass, how's your eye?

 

Eye is on the mend, occasionally sore but that's to be expected. Back in 6 weeks for inspection.

Phil

 

Great thread PhilA, I really enjoy your posts! You have some excellent skills!.Thanks for posting !
Some guys don't like when someone puts a picture of their car on someone else's thread but for inspiration I will tell you about our 53 Chieftain. Hopefully it gives you some motivation while your eye is getting better.
My son & I bought this 53 Pontiac 2 years ago to enjoy it and possibly flip it. Well we fell in love with it and plus neither of our wife's would let us sell it. It is the slowest car I have ever owned. Its pail yellow.....and it is a blast! When we cruise in it we get more thumbs up and waves then when we cruise in my red GTO. The 53 just rolls down the road like you are on a big marshmallow. Everyone over 65 asks if the hood ornament still lights up.


With skirts. When I finish my current project I might do a mild custom like you on this car.


We even ran it at the strip.... 22seconds at 76MPH in the 1/4 mile


It is a straight 8 with 4 speed auto. all original and 6V.
you probably know this but I have found lots of good parts at California Pontiac Parts. Also POCI has a flat head chapter that is helpful and good classified ads for parts.
Keep posting, If you don't like me talking about my car on your thread just tell me and I will delete it.
Greg

 

As shown by the "likes", I'm not the only one to appreciate your car! Thank you for taking the time to show us.
That's a really pretty car, and looks cosmetically like I would like to get mine looking. The quarter mile time also presents itself as a challenge... Ha!
(Slow I don't mind- I drove 150,000 miles in a 41hp Fiat, thus proving it can be done. The 8 has grin-inducing torque which is more than enough for me).

I would say it would respond well to a few personal touches- particularly if you're not allowed to get rid of it.

Thumbs up from me also.

Phil

 

Gotta love that lit Indian head.

 

Illuminated badges and ornaments are inadequately represented these days.

Phil

 

Valve clearances set by eye- need to complete that later. One was set wider than the grand canyon, as you can hear.



Bueno

 

Heck yeah brother! That's awesome

 

Sounds great; started right up, too. Excellent job. I have a Ford flathead that needs the same "treatment" (valves lapped) and this is very encouraging to me.

 

Sounds better now that I have adjusted #1 exhaust up a little closer to what it should be- it must've been right on the edge of the lobe when I first set it because when I stopped it had about 1/8" clearance.
Closed that up a bit and it's a lot more quiet. Funny, that...

 

Phil, the 'ol Indian sounds dam good. Pretty impressive job fella! You did good