Years ago I got possession of the car that started it all for me, the hot rod that my uncle built when he was around 17 in 1972 or so. I did a thread about it when i first got the car years ago but at the time I was knee deep in other projects that are long gone and building a hot rod of my own. Fast forward years later I've finally have a shop of my own and a place to work on it. Now here's the deal, me and my uncle are supper close, you couldn't find two more people so much alike. And what he don't know I've been spending a lot of time and money trying to get this hot rod back on the road for him to drive and enjoy. So up this point he don't have a clue what's happening. Now there's the back story, now for the thread to begin. It'll be kind a brief considering I'm only getting it back going. It all started off with a engine my buddy wanted to see, only a couple thousand miles, it was just ugly as hell, no biggie though, I'll make it look cool! Just had to help pull it out of a 32 and pay up a little.
So this car has been parked since 82, engine is a 69 327 .60 over and 11.5 to 1 compression and locked up solid, so unfortunately that engine is sat aside for a rebuild one day and the 350 is going in place but not without a makeover. First I had to get this thing out of storage and dust it off. After cleaning it before I take it to my shop, which is next door. I had to call a favor in to my dad, since I just gave him a work truck I restored I needed to borrow it and him, and some help. This is where things got interesting .
In mix of all this I had been polishing that terrible looking 350. Now I ain't no master mechanic but I'll give it the good ol college try. So originally my uncle had a original 59/61 corvette 2x4 set up with the WCFB carbs. He thought he'd save gave by later going to a single 4 but said it didn't but never got around to putting 2x4s back on. Well guess what, a little money later and help from an amazing carb guy, I had those things looking like new. Years ago I had already blasted the intake and the cal custom valve covers he'd been using last. I'm trying to reuse all I can in the process , whether it's right or wrong. As long as it safe, it's good.
Well the engine maybe a 350 probs my isn't making the power the 283 was I'm hoping I'll make these carbs work fine, we'll see. Here's a sneak peak of the mock up on the engine. I went back red as he had it to match the car.
So back to the car itself, I got in to my shop, still trying to hide all this from my uncle I deal with daily. I knew I was commuted and have to do this in a realativitly quick manner. My biggest fear was seeing it tore apart and him possibly getting mad seeing it like that. So once it was in the shop, I wasted know time. I had a bunch off parts bought up but started the tear down right away.
And if any of you was wondering where the name of the thread came from, my uncle's nickname is shakey.
Now that it's up in my shop and the tear down begun. So although this car may not be exactly the best looking to some folks but considering the age of the build and time period, it's hard not to at least respect it . So as you've probably been wondering, the PBR keg up from is the gas tank, which did kill the flow of air in the radiator which was resolved by using a second radiator below it. So I got all that removed. The radiators was still in great shape but the fuel tank was terribly bad on the inside, luckily it's stainless and some acid is taking care of it.
Got the car pressure washer and decided on taking my chances on the powerglide that was in it. It was low mileage and in great shape when parked. So I put new seals and filter in it, and called in some favors. I planned a weekend with my 2 best friends to come out, and work on it with me and partake in some drinking. Both friends drove over 4 hrs one way to stay the whole weekend, and one had been deployed for awhile and only been back a day. But we still managed to have a blast and get the engine and trans installed .
By the end of the weekend we had gotten a quite bit done, considering all the catching up we had to do. Not too mention, when I thought I had everything ready to go, I really didn't. Not to mention stuff I broke, and apparently a 350 has a bigger harmonic balancers which throws off everything. So by the time my buds left this is how it sat.
Its the water pump and pulleys and brackets the balanser should be in the same place use the original 327 stuff on it
The water pump actually ended up being a little different in length buy about 1/2 inch, but I was able to make it work with the 350 crank pulley, and the water pulley off the 327, and I made a mount for the alternator. It all worked out pretty well.
So with the 327, the engine had a cooling issue, being mildy built, then throw the keg out front. So the solution was to run another radiator under the keg, it worked, but for now I've got it capped off, hoping this stock 350 don't create as much heat. In the most of all this the keg has acid in it still trying to get it clean. I've been focused on fixing all the wiring, it's in bad shaped. Just going through and replacing all the wire and put on a new coil, and voltage regulator and wiring all that back up. The engines a little messy looking now but slowly looking better . Had to get a alternator bracket made but this is a good start.
This is way Kool for sure. Your uncle is a lucky Dude. I am wondering about the motor just a bit. You may have it addressed already but thought I'd mention it. The 327 had a road draft tube for motor vent, that lets you run smooth valve covers. The 350 runs a pcv system. I don't see anything inn the valve covers or the intake. How are you letting the motor breath? When you get done there your invited to come here for a long weekend, bring your Budds and I'll have everything ready and well get my Coupe running again. It's only been sitting since 1975. The Wizzard
its got some ugly on it for sure. But in its day Im sure it was the tits. Will be cool to see it back on the road
Your Uncles gonna have a moving day soon. You must be having heartfelt flashbacks. Kind of a Overhaulin theme going on here. Have fun guys...
One of the valve covers actually has a pcv port put into it that my uncle had installed. I haven't hooked it up yet, so it ain't so noticeable, but it's on the agenda for tomorrow if all goes well!
Another late night, spent most of it wiring. Although I understand my uncle used what he had back then and he was was way smarter then me. There was a bunch of messed up wiring and to get it right I just decided to start over. Also had to switch my valve covers around for my pcv valve, and installed my new fuel lines. Btw this is the old wiring, I don't have much new done so far. Now I know there's worse, but for someone that hasn't done much wiring, it gets terribly confusing seeing 3 different color wires in one run. So I removed all the wires and hopefully going to do a little better this go around. And here's my new fuel lines. My uncle originally used a fuel block with 2 copper tubes and some hose to do the lines, but I went this route instead. I'm trying not to change the car much, but somethings I do to make a little more practicle.
Well, after trying to chase wires to replace them I kinda said hell with it, and ended up removing it all and started over. For a newbie at wiring, seeing a wire change color 3 times is pretty rough.
Yea ^^ start from scratch. Better in the long run. Are you going to keep the over under radiators and all that wheelbase?
Yep, it's been like that almost 50 years. And I already have another Model A Coupe I'm building to suite me
After i got everything gutted i figured id start up front and work my way back. Ended up just buying new headlights from carquest, and got the new 3 prong plug in and started fresh and was able to get all that and the horn wiring started. Also did the tail lights and tag lift. But after messing with that for awhile I needed a break and worked a little more on my fuel line. Made that little bracket and welded it to the frame and now I makes a sturdy filter holder.
Yeah, the wiring in that car would have my side cutters out ripping it all out and my phone out so I could call rebel wire and be done with that mess
Tonight I finally gotten the gas tank straightened out. For being stainless I've never seen such a nasty tank on the inside. It took over 2 gallons of acids over the course of 3 days, then one day soaked in water, then I was able to get it clean on the inside. Had to make a new filler neck. It was rusted out completely along with the old sending unit, since I'm not able to use the old sending unit I dissaassembled it and used the top to cap off the hole.
Well I don't have a lot of detailed pictures since last time. But I finally got the tank done and plumbed. Worked on the wiring more, tail lights and tag lights are wired and ran to the inside of the car. Was able to round up some welding cables and made new battery cables, and solder it all together. Then installed them. Finally got the torch up at my shop and was able to get my rear drums off with ease. Now I gotta get all my brake materials. But pretty much all I lack at this point, is brakes, finish wiring, and a v belt for up front. And tires.
Wish I wouldn't have been so busy lately, would love to have come and lended a hand on this build. Looking good bud!
Haha I ain't done yet homie. Still have some wiring and brakes. Hopefully will hit it hard over the weekend.