Projects 1957 Hillman Husky 392 hemi build thread

This one worked out so the seats and steering will remain in the stock location. So will the seats and the under floor pedals. The gas pedal will need to be moved just a little but probably not much.

10 or so years ago I saw a Husky with a 350 in it. They guy used the stock steering and had no firewall! The distributor was under the dash and he was telling me he could tune it while he was driving. He was wearing shorts and his right leg was red from being too close to the exhaust manifolds.

 

I do have some pictures. This was one of the cars I ended up not using. This car is now at the local wrecking yard so when I need parts off of it I need to buy them back. Take a look at some of what was going on with the rear end. It had springs, wood, chains, and wire holding it all together. They said it ran and drove until it was stolen and crashed in to a tree. I didn't save any of the Volvo parts. They went to the local wrecker.

 

Here's a couple shots of the floor board that went in. Still have a couple of holes to fix but it's now solid.

 

Here are a few more shots of the finished fender wells and the control arms back together.

Just as the motor was going back in I realized that I forgot to paint the motor mounts. I'll have to jack the motor back up and get those painted.










The paint is a pretty close match......maybe just a little too gray but I like it.

 

Is this the last time the motor goes in? Also, what is the brand of the blue lift rig you have on there? Looks pretty handy.

 

Yes, hopefully this will be the last time the motor goes in. The lifting plate is by Mac's. Part number is MTD-701001 It was a great help putting the motor in. The box says will go up to a 35 degree angle but better yet it will hold the motor and tranny level which made easy work of bolting on the tranny cross member. No more jack needed under the tranny to lift it in to place.

 

Started on the wiring yesterday. Still has a long way to go but we have the main layout. Need to get it all painted inside before the final wiring goes in.

 

It is coming together great. Won't be long and your on the road.

 

I hope so!

 

Looks great, very different, and that HEMI, WOW!!!!!!

 

Any updates? I cant wait to hear that Hemi come to life.

 

Yes, still working on wiring. Got the headlights and front turn signal wires done and installed the distributor. The spark plug wires are also done. They will be covered up eventually but need to get my other set of valve covers and spark plug covers powder coated first. Put the starter back in. Also painted some of the interior and firewall and put the drive shaft in. Carb is now ready to bolt on and I've been accumulating parts for the fuel lines. I've got 40 feet of stainless tube and also an HP-1 heavy duty fuel filter. Have to paint the motor mounts first though so I can't unbolt the lifting plate attached to the manifold.

Still struggling with where to put the alternator. Have the Hot Heads upper and lower brackets but they don't quite work. I don't want it too visible so the upper mounts won't work. Ordered another bracket today from Summit along with a Denso mini alternator. Should be able to get more done this weekend.

 

Thanks mad mikey. It is different. That's the way I like it.

 

sooooo the burnout video e.t.a. is when?

 

That's a great color, care to share the formula?

 

I love it!!

 

I follow your project for a while and am still impressed.
I have a 1952 Hillman Minx convertible that will have a V8 because someday as i don't like it stock.
Finding parts here in the Netherlands is very hard but i'm not in a hurry (with 5 other projects going)

Hennie

 

We just color matched the original paint. I'll see if I can dig up the formula. Don't have the can handy right now.

I'll try extra hard to get it for you because my dad is a Hawkeye!

 

Very cool thanks! I had an old Plymouth with one door in a color that my memory says is the same, and I always liked the color of that one door. Previous owner painted it with a leftover from the paint store, haven't seen the same color since, although it is close to Ford Florentine blue. Say hello to your dad.

 

Got a little more work done this weekend. The power brakes and clutch are now working. Wiring isn't done so we just jumped 12 volts to the brake power assist and it pumped up and then shut off. Also got more of the wiring harness done. It's near done behind the dash so next weekend it will be time to hook up the rear of the car including fuel pump, brake assist, lights, and fuel sender.

Got my spare set of valve covers and spark covers cleaned up. Took them down to the powder coat place this morning. Once I get them back I'll need to find out how to paint the raised Chrysler Fire Power letters.

Still fighting the where to put the alternator issue. I think I may have a solution. Tried a Denso 93mm alternator but that would really require a lot of fabrication so I think I'll just mount the one I have up above the water cross over.

Still lots to do.

 

A good way to paint raised lettering is to use a small ink roller like printers used in old linotype presses. You can put paint on a small piece of foam rubber, and then roll the roller over it. Then carefully roll the rubber roller over the letters. I like to cover the valve covers with masking tape, and leave the lettered area only exposed. It avoids accidents, and makes the job easier.
http://www.jerrysartarama.com/disco...ign=shopping&gclid=CITWu8_ly8QCFQqGfgodUI0A8Q

 

Have been making steady progress. Most of the wiring is done. Now have a nice little battery box under the rear seat. This will hold an Odyssey PC950 battery. Still need to make a lid but you can see where it is placed.

 

Finally! I finally have a complete alternator bracket. Made a template out of cardboard then had a piece of 1/2" aluminum water jet cut out. A little hand sanding and polishing and it will do the trick. The alternator just sits in front of the head and I have plenty of travel to tighten the belt. Also have the radiator in now. Still needs some core support pieces attached but I'll do that tonight or this weekend.

One other piece of progress was getting the water pump and crossover on. They were on before but without gaskets. Now everything is in place including gaskets, thermostat, and all the pulleys. I've got the hoses all ready. Jubilee hose clamps should be in the mail tonight so I can get the hoses in place.

Also found the original horn and after some persuading got it to work. Got it bead blasted and will now paint it and figure out where to mount it.

Nothing fancy on this alternator bracket. I wanted it strong and it is. No flex here. I could have dressed it up a little but decided against it. I like it just the way it is.


Settled on this water neck on the crossover. I bought about 7 different kinds and this one provides the best hose path. Hoses (and fan belts) always require several trips to the auto store. I usually bend a piece of a coat hanger and then bring it in and try to match it. Got the upper hose on the first try. Fan belts took 3 trips even though I would buy 3-4 sizes at a time.


The 14" fan is centered nicely in front of the radiator and is about 3/4" away. No fan shroud. If I need one I'll add it later although I don't think I will need one.


The top area of the radiator gets a shroud like piece across the top. This piece has a rubber strip that seals against the hood and forces air through the radiator. This was the way Hillman did it so I'll put it back in there. This also adds strength to the area and braces attach to it from the hood latch area.


I had to go with two grooves on the balancer and water pump pulleys. May change this out later but for now they will have to do.


The chrome alternator is just a little too much bling for me so will probably get replaced with an "as cast" version. Didn't order one before because they seem to take a month to ship while Summit always carries the chrome versions.

 

Really coming together nice!

 

Husky---
Boy does that sound familiar, my NAPA guy told me to call ahead next time so he'd know when to go to lunch.
Looks good
Great photos BTW

 

Made some good progress over the weekend. The starter, alternator, coil and distributor are all mounted and wired up and ready to go. Also put on the rest of the core support pieces and got the radiator hoses on. In the pictures below you can see the upper core piece of sheet metal that directs air through the radiator. Has a small flap of rubber to seal it against the hood.

Also got the carb installed. Still waiting on the "real" valve covers to arrive. Real Ralph is doing the lettering and then will clear coat them before installing.


Here's a good shot of the core support. Note the piece of rubber at the top to seal it against the hood and force air through the radiator. These are stock Hillman pieces.


The fan is 3/4" away from the radiator. Don't think I'll need a shroud.


Had to clearance the core support brace bar on top just a little so there is room to remove the radiator cap.


The coil bracket and coil is attached to the back of the water cross over block off plate.


I'll need to go with a low profile air cleaner. There is room but not for anything tall.


Another shot of the core support shroud piece. This was nice when trying to figure out how high the radiator could go. I've already had the hood on to verify that the hood will close.

 

I said I had 7 fan belts but it was more like 11-12. I ended up using a belt that I had returned from my first trip. I hate it when that happens.

 

That IS beee yu teee fullll ! great job

 

Thanks. Won't be too long before I fire it for the first time.

 

Amazing build! Always enjoyable to see another update!