Technical What are you working on?

The engine is out. I’m reasonably certain the 216 has never been out of this truck. 74 years with the same engine is quite a feat. I asked Little Truckdoctor if my Dad was looking down on us and wanting to kick my ass. Chandler replied, No, he’s smiling at us and the old 216 is tired and worn out. I just wish Dad was with us to help out.

 

Your cars don't get along well with rear wheel bearings, huh, Jim?

 

Success

 

Over the weekend it was ride along to the 34/409 Shootout at Tri State Raceway in Earlville IA. Did a little coaching to a couple drivers and got them in the 10 second bracket.
Today was lift moving day. Relocated 3 lifts to 3 different places.

 

These are the two cars I was coaching for the weekend.

 

Anthony, it looks like you used up your luck today!! Good job!

 

A little preliminary trimming on the Tempest floor and the T400 has a place to go. Started measuring up engine mounts also.

 

Engine installed in and steering column fitted..Got lucky , everything cleared..Engine / trans / steering/ firewall and now long water pump pulley setup will fit

 

Anthony,

What Andy said. If you got one of those easi-outs to actually work you're a better man than me.

 

Sounds like a very productive weekend. Good work. I can't wait to get the car together and get it down a track. At this point, I'd take 14s though 10s are a very respectable goal. It is always good to see people hitting their goals. If you need more space for those 4 posts, I can make room in the shop. Or I should say, they would make room in my shop allowing me to double park stuff.

 

Last week Sherry and I started east in Clarence for a trip to PA, NY, Canada, MI, etc. Got almost to Ohio when Clarence balked. Fried the coil and cap in the HEI. Rode a rollback to a garage and they fixed it. Or so we thought. Made it less than ten miles when same thing happened. Came home Friday on a rollback. Yeah; seven hours in a rollback. I've been pretty disgusted and haven't even gone to the shop for anything other than to take out the suitcases and cooler.

I think I'll head out there today and change out the HEI (was never my idea to install that thing in the first place) for an original GM points type distributor. First I'll see if I can source made in the USA points, rotor, and cap.

 

A few more bits on the 55 GMC.
Caddy/Olds air cleaner.

15x6 steel wheels with some mock up tires in 215/70/15 to check fit/look before ordering the wide whites.

 

JW, do you recall what your rims are from as I have to convert my 16s over to 15s nex̌t year.

 

Found out why we had a rocker arm noise

piece was laying below it.

 

They are Wheel Vintiques series 62. They have outside hubcap nubs.

Wish I had gone with series 12 in a 16" because the stock GMC caps I found after I bought the wheels won't fit and I had to use a 1" spacer to clear the disc brakes I put on frony.

 

You wouldn't need a cab corner for that beast would you? I have a new one that I've had for 15 years! I'd be happy to give it to somebody, pretty sure it's a left side.

 

I appreciate the offer but I have both sides already.

 

Tempest... Hmm.. Meltdown Drags 2017

 

Fabbed up engine mount brackets today.

 

What are the headers from ?

 

Shot some paint today. Got some dust and a couple of small runs but nothing that can't be fixed.

 

I had a friend make up some Champion stickers for me, since the company no longer sells merchandise, and put them on my footstool.



I took the scoop off the car and had it sandblasted in preparation for a magnesium look powdercoat that never happened, I wanted to do the scoop and aluminum slots but just couldn't find the right color. So years later I re-polished the scoop to use on the footstool and now with the stickers it looks like it did back when it was on the Henry J.




I also started the bodywork process on the front clip of the 41, something I put off prior so I could just drive it, now it's time because I plan on driving it again next summer after a 5 year hiatus.

 

stripping the 50 ocho...putting the new tires and wheels tomorrow....

 

Man I have had good and mostly bad luck using that type of extractor . Good Job my friend

 

Not sure. That whole set up came out of my friend's dad's 57 chevy truck. I'll see if he knows.

*edit* He does not know the application but they fit perfectly.

 

Super clean
.060 over
Plans are to reseal, valve stem o rings and lap the valves

 

This bbc was in the srap bin

dome pistons but was a 2 bolt with cast crank.
Never hurts to look.
Pulled a 69 dated 325/350 hp 396 intake out of the pile once.

 

Smaller convertible top retrim and rebuild stuff.

 

Sorry to hear of your troubles, Mike. I wanted to meet you at truckstock.

 

What am I working on? Beat and tired after a long day at work.. pouring over a ragged 1962 HRM article about an AFX Tempest. A couple of cold beers and it's time to hit the sack.