So now I'm really lost (what else is new). I've got this vintage hot-rodded 54 Olds ragtop, that is not fitting the bill. Its got a worked 59-394, dual quads, custom built headers, flowmasters 40s, T-10 4 spd, 57 BOP 9.3 rear with 5.13. Traction bars, wide whites, OEM drums and pretty much, all stock trim. Its a beast. I want to be able to drive 50+ miles in some comfort rather than having an uncomprimsing ride. The 54 ain't it. For short blasts....the 54 is the ticket. way cool ragtop. I really like the idea of a driver being resto-modded. Modern engine, AC, performance OD trans (manual), full disk brakes, modern accurate working gauges, comfortable modern interior....yeah, I'm getting old. I can't bear to un-do all the cool stuff done to the 54.....can't bear to sell it (in the family since 54).....no room for 2 cars either. What to do?? Easy answer; sell it and build what I want. But man....I'm torn on this one.
The first thing that has to go is the 5.13 - put in a decent cruising ratio and see how you like it, then go onto the next item....
I agree gear change will help dramatically, is it too loud? have you considered extra mufflers and dynamat under the carpet?
Please don't ruin that survivor with the old time 394 swap. Ruin is the word if you street rod it...this is the hamb and traditional genuine cars are held in very high esteem. The mods you list are just plain wrong for that piece of history. Don't put a fancy term like "resto-mod" to try to justify the carnage. Do the SIMPLE gear swap. That 57 rear has gears available NEW. If it still is not what you want, please p*** it on to a caretaker of history.
Your not going to find anyone on this site telling you to change that car around much. If you don't think you're going to be happy with a gear change maybe you'd be better off selling or trading the car to someone who will appreciate it and it's history and you can get something more your style.
going to go to 3.42s....that'll make it more liveable. I don't want to do anything to take away from the car the way it was originally hot rodded. Too much history to ruin - I agree.
5.13:1 rear gears on a street-driven car is pretty extreme. It appears you may have to spin it to 5K to drive 75 mph. A more rational final drive ratio wouldn't make it any less traditional. Quieting down the exhaust wouldn't make you a bad person, either. An under-dash a/c also wouldn't hurt. You could even add on an after market cruise control without ruining anything. And then, there's always the fact that being on the HAMB doesn't require a blood oath. Make yourself happy. Cheers -- Gary In matters of conscience, the law of the majority has no place. --- Gandhi
3.42s!!! You'll like it. Has to be really a beast from stop light to stop light, not to mention gas station to gas station.
Here on the H.A.M.B., we say how it's 'your $$$, your car, your choice'. Until you want to pull out a vintage engine, swapped 'back in the day' for something modern. Hate to go against the grain and piss everyone off, but it's the OP's car - not mine and not yours folks. He's gotta' live with his decisions; we don't. That being said, I'd think real, real carefully about doing what can't be undone. I just went to the Puyallup Goodguys show. Lots of cars there with modern engines. Lots of cars there with old engines. But, damned few 'survivor' cars. If you toss the 394, or sell the car altogether, you might find that it doesn't really make you happy. You say you can't swing two toys right now, but that may change throughout the course of your life. Only you can answer this question: will I kick myself if I sell the car? I agree with the other guys who say lose the deep gears and change the mufflers. The gear/convertor (for autos)/cam thing can totally change the character of the car. What's the cam like in the 394? Does it really need that kind of ratio? Also, what's the first gear in the box? I understand there are some T10's that have super-deep firsts. Maybe a gearbox and rear gear ratio would keep most of that off-the-line punch and not make you crazy on the fwy. If it were me, i'd try to tone it down to what I could live with to go as long a distance as I needed, and just use a daily if I wanted to drive any further than that. Just my .02; hope it helps you make the decision that's right for YOU. -Bill
I agree with the one thing at a time. I have a 48 Ford I thought would fun to put a loaded Cad in. It was for a while now I'm thinking of going the same route as this. Might just put a stock Cad. in and save the loaded one for a future hot rod.
rear gear change 1st still reving hi? then swich to 5-6 speed trans = still looks the same exaust is a no brainer quieter mufflers or front to rear redo with cross over balance pipe and have the pipes go all the way out to the bumper = minor update heck it prolly is not that sweet of exaust job on it now.... insulate the floor would be another blind help your brakes-m/c should be fine if adj rite they are as modern as any before disc brakes showed up maybe dual resivior would be a blind update are the traction bars a suspension compoent or add on ?.. they could go ifn they ar a bolt on who'd know now tires are always a safe dring preference radial with modern rims for a long drive .. bias plys for in town .. you decide a/c ? it's a vert dammit your way ahead right now1 this ain't a shrine change things and love to drive it or keep it at home and wish it were a pleasure craft pics either way?
You do realize the term Resto-Mod is a made up term by Brock Yates on live TV during the Barret Jackson auction a few years back? They were called resto rods until he got tongue twisted and tried to talk his way out of the hole he dug?
Doesn't the BOP rearend have a removable 3rd member? If so you could get another ge****t for your highway cruises. It sounds like an awesome car, that other than a gear swap I would enjoy as is.
Same here. An overdrive isn't the answer to this problem. That low a rear gear, with OD, is going to make the driveshaft reach its critical speed at a much lower point than it does now...you'd have a nasty vibration in OD at freeway speeds. Put in a 3.36-3.70, and be done with it.
First ignore the "sell it" crowd. You know damn well if you sell it you WILL regret it. It's really easy to say "sell it" when it's not your car and you don't have to live with it on a daily basis. Or you don't have a long history with the car. Or leave it parked in the garage because it's such a pain to drive. Personally i would do a cam swap (depends on what you're running now), switch to a single four barrel, swap the Flow 40's for some quieter 50's, change to some higher gears, a 5 speed, disc with power brakes and power steering. Add Dynamat to the floor and firewall. A little fore thought as to how to lay out the air and interior and a little shopping around for gauges that would fit the style of the car and it could look almost stock. Like something a high school kid would have put together in the mid '50's. You'll still have your hot rod, it'll just be a little more streetable and a whole lot more enjoyable. Just don't sell it.
Ditto on the rear gear change and a tamer camshaft.. Last on the list would be a quieter exhaust system....
and dont worry about all these "purests". back in the day when they picked up a car first thing they did was change everything- if u want a concourse car then dont touch it. If you want something that you like- do whatever turns yer screws. Its YOUR car
The gear ratio is going to depend on what posi carrier is in the rear. I won't know that until its out. IF is has a ring gear spacer, I can get new 3.42. If NO spacer, 4.11s is all that's available new. Brad at Fabcraft in Tx is one super knowledgable / nice guy. He gave me one heck of a tutorial on the phone today! I used to play all over this car in the 60s when this car was in the barn (really, hay, mice.....bats...you name it). It was hot rodded by my uncle in the late 50s, then put away to rot once kids came along. He pulled it out in the 70s, and that's when the "resto" started. He finished it ~ 2003...then p***ed on in 2006 or so. It was his retirement project. Now I have it, but need to make it driveable. I don't want to make any permanent changes, from how he had it, other than good decisions to make it driveable..... The rear is first. disk brakes probable. 'couple of more picts.
Sweet car! If it was mine it would get a complete driveline swap to make it more driver friendly. A mild 455 and a set of highway gears will make it a much more enjoyable cruiser, a car that cool deserves to be driven...
I love it ! I would leave the 2x4 on if the gas mileage isn't killing you but that rear has got to go ! Those gears are for a drag racing ! Go down to a 3.25 or maybe a 3.55 if you can get overdrive and you will be fine . You will also get a lot better gas mileage too . Retro Jim
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