Projects Mild custom '51 Pontiac Chieftain

Question: can the car do a burnout?
Answer:
Yes

Now the exhaust manifold has blown a gasket. That's what I get for abusing the car, I guess...!

 

Raining cats and dogs today.

Milkshakes occur, nonetheless. Rain isn't a reason not to go places.

Phil

 

Actual work on the car today. Exhaust had been getting chattery, the weather was pleasant enough today to actually attempt to accomplish something.

Set the table up and started placing parts of the car on it.

Pulled the manifolds off. Still looking pretty clean, but the culprit was visible.

Yup. That'll have been leaking, then.

Split everything down, cleaned it up, made new gaskets and reassembled.

Got it all put back together just as the light was fading.
A quick drive shows it's nice and quiet again, and running more smoothly now the exhaust is scavenging better at idle.

Phil

 

Went get some storage boxes.

Somehow big car looks small.

Sounds like I've got a front wheel bearing going out.

Phil

 

Tightened up the bearing 1/8 turn.

That lasted 15 miles.
Oh well. Time to order bearings.

Phil

 

Test tonight- up to speed. Into neutral.

Determine noise is water pump.

 

There is a great danger, that ford 5000 tractor water pump repair kit fits pontiac pump just fine.

 

Just ordered a new pump, they should hopefully be in toward the end of the week.

This is a brand new pump with no core return so I could always use the old one to see if the repair kit fits.

Phil

 

Went grabbed dinner. Hid the car in a lineup.


Heater is working overtime right now.

Phil

 

I always love your context photos. Your car looks so massive and has such a great presence, then in comparison to modern vehicles, it still has a great presence, but is definitely not as massive as I think it is. Great documentation of how vehicle design has changed.

 

Thanks! It's always interesting to see. That lineup made me smile.


Got some freezing weather coming so I made sure the antifreeze is up to scratch.

Wouldn't know it though, was 72 today.

Phil

 

Icicles (small) today.

Also dressed up for Mardi Gras.

Started up and idled away happily, despite the wind chill.

Normally only see that inside a freezer.


Phil

 

The radio had become all pops, crackles and distortion. So, I wrangled it out from under the dash. Always an enjoyable* experience.

Took it apart and checked the output tubes. I think the damp had gotten in and corroded the connections, a typical problem with Loktal tubes.

That brought the sound back so I sat it on the bench for an hour to test.

Played well enough, which was good.

I do think I'll get a solid state vibrator for it though, and I'm looking for a replacement loudspeaker that can actually cope with the full output of the amplifier. This one's terrible.

Phil

 

The glow of vacuum tubes gives me a warm feeling deep in my soul.

 

Gee Bob, some things we do not need to know

 

Phil, when those cars cost $125, & everyone was going from 8 track to cassette we used to put 20oz Utah 6 x 9s in the Delco radios. Usually had to have somebody stand on the case so we could get the screws started ...

 

[QUOTE="I do think I'll get a solid state vibrator for it though, and I'm looking for a replacement loudspeaker that can actually cope with the full output of the amplifier. This one's terrible.Phil[/QUOTE]
My girlfriend got a solid state vibrator and loves it!

 

My girlfriend got a solid state vibrator and loves it![/QUOTE]


Highly reliable, I'm told.

 

Car didn't want to start today, ended up adjusting the auto choke a bit and that solved the problem.

Possibly also needing fuel might have been an issue too. Went fuel up, spent the day assembling furniture then drove home.

Shortly after I took this photo the speedometer randomly dropped to 0 and the odometer stopped turning. Something quit working, so that's on the to-investigate list. Either the plastic drive gear has stripped or the cable broke, odd that it showed no sign of issues before stopping.

Phil

 

Fun for an early Mardi Gras parade.



Phil

 

I have followed your thread from the beginning and love what you have done. All the work on the hydromatic and all the work it takes to document it. My only question is your title says Mild Custom. What is custom on your car? Looks stock to me.

 

Notched and dropped as far as it'll sit down.
Stock height on these makes them look like a rollerskate.
Mildly customized interior (hidden under the blankets).

Like, mild mild.

Phil

 

Not much to report.

Been looking at different places through the windshield.

Country roads.


Adjusted the throttle-gearbox linkage a touch, got the gears shifting at the correct speeds now. It was hanging on to gears when it shouldn't have been. Real touchy though, an eighth of a turn of the nut is about 15 mph.

Went to a little meetup in town, that was nice. Got to shoot the breeze with people for a while.

Speedometer had quit so I pulled the old cable out. Oddly it still turned but the gearbox end had worn away and was round.

Stuck a new one in.

Speedometer had resumed service. That's nice to have back.

Also replaced the rear UJ, the old one was getting noisy.

There we are, up to date.

Phil

 

Out of curiosity how close are you to New Orleans? In a couple years I plan on taking my wife on a road trip to Florida that follows the same basic route my mom used to take when we were kids. And it started driving straight down to New Orleans. Always like the idea of a chance to meet other people from here

 

By road, about 65 miles. To get here, you have to have intention of going here, we aren't "on the way" to anywhere.

However, if your passing through let me know, it's not too far of a drive.

Phil

 

Oh once we get to New Orleans it won't be a rushed trip. Specifically planned to putt along, stop at roadside attractions, and take various detours etc.

 

Fan belt started making a noise today. Went take a look and the generator mount has cracked.
Guess I didn't anneal it right.
Need to pull that all out and weld it up but not today.

 

Yup, that was definitely broken.

I didn't have a welding machine when I made it hence the bolts. That and I wanted to adjust it.

Well, now it's welded.

Splash of paint and started to reassemble.

All back together and working properly. Also did oil and grease because it needed doing.

Just enjoying adding the miles.

Phil

 

Car was looking a bit unloved.


Broke out the polishing machine and got busy.

Phil

 

Went put fuel.

Now it's dirty again.