I'm Stoked - got my '50 Fleetline in the shed and work is about to commence.

Hey Gang,

Just thought I'd share a couple photos of my Fleetline in my shop. I'm pumped just to get it inside so I can start working on it. The shop isn't much but it's a place to work that is mostly out of the elements (the roof leaks).

The car didn't come with a key(s). Talked to the oldest service guy at the local GM dealer. Leroy is a super guy who's about 60 years old. He had me bring in my glove box door and one day during my lunch hour I went through a box of about 300 keys the dealership had ac***ulated over the years. I found eight keys that worked in the glove box lock. I took them home and tried them in the ignition, doors, and trunk and of the eight keys I started with only one worked in all places - need to get some copies made.

Until I got the key I hadn't looked in the trunk. When I finally got it open I found the missing battery and plug wires as well as an old Firestone wide whitewall tire, a brand new Uniroyal snowplow snow tire from the early 70's (still had the sticker on the tread) and the original jack and the original spare wheel with a scabby tire on it. From looking underneath the car I thought the trunk floor was in halfway decent shape...it's not. I pulled back the rubber floor mat in the trunk and was poking around and a 3" x 6" piece of the floor fell out...lol. I guess I'll be patching that along with the front floorboards.

For now the plan is to just get it running so I can move it around. Bought a new 6 volt battery, plugs, plug wires, points etc. Just for the heck of it I threw the battery in. After all these years the headlights, tailights, and fuel sender still work and the engine turns over too. After it's running I'm going to start on switching it over to an open drive and upgrading the brakes. I will slowly pick away at the bodywork - need to pick up a small welder - I'm thinking about a Miller 175.

Later,

Thor

 

nice good luck

 

Thor,

Great luck with the keys, I sold off my 52 pontiac post last month and replaced it with a 52 pontiac hardtop. I gutted the leather interior last weekend, field mice get into everything left on the farm for any length of time, a nice coating of bleach over the bare metal interior maybe in the works for tomorrow. My hardtop also needs some trunk, rear p*** floor replacement.

Good luck

s.

 

Feels good doesn't it!! Nothing like that old car smell ..I hope you enjoy your project,maybe I'll get to see it someday..
PAUL

 

I am building a 50 Fleetline right now. PM me if you have any questions. I'm no expert, but I have a PHD from the School of Hard Knocks.

 

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the replies - I appreciate the support.

Roothawg,

Thanks for the offer on the PM's...I will be taking you up on it in the future.

Lol...I know what you mean about the school of hard knocks. I was working on the car tonight and pulled the plug out of the oil pan and got at least a gallon of water before the oil came out. I don't know if the block's cracked or if the head gasket is bad but I do know that somethin' aint right! The water was crystal clear with no rust - it was kind of weird.

Do I stick a fork in this motor or is there something quick I can check? I've never worked on one of these 216's before and I don't know their quirks...that is if they have any quirks. I just want to get the thing running well enough to pull it in and out of the shop. I suspect I might be on the hunt for a 235 in the very near future...

Later,

Thor

 

my 52 had a blue flame 235 in it when I got it. when it blew I put a 250 in it and a powerglide and loved it. theyre a little more plentyfull if you can't find a good rebuildable 235,and speedway motors offers alot of aftermarket goodies for em . just a little food for thought.

 

Bleach makes steel rust!

 

I wouldn't even attempt to salvage the 216. They have the babbit rods. I would go for something with insert bearings.

 

Roothawg,

That's kind of what I was thinking. I was digging around on craigslist last night and actually found a couple running 235's. I have never really done anything with an inliner before. The more I look into straight sixes the more intriqued I'm becoming.

Is there a "preferred" Chevy 6 cylinder? Should I be looking for a 235 or would a 250 be the way to go? Will a later model (1960 bolt up to the stock transmission? Any information will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Thor

 

The 235 will bolt up but the 250 is a different creature. That's how mine started out....now it is a full blown frame up.