Timing indicator diagram by theBurlyone posted Nov 22, 2016 at 10:26 PM Hey Everyone, I'm new to the board and figured I would start a thread for the restoration of my truck. I'm hoping that someone at some point will benefit from my build. So here is a picture of the truck as it is now. I've already done a little bit to it (had it for a number of years now, one of those projects) but I'll start with the timing indicator replacement. So long story short I pulled my water pump housing off due to some busted bolts only to find that my timing indicator was barely holding on. So I took the housing to a local machine shop to get the studs fixed and he busted it the rest of the way off. I scoured the web and couldn't find a replacement, so I decided to make my own. I stopped by Lowe's and purchased a sheet of stainless and got to work. I came up with this template based on the remaining pieces of the original indicator: From that I cut my part out and made the proper bends and adjustments, here is the final product next to my original: More updates to come. I'll probably post a pick of the final painted indicator next time.
Here are some pics of the truck when we picked it up in the desert and brought it home: And after we finished transplanting the 241 from my 1954 pickup into the new truck, no hemi heads yet, I'm on the hunt for the right parts:
The Hemi heads do have 'that' look, but offer no performance gains in oem trim. Lots-o-folks moving toward the Poly since they have a unique look and in performance trim work very well. You can also get ***istance from the guys at the PilotHouse forum. www.p15-d24.com .
I have been waiting for but never seen a comprehensive list of all parts needed to turn a Poly Hemi into a 241-270 Baby Hemi from someone who has done it. Anybody?
I talked to a friend of mine that restores cl***ic mopars for a living. He said all you need is the heads, push rods, cam, and I think he said pistons. I'll ask again when I see him next week. The only modification is a circular grind in each channel for the push rods in order to allow for the different angle that they take.
About the pistons, I have a rebuilt, never fired, 259 Poly, was hoping all I had to do was Fly cut the top of pistons for valve relief? All other parts I have triple of............................
Yeah I think I'll hunt for the parts just so I have them. But I like the look of the poly and it runs great, so I'll probably just keep it like it us for now. I appreciate the link, I'll take all of the help that I can get!
Nice job on the timing pointer....is that a rare factory automatic trans pick up ? And noticed the delux cab....mopar on !
Brigrat - I'm in the mist of doing some poly/hemi head movement...pretty sure the pistons have to be hemi or be cut.....the piston's carry different part #'s from the factory like from a 241 poly to a 241 hemi etc.....
Pistons Heads (valves-springs etc) Head bolts Rocker arm ***emblies Rocker covers Wire covers Spark plug tubes O-rings O-ring retainer Pushrods Exhaust manifolds Spark plug wire set .
Alright I'm finally getting a chance to post more about the build. I've been super busy. Ok first would be the remote oil filter setup. I purchased an remote oil filter kit from O'reilly to replace my old canister style filter: Old filter setup - IMG_3146 by theBurlyone posted Dec 18, 2016 at 9:21 PM But it turned out that the old oil lines were significantly narrower than the new lines. So after spending nearly an hour at Lowe's digging through plumbing fittings, we were able to ***emble a nice step down setup: C511E66A-A7CC-43DC-9BDB-B91A744FABBA by theBurlyone posted Dec 18, 2016 at 9:21 PM My dad came up with the great idea of reusing the old filter bracket to mount the new setup as opposed to drilling holes in the firewall, so we got to work: IMG_3170 by theBurlyone posted Dec 18, 2016 at 9:21 PM IMG_3169 by theBurlyone posted Dec 18, 2016 at 9:21 PM IMG_3172 by theBurlyone posted Dec 18, 2016 at 9:21 PM IMG_3173 by theBurlyone posted Dec 18, 2016 at 9:21 PM And the final product. For now at least, I want to find a better way to run the lines in the future: IMG_3177 by theBurlyone posted Dec 18, 2016 at 9:21 PM IMG_3174 by theBurlyone posted Dec 18, 2016 at 9:21 PM And then I had a chance to finish up the wiring for the dash lights, gauges, tail lights and turn signal setup: IMG_3207 by theBurlyone posted Dec 18, 2016 at 9:21 PM IMG_3301 by theBurlyone posted Dec 18, 2016 at 9:22 PM I was able to pick up an NOS headlight switch on Ebay as well: IMG_3298 by theBurlyone posted Dec 18, 2016 at 9:21 PM And then here is a picture of my truck and my Dad's car with the headlights all wired up. One of my grille inserts is still removed for easy radiator and wiring access: IMG_3300 by theBurlyone posted Dec 18, 2016 at 9:22 PM It's moving right along!
That sounds Great I could not get your pics to load, but congrats on the progress! I am still following along. Hobo Jim
I just realized that my album was marked private. You should be able to view photos now. I'm still getting used to the forum, lol.
This is not the only restoration thread on this forum that used to be for traditional hotrods and customs
Nothing to worry about. If you would have done a disc brake conversion, or a frame clip, someone would have whined about that as well. I haven't done a build thread on my coupe here because several people would have blown their headgaskets if I posted everything I've done to the old coupe. Nice truck. Good job! Gene
Man I can't believe it's been almost 3 years since I last posted on this thread. So I finally got the truck on the road. I mean I still need to finish the registration but that's it. The transmission worked perfectly as soon as we added enough fluid. Now I just need to get a wood bed kit and clean up the wiring a bit. One thing to mention, try and save your parking brake cable if you can. The only source I could find for a new one was Atlas Obsolete at over $200. But even at that price they were back ordered. I gave them my info and never received a call. My Uncle ended up coming over and we were able to free up the existing cable with some penetrating lubricant, works like new now! I'll post some pictures and maybe an initial drive video as soon as I can.
73RR, how many of these '55 V-8s were polys, how many were hemis? There's a guy not far from me with a rusty old 55 in his yard that hasn't moved in more than a decade. I wish I was younger, had ready cash in my pocket and had the time, money and energy to make him an offer. I still don't know which V-8 he's got, but if I ever see him in his yard, I'll stop and ask.
I do not have production numbers but, no doubt, someone with lots-o-free time does. From what I have seen in the last 40 years, in ½ and ¾ ton trucks, the poly engines are probably in the 95% range. In p*** cars the split still leans poly but just a little. .
The Jalopy Journal
