I am in need of some original valve covers for the 1953 303 Olds. Does anyone have some or know who repro's if I am unable to find originals? Thank you, Mike
Please notice that the engine has Thomas magnesium rocker arms - someone went the extra mile on this car and the engine. I concur that the "dual" cylinders denote the use of a hydraulic clutch - typical when swapping large V8s into those frames - just way easier than fiddling with linkage and leverage ratios. Please, at least 'restore' it to its original condition and configuration. I'm not too impressed with people that think RUST is a 'patina' dj
Congratulations on such a awesome and important find. You have probably had more than a lifetimes luck although your comment some pages back does sound like you are holding out on something else pretty important. I'm very much in the restore it camp. Neglect does not create patina ( a ******** term as used on often used on here). Patina is from use ie paint polished through, worn and creased upholstery, chips in paint etc. This car was built with a lot of pride and I'm guessing a lot of money. It deserves to go back to the way it was intended to show how it really was and to show that all those rusty grotesque chopped and channelled to hell POS are NOT the tradtional rods that they are being p***ed off as but are in fact creations (most ****** awful ones) of the 2000's. Now spill......what is your other news
Glad you plan on restoring it. Something that bad*** shouldn't be allowed to deteriorate just because rust is the new "paint." Good luck with the progress.
Nice find for sure. My deuce that was originally hotrodded about the same time has those exact same MCs - mid 50's Ford. Brake and clutch.
Restore it and then you can deal with the idiots asking."Is that a kit car???".....I say make it function....then drive it.
Again, thank you all for the comments and advice. Any one have any ideas on some valve covers. I am still looking for a good set or originals. Thanks, Mike
Keep an eye on the Parts Forum on here, egay, and maybe even craigslist. They'll pop up sooner or later. Hit some swap meets. It's getting to be that time of year.
Honest opinion......be VERY sure you want to restore it before taking it apart.... You can always restore it to its glory days, but you can NEVER restore it to the way it looks today. If I had the cash, I'd make it functional, and be driving it while buying brookville parts and building a clone, using the original as a blueprint.
At the very least stabilize it and make sure it doesn't get any worse. Personally, I think I'd restore it. I think a survivor hot rod is more akin to a Warbird than a 19th Century hutch. If it were in better condition, that would be different, but it looks like it needs a complete going through as it is. By all means, preserve what you can and don't replace anything just for the sake of having new parts, but definitely get rid of all the rust and neglect. Just my two cents. -Dave
MMMAXWE, Awesome find! As to insurance, try American Modern Insurance....they are awesome and they are not like alot of the companies that are just agencies...American Modern is the actual carrier.
DAMN! i would **** my pants if i found something like that in a barn I think you should restore it as it were in it's best days. Like paint it the same paint, same interior, maybe refill the pinstripes or mask it and keep them as they are. Congratz!
You asked about value many post back.........I see no replys. Value is often a touchy subject. I won't say what I think on values either. But I will say that you could clone that car for less money than a complete restore job. Your car value from what it is now and what its worth completely restored is close to the same dollars.IMHO So if it were me I would spend the $ to clone it and keep the original exactly as is. About the same out of pocket expense and 2 cool hot rods to enjoy. Kind of a before and after setting side by side. Steve My bad.............I posted before realizing this thread is 6 months old. Still curious though what became of this old hot rod.
very very nice. good luck with your find and keep us updated as you get it running. I won't comment on keeping it the way it is or restore it. It is yours now do what you want to with it.
A few updates for the group. Engine rebuilt and running, keeping the original Thomas Magnesium rockers as they were in great shape. Most all of the small parts have been reworked with a few exceptions. Decided to go with a fuel cell in the trunk for increased capacity and safety. Still waiting for one gear for the transmission before I feel good about the progress. Will need to tear it down one more time to replace a few items I did not have in hand. Rear axle still apart, needed to find some parts and have since located, just have not finished the re ***embly. Lots of help from my friends Tony, Robert and Tom.
Any Rocket gurus ever see a front motor mount set up like that? I wonder how they got threads in that large hole on the block? ...also, that's wild..reaming out the old loom tubes
Left it just like it was. Not going to paint it, just going to drive it. Reason being I can always restore it later if I want. M
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