Well being that this is going to be the last Hunnert Car Pileup and seeing as though I have said "Some day my car will be roadworthy enough to bring to this awesome show." every year since the second show. I have decided that this is going to be the year that my Pa and I drive the '54 Customline down to Decatur. Mind you, there is nothing crazy wrong with the car, but it has enough little issues that I never take it further than about an hour from home. The Hunnert is about 375 miles from my house (considerably longer than an hour ). So the thrash is on to get it ready. Yesterday I changed the plugs and wires. I changed the plugs 5 years ago when I had the heads done, but I have NO idea why I didn't change the wires then! So in that time I have added headers, making it impossible to get to the "brackets" that hold the wires to the block without laying on the ground under the car and moving the wrench an eighth of a turn at a time. I don't ever want to do that job again! A couple years back I switched over to 12 volt. The 6 volt overdrive didn't work when I bought the car and it was always "something I was going to fix". Well today I called the only supplier of Solenoids and Relays for the Borg Warner 3 speed overdrive that I could find (Fifth Avenue) and guess what... they are sold out. None expected in until November, which is too late! So does anyone know of another source or have a good used set laying around? Next job up is replacing the scary looking lower radiator hose and all hoses under the hood, find the vacuum leak, shocks, figure out why the brakes lock up randomly when they are applied, re-gasket the valve covers, and many many more... Any help on the OD parts would be awesome!
What rear axle gear are you running? The one that came in the car? If so it's probably a 4+ gear which means low speed highway cruising. Given that, since you've been driving without O.D.; pull the lockout handle and drive the 375 miles cable at about 55 . You won't hurt the engine at that speed.
The Jalopy Journal
