Tank is in for the final time (I hope.) rebuilt 3rd member with 2.79 gears and 31 spline. Finishing up the brake lines then it is on to the Accuair set up. The trans cooler is installed as is the fuel lines. Rear cover, trans tunnel and upper bar covers will be last Had to cut the trans tunnel some to clear. May need to replace up to the trans..
For the axles and brakes installed and the tires on. back on the all 4 for the first time since starting. Dropped the driveshaft off to get shortened, that will be done next week. will take tomorrow off to attend Billetproof and then back at it on Sunday
Hi Danny, that is my plan, I slight rake (I prefer rakes on cars, even when low). with 3 setting I will have another with it at fairground cruisin height (probably 2 or 3 inch lower but a rake) and a higher setting for getting over stuff.. I wonder if I need more rear tire width )I have 205/75/15 at all corners (wide whites for the front also).
Most of my progress over the last week has been non photographic (cleaning up wiring, removing broken bolts, minor fab work. I did get my rear shock mounts fab'd and installed. Next will be to make a rear susp cover and start installing the accuair (just did a post on that as i am having a hard time figuring out where to mount the rear sensors (much be in an area with 3 to 4 inches of travel)
hubcaps give it a cleaner look. the rear fenders are keeping it from going lower but I think I like this height for cruising the car shows. going for the OG lowrider look using 54 hubcaps. The front two are NOS right out of the box. back need some polishing but nice and straight. starting on the airbag install,
Even though leaving the patina "may be" considered kind of trendy these days I still like it and I cant visualize liking your car any better with paint than with the nice patina it already has. I would leave it.
Lowbudget, patina will only be a few yrs as this is supposed to be my summer ride while I completely redo my 51 hardtop. (that is priority right now, then this will gets its externals revamps and made shiny.
Been messing around with my airtanks to see where they fit. I was originally thinking about taking the spare tire well and putting the two tanks and solinoids in there (and not run a spare or for long distance trips put it on top. Since I plan to run a tonneau cover over the rear it give me more options. Decided to hang the tanks on the side so I can put a spare in the right location and still have room for ice chest and other stuff on the rear floor. Standard placement, no but I think it will work.
Cochino, I did use the original tank original, it was tight with the 9" rearend (it has a bigger center section) but replaced with one from a 55 chevy ( edit, they now make reproduction 49-54 wagon tanks) Here is a quick Sunday night update. I built a floor for the rear (still need to cut out the spare tire hatch) but it looks so much cleaner also got the trans tunnel fab'd (thanks Alan for the help) and installed. next is fab'ing the rearend cover this week and start the accuair install.
Decided to mount the compressors up under the rear quarter panels The pumps can be mounted either upright or on its side but out of the wet mess. Built an enclosure with the rear open for fresh air (to cool pumps) but keep tire water from going in. What a pain this was, had to build an access panel in the end to get access to the attachment bolts (made a gasket to better seal it.
starting to look like a car now. Replaced all the front sheetmetal hardware including some broken bolts and got it installed.
Ken, happy to see you're back in a 53 longroof! I loved the old one, and this one looks like its gonna be pretty slick! Keep up the great work man! Cant wait to see it finished up! Tony
quick update, 5 days before Goodguys and I am pushing hard. Got the motor to fire but spent most of the weekend troubleshooting a problem with my air ride set up. (still not fixed). got the rear panel over the notch fitted and the back seat installed. (not bad shape for 60 yr old material)≈ The wife actually helped by installed window frames, headlights and other misc tasks fabbing rear notch cover.
Got the backup tailgate on (it has some rust) so still looking for a solid one.. The wife spent a few hours scrapping off the old housepaint to reveal a primer (looks like it was originally dark green like the wagon). Took it for a test drive yesterday and it is driveable. Put 10 miles (open header) driving around the 2 mile loop I live on. made 5 laps, so 10 miles and everything went well..
Ken,Congratulations on that first shake down drive...but we gotta see more photos of the car sitting outside! HRP
Did build some exhaust for the car before its maiden voyage here she is ready to depart for the show (minus hubcaps as one kept falling off and I did not want to take a chance with my two NOS front covers. and proof it made it to the show The excitement was short lived. Barely made it home on Friday after the show. Car was surging as the tank is full of crap. (filter is brown). and I was not smart enough to put one between the tank and pump. now it back on the rack for more work/ repairs.
Not much has been happening as the last week has been troubleshooting my fuel issues. I have had the carb apart twice (first time I did not know there was hidden filters), new fuel pump, lines and eventually a new gas tank (its a 55 wagon unit slightly modified to work in a 49-54. The 55-56 gas tanks are about an 1" to 1.5" narrower than the 49-54 tanks and the fuel inlet is larger diameter. it requires a reducer to fit the 49-54 filler neck. Since I added a 9" rear, the factory tank had to be clearance with a 5lb hammer (front face) to clear the pumpkin, the stock 55 was a concern as the sending unit/ pick up tube are located on the front face ( 49-54 the sending unit is on top and the pick up tube on the side). I got lucky and it just clears the pumpkin (about a finger thickness of clearance).
Took some pictures for insurance, here is the interior and some outside shots Next step is to work on the floors and keep making progress on the front air bag install and get the Accuair system install finished and get the stereo installed.
The Jalopy Journal
