Ever since I got my 55 Sunliner on the road it was never right so I decided it was going to get a Y block again,I put a 351_w and C-4 in it and the trans never shifted right along with the engine never ran like I was expecting. After the fourth trans (2 rebuilt and 2 used) the only thing that was still the same was the engine so time to look there,I suspected it did not get the cam I ordered so a stock cam went in and now the engine has a smooth idle and the trans shifts like it should. During the last 10 or so years I had been gathering the parts to put a Y block back in and even picked up a 55 272 2 bbl and a 292 that is apart and the better distributors and rocker arms,yesterday I went and looked at a rebuilt 292 that came out of a 58 and going to get it and will be getting a C-4 adapter from Flat O products so they will be going in this winter and now will have a 351 and C-4 to drop in another project. Since I had a new cam go bad during break in and I heard nothing but horror stories about the engine builder after I got it it will go on a stand and come apart to see just what I going on in it before I use it again.
If I had it to do all over again I would have rebuilt the original engine along with some upgrades with 1957 parts and adapted a better trans plus taller gears and been done.
Definitely took the long road on this project,been fighting it for about 14 years. It will finally be the way I want it and now will be able to finish the body and get in one shade of color,will not trust anyone to put the parts I want in a engine again and will get them myself.
The Jalopy Journal
