Projects My new 53 chevy 4dr daily driver!

Thanks El Cab, Im very pleased with it. Im thinking of tunneling the lights in about an inch or two down the road. Other things to be done first.
Im done with the floorboards now, woohoo! The brake access panel came out pretty cool, if I do say so myself!





I welded nuts to the bottom of the floorboard before installing to bolt down the access panel









Passenger side

 

Looking good !

 

thanks dude! more to come soon!

 

I really like the brake cover. Nice to see more progress.

I needs me a project car :/

~spasecadet

 

Just finished my exhaust! For the last time?? Not sure, haha! But I sure like this current set up and it sounds gooood too. As you can see, I tied the exhaust into the lake pipes just before the tips.

I did it this way for a few reasons. I had ran the exhaust through the whole pipe like the way theyre suppose to be run, but... it sounded like a destruction derby. Nothing cool, just low burbling noise. So, with it like this, I still get the rap sound. Not too loud of a rap and not all the time. Only when I want to hear it.

Plus, the length of the pipe doesnt get hot, so you dont have to be concerned about your gals legs getting burned when she gets in/out of the car. Also, if the man give me a hard time about running open pipes... NOPE! Look under the car officer! Yea, so what.. so theyre only 9" motorcycle glasspacks. Theyre still mufflers! Im really pleased! I took some video of it today. Once I get it edited, Ill post up a link to a youtube vid.

 

LOve it! That color combo is so awesome. You plan sounds perfect, get those goodies installed, the split exhaust is a must to enjoy these rappin six shooters. My brother Doug in Schreveport calls these "No Waiting" instead of four doors. This baby rocks!! ~sololobo~

 

Looks great! I really like some of your ideas! Like using the stock master and mounting the new to a bracket on it! Sweet
The paint you used to paint the engine with, is that special paint that can handle heat, or is it just regular auto paint?

Klaus

 

Kuztomklaus: Its Pontiac Classic Blue Metallic engine paint, good up to 500 deg. So far so good, no signs of it effected by the heat.

 

Well, heres the newest video of a ride along in the 53. You can hear the sound of the new exhaust design!

 

Niiice!

 

Been doing other stuff to the car, mainly body work. I thought while Im waiting for it all to be completed, I might as well have some fun with some pinstripes.

I put a cluster on the trunk. Im pretty pleased with how symmetrical it turned out! I found some paint that even closer than the paint Ive been using. The other paint had too much blue it. This other stuff is almost a dead match. Ill repaint the front fenders and then Ill paint some scallops in antique white, striped in that lime green in the cluster.

Im also welding together a custom horn button. Pics to come when I finish that!

 

Lookin good!

 

A bit of history. My '53 chevy bel air has a '59 235 in it. I had it rebuilt by a well respected rebuild company that rebuilds early motors. You can read my build thread here for all the info.

The motor was rebuilt with stock specs short of a .060 bore and crank and cam regrind. It runs stock intake and single carb. Ive changed the oil, using the special "green oil" with zinc additive. I changed the special break in oil after the break in. I then changed the oil after the first 50 miles, 100 miles and 500 miles. Im just over 300 miles since the last oil change and have noticed a knock. Ive never driven over 50 MPH and never had it on the hi-way and have never ripped through the gears or pulled hole shots.

At first I thought it was the 3 speed growling, because how could it be the motor? It was freshly rebuilt, right? I cut away my trany hump on the interior so that I could hear the trans while driving.

My brother and I just drove it around and we recorded the audio during the drive. We also used a stethoscope to try and pin point where the sound was coming from. Turns out its not the trans at all. In fact it was pretty quiet during the entire trip. The growling, knocking sound was coming from the motor. The further up the bellhousing he put it, the louder it was.

Heres the symptoms: At idle, it purrs. While accelerating and decelerating it purrs. However, while lightly pressing the gas pedal to maintain my speed, I get these sounds. Also, when accelerating up to 2000 RPM to shift, Ill get the same sounds. Ill also get the sounds if I stab the pedal up to about 1500 RPM while stopped and out of gear.

Im hoping that some of you will have some advice as to what the sound is, and whats making it happen. Thanks!

**THIS IS A STILL IMAGE. THE AUDIO WAS CAPTURED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR**

 

Any takers as to what this sound may be?

 

Valve float?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_REQ1PUM0rY

 

Good looking car, should be a nice driver!

 

UPDATE:
So I attended a local Inliners International meeting here, Portland chapter. I told them all about my 235 problems with only 700 miles on the fresh rebuild.
I was introduced to a guy named Bruce Murray. Turns out hes part owner of Majhor & Murray. They specialize in these old motors and cars.
I got an appointment and went down this morning in the 53. One of his guys gets in the car and runs it and notices the rod knock noise instantly. He says "Theres only 700 miles on this motor and it was built by PER (portland engine rebuilders - Larson & King)?" I said "yea." He said "man thats pretty sad. Were gonna get to the bottom of this, were not done yet."
Goes into the shop for a long time and then said "Im going to go pick up Ron." Ron Larson from where I got the motor rebuilt.
Up till this point I have only talked with Ted King, havent spoke with Ron. So I thought this may be looking good to get the engine rebuilders down here. Ron gets there, the guy starts the motor and right away Ron says, "oooh yea. I can hear it. I may be two. I dont even need to lift the hood, I can tell you that motor needs to be pulled." I said ok, will this be covered under the warranty I have? He said yes. (YES!!!)
I told him the motor was making the same sounds, same symtoms before and thats why I had it rebuilt in the first place. Im hoping that you dont just put new bearings in it. He said "no, I wouldnt feel right doing just that. Theres metal shavings and stuff all over the inside. Were going to need to tear it all down and start over."
Im feeling really good about the warranty now and about them keeping their word.
Well, today was the last day for driving the 53 for a while. Last time it took them 2 months to turn the motor around. I hope I dont miss the season... again.
Ill post an update later

 

I hope they get you back up and running soon, The car looks great and I really dig the lake pipes.


Godspeed
MrC.

 

UPDATE:
Just talked with Ron Larson from Larson & King P.E.R. I told him I looked over my build sheet and completed date. It was 6/7/2011. They have a 3 year warranty, the first 12 months they offer a deal where if there is any problems with the rebuild theyll let you drive or deliver the car to them. They pull it, rebuild it, install it and get it running.
He said "Guess that puts us on the hook!" We laughed and talked about a time to drive the car to his shop. Its looking like next Friday. Im sure the turn around will be quicker since the car is in their shop. Its looking like I may be able to plug into some cruises this season after all! Keeping fingers crossed! So far so good!

Mrconcdid: THanks! the lakes sound super cool the way I have them hooked up. The guys at the shop today said, hey, dont get pulled over for your open lake pipes! I explained to them how I routed them with an inline muffler. They all thought it was pretty cool too!

 

cant believe I missed this one. 53-4 are one of my favorite Chev's. Gonna check out your videos tonight once I'm home from the office.... that way I can crank up the awesome!

 

Heres the horn button ring Ive came up with for now. Ill probably change it later, like I do with most other stuff! But its fun for now!!

 

Love the pinstriping!

 

Glad you got the engine deal squared away. A god shop is one who stands behind their work. Cant wait to see engine run again bug free!

 

Thanks yetis! Im looking forward to it too! haha!

Heres some tunneling I just completed with my stock taillights.
I just posted a tech thread on how I did it if you want to check it out here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=697768

heres the stock set up




And heres what I came up with! I really like it alot!

 

I like it , I like it alot. I really do prefer the solid lee's lenses for the 54, but I have to say thats a cool idea.

Godspeed
MrC.

 

It's good to see you got it figured out! Expect to check it out at an inliner meeting.

 

thanks a lot! Yea, Im REALLY looking forward to this friday, and dropping off the car. Ill definitly post updates with that!

 

Hope everything is working out for the best for you and your 235. Nice that they're taking responsibility for it, that's not so common.

 

looks sick bro ! those tailights are top notch !
more door power to you !

 

Nice man! I dig the tunneling of the taillights. I put the 54 bezels with Lee Lenses on mine but this looks pretty neat too. Drive it everywhere! thats what they are there for! haha Keep up to good work.