Projects My new 53 chevy 4dr daily driver!

Thanks for all the feedback! I cant wait to drive it and show 'em off!!

 

Im actually thinking of replacing the reverse lenses, with a red top lens w/ blue dot. Put power from the running light to it. Then Id have top/bottom red lights on with center brake light. Think of the purple haze Id get at night with all that blue dot action!!

 

So, after looking at the tunnel painted all green, I had another idea. Carry the cream color into the tunnel. This way the lights are brighter, or reflect more lights within the tunnel.

I didnt take ant pics with the green tunnel to compare this too, but I think it looks cool and Im convenced the light pops more. See what you think!

 

I like the cream.

 

I agree, the cream really makes them stand out ( pun intended )
nice touch.

Godspeed
MrC.

 

Thanks a bunch! I like the cream too! Ill be sanding it off to finish the sanding, but wanted an idea of what itll look like.

 

UPDATE:
So I went to the engine rebuild shop where my car has been for the last 2 weeks to drop off the engine paint color that I used so they can paint it. I asked what the progress report was at this point. They said it has been pulled and tore down and is in the process of being put together. I asked if they found anything interesting as far as the cause of the failure. He said that they had found something puzzling. He said there was significant scoring in a few cylinder walls, but wasnt sure why that happened. He said they will most likely need to re-bore it out to .080, and of course new pistons. He said that he will let me know when its done and go into detail at that time what had to be done and the work performed on the motor.
I also peeked at my car through the fence. Just wanted to see my baby again. Seems like its been forever!! The doors are all shut and windows rolled up, no stray dogs sleeping in the back seat!
Ill update when I learn more! Sounds like Im getting taken care of.

 

man what a read. good thing you got the warranty huh?
seems like you have my luck too, nothin is ever easy. keep up the good work dude

 

No update as of yet. I called them today. Said they were deciding to either rebore my block 80 over or to start a fresh rebuild on a useable 235 block. They didnt have a 235 at the moment, so they were deciding what direction to take.
They told me they were going to do the bore on the 5th! Like 2 weeks ago(???)
Its been in their shop for a month now. He said give 'em 1-2 more weeeks...
Looks like I wont have it in time to go to Billetproof. For the THIRD year in a row.

 

Thats a bummer. Hope it all gets straightened out soon!

 

So on 6/22/12 I called the rebuilders. The decided they could not (or would not) rebore my block out to .080. Instead they found a different rebuildable block from the same 58-62 era. They had already done the machine work to it. They said itll be about a week to get it running and broke in, and give 'em another week to install it into the car and test drive it.
Its looking like Ill have a runner before the end of July! Im very pleased to hear they are rebuilding a completely different block. After all the problems with the other one, Im convenced there was something internally wrong with it. Something so bad, they chose to not bore it out again. I hope I finally find out why they didnt want to bore it out.

More to come!

 

good to hear dude!

 

Good news, we will keep our finger crossed, lets see some pice when you get it back.

Godspeed
MrC.

 

love them more doors !!!....I got wood checking out your pics !!!

 

Thanks MSCHIFFEL,

Ill have a hard-on the size of Florida when I sit in my '53 again after waiting another 2 months! This time with a freshly rebuilt 235 purrin' under the hood and beggin' for freeway cruises!!

 

Oh... and if the MPG is any better than 6 to 7, like the last rebuild, Ill be a happy motorist!

 

Dang. And I thought my OT daily got bad mileage!

 

So I went in to the shop again today to ask about the progress.

The guy said, "We have the machine work done on the block."
I said, "I know, that was done 2 weeks ago. We're getting close to 2 months on this rebuild."
He said "the engine has been built up to a long block now."
I said, "How long is it going to be until the car is a runner?"
He said, "One week at the longest."
I said, "Ok, its Tuesday. If I dont hear from you by Friday, Ill call you Monday."
He said, "Tell you what, call me this Thursday!"

Closer and closer. Longer and longer. As long as I get it back before the 18th. Thats the 2 month mark from when I dropped it off May 18th.

 

UPDATE:
Well...... the 18th is here, and my garage is as empty as it was the evening of May 18th. Yup, been in there shop for 2 solid months now.
However, there is progress. When I called him on Thursday, he said call me tomorrow. Called him Friday, he said motor is in my car, but he forgot to order the Remflex header exhaust gasket. Said it would be there Monday around 3pm. Sure enough, I call at 3:30 and it arrived a half hour before.
So I call around noon on Tuesday. He said they have driven it around, so its a runner/driver, but it has some oil leaks. Then he said, tell you what, why dont you wait until WE call YOU and let you know when its ready.
So there you go... hurry up and wait. Unbelievable.

 

..... quickly followed by " the parts are on back order" got that t-shirt everything good is worth the wait, good luck

 

So close, yet not...
Im sorry you are on the back burner. I hate to hear stories like this, I have been there before and it really sux. I hope he doesnt try to stick you with a bill after all this. I got held up on a paint job years ago that ended that way.

This is the main reason, I do all my own work, I know exactly who to blame when something goes wrong. I know sometime you cant help, but to hire out work its always a gamble.
Keep your chin up.
Godspeed
MrC.

 

nothing is ever easy

 

Thank for the support. I cant imagine them charging me anything. They havent mentioned anything or asked my approval to move forward with things regarding price. The whole reason its at their shop is due to their mistakes. Its under their 3 year warranty. I brought it in under 12 months.
If it comes down to them wanting any significant payment for anything, Ill tell them to pull the motor out and Ill tow my car home. Ill have to get a lawer involved for a refund for a motor I never got, blah blah blah.
Hope I dont have to go down that road. i just want my car back. I want to drive!!

 

UPDATE: ITS BAAAACK!!!

So, remember the guy on Tuesday saying "We'll call you when its ready."? Well, I never heard from them, so I call on Friday. I asked what the status of the leak is and whats the progress report. He says, "Its been ready since Tuesday!" I said, "Youre kidding me! Why wasnt I called??!!" He said he thought someone had called me.
Well that ****ed because Rust-O-Rama was Saturday. I had to go to work that Friday night, so I missed yet another show and had to wait till Monday to get my car.

Good news??? All that **** is behind me now. I have my car back and it runs smooth! I fixed some shift linkage probs and other small things that I had to my liking.

Tomorrow, Ill take it on the maiden 1 hour cruise to work and back. If its all rosey, this could finally be called my "Daily Driver"

Oh yea, for the last 2 months, Ive been looking at these Moon caps Ive had for years, hanging on my bedroom wall. I couldnt for the life of me remember if I had 14" or 15" rims on my car. Its been itching at me for 2 months to find out if theyd fit. They do! Check 'em out! I think they look *****in!

More later!!!

 

Glad to see it up and running.

 

good to see you get it back. hope the worst is all behind you dude

 

I just read the whole thread...glad you're rolling again!
I'm working on a 4-door '49 Fleetline.

Will the dual carbs and lowering job soon be forthcoming?

 

Very nice ride

 

Dual carbs will have to wait for a while, if ever. I sold my dual intake at the last swapmeet, plus, Im looking for fuel economy for it to be my daily.
Id really like to do the lowering job right and not cut my coils this time. Im looking in to getting 2" or 3" lowered front coil springs from Jamco. Ill get flat topped U bolts and make my own lowering blocks for the rear. I hope to do that soon, but I have other things on the horizon that need funding!!

 

Congratulations!!!!

Im glad to hear you got your baby back, and all is running well.
Good luck on you first trip out.

The engine looks nice, I dig the 3 to 1 headers. Let us know how the trip goes.

Godspeed
MrC.