The carb itself is just a Holley 4160, but the guy holding it is my gf's son, Abe, whom I taught how to rebuild it. He's not a gearhead or anything, not really mechanically inclined, but it was eventually a great bonding experience. Actually, at first getting him into the garage was really tough, and he kept looking at his watch, but with time we started having fun (or maybe working with me just got tolerable ) (his younger bro Luke is the real handyman that's helped with so much else on the truck). His mom just wanted him to start learning something basic, mechanical and useful, and I got a 4-barrel out of the deal. The job took way too long, nobody's fault just both of us busy with work and school, but today a major component was ready for the engine. First time I'll have run with a 4-barrel, can't wait. And he actually remembers the parts, too, he's not always aware of it- sometimes he'd notice a step I'm skipping and point it out. Mostly, it's nice to bond with him. Told him it'll be known as Abe's Carberator, as in: "Abe, YOUR carberator's acting up again!" Seriously though, the next step is teaching him to tune it on a running motor, and how it connects with the drivetrain. And he actually seems proud of himself, which is really cool to see. Just had to share it.
Thanks again to Plan 9, like you said it should run fine, maybe even better with the rebuild kit. It's yer basic 600 CFM with a secondary metering plate in the back. New choke's off the 2-barrel Holley, as is the 50cc accel. pump. Painting the body Ford blue turned out to be messier than first thought, not sure how noticeable it is. Originally got a 4165 off Ebay but this was the complete carb, so if anybody's interested, I have 4165 parts for the taking.
The other thing been busy with is rust-proofing the floorboard (took the seat out for a 3rd seatbelt, so why not now).
After some Transtar 2-in-1 in a can... Laid on some black enamel, that pic didn't come out well, but you get the gist. Tomorrow I'll paintstrip the driver-side door and the back overhead (dash and pass. door are ready). SOME day I'll drive it again, if I can stop heading off in different directions... Seriously. I mean, walked in town to retrieve the gas pedal fresh from the weld shop, paint stripper, and fuel line hosing and filter. Yesterday it was primer 'n paint from one place and oil change stuff from another. No wonder the project's taking too Z&%$# long. But at least the floor got rust-proofed.
Yup. It's bolted on, will hopefully get 'er fird up tomorrow... if I can manage not to stray to other parts o' the project. It was a purty good feeling to have it mate up with the Spectre/Crapter (tm) spacer and the GT390 mani with no prob. If only everything else worked out as smoothly the first time... Maybe the Lokar throttle/kickdown gear will decide to give me grief, tomorrow, who knows.
The Jalopy Journal
