Dave, I've pretty much decided I'm done with the traditional SBC. If I ever do want to use a Chevy motor in a project, the 5.3 LS motor is superior on every level to a basic 350 and very affordable.
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Dave, I've pretty much decided I'm done with the traditional SBC. If I ever do want to use a Chevy motor in a project, the 5.3 LS motor is superior on every level to a basic 350 and very affordable.
"Falconvan" - PLEEEEEZ be careful, it looks like you're having way to much fun and that could be dangerous :LOL::LOL:
Good find, good work and good luck.
meller
Coming in the house late at night covered with dirt, grease, and welding burns? Man, I dont see how it could get any more fun! :LOL: Nice looking inline you've got there, BTW.Quote:
Originally Posted by MelloYello
My grandson was over yesterday and wanted to help so we decided to start looking at what it would take to put the 54 dash in. After measuring we found it was about 2" too long so he helped me strip it down and we figured out a good spot to narrow it. Also, the 54 was a lot deeper on top and rounded at the back. I took the 51 dash and cut the top off to use as a pattern.
Then I traced it on the 54 dash and cut it out. It fits nice; I'll just have to make some small filler panels for the ends and it will be ready to prep for paint. My grandson thinks the car should be orange; I'll have to think about that one. He already talked me into going with a V8 instead of the flathead.
Changing the dash is always a challange nice job
Smart Lad! Sometimes us "older folks" can learn from the "young guns" too! A deep orange color would/could look great (I think)... 8-)Quote:
Originally Posted by falconvan
Oh and the dash is gonna look great! Again, you do some nice work!!!
Great work on the dash, Falcon!!! I had a Grabber Orange Maverick with black stripes and lettering---1 of my nieces named it "The Great Pumpkin".... I've always liked orange, besides the Mav I've had a couple others that were orange, always have liked the color!
The idea is growing on me, Dave. Orange, white, and black interior could look pretty sharp. Thanks for the comments, all!
Some of the guys in our club had orange rods,,and they had a little decal made,that said...''If it ain't orange,,it's a lemon''.. Like orange myself,falcon..And the dash job looks kool,too.. Interesting to see how many folks notice the difference when it's all done..:D:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Dave Severson
Mustang ll dash in 38 Chevy
Looks good,Charlie! I'll bet you have a few hours in that swap.
I got the other rocker in tonight. They really did a crappy job when they stamped this one out. I couldnt get the front and rear body line to line up so I got the front lined up and the rear as close as it would go. I'll fix it later whenever I get around to painting the whole car. At least it's at the bottom where it's not noticeable when the car is on the ground. Now to grind the welds, some skim filler, and some primer.
She's back on all four feet and I pulled the 318 out of the parts pile. New cam & lifters, timing set, oil pump, and gaskets came in the mail today for it.
318? Nice! From rockers to rockin'!!:DQuote:
Originally Posted by falconvan
I haven't been around too much, but it sounds like you got the '49 on the road briefly then cut it up to build this one?? I think you like building more than cruisin'! ;). It sounds like you're still pretty well sidetracked from the '48 huh? :LOL:
Yeah, it's hard to argue that I enjoy building quite a bit. The 49s clutch started slipping but then I found this one.........you know how the sickness progresses. As far as the 48; I'm still at the mercy of the painter. He's a good friend and has a lot going on so I'm patiently waiting on him. We did get the main body painted but then he had a long string of overtime shifts. He finally started back last week on the wet sanding and buffing. Once that's done and then the doors and decklid are done I've got a pile of parts waiting here to go on it. I figure on doing some more assembling while he's working on the front clip.Quote:
Originally Posted by 35fordcoupe
Going to be a fun ride, Falcon!!!!! Bone stock lookin' many-door with a small block!!!!!
Well it sounds like you'll just about have two done at the same time and then you'll have the tough decision of which keys to grab! ;)
Hah! Already decided, 35. Mama done laid claim to the 48!
Not sure why these pictures are turning out so grainy, I guess my camera has about had it. Anyway, I finshed a few welding spots and wire brushed all the old paint off the floor to start fresh. Next step on this is a coat of etching primer and some seam sealer followed by a topcoat but im going to take a break from the floors for a bit and start pulling the front clip apart and putting the drivetrain together. My back needs a break from all that bending over.
Well you know you'll still have to take and out and make sure everything is mechanically sound now and then :LOL:
Oh, yeah. We might just have to take them both out and line 'em, too! Although I think the 5.3 will probably spank the 318.Quote:
Originally Posted by 35fordcoupe
Lots done today; I got the front clip apart, motor pulled, powerwashed the front of the frame, pulled all the suspention, and cut out the old crossmember. Tomorrow we start cleaning it up to get ready for a trial fit on the motor once it's together.
I got the frame cleaned up today; this has to be the dirtiest job there is when doing a build. It took about 4 hours with a heavy wire wheel on an angle grinder. I had cleaned and painted all the suspension parts on the 49 and it's the same parts so It'll all go on here. From this point it's almost all reassembly; that's a nice point to get to.
Doesn't look like much yet. I was going to do a basic re-ring but the bearings look like they were just put in and the cylinders still have visible hone marks so I'm going with it as it is. I did get a new oil pump, timing set, and stuck in one of Summit's mild street/strip cams. The only thing i could find wrong was two freeze plugs with pinholes rusted in them and some gunk in the
cooling passages. I popped all the plugs out and flushed out the block so it should be good to go.
That's some really good progress, Falcon!!!!! Someday I'm going to start building a frame for my '57 so that I'll have something to clean, too!!!!!!:whacked::whacked::LOL:
That's pretty impressive, Dave. I dont think i'm brave enough to try building my own frame. Post lots of pictures when you do it; Im ready to learn from the Jedi master.
Post pictures heck!!! When I'm ready you might as well run up for a few days and help!!!!!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by falconvan
I may just do that.:3dSMILE:
Would be fun! No idea when I'll be starting on the chassis, this winter sometime I suppose!Quote:
Originally Posted by falconvan
I think you're only 8 hours away so it wouldnt be too much of a drive. Let me know and I'll see if I can swing it.
Got my shortblock buttoned up, now to lap the valves and replace the seals before I bolt the heads on.
Short block is looking good
Thanks! thanks for the deal on the intake and the delivery, too. How was the rest of your trip?
.Quote:
Originally Posted by falconvan
You're welcome. The rest of the trip was ok after I got past Sullivan and the rain let up.
This should move it around a little better than the flathead.
Looking good, I figured the manifold would clean up pretty well. That left exhaust manifold is going to be very restrictive and the right is not much better. Headers really opened up the 318 I had in my 75 Duster.
Yeah, I didnt want to use them but after investigating this swap i found everyone who went with the stock steering box had either use the early Dart manifolds or fenderwell headers. For a cruiser I decided to go with the manifolds for now. If I ever swap out the steering box for something else I'll switch to headers.
The plugs on the left bank are a bear to replace and you'll need angled boots to keep the wires off the manifold. I went with Taylor after the Moroso's I bought for it didn't fit right.
Thanks, Ken. I'll try those Taylors. It's a bizzare looking manifold, for sure. I had to do a lot of shopping around to find these at a reasonable price. Some on Ebay were going for $300 a pair and I wasnt about to pay that much.
I'm thinking headers for a 75 Duster might work as the gear box on that thing looked like it was designed for 1 ton truck.
I thought so, too. But after pricing a set of those I opted to go with manifolds for now. $500+!!!:eek:
I spent half a day at the boneyard gathering some misc pieces yesterday so I didnt get as far as I hoped this weekend. I did get a few more things bolted on the engine, cut a set of shock mounts and welded them on the frame, painted the front of the frame with some POR-15, and got the suspention back on after cutting one coil off the springs. I need to work some OT this week but im hoping to get the engine and trans bolted together at some point and start mocking up the drivetrain to build mounts.