Another fenderless 53

[tw7256]

I thought I would share with you some pictures of the donor car that the engine came out of. My son-in-law gave this car to me. It had been on his dad's farm for years. He had no title so he could not sell it for scrap. He gave it to me because he knew i liked big olds stuff.

I don't know why it is that everything I have started with was full of Pack rat nest debri.

 

[old man dave]

Hard to believe that is the same engine. Nice work. Do you need AN fittings or just the braided line? I have a few extra fittings if you need them send me a PM with your address.

 

[sgtpontiac]

couldn't be a rat unless you dug out some old bones...

Glad everything is getting close to driving it.....nice job on the build...[cl Olds power is cool......

 

[tw7256]

I bought a bunch of AN stuff at the swap meet for 10 bucks But thanks! The steering hose has to be high pressure on the supply side so I'll have to pony up for that.

 

[tw7256]

I statred working on my exhaust system. The plan is to run 3" from the headers under the cab and out thru the cab corners. I decided to make my own mufflers since I have made everything else. Here is what I have so far.

By tw7256 at 2012-02-15

I started with a 2' section of 2 3/4" tubing. I layed it out on 4 sides with 1 1/2" long slits.

By tw7256 at 2012-02-15

I then made a die for my press and formed scallops at the leading edge of each slit.

By tw7256 at 2012-02-15

I then tacked these 3" peices onto each end. One has been expanded on the end to slide over 3" tubing.

By tw7256 at 2012-02-15

I then cut a 2' peice of 3 1/2" and slid it over the whole assembly after making these filler rings for each end.

By tw7256 at 2012-02-15

Here is the finished product. I need to do some grinding on the welds then I'll sand and paint them with high heat paint. I think I'll name my welder skippy because thats what it does all the time. It's kind of frustrating.

Next up will be the rest of the system after i get a few things from speedy Bill. Later.

 

[Sam_Fear]

Making your own muffler is kinda nuts! I made mine too. That's one big tank of a car.

 

[tw7256]

My dad had a 1970 Torino and he made his own muffler. I'll never forget the sound that thing made as he would let off the gas coming into our small town from work. I always knew when he was home and would run to see him. I'd give about anything to hear that sound again.

 

[tw7256]

I did find a couple problems with my welder. It had a bad connection and the spool is hanging up,that's what I get for using a 2 lb spool this time. Anyway since I'm hand making almost everything I made some 3" collector flanges.

By tw7256 at 2012-02-17

I started by making the collector rings. I could of bought these but what fun would that be.

By tw7256 at 2012-02-17

The hardest part was hole sawing the 3" hole. R.I.P. 3" hole saw, you served me well.

By tw7256 at 2012-02-17

Next I flanged some 3" tubing. I started by setting a left over 2 1/2" flange into the end of the 3" and using my press to push a scrap piece of 2 3/4" into it to get it started. I then finished it off with with my body hammer.

By tw7256 at 2012-02-17

I picked up these copper gaskets with stainless bolts at the drags last fall for 10 bucks. The bolts would of cost more than that.

By tw7256 at 2012-02-17

Here they are in place. I'll need to get a few items from Speedway now. Later!

 

[philobeddo]

nice motor/trans combo,I ran the same in my 51,snappy around town and a ROCKET on the highway...nice build.....

 

[tw7256]

I have a 73 442 with a 455. I had it bored and run 10 to 1 pistons. I spent allot of time porting the heads but the best thing I did for it later was polish the combustion chambers. Mild cam and a 750 DP carb. Anyhow I ran a 13.70 with just a 3.23 gear in a 4200lb car. I think that's pretty decent for a tank. I love that old car and have owned it since 1976. Most 455's sign off at about 4500 rpm but hold on till then!

 

[tw7256]

A short video, IT LIVES!

 

[klink]

NICE!

 

[62ChevyII]

Woo! Hoo![cl

 

[bob w]

I like hot rod movies!

 

[old man dave]

How much fun was that?

 

[tw7256]

Here are some more shots of the exhast system

By tw7256 at 2012-03-01

After a coat of VHT flat black

By tw7256 at 2012-03-01

It sounds pretty good.....good and loud.(insert evil laugh here) I try to get some more video real soon, perhaps something with smoke.

 

[tw7256]

Here is a shot of the exhaust system installed. As can be seen it's sitting pretty low. I think it has settled some more since I have been driving it around. I cut 2 coils off the springs which was a mistake. They were new springs and I should of known they would settle some. I either going to put some spacers on them or find another set. I want to be able to drive this thing without ventilating the oil pan.

By tw7256 at 2012-03-04

I went to Wally World and procured a couple different shades satin green spray paint. I was really sick of the hideous red door that was on the drivers side. I think it looks pretty good and will do until I get around to painting it. I painted the front also. This my attempt at patina repair.

By tw7256 at 2012-03-04

One thing about the tilt hood is that it's really easy to access and work on the engine and other items. I'm liking it more and more all the time. I added some rubber hose around the cowl to eliminate rattles.

By tw7256 at 2012-03-04

Next up is the other door and the windshield. later.

 

[tw7256]

I thought I would update as it's been a while. I have been fighting with an overheating issue for weeks. It turned out to be the electric fan. It was a 2500 cfm fan but would not keep the 455 cool. I changed to a 6 blade 18" flex fan and the problem went away.

By tw7256 at 2012-05-02

I had to fabricate this aluminum shroud. Sorry for the dark photo. My camera battery is dying and no flash.

By tw7256 at 2012-05-02

I guess one good thing about all the cooling issues was that thinking I had a cracked head. I took the top end apart and found several problems. The heads weren't cracked but the gaskets were about rusted away along with all the Bars Leak someone must of dumped in it had all the steam holes plugged. The timing chain gear was missing all it's plastic teeth and it had a flat cam lobe or two. I can't believe it ran at all.

By tw7256 at 2012-05-02

I took the heads up and had .050 taken off the deck and .035 off of the intake side. The old head gasket was .020 thick and the new Felpro gasket was .040 so I gained about .030 which makes about 77 cc combustion chambers.
I already had a double roller timing chain and a high volume pump saved from the engine I got the intake manifold off of. I picked up a new Edelbrock RPM cam for 75.00 off of Graigs list. The engine sounds cool now and runs quite a bit stronger.
Yesterday I had to stay home from work and watch a family member who has Alzheimers ( long story told short) so I decided to change rear end gears while he assisted me. I went from the 2:70 ratio to a 3:42 I got in a trade. Now it's kind of scary with you mash the loud pedal. It has a chronic case of Lack-a-traction. As I get the engine dialed in I anticipate it getting even worse. Me likey!
The next project will be trying a different set of front springs. I got a little carried away with the cut off wheel on the old ones.

By tw7256 at 2012-05-02

I'll try and get that nasty burn out video I promised as soon as I get a brave camera man. Later

 

[bob w]

Glad to see you are refining your awesome truck.

 

[Snake Farm]

Wow, it's been too long since I've checked in on this build! I'm liking how it's turning out.......and it has to be a great feeling to finally drive it
Looking forward to more video and hearing those cool home built mufflers [ddd

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