I'm one HAPPY CAMPER !!!!!!!!!!!

[donsrods]

Wow, looks great Don. I'm one of the lucky ones who will get to see it in person at Daytona, can't wait. I sure hope you guys get the push rod deal squared away on the blue T. Are you sure that the push rods are not too long?

That's is one possibility Bill. He has a bunch of different year parts on the engine, it is an '85 roller cam 302 with '73 big plug heads that have been worked. They have been milled some, and maybe the pushrods need to be shorter to compensate.

We are going to install the new screw in studs then check the geometry of the roller rockers to see how they are laying on the valve stem. We are holding up ordering new pushrods until we see what length we need. That darned X cam has such a high lift that it is probably contributing to the problem too.

Thanks guys for the nice comments.

Don

 

[maddog]

Hope the push rod thing gets fixed in time.
Sure looks good.
It looks "store bought" not "home made" if you know what I mean.

...but we know the truth. You sure worked hard on it.

 

[tiny1]

Looks Sweet don!!!. I wished i could make it down to see it in person at daytona.

 

[donsrods]

Thanks Maddog and Tiny.

Don

 

[sakustoms]

Wow, that is my favorite T of all time. Awesome job to you and your sons. Have fun at Daytona.

 

[donsrods]

Thank you. It's been fun doing it. Might have our first outting this Sunday for both cars. My Son just called, he is playing at a Blues Festival and the band has protected parking, so it will be a good shakedown cruise before we journey off to Daytona. Gonna work on his rocker arm problem tonight and start his upholstery installation.

Don

 

[Gastrick]

Thank you. It's been fun doing it. Might have our first outting this Sunday for both cars. My Son just called, he is playing at a Blues Festival and the band has protected parking, so it will be a good shakedown cruise before we journey off to Daytona. Gonna work on his rocker arm problem tonight and start his upholstery installation.

Don

Good luck on the shakedown Don. Don't break em before Daytona

 

[donsrods]

I think we figured out the cam geometry thing. I spoke to a tech at Summit today, sounded like he knows his stuff. He said Don bought the wrong pushrods initially. He bought ones that are 6.400 long and should have 6.250 long ones. That's over an eigth of an inch difference. Don is running Motorsport roller lifters and they take a shorter pushrod according to Summit. So we are overnighting a new set and will see how that goes.

I got my grille and headlights painted tonight. I really wasn't in a painting mood, but had to do it before the cold front that we are supposed to get Friday gets here. They came out pretty nice for me shooting gloss black. Two little runs but those will buff out.

If I get them installed tomorrow I can take it for a little ride up the road.

Don

 

[Tripper]

Close!

Don,
U're cuttin' it pretty close! R u gonna get it inspected B4 the TR or what's the routine on the right coast?

BoB

 

[Gastrick]

Sounds like Good news Don. My guess is that the shorter push rods are the fix. At this same time next week, I'll be about half way to Daytona. See ya there.

 

[BIGGLES!]

11 out of 10 Don, B-U-T-FULL!!!

Hope you get the other 1 sorted for your run.

 

[donsrods]

Thanks. Well, this is pretty much the final chapter in the build. Got the grille shell and headlights on and have been driving it around for a few days to see if anything breaks (good so far )

Don and I put the shorter pushrods in and the engine now seems to be much better. He got his plates and insurance, so we took the two rods around town a little to see how his ran. He is still grinning I bet.

Today we are going to finish up his upholstery, and try to get some more miles on them before we leave Thursday for Daytona. Here are some pictures of how the cars ended up.

Don

 

[Bonehead]

A work of art!

 

[Gastrick]

The cars look outstanding Don. They should be easy to spot. I'll still be over by the NE corner of the Speedway at 8:00 on Sat night. Looking forward to meeting you and your sons.

On an unrelated note, I'm taking a break from cleaning my chrome front suspension on my 32 right now. I know it'll just get dirty again on the way up to the Turkey but it's pretty cruddy. What a pain in the butt.

 

[FlatBroke]

Wow.....

That car looks amazing and simple at the same time.

 

[sakustoms]

Looks awesome. Still my favorite T. Good luck and have fun in Daytona.

 

[hotrodron]

Great lookin cars!

 

[maddog]

Great!!! Now what are we gonna do? You'll be out cruzin and we will have to work on our stuff.

Cant wait for the Dodge build to get rolling.

Have fun Don.

 

[Neophyte]

Somehow I missed this thread. All i can say is WOW! These cars ae just beautiful! The blue one also sounds awesome.

 

[PatDoody]

wow I just read this whole thread, simply amazing! the car looks perfect with the orange and the interior sets it off just right.