One step forward and two steps back.

[Lakota]

Ever notice how things just don't go as planned? Back in June I was ready to slap the plates on it and road test it. But Grandpaw got weaker and had to resort to the walker with me behind him in case he went down. He got worse and required 24 hour care. Grandpaw passed away on July first. I finally got back on track yesterday and discovered that my gas line was a tad too close to the exhaust so I moved it. While I was at it I got a couple of better tires. Today I was going to fire it up and adjust the timing and carb before I road tested it. While I was cranking, it was making a strange noise. I released the key and the starter hung and finally released. Ok, I figured it got dust or went dry so I tried again. It cranked again and then quit. I grabbed the pos cable to see if it was loose, and it was hot. I disconnected the cable and it came off with a spark. the starter was hung up. I ended up dropping the starter. I purposely put in a new starter so I wouldn't have to go through this nonsense. Actually, it was my son-in-law that installed the starter for me, while I installed the carb. He wanted to hear it run, (so did I). He said he slid the starter gear back and forth and there was no binding, so he didn't use a shim. It was in the high 60's/low 70's when he installed it. Today was in the high 90's. Metal expands in heat. It should have had a shim. Tomorrow I'll reinstall it correctly, WITH SHIMS...
Some days you take one step forward and two steps back.

 

[gassersgarage]

Oh man, isn't that the truth. I built a motor for my 68' Vette. It was a street racer. Spent a good amount on machine work and head work. I thought, this is the perfect motor. Fired on first crank. Rev'd to 2500 to break-in the cam. Used a leaf blow in front of the radiator to cool the engine. About 5 mins in, there was a "POW" and the engine died. I thought, "Oh God, it threw a rod!".
I looked under the car and didn't see anything. I pull the spark plugs and cranked the engine. A spurt of water came out of the #6 cylinder. Pull the head and saw what I thought was a crack. Used emery cloth to wipe the cylinder. No water! Then I flip the head over and saw that a valve was bent over. It musta stuck open and hit the piston. Took the head back to the machine shop. The said the valve guide was too tight. I was angry to say the least!!! Needless to say, they fixed it for free.
Broke the motor in and man was it fast. 1983, 10:90 corked up on street tires. Sold the car to an Allstate insurance salesman.

 

[Lakota]

I was pretty lucky with the engine. It's a 1968 327 that was still in the crate for $400. It was purchased to replace an engine with problems back in 68. The owner of the car traded it for another car instead. So the new engine sat in the back of a dealership warehouse for years until the owner decided to sell everything off before selling out and retiring.

 

[Lakota]

Well, got the starter problem resolved. Got the timing and new carb adjusted. Took it down the road and checked the steering and brakes, no problems. Today I did something on the truck for the first time...I cleaned the glass. I think that means that there is nothing left to do on it.

 

[Bonehead]

I don't think I have ever owned one that was DONE. Congratulations!

 

[donsrods]

So sorry to hear of Grandpa's passing. Was great of you to take such good care of him though.

What a deal you got on the engine!! Right place, right time. Those were still good compression, non smoggers too.

BTW, I don't know if anyone has ever noticed this, but if you build a car, swap an engine, or whatever..........once you wash it and clean up the interior it runs better !! I know it is strictly psychological (sp) but it's true. In fact, I spent the other night cleaning my daily driver Crown Vic inside and out, and it feels like a totally different car now !!

Don

 

[joehalford01]

it's not all in my head don

there is less aerodynamic drag when the car is clean, plus it weighs less when you wash the dirt off

and don't forget the loose ballast in the back that gets tossed with a good cleaning (week old mcdonalds to go bags with french frys....)

 

[luckyfasteddie]

A clean car

I want mine to run better too.how do I clean rust !!!!! LFE PS dont forget the rule of 5

 

[Lakota]

once you wash it and clean up the interior it runs better !!

I've noticed that. Also, adding chrome parts to the engine makes it perform and sound better. Almost like it has a life of it's own. HMMMMM, metal, steel, made from iron, iron comes from the ground, ground as in Mother Earth, Mother Earth has a Spirit....HMMMMMMM...