Taking a break between projects

[Tom Kochtanek]

Been stripping paint from the front fenders of the '62 convert project to uncover what I knew was a previous repair to each of the lower sections:



It's boring messy task (and there's two of them as well as a hood!) and it was sunny and warmer outside today so I thought it a good time to exercise each of the girls:





Tonight James is stopping by to advance the 62SS project. She gets the fresh stock stroke QB build done by Day Automotive with some help from a local shop:



I finally got the radiant heat figured out at least a little better, perhaps we'll test it tonite .

Cheers! TomK

 

[61BUBBLE348]

 

[nomad59NZ]

I guess your day's are now numbered Tom with being able to get the girls out.

Where as for us, we are now in to the official first day of summer with today being at 78 and tomorrow meant to be around 88. Great for cruzing.

Gav

 

[benchseat4speed]

You’re living my dream life

 

[boxerdog]

Everybody needs a break now and then. Just not sure when that can happen around here...

 

[Tim]

what was in the Pizza Box Tom? i dont see any empty beer cans! i'd like to be a mouse snooping around all those spare parts! the girls look great! if you ever get to Michigan there is a museum called the Gilmore. one of the top 5 in the world and there is a 63 split window 1 of 1 on loan there from the owner. Black with a 427 4 speed. It was created by one of the chevrolet engineers as a test car, was supposed to be crushed but was given to the guy that created it and survived. very cool car! The hood wasn't open when i was there so i dont know if it was a Z11 or not.

 

[Tom Kochtanek]

She's in the bay! Took a bit of wiggling back and forth but the QB engine is in place. Of course the four bolts for the tranny were toooo long since we switched from the former scatter shield to a conventional 553 bell housing. It was after 9:00 PM and we were only into the second beers so we decided to rehydrate .

This morning I picked up shorter Grade 8 fasteners and hopefully things will come together next week for a possible break in of the engine .

 

[La Hot Rods]

Tom said he wants this one in the car.

So who was I to argue.

 

[La Hot Rods]

I am shocked that Tom didn't tell everyone how last Tuesday went.
Well after I rolled around under the car for an hour or two we moved to the top side and went to prime the engine and found the oil pump drive shaft was to short.
So tomorrow I get to remove the engine and remedy this setback.
Not naming names but it wasn't Tom or James that did this.

 

[Don Jacks]

That's why I like to prime one while it's still on the stand! It sounds like someone put a small block shaft in it.

 

[blkblk63ss]

I am shocked that Tom didn't tell everyone how last Tuesday went.
Well after I rolled around under the car for an hour or two we moved to the top side and went to prime the engine and found the oil pump drive shaft was to short.
So tomorrow I get to remove the engine and remedy this setback.
Not naming names but it wasn't Tom or James that did this.

Did you lose your religion ?

 

[La Hot Rods]

I think Tom was surprised how well I kept my composure.
I have a good idea who did this and my track record with him.......well lets just say that I have made him cry in the past.

 

[Tom Kochtanek]

This particular engine had the short block done professionally and the top end and oiling system done by an amateur .

I might have contributed to the oiling problem because I am pretty sure I supplied the Melling 55HV in a box and often they come with the SBC oil pump shaft. They guy just went with that. I was confident things were done right. I was wrong. Lesson learned.

Luckily it's something we can correct, and we're hoping that's all that was done wrong...

Here's James getting in position in the engine bay:

 

[La Hot Rods]

Man am I a happy camper or what?

 

[skipxt4]

Nice blanket, James. Did you sleep, out there?