Thread: I couldn't build it for $3 K either!

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39Deluxe

That the one! Seems that the local parts houses listed a replacement piece. I was in a hurry and didn't want to order one, so I improvised with what they had.

Thanks for the info, though.

Mike

I really like what you have done with your pcv system. Simple and clean is sure the way to go. Did you know that Moroso makes a pvc grommet with a built in oil baffle? I was going to use one on the non-baffled valve covers that I was going to use then I ended up buying some smooth polished aluminum ones by Billet Specialities that had baffles in them. They were also a hundred cheaper than the Offys I wanted. Maybe next time.

Tom

I have reached a very important milestone in this project!!!

IT IS ALIVE!!!!!

The engine runs!!! Sorry, but I got so involved (and a little rushed), that I completely forgot to take video.

A couple of good friends (thanks John and Jimmy) got a set of old T bucket headers to me that I used for a temporary exhaust.

Initial fire-up didn’t happen without a problem or two. Self inflicted of course. I completely forgot that the oil pressure sending unit was not installed and merrily cranked away while setting the pre start-up timing. Made quite a mess!

It still needs a little tuning, but the oil pressure is good (60 PSI), vacuum is good (18-20 inches), the transmission seems to work and nothing mechanical makes any bad noises. Had a couple of minor leaks, but that’s to be expected. The cam has mild specs, so it doesn’t have a lot of lope, but I kind of expected that.

It sure does feel good to hear it run! 2 ½ years to get to this point. I NEVER thought it would take so long.

I ran out of time and have to go back to work (gotta pay the bills), so it’ll be another week before I can get anything else done.

Mike

Originally Posted by Hotrod46

I completely forgot that the oil pressure sending unit was not installed and merrily cranked away while setting the pre start-up timing. Made quite a mess!

Mike

Can't imagine anyone else on here has ever done that!!!

Sounds like a good day though!

No pics.... Never happened!

We are awaiting proof!!!!

p.s. Good Job!

Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter

Can't imagine anyone else on here has ever done that!!!

Bob - Still doesn't keep me from feeling kinda stupid!


Scott - I know. I was going to set the tripod and camera up, but got in the zone, and didn't think about it. It really did happen though. Honest Injun!

Thanks guys!

Mike

Guilty been ther done that!

Awesome to hear that she is running!! Awesome (Proof would be great!)

Thought I would post a quick update. Been a lot going on since the last one.

The almost ugly is that I had a water leak under the intake manifold. A few miles on the road and the engine would have been toast!!! If I hadn't decided to change the lifters I probably wouldn't have found it until it was too late.

I think the intake gaskets were too thick. These were the special Offy gaskets that came with the 3x2 setup from Hotrod Carburetion. They were .090 thick. I switched to Edelbrock gaskets similar to the Fel-Pro Printo-seal type gaskets. The new gaskets are .070 thick. I also used a little silicone on the water passages instead of the Aircraft Permatex I normally use. I'll keep a close check on the water level for a while just to be sure.

I probably had a vacuum leak on the bottom of the manifold too, since I was able to lean the idle mixture out a good bit from the original setting.

Between the new lifters and gaskets, the engine is running like a top now! The oil pressure is 50 psi at idle and it pulls 20 inches of vacuum at idle. It could probably use a little tweaking after it's on the road, but it's good enough finish the car.

The bad is that time is getting short if I'm going to make the March car shows. I have 11 days of shop time left before the first show. It's going to be close!!

Now for the good. The body is painted!!!!! I still have some buffing to do, but it's on the inside and I can't get to it right now, since the body is up on sawhorses.

It's my first complete paint job. Normally, I do the primer and sanding and get a pro to do the color. I decided to try it myself this time.

I'll get some pics of the body up as soon as I can. I've been too busy with the engine to take any after paint pictures.

I also delivered the seat insert , bed cover and door to the upholstery shop and they're working on them. They might be finished by next weekend! Hope so, anyhow.

Looks like I'm going to be pretty busy for the next few weeks, but I'll try to keep up to date with the progress.

Mike

Hope you make it on time for the show, Mike. You must have a lot quicker upholstery shop then I do, still don't have mine back for the pickup yet... Anxious to see the pics!! Been following your build all the way through,.

Thanks Dave.

It's going to be a real thrash, but at this point I'm confident I can get it done. That is if Burt Munro's "Gods of Speed" don't throw me any more curves!

Actually, the interior parts have been at the upholstery shop since shortly after my last post.

They trimmer is a young fellow in his twenties. His dad has been building street rods since before he was born.

He hasen't been doing it full time very long and doesn't have the huge back log most shops do. That will probably change though. I saw some of his work at Cruisin' the Coast and he seemed enthusiastic about doing the job. If it turns out as nice as the 27 T coupe he had on the coast, I'll be happy!.

Mike

Here are the pictures of the painted body as promised.

Like I stated earlier, this is my first complete paint job. I've painted frames and small parts, but never the finished body. I would like to say that it was easy, unfortunately , that wasn't the case.

Due to a malfunctioning paint gun (or bad technique), I wound up with some orange peel. In a few places, it was pretty bad. I called my buddy Brandon who is a pro painter and he said it was salvageable.

So my wife threw some burgers on the grill and Brandon brought his family and buffer over. I spent the rest of the evening getting lessons in color sanding and buffing paint.

I thought it was going to need a redo, but my buddy was right, it buffed up pretty good.

It's not perfect by any stretch, but I'm kinda proud of it, though. I still have a few places to work on. Now that I have a better idea about how to buff, I'll work most of them out.

Here is the body after the initial block sanding and body work:


Here it is after DP90 primer:


The final paint and buff:


A close-up of the firewall:


The firewall was made by Haneline from a pattern I sent them.

I''m hoping that I can get the body on the frame permanently next weekend. Then I can get started on wiring.

Mike

Very nice, Mike. Hey, I've been painting (off & on) for 44 years and I still get some (most of them) that are far from perfect. Also, black covers good, but it shows every little flaw. It really looks good; you have every right to be proud.

I like the firewall, too. Something about it seems vaguely familiar...

Mike,

I've never seen a paint job come out perfect in terms of orange-peel... every paint job I've seen needed to be color sanded (1500 grit then 2000 grit wet sanding) then 3 stage polished to perfection! I'm sure you did just fine, someone just forgot to mention that part of the process...

Thanks guys.

It's funny how some places were slick as glass before buffing, while others orange peeled like crazy. I did manage to get through the whole job without a single run.

JR - I've said it before. Great minds think alike!! I had a turned firewall cover in mind almost from the beginning. I think the first time
I saw one, it was on a classic car of some kind. Maybe a Bugatti. Just a timeless classic look.

25T - (Al, is that you?) I was hoping to get by without cutting and buffing. The buffing part always scared me. After a little instruction, I saw that it's not really that difficult. Have to be very careful about burning through, especially on edges.

Mike