Thread: some small block questions

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Hey guys I just joined and have a few questions relating to my chevy small block 400 that's in my 49 Lincoln.

1. Where can I find both dipstick tubes? I went to remove the old one and it fell apart and had to lightly drill out the old part and I was thinking that it was one piece so I pulled the whole thing out only to discover it's 2 pieces and I probably should have left the bottom piece in (doh!) Well the lower and upper tube aren't reusable, anyone know of a place to find that lower and upper tube that fit? I can find upper tubes that don't fit all day long but can't seem to track down the lower also. Do I need a lower? My guess is yes because it was in there to begin with.

2. I think that when my grandpa built this car he kept the stock chevy throttle cable in it and I think that it's too long and not opening the throttle all the way to my 4 BBL 600 CFM Holley carbs potential. Anyone know of a modified cable for this set up? 49 lincoln, chevy 400 small block, 600 cfm holley carb. Do the primaries have to be opened all the way under WOT for enough vacuum to open the secondaries? I'm pretty sure that's how it works, I'm still learning on this carb stuff I'm a younger guy who knows the newer car computer stuff but eager to learn all the old school stuff from the carb days.

3. How do I adjust the steering gear? The whole subframe if from a 76 Impala wagon I believe. I know the rear end and drive shaft are from the Impala and we heard through the powertrain and subframe came from a 76 Camaro, but I wouldn't doubt it if it all came from the Impala. So how do I adjust that old school steering gear with the linkage?

4. One more, anyone know of where to get stock 49 Lincoln parts? I'm still having a bit of trouble. I'm looking for bumper parts and such, there's a 49 Lincoln in my area at this local shop but the owner has been neglecting it for almost 5 years now and refuses to call the shop and tell them what to do with it and he won't call me when I'm ready to consider buying it from him for parts. He's using the shop as a free storage facility and I see this thing sit outside year after year and it's sad.

Thanks guys! Sorry my first post is long but no matter how I google my words of my problems I come up with nothing.

Welcome to the forum. Well, for your dipstick and throttle cable I would suggest Lokar. They make a variety of both and are very good quality. Yes, you will want your primaries opened wide to allow the secondaries to come in. Even with the new cable you might have to play games with the positioning of the cable end to effect enough travel to open it up all the way. Kind of a two man job., one watching the carb butterflies and one stepping on the pedal.
Buddy of mine built a 49 Lincoln for his Brother, also had a sbc in it. Cool cars, sort of 50 Merc-ish looking, but different in a good way. As for parts, you are on your own on those. I know of no or few aftermarket parts for these, but you might try joining a Lincoln owners forum or club and also scouring Ebay.

Good luck.

Don

As far as Lincoln parts are concerned, you didn't say if its the Baby Lincoln or the Cosmo. Ebay is a good source for the bumper stuff. If your's is a 'baby' Lincoln, from the cowl back is mostly Mercury part numbers, look for 49 Merc stuff on Ebay also.

Dan

GM dealership had the lower dipstick tube this whole time. Thanks for the help guys!