55 Fargo

I am wit ya on this Hank, do not care fior car shows, Some small get togthers , I am sick of those who know "F" all, that figure all should have a 10 k paint job and a SBC under the hood.

No Thanx, engine seems to run really well, and smoking has cleared up a lot, plus are running much cleaner too...

Aint this the way it is sometimes. Sounds like a bad connection somewhere, sounds like you had a great time, better this happened in the driveway and not in the wrong side of town or on the side of a freeway...

160 t/stats were used with alcohol based antifreezes too, the lower boiling temps for this stuff made it necessary. A 160 t/stat, opens at or around 153, and is fully open at 180 degrees. A 180 t/stat begins toopen at about 172, and would be fully open at 195 or so, according to specs. Now on hot days, if your engine runs at 180 while driving her, a 160 t/stat will not keep the temp lower, as it would be open all the way. A 180 t/stat of course would open at higher temps, but would be slowing tyhe flow down, which can regulate the temp too. having an engine run at 150-160, is really not the way to go, 170-180 would be better for the engine,less wear, less sludge, less internal condensation. ButI am like you guys, feel better whne the temp is belopw 165, but is it really good for the engine. I do no the oil take sa lot longer to heat up in this heavy cast engines....PS if you have overheating issues, a 160 t/stat will ot save you, you need to address the problem, clean rad, clean block, good flow through water dist. tube and through head, is critical. Many of us have had to pull side plugs, and water tube and flush thee blocks clean, that with a good rad, poper t/stat, and these engines run at the right temps, as long as the timing is in line, and you dont' have the rpm level well over 3000...

Hey all,been going through this old Chevy, trying to get familiar witha 50s GM. Neeeds more than met the eyes on 1st site, disovered the following - complete brake job -exhaust -shocks -front stablizer links and sway bar bushings - rewire job and 12 volt conversion, as genny and reg are toast anyway -wipers are not working(vacuum type) -fuel tank cleaned or a new one, carb could use a kit too. -good oil leak from rear on pan or rear main seal or both, have done the valve cover, it was real clean inside there. - here is the bad news, this old engine runs well, sounds very good, but smokes oil pretty good, compression was done on a warm engine and I got 125,115,120,125,115,125, so compression is good, but smokin anyway. Oil pressure is very good for an engine of this type and age -trans whines a bity in 1st and 2nd, but not bad, rear end and seems good, no noise from torque tube driveline either. I ahve this and a whole lot of piddly things, a rust hole in trunck, but absolutely no other rust work whatsoever. My main problem is this smokin engine, not sure which way I am going with this, probably no where right now, maybe back to work on the 55Fargo

Darren, get another sender unit, that sure sounds like the trouble. This should a quick fix, hope all goes well. I just read the thread, and even before I got through, my guess is a dfective sending unit good luck.......

A video of the 52 Chebby runnin this morning....

After 2 days finally fired up the 52 216, and Man does she run and idle nice. I had a whole heap of trouble getting her going, had no spark, even with all new ignition parts. I tried every test, finally discovered, points were grounding to the dizzy, history repeated itself, same thing happened when I go the Fargo going. She runs great, have to get the cooling system filled. The genny and reg, are not puttin out any juice, the reg looks sick. I bought a new 6 volt battery, maybe I should convert to 12 volt now, my choices are that, fix genny and buy another reg, or but a 6 volt alt locally for a $150. I have not made up my mind yet. This little 216 starts way easier than my 47 Chrysler did, and out in the cold too........

Very impressive, what was its 1/4 mile speed and time?

Thanx Scruff, your the only 1 who took time to answer my taboo Chebby ?.........LOL

Can I jump start a 6 volt set-up, that does not have a battery with a 12 volt battery?. I of course am taliking about my 52 Chebby, 6 volt -grnd. Before I start spending money, I want to start this engine, see what I got, and see what the charging system is doing. I am not being cheap, but if I have a bad genny and regulator, I most likely will convert to 12 volts, if I am up against this type of expense. If not, I need a new 6 volt battery, I got 1 with the car,it was bought brand new never used, and is over 10 years old, I could not get it to charge much, load tested it, and it is done. If all is well with the starter,genny and reg, will stay 6 volts, and have new battery cables made, and a new battery will be bought, which are close to a 100 bucks here. I notice the gas gauge moved, when I truned the key to on, so I would like to avoid 12 volts going to it or the genny, also the coil, have a ballast resistor I could wire into that circuit. Hey this is gonna be fun again........

She will be mostly stock, but somewhat custom 2 tone paint, chrome bumpers and grille, baby moons and chrome reverse, but most likely no body side trim or rocker trim. I want to do a 50s style tuck and roll interior... all some day. I will get her mechanically sound and cleaned up first

Hi Bob, as much as I love the Moparf Flathead 6s, they are no match for a hopped up Chevy 6 or the slant 6...

Hi, sure you had a blast doing it too. I am quite impressed with the Chebby 6s, and the slant 6 can be made to go too...

Well I actually committed to buying this car from a friend a few years ago. Stock, low mile 216, 2nd owner car. Funky paint job, solid as they can be, needs a brake job, he gave me all brand new parts. I am going to start her up this week. Some pics

Great idea, still impressed with the 6 cyl chevy, 13.8 is quick...

Hey all was watching a 50 Chevy with either a 261 or 235, drag racing, 13 second car at 95 mph, that is impressive. Any ideas what a Mopas flat head 6 might be able to pull on the 1/4. Here is a you tube link,

Yup, this an easy fix Darren............

Hi James, does a T5 a direct bolt-on? You gotme thinking there isa 235 at my Friends place too....

Okay you Guys, will be on the board, just minus the 47, She was saying farewell. I have the Fargo, and oh well the Chiverlay, I really don't mind this car at all, and although the paint is funky, there is like no body work to be done, could almost get away with quick sand, shoot sealer and paint. She will be 2 tone, not sure the colors yet, but could go dark, as the sheetmetal is straight. I am over the shock and withdrawl of the sale of the 47, and will now look forward, as difficult as she was to sell, I am looking ahead now. I am hoping someday to find a decent P15 or D25, but want a coupe, wishful thinking, but who knows. I have always enjoyed the P15s, because of the smaller size, like the 52 Chev, it si quite small compared to the Chrysler. I am already getting the advice, oh put a SBC in the 52, but no, she will keep the OEM engine she has, I do not want to Street Rod the car, not a moredoor anyway. Bob H, you have been a huge help with specific 46-48 C38, info and technical advice, or that I am grateful. I fI ever have a chance to get another C38 Chrysler, and a Business Coupe came my way, I would really enjoy that. I hope to be on here, and posting, heck I have known a lot of members on here, who have never got there cars on the road yet. I am a potential P15 owner...........

Thanx Guys, will still be on from time to time. Very sad to let the old girl go today. My newest project, the idea driven by my 10 YO Son for a few years. I bought this car from a Friend, He bought it from the original owner some years back. It is a solid rust free car, and no surprises that way. The 216( I knew this typo error).lol is relatively low mileage. He also gave me many new mechanical parts. It has a Fulton visor, and fender skirts put away for future use. This paint is a funky idea from His Wife, the car needs a front seat, door panels, better bumpers and grill,park light etc. I hope to have it home and running soon too. I plan to do a nice 2 tone paint, white roof, and some mild color for the body, the panels are quite straight, could goa dark color too. I like the car, never had a 50s Chevy, but sure remember a lot of them around, when I was a kid....

Hey Guys, as some of you know, I had to sell my 47 Chrysler recently for financial reasons. The new Owner picked her up today, She is going into excellent hands, a true old Mopar Guru, with quite a beautiful collection of vintage Mopar vehicles. I watched her drive away today, so figured I would let you all know. I will be on the truck board as I do own a 1955 Fargo fixer-up. I also have another project, a 1952 Chiverlay, a more door, but body wise in very good shape, a 70000 mile car, but still needs lots, after being parked for years. This car is super clean and rust free in the key areas, especially floors. Mechanically , she is a decent runner, but needs the usual stuff. Anyway, that's "my story"...

just be aware that Wal Mart Supertech is re-refined oil, not saying that's bad, just a fact...

Thanx Rob, this as crazy as it sounds is a bit difficult, we do get sentimental attachments to our toys. Tonight my not quite 11 YO son is having a real tough time with this, and was quite upset, had a heck of a time getting Him to go to sleep. He was just a little wee Guy when I brought the car home to begin fixing here back up, I bought her in 1988, and started fixin her up in 2005. Hard times in the finance department, make this deal necessary, no other reason. Some pics, of My Son and Daughter with the old heap....

Excellent News Bob, all the best, and enjoy livin............