PatS....

It actually says 361 so that could be the real big block from the heavy highway trucks. This guy in England would probably kill for one: http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/dodgerestoration.htm That website says his big truck engine is a 331

It was suggested to me that I turn the engine over a bit to see if the tappet would come up into place and the rod go back in that way, so I hooked up the remote starter button, had it in one hand and the pushrod down the hole and after about 5 revolutions, I FOUND IT!! So, the push rods are back in place...one very slightly bent...the valves are all adjusted to the cold setting and it runs great. Still need the head bolts torqued...these engines require it every 5-8000 miles, check the firing order again and set the timing and see where I'm at from there. This 196 engine was originally designed as an L-head. In the early 50's they redesigned it into an overhead but one drawback was the requirement of the head bolt re torquing. It's a 15-20 minute job so no big deal, but important to make sure it's done. Some days you're the windshield and some days you're the bug. After a year and a half of being the bug, today I got to be the windshield

I haven't, but my cousin has. He's 56, was hit on his motorcycle when he was 16 and badly mashed up both knees. He's had dozens of operations since and was in constant pain and could barely walk. I think he had the first one done about 5 yrs ago and the second one done 1 1/2 yrs after. He's a different person not being in pain and or on painkillers all the time. He says he sleep through the night, which he hasn't done since 16. And he's wearing out his bicycle and has lost 60 pounds. He has no regrets about the replacements at all.

There's the "old car smell" and then there's the smell of MICE. The guy in the article was tring to get rid of the smell of MICE. I HATE the reek of mice, but the old car smell isn't a problem. My lemon Rambler has a touch of the smell of mice, so I may make a pot of coffee and get some Kahlua and have a fire!!! Thanks Don!!! Now.....for the number of that insurance company..... (Don, how come so grumpy??? Me? I'm usually dopey or sleepy )

Step one will be to find the pesky tappet at the bottom of that pushrod hole. If I can locate that and get the pushrod replaced, the rest will be doable. Can't see the tappet and can't feel it. I wonder if it's shattered? Some guy at Hotrodders is dropping an Olds Quad4 and 4 speed into his Rambler...

Under normal circumstances, one of the first things I do is lift the floormats to look at the floor by the door. It's where the moisture collects from the drivers feet and pools...and rusts...on 90% of old cars. I didn't do it this time The weather was nice and I normally would have got my a$$ down and looked at that same area from underneath. I didn't do it this time It's not that, in the big scheme of things, that it's THAT bad or that the work it needs is expensive or onerous (just learned a new word ) it's just that I didn't want another project. I'm not really able yet to devote the time and energy to the 49 Chrysler and it is the one I really want on the road. I just thought the Rambler would be a neat fair weather driver. I should maybe take up home brewing beer and drive the minivan.

So much for a driver and not another project, and stupid me for believing a seller. He says the thing has a stuck valve and the popping goes away after it's warm. How about a shattered and gone tappet and bent pushrod. Yup, that'll go away when it's warm. He's all proud of the new rubber mat for the front. I had to take the front seat all apart to get the slider mechanism unstuck, so I thought I would straighten around the poorly installed mat. Floor and underneath structural members are gone...he had filled the cavity with old carpet underlay and filled the remaining cavities with expanding home foam insulation. So, button this heap up and store it for winter and make a decision come spring. I can't deal with another project on so many levels. Pi$$ed at myself more than anything for not recognizing a 2 dressed up as an 8 and letting a seller lie his a$$ of to me and not catching that. A fool and his money are soon parted.

Lower right is the cover, lower left is the bellhousing that the cover bolts to. I have lost two covers so that's the best pic I have This is the M6 semi automatic transmission which bolts to the bellhousing above.

Of all the cars you could have, a 55 Coupe deVille is a true classic investment. Play your cards right and it could fund your retirement. I wouldn't sell that car for at least another 15 yrs, even if you do nothing to it the value will be astounding I think. 55/56 Coupe deVilles and deVilles are real classy good looking cars without being gaudy like the 59's It's a keeper.

http://www.vintagerods.ca/showthread.php?p=5315#post5315

Why?? Then people will just sit there drinking lemonade and relaxing and the car stuff sits outside??? Give your head a shake, woman:eek:

How about a complete crossmember from a late model crown vic??? Steering, suspension, brakes...the whole enchilada

Those prices aren't that much out of line. I paid $500 can. for the "kit" to do mine about 4 yrs ago from Mid-Canada Suspension. Replacement A-Arms should be fairly cheap even in OZ. Keep lookin'

How about one of those "car tents"? I have one, 20X12 from Kijiji that was $100. We have a new city bylaw that says you can't have an "unlicensable" vehicle on the property. Unless it's in a shelter. Under a car cover doesn't count but under a "car tent" does. So, my 49 Chrysler parts car will go in this thing before winter(it's under a cheap car cover right now). There is quite a bit of room inside and the sides will roll up to give you some extra room to work. Maybe situate it so that it blocks all the prying eyes? Here, the city will only act on a complaint...they don't drive around looking for infractions. As for spraying, hobbyists here are exempt from environmental laws for spraying but you are still bound by safety and liability issues...you are responsible for overspray damage etc. I think here it really does just come down to common sense. Even though the bylaw says a car cover doesn't count, I have the 49 covered, as is the motorhome and the 62 Dodge one ton. I figure it's easier to prevent the complaint in the first place...so far so good. Instant Garage: http://www.princessauto.com/shop-garage/garage-storage/shelves-cabinets-shelters/8137754-garage-instant-poly-20x12x8ft?keyword=garage

On my 49 Chrysler #1, a daily driver in the 70's, I used high range (3 & 4) most of the time. There are a few hills around that need low range, and you just downshift into low range like you would any standard that you needed to downshift. The trans is pretty bulletproof so you can't really screw anything up. Just make sure all the wire ends are clean at the trans and carb, the grounds are good and the RPM is at 450 and it'll work as good as it was designed to work.

I'm betting if your local auto supply store even stocks anti-freeze that it would be there for the reasons Tim mentions. In Canada Tim's reasons are why we use 50-50 mix year round in everything. +30 or -30

I took the head off my 49's original engine (frozen) and found a broken valve, and after the pan was off, I found a bunch of cotton on the oil pick-up...a mouse nest. Wouldn't have run long even if it was loosened. I did put some oil into the tops of the cylinders, but the oil only stayed on 3, the rest it drained out past the rings and onto the floor. I got a small hunk of 4X4 and hit the 3 locked pistons once or twice every time I went by. After a week, it moved. It's in rough shape but still OK for a rebuild. Fred, if you have done everything, take the head and the pan off. It'll tell you a story I bet.

VERY nice job, Greg!

1. Cadillac 2. Oldsmobile 3. ? 4. Buick 5. ? 6. ? 7. Willys 8. Frazer 9. Kaiser 10. ? 11. Crosley 12. Chrysler 13. Nash 14. ? 15. Packard 16. Lincoln Cosmopolitan 17. Hudson 18. ? 19. Pontiac 20. ?

Here, if it's 25 yrs old, it can be registered as an antique. Some folks figure that's some kind of milestone which increases the value. I don't.

I think a more appropriate term would be "collectible car", even though most folks can't really "collect" cars like maybe Jay Leno can. Classic is a misused term just like "restored" and "rat rod". When I hear Classic, I think of the big Dusenberg's and V16 Caddy's and the like. Maybe a restored/original survivor 57 Chevy is a Classic now, not sure. As long as there are bean counters using "classic cars" as simple investment tools, the terms really mean nothing to a real car guy in it for the love of the car itself and not the money. You can call my cars anything you want, just don't touch 'em.

The CNN report I saw said only tires, cat, rad and a couple of other things, that's it. Nothing else can be sold, it all has to be crushed. Maserati Biturbo with 18,000 miles is featured on CNN video right now. Has to be crushed. http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2009/08/14/delozier.maserati.cash.KUSA What Happens to Your Clunker? http://us.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2009/08/04/am.carroll.clunker.program.cnn?iref=videosearch

The fear of arrest isn't as bad as the fear that the parents might show up "Feel the fear and do it anyway"

Compression check for sure, fingers crossed. Maybe a valve under the hood is a better idea...I hate getting burned!!!

You can leave it attached, and it IS very heavy. If the front "clip" is off the car, it's easy, if not some think it's easier to separate them. I would remove the front clip, fenders, grille and rad support, all in one unit, then pull the engine/trans as one. Great time to clean and detail as well. But that's just me. Others have done the same job differently with just as good a result.