martybose

I think that most thieves won't even get to the transmission issue, because they won't know how to start the car! I've had some hilarious discussions when I've brought in my car for exhaust work or something else I can't do and they want to move the car. Marty

Another possibility is a release for an electric gas cap. That is the recommended location for the button when I installed the kit on my car. Marty

The thing most people miss is that the older 6V headlights were generally only 30 watts, while the newer halogen ones are generally 55/60 watts. When I put mine it I had problems with both the headlight switch and the dimmer switch, so I went to a double relay headlight setup, installed it up by the battery, and ran heavier gauge wire to the headlight buckets. That was the headlight switch and dimmer switch no longer carry any significant current, they just act to turn on the relay. Marty

+1 on the quality of these headers; I've got a set on my 47 and I'm very happy with them. Marty

I can't remember where I saw it, but someone makes a setup that takes a pulsed electronic speedometer signal and drives a standard speedometer cable for a mechanical speedometer. Marty

Nice to see that I'm not the only person that managed to get a set of Phillips Performance cast iron headers before they disappeared ............. Marty

My Plymouth has a set, and I would have to be able to see through the hood and fender for them to be in the way, as I leave them facing downward normally. Go for it! Marty

I believe that the reason that the ECI kit has this problem more than the RustyHope/Scarebird conversions is that the ECI kit uses a larger caliper than the others. Marty

The left rear door already shows signs of being thrown open or blown open and bending the sheetmetal. Marty

I guess I don't understand removing the disk brakes; When I had the drums on my car (all freshened up and properly adjusted with an Ammco tool) I had a few white knuckle experiences where I wasn't sure the car was going to stop in time, and I am much happier now that I have the front disk brakes on. Reverting to drums would seem like a step back to me ...... Marty

Jessi is also part of an automotive bucket-list blog, where one of the items on her bucket list was driving a race car at Bonneville. She actually did that a year or so ago. Marty

Could have fooled me; my 47 has always been a California car, and it is registered with the body number, so I didn't have anything to worry about when I changed the engine. Marty

Sure hope that the new gas gauge sender will bolt up to your stock tank! Otherwise, looks like a nice setup. Marty

I had looked at the Bendpak two post lifts, and they are first class, and priced accordingly. They have to be bolted down in a good concrete base, and can lift anything that you can fit on it. Marty

Had to laugh about the English electrical systems. I still remember the 67 Mini 1275 S that I had, as the ignition system shorted out every time it rained hard. I carried everything in the car to fix it; I would splice in a new section of the power to the coil roadside, and I would be good until the next big rain shower ........ Then there's the shift extension mount that would shear, allowing the shift knob to go up and down about four inches with throttle. I had the parts for this too, and would just drive 2 wheels up on a curb and crawl under to bolt in a new one. Ah memories ....... Marty

2 gauge is marginal; most of us on 6 volts have upgraded to 00. Marty

I built a little panel with a pair of 70 amp power relays and a couple of strips of fuses and mounted it at the center bottom of the firewall. The only issue I've had is that I have to be careful not to hit it when I open the cowl vent all of the way. Marty

Don, Is that connection in your bottom picture a stud or a bolt? It's probably okay if it is a stud, but if it is a bolt I would suggest a second serrated lockwasher between the tab and the steel surface, so that you have something biting into the surface to establish a decent electrical connection. Marty

I'm familiar with the A-833, so I'm curious about how well it will mount up to a flathead; please document it well! Are you using an aluminum or cast iron transmission? What will you do about the emergency brake? Marty

No, the 6V wire just has thicker insulation. Marty

When I had my custom battery cables made I specified 3 connection on one end; the primary ground was to the starter bolt, with separate pigtails to the frame and the body. Everything has worked just fine for over 10 years now. Marty

My 47 is a hopped up flathead with an R10 OD unit. When I moved it from San Leandro to Galt my daughter was following me, and commented afterwards that she was surprised when I went up the Altamont Pass at over 70 MPH. Had to think a little, because I thought I was only doing mid 60's in 3rd over, until I remembered that I had put taller rear tires on the car but hadn't calibrated the speedometer to them yet. The old girl wasn't even straining. Marty

Try putting the old solenoid back in; I found out the hard way that new ones may look the same, but they don't always operate the same. Marty

Hugh's is a good example of a low mount 383. Minimal firewall work, firewall-mounted power brake master cylinder, not sure but it looks like it must have a Cavalier rack steering setup, and I'd forgotten all about needing to clearance the front crossmember for the crankshaft damper. Looks like the right side shorty header is modified as well. A LOT of detail work to do it right. Marty

Aside from the steering box, which is a problem for any V-8 in our cars, the biggest decision is how high to mount the motor. If you mount it high there are no problems with the oil pan, etc., but you will do a lot of firewall/floor work for the transmission and driveshaft clearance. If you mount it lower there will be less floor work, but much more work in the oil pan/oil pump area. Good luck if you go for it. Marty PS - no matter what route you go you will be making custom motor mounts and transmission crossmembers, not to mention a driveshaft and doing something for the emergency brake, along with probably putting in a different rearend (because the stock one is geared way lower than you want with a V-8).