Backup Engine

[Norm's Coupe]

In the other thread we were talking about how many hammers do you have. Like some, I have several hammers but not going to count them. Also have many other duplicate tools and tool sets around. Just this past Christmas I got two sets of nice wire strippers two different people. Also another ratchet handle screwdriver and socket set. Think I have three of those now and about 4 or 5 sets of wire strippers. That's how you end up with extra tools because I don't exchange them when I get them. Just throw them in the tool cabinet.

That said, now how many people have backup engines & transmissions they're working on? I have this 350 Chevy engine and the automatic transmission sitting in the garage to play with. It only has 8,000 miles on the rebuild and ran like a top when it came out of the GMC suburban it was in. The goal for it is to clean it up for as little as possible. Was going to put it in the P15 but decided not to since the P15 engine is new. The goal now is to find something to put it in for as little as possible. Was going to change the intake (since the current intake is for fuel injection) to a carb intake. After looking through an Eldebrock catalog I found out I can just put an adapter plate on the fuel injection intake, then the carb. So, found a carb. for it and my son is now in the process of making an adapter plate for it. Actually, the carb. is a 2 barrel off my son's old Buick V6 engine he took out of his 80 Firebird. I picked up the 350 transmission at a local swap meet (supposed to be good) for only $10. Won a gift certificate from TCI at the Goodguys show and used it to buy a 350 transmission stand and book on how to rebuild 350 transmissions. Also bought a new flexplate with the gift certificate for the 350. All I need now to complete the engine is the exhaust manifolds. Will pick up a pair sometime at a swap meet. Those usually run about $10 to $20 a pair at the meets (used). So now I'm ready to start cleaning and painting the engine. Already found a nice set of new polished aluminum valve covers at a swap meet about a year ago for $30. A little paint and it'll look new again.

Once I get it done (in no hurry), I'll start looking for a cheap body from a 50's to 60's car to put it into. Or, if my P15 engine takes a dump, then the 350 will go in there.

So far my total investment on this engine and transmission is $40.

[Norm's Coupe]

Forgot to mention. I do have all the external parts for the engine, including a fairly new starter, alternator, etc. in a box that came off the engine.

[bob westphal]

I don't keep any extra engines around because they take up valuable space where a car could be. That said, I do have an old Buick straight eight engine core laying around. Anyone interested in a Buick powered P-15?

[Norm's Coupe]

I don't keep any extra engines around because they take up valuable space where a car could be. That said, I do have an old Buick straight eight engine core laying around. Anyone interested in a Buick powered P-15?

Bob,

I have limited space in the garage too. (just a two car garage). In the picture I posted you'll see the angle iron legs holding the engine up. Since that picture was taken I added steel caster wheels to the bottom of those legs to roll the engine around. The transmission can also be rolled around. When not working on them they are rolled against the back wall in the corner, leaving lots of room for the cars and other stuff in the garage. When I want to do anything to either of them, I just roll them back out into the center of the garage. Use the mechanics stool to sit on when working on them.

[bob westphal]

Norm,

I also made an engine dolly for that engine waiting for installation. I also have an assembly stand for building 'em. There are 13 or 14 cars crammed in the shop along with various large equipment, storage shelving, and work benches with stuff crammed under. By the way anyone interested in an old Allen scope/engine anilyzer that has a bad scope?

[Normspeed]

I have my Red Ram motor that I picked up for $200, missing the starter, generator and distributor. My son and I will tinker with that one, and if it's not up for a rebuild we'll at least have it hot tanked, paint and assemble and use it as an end table or something. Also have the original 218 from my 53 on an engine stand. I hate to part with it although my fresh motor seems to be running strong. And my overdrive trans, the next project on my list.

I have no garage because I live in a rear house, but I do have 60 X 10 feet of paved gated RV parking (the entrance to my place) with a couple of 10 X 20 canopies over it. Plenty of room to store and work on my toys. I have my P24, motorcycle, teardrop, Bronco and a folding boat stored there, plus a small rollaway, storage shed, engine hoist and various other stuff. Wouldn't work in a harsh climate but ok in my neck o' the woods.

[BobT-47P15]

Only one engine stashed.....the 50 Dodge motor that was in the convert previously to the current one. Needs an overhaul. Used oil and made some wierd noises. Sits on a rolling stand along a wall, with other stuff sitting in front and on top of it. Also a B/W R10 overdrive tranny sitting on the floor....just waiting to get installed when I get a round tuit.

Otherwise lots of assorted stuff eating up my space. Have to shuffle things to find other things. Not a very good system, but just has to do for now. The good news is it is just a bit wider than some two car attached garages and I can get by with having excess goodies.

[RobertKB]

I have a spare engine (251 CID) out of a truck that did only about 2,000 miles after a major rebuild by a reputable company in town. Had this engine about 15 years and have run it sitting on the floor. It could go in any of my three mopars if needed or could use it in another car one day. Also have a spare tranny that will work in either my '48 Dodge D25 Coupe or in my '53 PLymouth. I am presenty working on rebuilding a tranny with overdrive for my '38 Chrylser but am having trouble finding some parts for the OD as the planetary gear holder thingy disintergrated at some point in the '37 Desoto it came out of. I wondered why I was finding strange and unusual bits in the bottom of the OD. Not sure where I will find parts unless from another OD but they are pretty scarce for the '37's - 39's.

[Norm's Coupe]

Norm,

You joke about your Red Ram possibly becoming a coffee table. Actually my 350 engine may end up being garage art too. It's just something for me to tinker with and will only work on it when I have nothing better to do. However, after it's dressed up again, if the right deal comes along I'll put it in it. That's going to have to be a tall order though. Has to be some car I really like, under $500 and be local within about 30 miles or so. Don't want to have to haul or ship some piece of junk half way cross country to put it in regardless of price, even if it was free. I do see those kind of cars around here from time to time though. Could have picked up a 29 Ford coupe a few years ago for only about $300. It was only about 2 miles from me. However, it had no rearend and the only way to move it was hoisting, so passed on it.

[Don Coatney]

This is a multifuel engine and will run on any combustable heat source. I last fired it on propane but melted the solder out of the boiler. had to re-solder it. It runs great and only requires a squirt ot two of good oil.

[RobertKB]

Don, I have one just about the same as that one that I got when I was a kid. Haven't used it in a while but seeing yours made me get it out and I will likely fire it up tonight. Last time I used was probably ten years ago and I used a tea candle as a heat source.

[teardrop puller]

The other Norm

Are we going to see you and the P24 in Minden this year?

I hope to get the 49 running and pull my teardrop with that from Mexico up to Minden.

kai

[Normspeed]

I don't think I heard of Minden before? What's up, and when?

[Normspeed]

Don, I bet it will crank up some RPMs on white lightning.

This is a multifuel engine and will run on any combustable heat source. I last fired it on propane but melted the solder out of the boiler. had to re-solder it. It runs great and only requires a squirt ot two of good oil.

[Don Coatney]

Don, I bet it will crank up some RPMs on white lightning.

This is a multifuel engine and will run on any combustable heat source. I last fired it on propane but melted the solder out of the boiler. had to re-solder it. It runs great and only requires a squirt ot two of good oil.

Norm?

"IT" or me???

[Normspeed]

LOL. I got a feeling you could both get on a roll!

[Guest mikeys toy]

what kind of car are you looking for; Norm?

[Norm's Coupe]

what kind of car are you looking for; Norm?

Really don't know, the list is long, just something that can be neat like.

53/54 Chevy 2 door.

52/53/54 Ford or Mercury 2 door

53/54 Plymouth 2 door

56 Chevy 2 door

63/64/65 Chevelle 2 door

Could also be a 50's station wagon that could be converted to a sedan delivery. Also like the 30's style pickups. So, as you can see I have a lot of options. Just depends on what pops up and at what price, at the time I'm ready for it. I like a lot of different cars and trucks. I'm not really a die hard on any one make or model, even when it comes to buying a new car. Only exception to the rule is, if a wagon or car it must be a 2 door coupe/sedan or 2 door hardtop.

[Guest mikeys toy]

give me your e-mail; I'll send you some pics

[teardrop puller]

The other Norm and all of you guys who pull a teardrop behind your car.

It is the 2nd International Teardrop Gathering in June. I went to the first and there were over 150 trailers and it was not at all crowded. Lots of camaraderie and great food. Forums on building from manufactures and knowledgeable guys.

It was a great time and I can not hardly wait to go pulling my teardrop with the 49 Plymouth.

Here is the link: http://itg.teardrops.net/ or http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5898

Hope to see you and anyone else there.

Sorry to hi-jack this thread, but when I saw the teardrop I just had to.

kai

[Norm's Coupe]

give me your e-mail; I'll send you some pics

Just click on my profile, the click on send email.

[Johnny S]

I believe I have three "extra" engines. Two are P23 blocks and one is a P18 block. They all have 3 speed transmissions. One ran when it was pulled. I can turn the other two over with a big socket and a rachet. I've pulled the plugs twice on each and pumped in some oil and a little seafoam oil treatment. And then turn it over a few times by hand to distribute the oil. The plan is to build a static test stand on a small trailer I picked up from Harbor Freight then do the break in and valve adjustments outside of the vehicle. I got the idea from Don C's static stand some time ago. Plus I like the idea of a backup engine just to be able to keep the car on the road if something goes wrong with the original one. Gives me time to pull one, replace it with a decent rebuilt one and take my time rebuilding the original one....if it can be rebuilt of course.

[Normspeed]

Mikenchell.com is a nice group of folks. Anyone who likes teardrops should visit, click on "hall of fame" and look at the pics. It's a fantastic teardrop gallery. Even my humble ride is in there.

Sounds like a fun get together but I may have trouble getting away at that time of year. In all my travels with my tear, I've almost never seen another teardrop on the road. It would be cool to camp in a pack.

The other Norm and all of you guys who pull a teardrop behind your car.

It is the 2nd International Teardrop Gathering in June. I went to the first and there were over 150 trailers and it was not at all crowded. Lots of camaraderie and great food. Forums on building from manufactures and knowledgeable guys.

It was a great time and I can not hardly wait to go pulling my teardrop with the 49 Plymouth.

Here is the link: http://itg.teardrops.net/ or http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5898

Hope to see you and anyone else there.

Sorry to hi-jack this thread, but when I saw the teardrop I just had to.

kai

[JerseyHarold]

I've got two flathead sixes taking up space in my garage. One is the original I removed from my '52 Cambridge and the other came from a '51 Cranbrook I parted out years ago. Both are sitting on cut-down supermarket shopping carts so I can move them if needed. My wife occasionally nudges me to get rid of them, but so far they're still here!