Not too far off......

[Jeff Balazs]

Hi Guy's;

Getting close to firing the old flathead up. Just a few more items to sort out.

Hopefully it will all be worth it. Here is what it looks like now. A wee bit cleaner than it was........

Jeff

[NiftyFifty]

Lookin good!! Your getting close!

[pflaming]

Great work! Too nice to put in a truck. I like your colors, just enough accent to make it interesting.

Do a video when you start it up. It'll run right where you have it.

[karl head]

Hi Guy's;

Getting close to firing the old flathead up. Just a few more items to sort out.

Hopefully it will all be worth it. Here is what it looks like now. A wee bit cleaner than it was........

Jeff

Looking good, now if you could just build one for me...lol

[JBNeal]

I hope yer motor runs as good as it looks...it's good to see ya got the first half of the PCV system installed; however ya might have a problem down the road aways with oil condensation in that copper line. If the crankcase vapors drawn in the manifold at idle condense oil droplets, eventually that gooseneck will fill up with oil and choke off that vacuum source. Looking at the original drawings Chrysler did on the vacuumatic system and at other PCV systems I've encountered, the PCV lines allow for liquid drainback into the crankcase to keep the vapor passage open.

Another potential problem is that fuel line's proximity to the exhaust manifold. A rule of thumb is to locate the fuel line so that the fuel line's distance at the fuel filter is maintained around the manifold to the fuel pump. This will maintain a consistent air gap along the length of the fuel line to reduce any radiant heat exchange from the exhaust manifold.

Edited May 27, 2012 by JBNeal
inserted fuel line information that fell off the page

[pflaming]

48, if Jeff turned the elbo up and ran the system over instead of under would that work better? That is a very nice heat sheild, but if the fuel line goes past that manifold, how does the heat sheild help? I would think the fuel line should go towards the radiator then up then back. Nice work though. I'm not trying to be critical, just trying to learn. My engine needs both of these items yet.

Edited May 27, 2012 by pflaming

[Jeff Balazs]

Thanks Guys;

Other than the PCV line I was just reusing the lines that were on it when I got it. I will definitely make all new fuel lines.

The PCV system and heat shield came from VPW. VPW furnished it with a formed tube that was meant to run level in front of the back valve cover.

It was not quite the right length for the manifold I have. I will have to come up with a better arrangement when I make it out of steel tubing.

Jeff

[HanksB3B]

Turned out real nice. Why didn't you do the classic all silver look?

Hank

[Jeff Balazs]

Hi Hank;

Thanks it should be pretty nice to do maintenance on now. Everything is clean and it has all new fasteners. As you well know I am not trying to build a show truck...so I guess the same reason you didn't? Besides it goes really well with the shade of faux granite spatter paint I have picked out for the truck.

Jeff

[pflaming]

Hank and Jeff. I too looked long and hard at the silver/black. But since I'm going original patina, I decided that I would not put much notice on the engine. I figured that if one is going to try and make it really nice, one better succeed.

So I just put five coats of clear on mine. That gives an 'old' look yet is protected. I'm not so sure how well it will grab into the cast, but we'll find out.

[Jeff Balazs]

Hi Paul;

In the end the only person you have to please is yourself. If my truck had more of it's original finish left I would have gladly gone for a patina finish. As it is all I have of the original finish is a bit of blue around the firewall. On a sidenote...As I was working on my engine I did not find any evidence that it was ever painted silver...just a blue/grey..but then again I am pretty certain it is not the original engine either.

It is funny how these projects all take on a different life of their own. Some go factory original and others far from stock. I suppose that is what makes them all interesting in the end. I think a big factor has to do with what each owner wants to get out of the experience. For some it is the satisfaction of a perfect restoration. For others it may be the challenge of building a highly modified street rod. For me I will be happy just putting the old truck back to work.

Jeff

[Desotodav]

I think that it looks great Jeff - no matter what colour it is!

You might consider insulating the fuel line and leaving it in the original position (as you have it) if the fuel vaporising issue concerns you?

I look forward to seeing and hearing a video soon of it running.

Desotodav

[HanksB3B]

I like it just fine. I thought silver (as much as I love to see them when they are first rebuilt) would be too hard to maintain and that every drop of oil would eventually make it look old fast. These days though there are really good paints. Wonder if I had it to do over if I wouldn't have used Eastwoods Cast Iron grey for the block and maybe silver ofn the manifold.

Hank

[Jeff Balazs]

Hi Guy's

Thanks for your comments. I went ahead and reworked the PCV tubing so it match's the Chrysler drawings. I will re pipe the connection between the fuel pump and carb as well. Best to deal with this stuff now.

Had to repair the drivers side motor mount as it was damaged when the frame was bent. Good thing I have a fabricator buddy who is an Ace welder. He did a beautiful job. We will be tackling the bent frame some evening in the next week or so. It has taken awhile but between the two of us we have come up with a plan and all the necessary hardware that should do the trick. We should be able to tell fairly quickly if we are on the right path.

Jeff