Refurbished Engine?

[RobertKB]

I recently decided that the engine in my '38 Chrysler was looking a little tatty compared to the rest of the car. I had painted it when it went in the car but that was over 20 years ago. Fortunately these old flatheads tend to stay clean unlike some other old style engines. It was just that the paint had worn thin and rust was starting to show a bit. I removed the air cleaner and spark plug loom and wires. I then removed the spark plugs and replaced them with some old ones I had used when painting the engine in my '48 Dodge a few years ago. I carefully painted what I could easilly reach and put two coats on over two days. I did not paint anything else under the hood except the top of the radiator. I just put everything back on yesterday and fired her up. I checked the plugs when I pulled them and after about 5,000 miles on them they looked great which was nice to see.

 

So no, not a refurbished one but one that looks better than a week ago. Engine only has about 8,000 miles since a professional rebuild so I wasn't worried about the internal state, just the external. Pictures show the engine bay when I got the car, after the installation of the engine but before the body was fully painted many years ago, and the appearance today. Wish I had got a picture of the engine before I repainted it but I forgot. I used two coats of hand brushed paint this time whereas the first time it was two coats of spray paint. Paint is thicker this time and should outlast me.

 

A fairly straightforward job and one which can enhance your engine compartment.

 

 

 

Edited June 26, 2015 by RobertKB

[casper50]

Looks good Robert

[Niel Hoback]

Real purity, alright. It does seem like there is always something to do. I know that's why I keep mine.

[RobertKB]

  On 6/26/2015 at 9:44 PM, Niel Hoback said:

Real purity, alright. It does seem like there is always something to do. I know that's why I keep mine.

 

I have had this car on the road for 11 years. This was a frame off and I like to say every nut and bolt on the car has gone through my hands, except the engine which I bought as a recent rebuild (see picture). Engine was rebuilt in 1975, I bought it in 1984, and installed in my car in 1992. It was out of a tow truck that broke an axle and was going to be scrapped. An employee pulled the engine and I bought it from him. It only had about 3,000 miles on the rebuild. I have added 5,000 since the car was finished in 2005.  I am just now starting to have to redo a few things but so far only a few minor things. I guess after 11 years it is starting to be an "older" restoration as they like to say at Barrett-Jackson.

 

Edited June 27, 2015 by RobertKB