48 back to a dailey driver

[james curl]

Since I have not posted here since October about the engine troubles that I caused my self it is time for an update. Once again I pulled the engine and transmission. This time I left the front clip on the car and removed the hood, radiator and the brace across the radiator support. Pulled the engine and replaced the crank and bearings, both rod and mains. Installed all mains correctly this time. The muffler man installed my exhaust in pieces before welding them together. You can not pull the down pipes without raising the engine to allow the tube that goes up into the manifold to clear. The pipes go over the rear engine mount and only clear about 1/4" so they cannot be pulled down. Had a hard time lowering the engine a little, crawling under the car to line the pipes up, then down a little more until the engine was finally in place. Am now back to using it as a daily driver again along with my 55 Chevy pick up. I am going to be 72 first week in August, you would think I would have learned by now that I am getting too old to be pulling engines and rebuilding them on a work bench, at least that is what some people tell me.

[YukonJack]

Congratulations on getting it running again. I hope I have your energy and the health to still do this when I'm your age.

[james curl]

It seems to get a little longer to get to it, the rush just isn't there anymore. If I still had to go to work everyday and it was my only work transporation then I probably would have been in a big rush to get it back on the road again. I still have two other vehicles to drive and no work schedule so I thought about it a lot, too much without any action on my part.

[55 Fargo]

James, glad to hear you got things runnin again. 72 YO, whatta ya mean too old, heck you did it didn't you, hope I can do the same if need be in 26 years when I am 72.............Fred

[David Maxwell]

!!! to the rest of us who think the years are coming along too quick. I can now see there should be nothing to worry about if I follow your lead. Thanks!

[Don Coatney]

Good job James;

Now what about the T-5 install:confused:

I need someone else to have as much fun as I have with my T-5...

[james curl]

I just need to find a good machine shop that has time for small jobs. I hate to impose on my friend and his son's weekend to rent time at the machine shop his son runs. My friend wants a T-5 for his 48 Ford Pick up. I have a T-5 from a camaro with good ratios and a S10 T-5 for the tailshaft housing that I will try to trade for the machine work that I need. Once that is done its just get the clutch disc and install with new drive shaft. Hope very soon.

[Don Coatney]

I just need to find a good machine shop that has time for small jobs. I hate to impose on my friend and his son's weekend to rent time at the machine shop his son runs. My friend wants a T-5 for his 48 Ford Pick up. I have a T-5 from a camaro with good ratios and a S10 T-5 for the tailshaft housing that I will try to trade for the machine work that I need. Once that is done its just get the clutch disc and install with new drive shaft. Hope very soon.

Excellent! Keep me posted...

[steveplym]

Glad you got it running James. My grandfather is 82 years old. Still likes to get out in the garage with me and play with the cars. He also mows his own lawn, cuts down a tree when he needs to, and does basically whatever he wants to do. He knows once he stops going as much he won't enjoy the things he does now.

Keep enjoying your old cars and your life. None of us know how much time we have left.

[Niel Hoback]

James Curl, I wanna be like you when I grow up. My middle name is James, does that help any?

[james curl]

I do not think the name "James" has anything to do with it, just stubbornness.

[Niel Hoback]

Wel, dang. I've got that too.