Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Thanks, the ending's a bit of a surprise. You oughta try on the Rusty Crusty Leaky Squeaky thread, he's doing about what you are.

I've been enjoying the 700 thread... Transmissions scare me.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

I've been away for a while but I've been busy on car-related stuff. I wanted to wait until the 6-deuce setup was finished until I posted more on it, but it looks like I'll be waiting for a while for the banjo fuel fittings from Blundell Speed. I also need to build the linkage since the one I want is $481.00 (Stromberg-97.com) Here are a few pics:

Carb parts, ready for assembly:
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...A2864254ot1lsi

Waiting for linkage, fuel lines & air cleaners:
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...4%3A3254ot1lsi

http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3B%3B345nu0mrj

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

I've also built an engine test stand recently. I looked at several versions on the internet, then picked the features I wanted. Ability to disassemble and store was important. The frame and motor mount supports are 1-1/2" square tube, 3/16". Most of the rest is 1" angle. If anyone's interested I'll post my drawings.

http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3A978254ot1lsi

http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...B5%3A254ot1lsi

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

All that's left is the wiring on the engine stand, so now my attention is on the engine. I wasn't satisfied with the paint on the block/heads. It was way darker than the frame because I shot the enamel right onto the cast iron. The MAWs took over. I needed to rough up the paint and I didn't want too much build-up (had 3 coats of enamel on it), so I ground off the rough surface, smoothing the castings:

http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...A7%3C254ot1lsi

Since I had minor problems keeping debris out of the heads I ended up taking them off and disassembling them for a good cleanup. (Unfortunately the valves had already been adjusted, so there went another hour.) Here they are, sporting stainless valves:

http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3C%3A345nu0mrj

The clear on the intake's virgin casting looked crappy too, so I re-blasted it and am in the process of polishing it:

http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...8%3A7254ot1lsi

Once the engine is assembled I'll turn my attention back to the engine stand wiring, then mount the engine and fire it up! Unfortunately, the weather isn't cooperating. It's sleeting here as I write.

Oh yeah, almost forgot...the doors and fenders are in primer, protected from the elements:

http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...4%3A4254ot1lsi

The cab is also 80% sand blasted, with only the back and headliner areas to do.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

I really like that Delta Unisaw workbench -- very nice

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Looking real nice.
Love the carb set up.
Kim

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Hey, thanks! When we built our own house in 2001 I convinced the wife I needed a good table saw. I have trouble finding metal-cutting blades for it though, so I can do sheet metal work on it. :rolleyes: I go from the ridiculous to the sublime on tools. That homemade thing behind the saw with the 100-year old wash machine motor on it is my buffer.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Thanks, Kim. Since this is the wife's truck I'll probably put the single 4bbl on it for carefree driving. The 6 deuces will either go in the man cave or on my '55 sedan.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

And good luck tuning all those carbs. It may be better as an ornament unless you have a lot of time and patience. It sure looks good though.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Thanks for the good words. I've had them since the early 80s. Luck may be what it takes to tune 'em! Years ago I used a flow device called an Uni-Syn to synchronize 3 SU carbs on a 4.2 liter Jag. I may have to get something similar if I fill those gizmos up with fuel.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

that 6 carb setup would look nice under the hood but tuning it would be a nightmare :D
there was an article in a hot rod mag where someone converted a similar manifold to efi, very stealth setup

it does look good though
frame looks good with paint on it too :D

http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...4%3A3254ot1lsi

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Thanks for the encouragement Ogre, and good to hear from you! I finished my '55 sedan in 1981. It has 3 tired deuces on it, so I might just pop the 12-pack on it. If it runs good I could shift it over to the truck.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Been forever since I've seen a Uni-syn. Old friend of mine's dad is a bike mechanic and has one. They're fun to play with. Carb setup looks tight! Love the Test stand!

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Thanks for the kudos, Low Elco. I think my carb decision has been made for me. It doesn't look like they'll fit with the alternator bracket I bought, so I'm probably going with the single 4bbl. As I said, maybe I'll put that gaggle of deuces on my sedan.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

years ago I saw that same manifold and I think they h ad a set of weber carbs on it.
Rich
my build
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=576185&page=4

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

That would be a REALLY trick setup! I've liked the Webers ever since I rebuilt my buddy's Fiat 124 Spyder carb in 1970. Great design. If Fiat (F.I.A.T. = Fix It Again, Tony) ever made a good car, the 124 may have been it. (My manifold is an Offenhauser Pacesetter 3924.)

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

With spring popping its head up now and then I've been getting crushed by an ever-expanding honeydew list. Tomorrow I'll be planting about a half acre of grass, raking it in and spreading the straw. Ugh.

But I have gotten a few hours in on the TF. About 2 years ago I bought a lightly used Edelbrock 1405 from a young kid for $60. He said it had 50 miles on it, and that seems to be about right. However, one side was really sooty, like it had been backfiring. I figured it would have stripped threads, bent metering rods, etc., but that it would be good for parts. He had to be selling it cheap for some reason. So I tore into it, and sure enough, one of the throttle plates was bent. Never saw that before. I pulled the plate, straightened it, cleaned everything up and reassembled it. No parts needed.

Last year I had cleared the Performer RPM manifold (a $40 swap find) but I wasn't happy with it. A few weeks ago I blasted the clear off and started the polish job. 36 grit sanding discs & rolls, then 180 discs & rolls, then 220 with the "flapper" (see post #73), popsicle stick and tongue depressor. Then I went to P500, then 400. I hit it with a little white buffing compound and decided that more blocking was needed. Back to the 220 in selected areas. Before I went any farther I thought I'd fit up some of the accessories on the engine to see if there was any interference, and to see if there were areas that would be covered up:

http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...89%3A254ot1lsi

I've got the normal problems like pulleys not lining up and things being in the way of temp sensors, but the real problem was the Autometer oil pressure sender. It wouldn't fit in the front because of the accessory bracket...

http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...73%3A254ot1lsi

...and it wouldn't fit in the port above the oil filter because of the headers. That left the port in the rear next to the distributor. Edelbrock had the right idea by leaving a small pocket for a sender but the pocket wasn't big enough:

http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3B743254ot1lsi

So I'm in the process of making my own pocket. Since everything else fits I'll finish off the polishing and start working my way towards fire-up in the engine test stand.

In my spare time I've been working on the '55 sedan in hopes of driving it to the Cincy Street Rods dance on April 26th. The 4-wheel discs are on, the beast is kinda cleaned up, and I should be able to ride in style!

http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...C4%3C254ot1lsi

http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...83729254ot1lsi

That's it for tonight. I'll be back when the engine is on the test stand.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Can't you use a 1/8 pipe extension on the sending unit? or a 45 deg coupling? I have done that before, Nice looking coupe.
Rich

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

I would have liked to, but I only have only about 1/4" before it hits the HEI. A 45-degree coupling would have worked but I was concerned about vibration causing a fracture at the male fitting. It was no big deal to enlarge the pocket though. Got it done this morning. Thanks for trying to help! Thanks also for the compliment on the BelAir. She was re-born in 1981 and has held up pretty well.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

The engine looks good.
Nice 55 also.
Kim

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Thanks, Kim. You're always there giving me support, and I appreciate it.

I put another 6 hours in on the manifold today, and I'm through with the 400 grit. I think the 36 grit was a mistake, so when I do the 3-deuce that's on the Belair I'm going to start with 180 grit. I spent a lot of time getting heavy scratches out of the corners. Anyway, here it is after the 400:

http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...85%3A254ot1lsi

And here is the pocket I ground in for the oil pressure sender:

http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...%3C48254ot1lsi

I plan to go 600, 800, then 1000 grit, then onto the buffing compounds to see if it comes out better than the 6-deuce manifold did. Trial and error...

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Nicely done!

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Thanks, CD! Things are gonna slow down with Easter coming up. (Translated: The wife works on Monday and Tuesday, and it's Wednesday. If she's not playing cards, etc., she's directing my activities!) :b69:

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

That's going to be one nice manifold when done.
Kim

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Thanks, Kim. I should have kept track of the hours!

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Oy Gevalt! The polishing! Glutton for punishment! It'll look killer when it's done, though!

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Thanks for the encouragement, Low Elco! I did get the manifold polished (yea!), and the engine has run on the test stand. There's good and bad news about that, but I need to post a video before I get into the details.

The video FAQ is 10 years old and most of the hosting sites it mentions are gone. I tried Snapfish and they require a paid subscription. I successfully loaded to Photobucket but the vid won't play. Initially the video was sideways but I flipped it using Movie Maker. It changed it from an MOV file to an MP4, but I don't think that hurts anything. It plays well on my PC. If anyone has had any recent success posting an MP4 file, let me know.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

I've pretty much given up on posting the videos. Here's a pic of the engine on the test stand:

http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...94856254ot1lsi

On the first attempt to start it I didn't have 12 volts to the distributor. On the 2nd attempt it fired and ran for 13 minutes without adjustment as I broke in the cam. Everything was spot on and I didn't even have to touch the distributor. For some reason I pulled the dipstick, and there was OIL IN THE WATER. Here's the pic of the Brad Penn break-in oil (it's supposed to be DARK green):

http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...79454254ot1lsi

I did a re-assembly without the rotating assembly and oil pan. The cooling system - with radiator and coolant - held 15 PSI for hours. No drips.

I'm using an alternator/compressor bracket that has the intake bolts go through it. I have a feeling that caused the front two bolts of the manifold to not be tight. The crank is having the mains turned .010" under. The rod journals are OK but the water in the oil wasn't friendly to the mains.

The engine is torn down right now, but I should have time to get it back together over the weekend or next week. It really sounded STRONG, so I'm encouraged that this will have a happy ending. I just hope I don't have a "hot only" problem.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

That really sucks. I hope it is something simple. Rich
my build
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=576185

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

That sucks.
Hope it was just a one time fluke.
Kim

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Thanks for the sympathy, Rich and Kim :banghead:. My buddy that was filming the startup said he expected me to be throwing stuff, but I was pretty philosophical about it. I was just glad it was on the test stand and not in a fully-assembled shiny truck!

The block was one of six that me and a buddy bought 25 years ago. When I pulled it out of storage I noticed it had no ridge, and I was really happy. Then I saw the reason why. It had thrown the #2 rod early in its life and was never reinstalled after the sleeve was put in. However, this thing passed the pressure check, so I'm still optimistic.

The heads were a swap meet find but another buddy and I crack-checked them. If there's a cast iron problem I hope it's not the heads, 'cause that's where all the $$s are in the engine build.

The intake manifold was a $40 swap meet find, but it has little wear. I hope it's not the problem because I have a gazillion hours in polishing it. We'll see.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

well... that sucks big time


http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...79454254ot1lsi

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Thanks, Ogre. I will say that I got amazing support from Brad Penn. I wanted to be sure that this was a "wet oil" problem as they called it. I went to their website and sent a note with picture. It was about 6:00 PM. At 7:30 PM I got a CALL from their oil monitoring analyst from his house! We talked for quite a while and he was ready to send me a sampling kit for both the unused oil and the wet oil. We eventually said that wasn't necessary.

The next day I got an email stating that he had the engineers review the picture and that it was indeed wet oil. I can't tell you how impressed I was with the customer service.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Bob I read on here about a year ago and someone else had a problem with the intake manifold leaking water. If I remember they discovered they had a Chinese copy . Replaced the manifold , problem solved.
I know you have a lot of time in your manifold. Rich
my build
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=576185

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Thanks for looking out for me, Rich. Seems like I'm never the first to do anything, even if it's wrong.:) I do know, however, that the one I have is a genu-wine Edelbrock Performer RPM:

http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...36%3A254ot1lsi

It also looks like it''s never been milled, and it matches very well without the gaskets. I will check the straightness though, now that you mention possible problems.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

While waiting on the crankshaft I decided to do a little work on the stainless exhaust. I mooched some TIG time from a buddy late last year and fab'ed the pipes from a universal Pypes 2-1/2" kit. For those of you into self-flagellation, here's the process I'm using:

Original weld, also showing the 24-grit 4" grinding wheel I use first:
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3A666254ot1lsi

After grinding with 24-grit wheel:
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...76%3B345nu0mrj

After grinding with 36-grit disc:
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...B8863254ot1lsi

Then I use the burnishing pad:
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...B8864254ot1lsi

After using the burnishing pad:
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3A668254ot1lsi

After that I go to a series of 3 green buffing bars (cut, some shine/some cut, and high shine) that I got from Busch Enterprises at the NSRA Nationals last year. Here's the high shine bar...
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3A665254ot1lsi

...and some of the buffs that I use:
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...85%3B254ot1lsi
The yellow one is for coarse buffing.

Here's a finished joint (the marks are tape marks):
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3A664254ot1lsi

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Nice work man, love the positive outlook! Keep at it.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Bob nice work. You have a lot more patience than me. Rich
my build
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=576185&page=5

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Very nice.
Kim

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Sorry about your motor! Hope it's better round 2. Pipes look great!