Markeb01 Build Thread

[Grizz1963]

Hi Mark

No probs. Here is a link to a thread I started yesterday on Retro Rides.

Take a look, maybe something jumps out there.

LINK: http://www.retrorides.proboards.com/...e-grille-teeth

Cheers.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by markeb01

Thanks again for the compliments. I’ve never seen my skills or abilities anything special, but I do have a Jarhead mentality and I never give up just because something is impossible!

This being the first winter with my new engine, I’ve discovered it dislikes cold weather even more than my old engine. With the old engine, adding an electric fuel pump to fill the lines and carburetor bowls before cranking really helped get it started. With the new engine, as the ambient dropped to near zero I actually ran the battery dead a few times and never got the engine started. And this is inside a reasonably warm garage. I can’t tolerate undependable vehicles. It frustrates me beyond reason because it could result in a life threatening situation if a vehicle can’t be started when needed.

So I resorted to good old starting fluid and it fired up instantly. Remembering the Ether Start kits I bought for new Peterbilts back in the 70’s, I considered installing one on the truck for easy winter start ups. Problem being they cost anywhere from $100-200 (or more) with the ether bottle. They are also ugly and need to be mounted vertically which would be a problem in my open engine compartment.

A lot of guys just spray starting fluid through their open element air cleaners, but I’m concerned what effect this might have on the filter element over time, and what problems might occur if too much explosive vapor collects above the throttle plates.

So this afternoon I developed my own “Poor Man’s Ether Start Kit”. I simply added a conveniently shaped pipe to the front of my carburetor with a cap on top:







I also modified the can of starting fluid I had by removing the conventional spray nozzle and replacing it with one that has a “straw” attached.

So now I have a new routine – pull the cheap float battery charger (it keeps the battery topped off), pull the cap off the new pipe and inject the starter fluid, replace the cap, climb in, set the choke per usual and fire it up! It seems like the engine doesn’t even get to fully turn over before it jumps to life. This small project cost exactly nothing and eliminates pulling the air cleaner to squirt the juice directly into the carb, and the ether enters the manifold below the throttle plates.

Once the engine has come up to operating temperature, I don’t need any of this as long as it’s driven every day. But over the winter seasons, it sometimes sits for weeks without being used. The pipe is ugly and looks stupid so it will probably come off during the car show months, but in the meantime it sure is handy and effective.

I just came across this post.
I love it.

[Ta2Don]

with Murph!!!

Amazing way to adapt and overcome...

[Fleet '66]

Another brilliant idea from the Master. Great job Mark. Thanks for sharing.

[piratexpress1369a]

that is way cool mark

[1963c-10]

What a cool idea...and nice fix.

[bj383ss]

Awesome. My Father in law was always using starting fluid in everything. I never tried it until I fired the 64' for the first time.

Bret

[markeb01]

After seeing an idea on the customization thread, I thought I’d see how my truck would look with a 1950 Buick grille. They consist of what are basically 9 bumper guards. So I did a quick and crude photo chop. It certainly looks more aggressive, but I'm not sure that's an improvement.

I don’t see myself pursuing it further anytime soon, but it might be more interesting if everything was chromed. It also might look better if the Buick bumper were included in the change. The size and style of the bumper seems to fit the truck.



And here it is with the custom hood I’ll also never be able to make!



And here’s the Buick bumper. Now it looks like an old warped poorly built model!

[clemdaddy]

really like the second one with the custom hood and grill... i'm sure you can pull it off if anybody could.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by markeb01

After seeing an idea on the customization thread, I thought I’d see how my truck would look with a 1950 Buick grille. They consist of what are basically 9 bumper guards. So I did a quick and crude photo chop. It certainly looks more aggressive, but I'm not sure that's an improvement.

I don’t see myself pursuing it further anytime soon, but it might be more interesting if everything was chromed. It also might look better if the Buick bumper were included in the change. The size and style of the bumper seems to fit the truck.



And here it is with the custom hood I’ll also never be able to make!



And here’s the Buick bumper. Now it looks like an old warped poorly built model!

Hi Mark,

Been thinking about these "grille teeth" a couple of days.

Here in the UK, someone used either VW bumper over riders, or Morris Minor over riders on a Volvo Amazon/122 and came up with these results.
Would slightly smaller teeth, either floating or incorporated maybe get closer to the look you are thinking of ?

Some pics to give you the idea.

And a thread on how to do a floating grille. http://www.how-to-build-hotrods.com/grille.html

Maybe I am just screwing up your peace of mind now.....








Or VW Beetle or Karmann Ghia bumper overiders??



You should be able to buy these as new reproduction pieces.

[Low Elco]

Slick little starter trick- I had to resort to something similar with the weed whacker.

[piratexpress1369a]

now that is different

[markeb01]

Thanks for the input Grizz. Hard to believe those examples are 122 Volvos! I’ve owned a couple and they sure didn’t look like those! A lot of very talented work invested there.

I’ve seen grilles made from the VW bumper guards as well, and some of them look pretty cool. I like the toothy look, but the DeSoto tooth grilles are too expensive, rare, and hard to find for serious consideration. I also think they look too “custom” for me, as I’ve always been more of a hot rodder than a custom guy. What I like about the 1950 Buick design is it is one of the most hideous designs to ever make it into production. Compared to any other 1950 car they were just butt ugly, which is what I like about them. If done correctly on the front of my truck, I think the huge “teeth” would look more industrial than custom. That many guards looks like something that should be on a tow truck!

I’ve done another crappy photo chop effort to install the Buick grille on the stock bumper. If I ever get serious about doing this, everything would have to be chromed: I wouldn’t care for this appearance in white. I’ve also eliminated the Oldsmobile hood ornament:



I have decided however that whether or not I pursue the 50 Buick grille, I am going to invest in creating the hood. I believe I’ve come up with a practical means to make it out of fiberglass, that won’t require buying a 2nd Chevy hood or 59 Olds hood to cut up. After hours of study, it seems creating a design built from scratch may be easier after creating a buck from wood and Styrofoam. In my opinion this is the hood GM should have produced in 62-63 as a transition between the 60-61 hood and the 64-66 model:


I’m working on an alternate hood release either inside the cab or under the front bumper, because I want to retain the stock latch and hinges. If bolting plates are embedded in the hood structure, the only thing that should have to be replaced are the hood springs. This is a project that will have to wait until the spring/summer, but I can gather a lot of education and stuff in the meantime.

And the really advantageous side benefit – if I ever install a supercharger poking through the hood I won’t have to ruin my original steel version!

[markeb01]

There are some very cool rides on there, and many I've never seen before. Back in the 60's I had a lot of affection for Morris Minors, 444 & 544 Volvos, Hilmans, Austins, most of the BMC cars etc. Outside of small gatherings they are almost never seen in the US anymore. Right after high school one of the local kids even put a 327 in a 1954 Vauxall. Man that thing was a screamer, but trying to find parts - forget it.

I'm contantly amazed how many different automotive enthusiast sites there are available. Thanks for sharing.

[markeb01]

Since even I sometimes forget which switches go to what when I don’t drive the truck for extended periods, I decided to pick up some I.D. bezels to mark the controls:

The safety covers will soon look similar to this:



The heater and camera switches will have these:



All the rest of the lights, wipers, choke, etc. will have these.



The last two items are much smaller in real life. Everything should arrive in a week or so. Installing all these should provide me with a couple hours of truck time since all the switches and cables have to be pulled.

[clemdaddy]

really like the switches with the safety covers. when you post up about the install, please include info on where you got them. the utility bed i'm working on needs 3 of those same switches... and thanks mark.

[Ta2Don]

Hard to believe that your truck can get much better… but the addition of those covers will do the trick!
In my humble opinion, you and your truck far exceed the factor!


Happy New Year to You and Yours!!!

[markeb01]

Thanks so much for your comments Don. I’m trying to be cautious with any further “improvements” because I know cars can be ruined by not knowing when it’s time to leave them alone. I saw many beautiful customs destroyed back in the 60’s because the owners were required to change them annually in order to continue competing in show judging.

Beyond the custom hood project, I’m now trying to focus on little upgrades that make the truck seem more finished, refined, or easier to live with.


Clem, after a lot of research here’s where I finally found the switch covers:

http://performanceunlimited.com/cobr...gglecover.html

These are the same authentic aircraft style switch covers I currently have in the truck. I tried to have those engraved and paint filled several times over the last few years, but none of the local shops were capable of working on the slightly curved upper surface.

[markeb01]

The data plates arrived today. It took about an hour to install everything but the choke plate, which required another 4 hours of attention. I simply couldn’t get the nut off the cable holding it to the dash. After removing the ignition switch, courtesy light and some other stuff, I finally got that one finished too. I took about 60 pictures and all of them suck. Here’s the best one I could use. I’ll try again tomorrow in the daylight. I’m very happy with how the bezels look. They really add another level of detail, and make everything understandable. There are three more on the other side of the steering column - Lights, Wipers, and Washers, but I couldn't get a decent picture tonight:





No word on the safety covers yet. I haven’t even received an order acknowledgement, so I’m thinking they might have been closed the last two weeks of the year for the holidays.

[bj383ss]

Looks awesome Mark! Love your interior. It gives me hope that one day mine will look good again.

Bret

[likaroc13]

That looks nice Mark! Not only does it serve as a reminder/indicator for you, but others will now be able to discern what cool gadgets you have when they peek inside at a show.

[mooseknuckles]

....that has more switches and gadgets than the batmobile!

[markeb01]

Thanks for the comments guys.

To my delight the safety covers arrived this morning. So they are now also mounted. Here are a few outdoor photos showing the updates. Although the photos aren’t razor sharp, in real life the laser printing and engraving is:

Originally Posted by mooseknuckles

....that has more switches and gadgets than the batmobile!

I know, I’m kind of running out of room. And I’m not sure if I should label some of the hidden features or not, like the levitation generator, hyperdrive controls, GPS/self destruct detonator, cloaking device, etc.

[McMurphy]

EJECTOR SEAT !!!

[Ta2Don]

Very Nice addition to the family of switches!!!