Still shooting for a v8, looks like rams horns will clear the steering and frame with the smaller gen 1/2/3 small block engine. Waiting for dad to arrive to discuss it, but a six is not off the table. If we go 6, I suspect he'll want a 292, if it'll fit. For now, holding pattern.
I was thinking about running a compact spare to save trunk space. But since they are still pretty big.......and I had a solid 14" rim that fits the axles......
I went with a 225/75R14 full size tire. Its about 1.5" smaller in diameter than the tires on the axles now. So we use it like a compact and even though full size, still saves a bit of space and fits under the shelf, which the full size tires wouldn't do.
So, if we get a flat on the back, we have two choices.....under 50 mph and 50 miles with the compact spare to keep from overheating the rear axle or if its not raining, just mount it on the front and put the front tire on the back then just keep running. Neat.
So, now to find a good scissors jack and tire iron and get the brackets bent up to secure it all to the trunk deck.
I wouldn't trust a scissor jack,, but that's just me.... I'd flip that tire over and use the dish of the wheel to store a bottle jack and a block or two of wood.... still make a bracket or a bolt to secure the jack to the wheel so it isn't rattling,,,
Or tire iron. Other than in vehicles that they are part of the crank to get the spare down they get put in the scrap pile are replaced with a 1/2” pull bar,extension and appropriate sized socket. I have seen too many lug nuts some tire jockey got overzealous with an air wrench and a tire iron was just useless.
Working on the car with dad sunday. Prepping fuel tank. Monday we order an engine and hope to have it on the build stand before our 3 Nov sc hunt. Prolly call to Louisiana and order the trans and to Fla for the dual rochester 2g carbs this week too.
Ksherb. Got most the supplies to get your hoist working right and safe. Should hold up your tractor hood and more safely when done. Stand by still hunting but should have hoist to near new condition before you need it again.
Started the overhaul of your hoist with Dads help. Back stays were missing from your hoist, as such, it put the bolts that should be in compression into tension.....I suspect that tractor hood would have fallen on you one day. I specked new grade 5 bolts (its what Pittsburg calls for on the base) as yours were bent nearly to the point of failure without the back stays to maintain the reverse angle of the main beam. As it was, I think it was barely strong enough to lift your tractor hood/tank assembly, it wouldn't budge the engine, just kept rolling forward till the beam touched the firewall padding....so, I quit early, moved it out and promptly managed to drop it while trying to fold it up to store.....
From there I got some steel to make the stays for the main beam, this keeps the main beam from pulling forward and bending/breaking those bolts in the photo above.
I also scored a free brand spanking new never used Pittsburg 8 ton long ram to replace your old one. (as when the hoist fell over while getting it out of the way/folded up, and you told me it would......the piston pulled out of the original ram!) We bled the new ram and conducted an initial range of motion and Old Fat Man pull check.....looks good. I marked the ram and we'll leave it up for a few days to make sure its bled, then we'll lift some weight before pronouncing it completed.
Thanks for the loaner, I think we'll get it back to you in A1 condition.
No worries. I'll sell the new one in a couple weeks so my "rental" fees will be less than $2 per day and I'll be comfortable that you have a good safe hoist that maybe i can borrow again!
Before the evening hunt, we decided to clean up the garage by installing some of the many parts that keep arriving daily.
For this mornings work we pressed on a Professional Product harmonic balancer and retention bolt. Just gotta get a three pulley set before we start setting the motor.
Dad also installed the mechanical fuel pump. From there he took the centerline measurements of the engine and frame openings....seems we'll have plenty of width for the fuel pump and likely the power steering pump too.
Its looking like classic Rams Horn iron exhaust may fit between the frame rails and....hopefully, leave room for steering connections. But, initially it seems we can set the motor on the center line and still have up to a couple inches to the Passenger side if we need to offset the motor.
Heading out hunting but, its looking like motor mounts will go on the motor today for some more measuring and we'll be ordering a TCI transmission package next week.
Ger outta bed, you got work to do! While we were out hunting last night a nice Fedex driver delivered the motor mounts and a pretty dual plane manifold. This morning I ordered the dual carb set up, 2 pretty Rochester two barrel carbs with louvered air cleaners. Time to get wrenching.
Getting close to the first test fit on the small block and trans. Trans arrives Monday, complete kit less flex plate. I'll get that local when I'm sure on the TC bolt diameter. Also coming are Alan Grove pulleys and brackets so I can have the length and side measurements (PS Pump bracket) for the trial fitting. Picked up the Saganaw PS Pump and a Delco 12si Alternator.....I think the alternator will have to go vertical but we'll see. Other tidbits include new Delco water pump, thermostat and housing, pump pulleys, etc. Should be enough once bolted on to really have a good feel for where to set the motor/trans between the rails.
Transmission arrived! Its a TCI Street Rodder, TH350 automatic.
Long ago, when i was stronger I put one of these in a 62 Chevy Impala behind a mildly built 327 engine. I remember laying under the car, transmission on my chest, guide studs in the block and lifting the trans straight up and sliding it home over the studs. I was a bit stronger then......
This time I'll use a hoist and slide it home from the top!
What stall is the converter? Make sure to match that with the cam in the engine. If the cam is stock, use a stock rated converter. More cam lift and duration changes require more stall.
Yep. 1700 stall. Good for a stocker and let's room for a mild cam change. Hard to find one (torque converter) just a bump above factory. Everything out there is rated for 2700 to 5000 rpm, I don't have anywhere near enough cam or rear gear for one of them. Planning to keep this motor in that idle to 5000 range.....prolly never see 3200!!!