old-tank Posted February 12 Author Share Posted February 12 1 hour ago, EmTee said: Good for you! I would have dropped one of those bolts at least once... Magnets 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 I have a couple layers of heavy cardboard the I lay over the top of the engine on my Buicks so I can side to the back. It covers the pointy, stick up stuff I can get hooked on and spreads the weight so things don't get broken. Mine have an oil pressure sender down in there. At least you aren't going back to set the dwell of the points. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 Make sure that you still have your keys before you put the hood back on! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTX5467 Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 I'm glad things are progressing well! NTX5467 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTX5467 Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 (edited) Rather than put the heavy cardboard over the top of the engine to lay on, ALSO put one under the work area, too. That way, just pull it out to retrieve what "hit the floor" rather than chase a broomstick to knock it out to where you can get it (or under the workbench). It can serve other functions, too. Like checking for oil leaks. NTX5467 Edited February 12 by NTX5467 (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted February 12 Share Posted February 12 50 minutes ago, NTX5467 said: That way, just pull it out to retrieve what "hit the floor" rather than chase a broomstick to knock it out to where you can get it (or under the workbench). Yeah, that's the best case scenario. My '38 in particular seems to always swallow anything I happen to drop, which typically becomes a 40-minute scavenger hunt! You would not believe the nooks and crannies I have had to search to find the missing bolt, nut, washer or socket... 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAD36 Posted February 13 Share Posted February 13 Remember to tighten the radiator cap… unlike one of your rookie students 🙄 Great job as always. Thanks for the play by play. Looking forward to light off. 1 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted February 14 Author Share Posted February 14 (edited) I'm not going to paint anything this time just repair what's broken. Couldn't stand it. Edited February 14 by old-tank (see edit history) 1 1 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted February 14 Author Share Posted February 14 (edited) 19 hours ago, old-tank said: I'm not going to paint anything this time just repair what's broken. Couldn't stand it. Y'all probably think that I spent my time installing those parts yesterday. Wrong again Buick breath! The time was spent dinking around with the accelerator and stator control linkage and the &$#+@ driver side exhaust manifold which installs from the bottom on power steering cars. Edited February 14 by old-tank (see edit history) 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 16 hours ago, old-tank said: Y'all probably think that I spent my time installing those parts yesterday. Wrong again Buick breath! The time was spent dinking around with the accelerator and stator control linkage and the &$#+@ driver side exhaust manifold which installs from the bottom on power steering cars. I had to read this a couple times. I kept reading "drinking around" not "dinking around" and I thought, well how much do they really drink? Then I thought, no wonder he didn't get to the other parts. LOL 1 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTX5467 Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 My "predictive text" orientation did the same thing, the first time. I realized "That can't be right" and read it "right". Enjoy! NTX5467 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted February 15 Share Posted February 15 55 minutes ago, NC-car-guy said: I had to read this a couple times. I kept reading "drinking around" not "dinking around" and I thought, well how much do they really drink? Then I thought, no wonder he didn't get to the other parts. LOL Willie is ALWAYS amazing, makes us see things that aren't there. Ben 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted February 15 Author Share Posted February 15 There is another word I could have used, but it is a little raunchy for this forum. 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 9 hours ago, old-tank said: There is another word I could have used, but it is a little raunchy for this forum. What would that be...? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted February 16 Author Share Posted February 16 Richard 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 10 hours ago, old-tank said: There is another word I could have used, but it is a little raunchy for this forum. You could have used the Aussie slang word! Ben 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted February 16 Author Share Posted February 16 42 minutes ago, Ben Bruce aka First Born said: You could have used the Aussie slang word! Ben I'm afraid to ask. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTX5467 Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 IF y'all want to "kill some cats", put your suspicion word into Google Translator and see what happens. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted February 17 Author Share Posted February 17 On 2/9/2024 at 7:30 PM, old-tank said: It's in. (It's the engine I'm talking about). A few comments on the install. I was lucky enough to have a couple of friends come over at the same time. Both are knowledgeable on tools and cars and everything went smoothly. One asked what size the tool needed for the engine stand to engine was. I went to get a power tool to zip it off and when I turned around he already had it loose and the other guy had the engine swinging over the car. A little dancing with the transmission jack load leveler, engine hoist and frame jack and it was mated and the lower bell housing bolts were installed. The hood which is on top of the car was moved to saw horses and the car was pushed out of that bay to the bay that has my service pit. All that took less than an hour and since they came over early I didn't even want any beer. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M1842 Posted February 17 Share Posted February 17 Good to have good friends like that! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAD36 Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 On 2/15/2024 at 8:00 PM, EmTee said: What would that be...? Johnson. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAD36 Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 Since everything is going swimmingly and the engine went in with time to spare, what will you be drinking around with next? 😆. An hour…that’s hustlin’….not your first rodeo huh 👍 😎. Good to hear it’s going well. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted February 20 Author Share Posted February 20 (edited) 1 hour ago, KAD36 said: Since everything is going swimmingly and the engine went in with time to spare, what will you be drinking around with next? 😆. An hour…that’s hustlin’….not your first rodeo huh 👍 😎. Good to hear it’s going well. Looking at the car I have only a couple of days work to get it finished which will turn into two weeks. Edited February 20 by old-tank (see edit history) 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 I am anxious to hear how it all turns out! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTX5467 Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 (edited) In doing an easy intake manifold swap (which did not necessitate distributor removal or dealing with a coolant passage), I figured out it was taking me "one night after work for each flat rate hour in the repair manual" Didn't have any issues with dropped bolts, but I had one factory bolt that would NOT thread into the hole it came out of, nor a simlar bolt either. But after trying to figure that out, I got a new bolt at work the next day. With NO other changes, the new bolt dropped right in and tightened up. Not believing that, I removed it and compared it to the OEM bolt. No differences other than engine paint on the OEM bolts. So I put the new bolt in with a flat washer under the head and it's still in there. No "drinking" involved. Other than perhaps Coca-Cola or Dr. Pepper . . . or city tap water. That time became my new standard of project length prediction. Going along with the time and money over-run orientations others had mentioned. Enjoy! NTX5467 Edited February 20 by NTX5467 (see edit history) 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted February 25 Share Posted February 25 Willie I am excited to see you progressing! After our phone call a while back now, I have been thinking about your situation. Glad to see root cause was identified. Are you going to put together a list of parts at the end? Looking forward to your first start up, sounds like you are close! 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted February 26 Author Share Posted February 26 All assembled except for the air conditioning compressor so it's time to start it. With a fire extinguisher and pressurized hose nearby I hooked up the battery and there was no smoke or sparks. Activated the electric fuel pump ...no leaks. Turned on the ignition and pressed the gas pedal and... Clunk Again clunk (WTH)... I had just rolled engine over to verify the timing marks with the distributor. Activated the starter from under the hood and there was sparking at the battery: loose battery cable. Corrected that and it fired on the first piston up. I let it run for a couple of minutes to expand the cylinder head against the gasket and then after a little cool down I added water. With water in the system I ran it for another 30 minutes no leaks, system pressurized. And this time good oil pressure! Idle is a little high so I need to check for vacuum leaks and set the timing and take it for a test run. Find my friends again put the hood on so I can take it out and drive it like I stole it. 12 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 You da man, Willie. You da man! Ben 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 Good for another 100K miles! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 Nothing like hearing it come to life after extensive work in the guts. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gungeey Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 17 hours ago, old-tank said: I let it run for a couple of minutes to expand the cylinder head against the gasket and then after a little cool down I added water. With water in the system I ran it for another 30 minutes no leaks, system pressurized. I'm using that procedure at next rebuild 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC-car-guy Posted February 27 Share Posted February 27 Nice! Glad to read it's running again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted February 27 Author Share Posted February 27 these are the Remflex gas gets used on a 1955 Buick. Make note of the numbers so I don't have to look it up for you in my files since they aren't listed on their website for a 55 Buick. And if you don't of course I'll cheerfully look them up for you. 😁 Looking up at the exhaust flange where the gasket goes. In the past I've used tape or adhesive to hold the gasket in place while I assembled the exhaust pipe. So why didn't anybody tell me to use a rubber band? 2 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted February 29 Author Share Posted February 29 On 2/25/2024 at 4:15 PM, Beemon said: list of parts Very short list. Gasket set, main bearing set, timing chain, solvents, sealers. 3 months. Tools made: valve spring compressor, bearing shell extractor. Less than $500. But good to have an old friend back in service. 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted February 29 Author Share Posted February 29 13 hours ago, old-tank said: Very short list. Gasket set, main bearing set, timing chain, solvents, sealers. 3 months. Tools made: valve spring compressor, bearing shell extractor. Less than $500. But good to have an old friend back in service. I forgot about hand cleaner. "the difference between a mechanic and a surgeon is that the mechanic washes his hands before going to the restroom" 2 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 55 minutes ago, old-tank said: I forgot about hand cleaner. "the difference between a mechanic and a surgeon is that the mechanic washes his hands before going to the restroom" Inspiring. On all counts. Especially to an ex-sailor. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted March 1 Share Posted March 1 Ha - I thought you were going to say: "the difference between a mechanic and a surgeon is that the surgeon washes his hands before performing the operation." 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted March 1 Author Share Posted March 1 59 minutes ago, EmTee said: Ha - I thought you were going to say: "the difference between a mechanic and a surgeon is that the surgeon washes his hands before performing the operation." That works too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NailheadBob Posted March 1 Share Posted March 1 On 2/27/2024 at 2:03 PM, old-tank said: these are the Remflex gas gets used on a 1955 Buick. Make note of the numbers so I don't have to look it up for you in my files since they aren't listed on their website for a 55 Buick. And if you don't of course I'll cheerfully look them up for you. 😁 Looking up at the exhaust flange where the gasket goes. In the past I've used tape or adhesive to hold the gasket in place while I assembled the exhaust pipe. So why didn't anybody tell me to use a rubber band? Another great job with details and photos as usual I bet your glad it’s done Do you have the part number for the remflex exhaust gaskets lol 😂😂😂 just kidding Bob 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodneybeauchamp Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 On 2/27/2024 at 8:15 AM, old-tank said: I let it run for a couple of minutes to expand the cylinder head against the gasket and then after a little cool down I added water. With water in the system I ran it for another 30 minutes no leaks, system pressurized. And this time good oil pressure! Great that it all worked out and you now have correct oil pressure. Can I ask the reason why you run it for a couple of minutes without coolant? Not heard this one before. Thanks Rodney 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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