E-tek Restorations: PROJECT THREAD

[e-tek]

After weeks of beautiful weather, she pissed all weekend. Oh well, got 'er unloaded and put the front end in the shop.

Came with an interesting assortment of antique cans and bottles...

Front end is gonna be used pretty much as is - once I split the 'bones and rebuilt it all....

Banjo rear end is loose and turns easily, but not likely gonna be stout enough for what I have planned up front...

 

[HOTFR8]

Any of the tins valuable ? collectable ?

 

[e-tek]

Any of the tins valuable ? collectable ?

No idea and no interest. They'll either sit on my shop shelves, or maybe be incorporated into the build somewhere....

 

[HOTFR8]

No idea and no interest. They'll either sit on my shop shelves, or maybe be incorporated into the build somewhere....

Cool.

 

[e-tek]

Cleaned 'er all up - pulling several inches of mud out of the seat and "bed-pan"....interestingly, very little rust occurred under all that moist goo....

Somehow even the wooden battery cover survived - tho the pessimist in me says it must have been a "repopped" part!

The underdash gas tank looks only a few years old - not 85!

 

[gsport]

that's going to be a very cool project....

 

[e-tek]

The "Pussycat Swallowtail" (any guesses as to the origin of that name?) project has a few options for a power plant:

There's the 331FT engine that came mated to a a 4speed. I just installed the heads and will button it up when I have a few hours here and there:

Then there's the 390 with a Holley 4 bbl I just got. I had plans to swap it into the Galaxie so I could rebuild that mill, but ever since I put the dual exhaust in it - along with a wideband O2 sensor and then tuned it properly, it runs SO much better, cooler and is much snappier. A "kid" tried to sneak past me in his ricer last week - but I taught him an "Old School" lesson!

Of course everyone's favourite: the flathead. This is an early (59A) flathead block I got to replace the one that snapped in the 46 Merc.

Lastly, there's a 351Windsor and C6 auto I have out at the farm, from a 72(ish) Ford truck...Like this one:

Maybe I'll start a POLL!

Tomorrow it's back to the Cougar. Shouldn't take too much longer to get the rear glass opening done, then the quarters ready for finishing!

 

[HOTFR8]

The "Pussycat Swallowtail" (any guesses as to the origin of that name?)

No Something to do with the body shape of the car

Go with the Flathead / Sidey Motor

 

[e-tek]

No Something to do with the body shape of the car

Go with the Flathead / Sidey Motor

I swear sometimes you and I are the only ones in this thread Simon!

 

[jayoldschool]

Flathead, of course.

 

[HOTFR8]

I swear sometimes you and I are the only ones in this thread Simon!

I worry about the time difference between you and me Ed. The fact I am on here and it must be late or early for you. Or is it my addiction to the GJ .

Flathead, of course.

Look we are not alone and another Sidey / Flathead enthusiast .

 

[Shoottx]

Yup

Flat head, if nothing else it would look right. All the others are OK but unless you put a lot of bling on them the flat head would look better!

And since I know less than nothing about body work, I am just a ****** for a lot of your posts. I appreciate watching!

 

[Kevin54]

Are you going with fenders or fenderless on the '27? Does the person that you got it from have any fenders to fit it? At least for the rear/ The left rear looks like it's a little too far gone to be repaired or at least too far gone to be cost efficient to repair.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

i'd run the flathead just because they are such a good looking engine when done up.

 

[e-tek]

Are you going with fenders or fenderless on the '27? Does the person that you got it from have any fenders to fit it? At least for the rear. The left rear looks like it's a little too far gone to be repaired or at least too far gone to be cost efficient to repair.

Fenderless, but the more I look at it, with it's complete fenders, the more I'd hate to separate/trash them. You're right, some parts are are pretty bad - but certainly nothing I wouldn't at least attempt a repair on!

 

[MP&C]

I think the FE engines may be a bit heavy on that front end, heck it was designed around a 4 cyl

I was going to suggest a nice Ford Y block, but they may be just as heavy..

 

[MoonRise]

I swear sometimes you and I are the only ones in this thread Simon!

Nope, watch and scan through when I get a chance.

Don't post too much, wouldn't want you to get a swelled head from all the 'Good job' replies.

obtw, Good job.

 

[e-tek]

Nope, watch and scan through when I get a chance.

Don't post too much, wouldn't want you to get a swelled head from all the 'Good job' replies.

obtw, Good job.

Funny you say that - I too can get a little tired of all the "Great Job" and "You ****" replies in every thread (not in mine of course)....which is why I try to ASK a question, or ask for input and ideas - in hopes it may actually spark a conversation!

 

[HOTFR8]

Nice to see you also posted it on the HAMB as that will give you some different and traditional Hot Rod ideas.

 

[e-tek]

Did some more work on the rear window sections today on the 67 Cougar....

Tomorrow I'll finish up this area and start cutting the rust out of the lower quarters. Once I'm done the metal work it'll go for an underside sandblasting. This will allow the underside to be properly seam-sealed and finished out with paint, rather than undercoating.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

E-tek, glad to hear you're 'back in the saddle again'; pneumo is nothing to mess with. Please take the time to find another cable for your HD unit, your viewing public awaits to observe the 'master-at-work'! lol Besides, those action videos would be great advertizing on your website to show the quality work you do. I'll bet your son would give you the shirt off his back (heh-heh) to have the opportunity to play cameraman, and considering the computer skills kids these days seem to absorb by osmosis, he'd probably be doing the video editing too! It'd be a great way to get some quality time with him in the shop and he'll pick up some wrenching skills at the same time. Hell, you two may even wind up starting your own production company, which would allow you to 'retire' early so you can play full time in the shop. I wonder if anyone has ever made a video documentary of a 'Hot Rod Rebirth' from the day it came out of a farmer's barn to the day it took a B.o.S. award at a regional competition? Hmm - food for thought.....

 

[Kevin54]

You have some great talent. I can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[e-tek]

I'll bet your son would give you the shirt off his back (heh-heh) to have the opportunity to play cameraman, and considering the computer skills kids these days seem to absorb by osmosis, he'd probably be doing the video editing too! It'd be a great way to get some quality time with him in the shop and he'll pick up some wrenching skills at the same time.

That's a GREAT idea!

 

[e-tek]

LOTS accomplished today (thanks Advil!)

Finished up the rear glass opening today on the Cougar and put a skiff of "ALL METAL" over the repair and any left-over pitting:

This is my new favourite tool. It's not that I didn't have one before, but I just kept going back to larger (4") grinders. These 2" discs are easier to concentrate on a small area and last quite a while:

I also have to do some major re-organizing. With the 3 engines already on stands and the 2 "new" flatty's coming this weekend and this one that came back from the machine shop needing to be stored until I can transfer it to the morgue (recycler), I'm running out of room!

Didn't help any that when I tried to move it on my trolley one of the tires flatted under the load....

Back on the Cougar, I found quite a MESS going on in the quarter panels....

Inner trunk view:

Check out the sealer jammed into some gaps that remained after a shoddy repair:

I tried to grind it down to metal but it was so thick I would have coated the entire shop with a layer of talc - Bad photo - but there's more than a 1/2" of bondo in there:

so I just cut it all off somewhere close to the line scribed from the re-popped part supplied:

I'm telling ya - had I started on the back end I may not have continued!!!

Since I was doing some ****** work I also scraped out the sealer that was layed down around the tank after the last repair:

Time for a break!

After some fake cheese and sugar, I started getting an idea....the in-laws want me to sell this scooter for them....but I'm thinking it needs more power first....hmmmm....390 or flatty?? I know what Simon would go for!

Stay tuned!

 

[HOTFR8]

Scooter ??? SCOOTER What the are you doing with a Scooter ?

Do you know what I would do with the Scooter ? Convert it to an electric tool trolley or your new transport machine for the Swap Meets.

 

[xy4v]

just read this thread from start to finish.. you do some really awesome work bud.

thanks for taking the time to detail the pics and write ups, I've picked up a few things just by reading this thread!

 

[e-tek]

Scooter ??? SCOOTER What the are you doing with a Scooter ?

Do you know what I would do with the Scooter ? Convert it to an electric tool trolley or your new transport machine for the Swap Meets.

As it turned out today, the guy who sold me the two early engines also has a nice aluminum dual carb intake with 2 97's, air cleaners and chrome covers and wants to trade it all for the scooter.....just not sure the Mother-in-law would like that deal!

Here's those engines - in pieces. One was apparently running nicely before they tore it down and the other was just picked up from an engine shop after being magnufluxed and cleaned.

Came with 2 sets of rare high-compression Canadian Aluminum heads:

More to come....

 

[HOTFR8]

You need those heads as for the Scooter you can find her another.
Seriously you need those heads.

 

[e-tek]

You need those heads as for the Scooter you can find her another.
Seriously you need those heads.

The heads are mine already. It's the dual intake with Stroms on it that he wants to trade for the Scooter. Thing is I don't really need the "show-boat" dual carb intake....as you might know by now I like things original and mostly stock.

 

[e-tek]

This block was just back from being cleaned and mag'd and is .001 over:

These are the other Canadian Aluminum heads in 'as cast' condition.

...and the second block, which (apparently) ran well before they began the tear down:

3-speed ******:

Brand-new water pumps:

And of course, the recipient of one of the 5 motors I have to choose from...now how the hell did I go from one on a stand in my shop (from the 240Z) to 5?????

Our cat is all over this project!

Kids - not so much...

 

[MP&C]

Got to have the dual carbs to finish off the aluminum heads....

 

[HOTFR8]

The heads are mine already. It's the dual intake with Stroms on it that he wants to trade for the Scooter. Thing is I don't really need the "show-boat" dual carb intake....as you might know by now I like things original and mostly stock.

Still they would even look good sitting on the shelf.

 

[MoonRise]

After some fake cheese and sugar, I started getting an idea....the in-laws want me to sell this scooter for them....but I'm thinking it needs more power first....hmmmm....390 or flatty?? I know what Simon would go for!

Stay tuned!

Slicks, wheelie-bars, and a big block.

Might have to extend the wheelbase a wee bit, and depending on whether you go for mounting the engine in the front or the rear will determine whether you have to put some 'ballast' at the front (rear-engine) or not).

 

[e-tek]

Slicks, wheelie-bars, and a big block.

Beleieve it or not, it already has wheelie bars - so me thinks yer on to something!

 

[gustoffur]

Serious, can you ever have too many Ford engines? You may need a more interesting way of storing them, but creativity is your specialty.

 

[JC23]

Scooter...

Wait fer it...



Needs paint!

 

[e-tek]

Serious, can you ever have too many Ford engines? You may need a more interesting way of storing them, but creativity is your specialty.

No doubt - the FORD Power is causing the 240Z to lose value in the shop and it's quickly becoming the 'ugly sister'! I'm now starting to consider moving it - either to one of my annex-garages, or the scrap heap....poor thing.

 

[gustoffur]

No doubt - the FORD Power is causing the 240Z to lose value in the shop and it's quickly becoming the 'ugly sister'! I'm now starting to consider moving it - either to one of my annex-garages, or the scrap heap....poor thing.

Your son will be very disappointed if you don't finish the Datsun.

 

[bgott]

You could really jack with people's heads and install one of those flatheads in the Z!

 

[maryphilips472]

Serious? can you ever have too many Ford engines?