1952 F1: Flames to Fantastical!

[A12pilot]

Thanks Mark! And yes Ryan, that's the spirit!! Everyone needs an old truck. Take one to a show and see how many people approach you with their eyes lit up as they remember some old truck Grampa had. Might not have been the same year, but everyone seems to have some old truck story in their past!

Cheers
Dave

[A12pilot]

Having packed my schedule tighter than Donnie & Marie, I've been a little lax on updates. But have no fear! The updates will be coming in post-haste this month! First up is the the advancement of powerplant perfection with a dress up kit, a serpentine belt system, and some clean detail items that'll make this 289 look like a million bucks! Waiting on a few extra parts and then this will be done and installed in the chassis. But wait, what about the transmission? Welp, glad you asked!

Unfortunately, the fire had an effect on the tailshaft. It warped and jammed the yoke in the housing. I had to beat the driveshaft out with a hammer, which served two purposes. This first was, well, it got the driveshaft out. And secondly, it cleared out all my pent up rage I had festering deep in my unconscious pschye stemming back to not being able to go to the Philadelphia Zoo in 3rd grade cuz I forgot to bring the damn permission form back!

So, with this just being a run-of- the- mill C4, and not knowing what was going on inside of it, we decided to just go with a rebuilt one. I'll pick that up at Summit next week along with the rest of the engine goodies.

Up next will be the dreaded bodywork. Stay tuned for more updates like "Bodywork: best done at 110 degrees? " and "Block Sanding: The next Tae Bo"

Cheers
Dave

[markinnaples]

The 289 looks great.

[big gear head]

Dave, are you confident that the heat didn't damage the valve springs, rings or any other internal engine parts? Valve springs would be my biggest concern. I slung the belt off of the water pump on a 454 many years ago and didn't know that the engine was running hot. When I realized it was hot I shut it off, but the damage was done. The valve spring had to be replaced because the heat made them weak.

[A12pilot]

I’m pretty confident in that, Freddie. They all seemed pretty tight and spring pressure measured around 290, so hopefully that means they’re still good. I guess we’ll see when I fire it up!

Bodywork has begun! My tentative schedule is to have it in paint next month!

Updates to follow with updates, um...to follow!

Cheers

Dave

[A12pilot]

Finally, a break in my schedule and a few extra days off gets me some progress! The bed will be painted next week and I'm hoping the cab will be ready by the end of the month. New door hinges and all that inner door junk that's so easy to assemble in the blind is also on the shelf, so I'll have the doors hung and aligned next week. This cab, while solid, looked like it not only rolled down Pike's Peak, but some crazy super-bee or something (hey..Superbee... get it?? SuperBee? Beater Bee??) was sealed inside trying to get out wearing a crash helmet since most of the dents are from the inside out!

The color will be Bombay Ivory, which is a mid 50s GM truck color. Which is perfect since I can say without a doubt they'll be one or two ding-a-roos that I might miss!

Engine and transmission go in this weekend. Off to Summit Racing for a few more parts today. More to come!

Cheers
Dave

[mockingbird812]

Lookin' just SWELL Super Dave! Love the updates and PLEASE keep 'em coming!!!!!!!!

[A12pilot]

Thanks, Sammitron!!! Just back from Summit Racing buying some parts to wrap up the engine and transmission and will install that today!

Man, that Summit store....I feel like you Ohio people that live down the street from it. Sooooo long wallet!!!

Cheerios

SuperDave

[A12pilot]

Old truck door gaps: If you want a bodywork challenge that is more like being a master of geometry coupled with algebraic equations that defy the fundamental laws of physics, grab yourself an old farm truck and have fun! So here's some preliminary work tightening up the 1/2" to sometimes greater door gap on this old Ford. Tools of the trade? Shims, 1/4" square steel strips, door cradle for the jack, a lot of cursing, and a few thrown tools that may or may not get found again until I run them over with the lawnmower which will, once again, result in more swearing.

The door latch guides are riveted and welded to the cab, so I removed them, blasted, then will install after paint with new rivets.

It's coming along!

Cheers
Dave

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

Wow it’s going great!!!!

Keep the hits coming!!

Ryan W31