project 1951 Pontiac Chieftain

[PhilA]

Problem with the bits inside it is there's so few holes for them to escape via.

 

It looks like the mouses didn't try to go through the holes, they were nesting in the air cleaner section.

 

They appear to have tried posting stuff through the holes though.

 

 

Phil

[Squire_Dawson]

That's right, nothing wrong with these air filters. I actually prefer them as you don't have the expense of buying a new element, and that's if you could find one anyway for a car of this age. Just service it once a year and the job, as they say, is a good one.

[PhilA]

I'm a bit miffed. Tractor supply place website said filter mesh in stock.

 

Did they have it? No.

 

They do stock non-detergent 30W oil in 5l bottles for $13 though. That works. Regular oil changes aren't going to be that expensive (ish, it's got a big sump).

 

Phil

[PhilA]

Put in an hour tonight.

 

 

Gasoline, toothbrush.

 

 

Like magic, it's clean.

I took a look underneath and scraped off some dirt, it would appear the bracket comes off the bottom- mine is fractured. I can get some more steel and have a piece welded on.

 

Phil

[somewhatfoolish]

Somewhere inside the resonator can there's a few bits of crap rattling around. There's only 3 holes in the tube, about 1/2" each, leading to it but I can foresee these bits of crap either getting drawn in or rattling around forever.

 

I'm trying to devise some method of cleaning them out of there. Typically the thing is all spot welded together for convenience.

 

Phil

It does look like a bit of a chinese puzzle; may need to cut a hole in the underside, remove mouse debris and then make a invisible* repair.

[PhilA]

I'm going to improvise something with the vacuum cleaner first.

 

Phil

[Momentary Lapse Of Reason]

Gasoline, toothbrush.

 

 

 

Hope you washed it before you put the wife's toothbrush back

[Talbot]

it's got a big twelve foot long sump

How does it deal with all the oil not slopping to one end of the engine under acceleration or (more likely) braking? I've seen this effect in Landrover 4-cylinder engines: Brake hard enough and the oil pressure lamp comes on. 2 seconds after you stop, it goes back off again. Clearly all the engine oil buggers off for a while, and then comes back again.

 

On a Straight-eight, this effect must be massive!

[PhilA]

The sump is only deep for about 1/4 the length of the engine, at the back. It's baffled to try and prevent surge like that, but I think that you'd lose traction on the tyres before it could throw all the oil forwards...

 

 

Phil

[PhilA]

Found a short video walk round of a '49 Chieftain, can see the correct angle for the air filter and the bracket. I can make one pretty easily, I think. I'll pick up some steel from the hardware store on Monday.

 

Phil

[PhilA]

Supplies procured.

 

 

Going to rub it down and get it looking presentable.

 

Phil

[hairnet]

hank williams on the stereo??

[PhilA]

Started by sanding the body of the air filter back with my DA sander with 800 grit.

 

 

Got the rest of the nooks and crannies with stainless steel brush.

 

 

Slapped on Loctite's version of Kurust.

 

 

Seems to be the same stuff, goes on white, dries purplish black.

 

 

Set it outside to dry.

 

 

Once dry it got first coat of etch primer. That's going to dry thoroughly, I'll rub it flat with high count paper, probably another coat of primer then put on some black.

 

 

Phil

[PhilA]

 

It dried pretty quickly so I sanded it back with 100 grit to even the surface out- the Kurust was lumpy. Couple cycles of this and we are here, enough for tonight.

 

I think by tomorrow evening it should be in first coat of black.

 

 

Phil

[xtriple]

Only just seen this, effin' fantastic! Read it right through in one go, and I want MORE! Such a beautiful car and just the right stage of restoration required, not for me obviously because electrics and I don't do electrics but you seem to be able to do them in your sleep so just right. The engine (post tappet adjustment) sounds lovely and even without manifolds wasn't noisy but did sound... better. I'm not sure if I'm just jealous or I actally want to murder you and pinch it, one or the other

 

Don't worry, I am a coward and wouldn't hurt anyone and I don't have a passport so you're safe, at least from me, I'm not sure about some others on here who desire your ve-hic-el even more than I do! 

[PhilA]

Well, I'm going to continue with the installments of nonsense.

 

I'm trying to do a little here and there. Everything so far at least feels like progress.

 

 

Phil

[PhilA]

Well, it is hot here. Therefore paint dries in record time.

 

 

I have to say, I do like the finish of this spray enamel straight out of the can.

 

Phil

[eddyramrod]

I hope this car realises it's landed butter side up with you!  It's probably never seen this level of care before.

[PhilA]

That will come to light once I start putting some miles on it.

 

Haven't yet made plan on the wiring layout and gauge. That's to come.

 

 

Phil

[chompy_snake]

I love the updates on this thread. You are making excellent progress.

[PhilA]

 

Painted the other side. I think probably enough for tonight, let that dry and see how it looks tomorrow. Didn't get a chance to stop at the hardware store tonight, arrived home from work after the place had closed. Tomorrow will probably be much of the same story. I do have other things to do in the interim so that's ok.

 

Phil

[They_all_do_that_sir]

This is a bloody lovely thing to behold. I imagine it's even more lovely in the flesh.

 

I'm glad you aren't tempted to drop an LS1 or whatever in as that seems to be what everyone does with anything classic in the states - or have I watched too much TV.....

 

Sent from my F3211 using Tapatalk

[PhilA]

It's the easy go-to here, bit like dropping a Pinto into cars was there back in the day...

 

 

Phil

[PhilA]

 

Spot the new part.

 

 

That's just sat on there without the oil bath bowl or filter gauze. It'll get dirty in time.

 

Phil

[vulgalour]

*squints* is it the new horn?  Difficult to tell what you've done there

[PhilA]

Radiator cap!

 

Haha

[PhilA]

Actually, that's the wrong radiator cap, it's a 4lb one and it should be 7lb so that'll be replaced in due course.

 

Phil

[They_all_do_that_sir]

20181002_181154.jpg

 

Spot the new part.

 

 

That's just sat on there without the oil bath bowl or filter gauze. It'll get dirty in time.

 

Phil

Looks great but when you drop a part like that into a bay that previously didn't look too bad, it makes you want to paint everything else

 

Sent from my F3211 using Tapatalk

[PhilA]

This one seems to work. When the hole in the radiator gets plugged up with crap it holds pressure.

 

It's just the wrong spring weight

[320touring]

Excellent progress!

 

I'm hoping to get some Oxford tinkering time at the weekend, you've inspired me:)