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Jesse will make a set from scratch for you as well. These are the red belts he made for my vista cruiser. I did not provide any of the parts for these.
Been some more time, but summer/fall are tough. Between events and hunting trips, winter is time to work on the 442. Did get top installed and fit. Had to run new brake lines and proportioning block, so that delayed a few things. Progress nonetheless.
Ready to tackle last of engine bay items(A/C, hoses, distributor/wires, carb/OAI top, and power steering pump, etc.). Then interior panels, seat belts, carpeting and seats are all that’s really left inside. Goal is on the road for Spring.
Here are some photo updates. Also was able to find a couple of Greenlight’s of almost this exact car that was at B—J auction: one for me and one for my Dad. Seemed fitting. This one will not show up there…hopefully ever.
Last thing, this has been so hard, frustrating, and at times you wanna cash it in, but the results are well, well worth it. I added some photos of the shelving and tables thar have been loaded to the gills with parts forever. They’re now down to small stuff and it’s starting to feel real. Keep at’em, folks!
Here’s to a great 2023 and hope you all enjoy your vehicles, whether out on the road, or still turning wrenches to do so…like this guy.
I know some are following and some comments. Getting so close now it’s not even funny. Was able to get new brake lines on and bled, so she”ll stop. A slightly important need. Got lower trim on dash and inner fender/headlight trim/supports. Seat belts came in from Jesse Grooms as well as new seat belt bolts and power steering hoses/clips/retainers. Couple of engine accessories brackets on and ready on A/C side.
Have about a two week gap and back at it. Work will be to get plumbing on for cooling as well as engine accessories, A/C condenser/lines and evap/compressor/drier back fully on. Then top end wiring, dist/plug wires, heat sink, and then carb/OAI setup. Probably won’t get all done, but going try. Needs to run soon. Last will be interior.
No matter what gets done I usually have to go back and find things I wish I’d done earlier. List grows, but not overwhelming: new hinge bushings, posi carrier, etc. Keep at’em everyone. Living proof here it can happen with time.
Major progress today. Just a reminder to keep after it. Had some help(thanks, Brians!…not me in photo) and was able to get incredibly close to actually firing up the engine. I expect the next post to have her running. Got radiator hoses on, distributor, plug wires, filler tube and break-in oil, oil filter, crank pulley, a/c condenser, timing, carb on and hooked up(mostly), accelerator cable, windlace, rear seat belts, and more.
Did run into an issue of missing/for getting carb return spring, and a couple other things. I do need some help: What have you used for the fitting going from this hole in the intake manifold(last photo) next going to the carb? For some reason this is some kind of unicorn part. Really appreciate any insight as to part number/source to get it as it’s not threaded. Thanks so much!
Looks like you are going with a mostly stock look. If you paint your radiator with something like: Eastwood Radiator Black. , then the radiator won't stand out so much
She runs! Was able to get her fired up and running. Engine very smooth but while working timing(with timing light) and adjusting idle to run for break-in, we ran into overheating. After sitting to cool it pops right off and runs well when I rechecked later, but didn’t run it long.
Two items of note: 1. It was mid-upper 80’s yesterday in garage with doors open and smaller fans on front of the car to push a bit of air 2. Fan shroud was not installed yet. I think the shroud a lot of difference but may have thermostat issue(it’s new). Couple other items of note: new Aluminum radiator, ran 15 mins at 1500 before overheating and we shut it down.
Any thoughts on this? I know heat and 455 Olds tend to follow each other, but a bit vexed here. Regardless, it was so fulfilling to hear the big 455 finally running. I do appreciate all of the input and help during the build. So close it’s not even funny now. 😆
Thanks for info on air in the system and shroud. Did make a big difference and now found bad heater control valve, but that’s easy. Otherwise, smooth start up and running. No other fluid leaks, oil, exhaust, etc. Picking up overflow bottle kit just for peace of mind. One minor adjustment I need is on the power steering pump to dial in belt alignment.
All in all, not a bad weekend. Installed OAI system to test fit before final carb/break-in. Made a (mostly) final list of about 45 small items to install, check, inspect. Not much on shelves or on my whiteboard to do now, which feels really good. Cleaned up and organized shop for final details and space. Here’s some updated photos, but couldn’t get vid of running engine to post.
I have a question for you.Were did you get your stencil for the side pin stripes?
Would you share the info?
Alain red W-31
I got these from OPGI. Used stencil vs decals, as they should. Had to do some slight modification work with them though, mostly along the body lines. Hood stripes were better.
I didn’t fool around with stencils, I sourced Wildaboutcars.com for the factory drawings/dimensions, much to the dismay of my painter who had to do the job a second time. (After disregarding the drawings). After all of this trouble and expense, why would you consider anything less than the factory source?
I didn’t fool around with stencils, I sourced Wildaboutcars.com for the factory drawings/dimensions, much to the dismay of my painter who had to do the job a second time. (After disregarding the drawings). After all of this trouble and expense, why would you consider anything less than the factory source?
My guy used the stencils as a guide and modified them based on the info from the factory drawings and dimensions. Just made it a bit easier for him to get what he wanted. Double duty, but worked out in the end.
Well, seemed appropriate to get plates now that she’s running and in final stages wrap up. Yeah, i could have gone with collector plates, but really love the Road America ones both because I love being there and plates are classic white/black. What do you guys think?
March 31st, 2022, 06:22 PM
