Been a little bit, been waiting on the proper valve cover gaskets to get shipped to me (there was a year change in '57 for the gaskets, and my valve covers are earlier, so I learned something new). Painted the top half of the engine (using Joe's aluminum foil mask technique). Mocked up the engine again to check my air cleaner clearance after changing up a few things. Metal finished out the rough as hell factory dents they had for radiator hose and engine removal hook clearance in the Toronado it's off of from Oldsmobile. Started actual assembly of the engine last night and figured out how I'm going to route the heater hoses to best keep them hidden. Should have the air cleaner painted up the next few days. Hopefully all back together mid next week.
Thanks Frank. Man, mother GM sure wasn't gentle or precise putting those clearance dents in. I wacked the bajeebus out of them with the ball end of a ball peen about 30 times each to get them roughed out, then about two hours with the body hammers and dollies. Things were work hardened baaaaaad. Finished with a file and a whizz wheel. Once it's painted white and pinstriped up I hope it'll all tie in nicely
Hammered to get the car done for our first cruise night of the year, had around 500 cars show up. Still have to clean up some wiring and things like hose clamps and some overspray, I just rushed to get it running and was still 2 hours late. Car ran well, no major issues, have to adjust the timing a little. Got the air cleaner back tonight from my buddy and set it on with my offset adapter to check fitment. Thanks again, Bill! It fits just right happily. Once my pinstriper gets back from AZ where he snowbirds at the end of the month I'll get it striped up in matching "Nachtblau"....going to paint the radiator black and make some cleaner mounting brackets next. It sticks out like a sore thumb right now.
Lucas, Saw this bad boy at a car show today. Not crazy about it being on the ground like that but boy, it was straight as an arrow, which it had to be considering it was black.
Gorgeous Steve! Thanks for thinking of me....I haven't logged on in a month or two. I'll get some updates about my car done today.
The metal in these cars is seriously thick and strong, so the metal stays straight even after minor door dings unlike more modern cars. Your car looks fantastic Lucas!
Alright, got the air cleaner pinstriped, and been redoing the engine compartment. The radiator and condenser were sticking out like two sore thumbs, so pulled them, sanded, primed, and coated in high heat black. Sanded the inner fenders, radiator support, etc. Laid down what was supposed to be "satin black", which ended up being gloss, so got to do that all over again (pics 4 and 5). Used "underhood black" from Napa the second time. Highly recommended, came out the perfect finish and lays down great. Replaced the hokie-ass wire blocks the previous owner had installed with the power distribution block I posted a page or two back. Moved the horns and a few other thing, stripped all the ugly stickers off the battery. Got a matching cupholder made from Cupholders Plus, they'll send you free material samples in the mail to try. Pretty shocked how exact the match is....and been driving it Have some woven loom for my harness coming that should be here today to cover up all the wires, will be making a panel to cover the space between grille and radiator support, and will be respraying the underside of the actual hood in the next week or two.
