Journal Entries
Condition of the '51 Chevy
Posted Sep 25, 1999
I bought the '51 Chevy last weekend. Man, I think I'm in over my head. The floorboard in front of the driver's seat is suffering from the Flinstones. The undersides of the front doors are rusting. The interior is pretty much rotten. The left rear fender is bent and I've found some bondo around the taillight. It has three bias-ply tires and one radial, which is flat. I can't re-use the rear axle. I can't re-use the ventilation system. There's no seatbelts. I'm not sure if I can re-use the throttle linkage. I'll have to change the transmission linkage. The brakes are in serious need of repair. I have to convert the car to a 12 volt system, it's currently 6 volts. The window cranks mostly don't work. The door panels are shot. The bakelite trim is cracking.
Now the pluses:
The body is in good shape overall, just needs sanding, primering, and painting. All the chrome is present and only one piece is rusty. The wheels are all fifteen inch and I have five hubcaps. I have three spare 6 volt generators I can sell. I can sell the engine and rare Powerglide transmission. All the glass is intact, some of it custom etched. I have parts from the Caddy that I can swap over. I have a '94 Nissan 300ZX wiring harness that I can rob stuff from for the re-wiring job and wiring is my specialty. The Cad motor is going together smoothly. I already have the '51 parked at the shop and that's okay with my boss... for now.
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Latest reply: Sep 25, 1999
Cad Motors and '51s
Posted Sep 16, 1999
I can't wait to finish this project! It's been over a year already and I'm just getting all the parts together. I bought a '76 Cadillac Sedan DeVille with a 500 cubic inch engine. It's the largest mass-produced engine ever put in a car. I bought parts from Maximum Torque Specialties (excellent people). I got an Edelbrock Performer Intake that's about eighty pounds lighter than the stock piece. I'll re-use the stock Quadrajet carburetor (it's good for 725 CFM). I got the biggest cam that can fit in the engine without heavy modification of the valvetrain geometry. I got a new shaft rocker setup good for 5000 rpm, which is really cranking for a 500 Cad. I got all-new hardware for the cylinder heads. The bottom end of the motor is about bulletproof under 5200 rpm, and currently in excellent condition - even after 115,000 miles. I got grade-nine bolts for the bottom end, ARP rod bolts, and a stainless steel bolt kit for everything else.
The motor is at the machine shop right now. They measured everything on the bottom end about four times then expressed shock at the good condition of everything. They are assembling the long-block since the shaft rocker system requires machining. They are also giving the heads a three-angle valve job. There is no cylinder wear so there is no need for boring the motor out.
This weekend I am driving about 150 miles to a friend's house to buy his '51 Chevy 4-door deluxe sedan. It's in fair condition: driveable but the brakes aren't so good and the powerglide transmission is acting up. The body is straight but the paint is peeling. Most of the chrome is in place, the interior is rough, but most everything else is fine.
The Cad motor will fit fine in the '51. I already have the motor mount adapters and an Eldorado oil pan and sump ready to make the swap easier. I will re-use the stock TH400 transmission out of the Caddy, maybe with a mild rebuild. I am still unsure about what headers I will use (I have Caddy flanges ready to weld onto big-block Chevy headers), what rear-end I will use (it'll probably need limited-slip), and what stuff I can swap over from the Caddy (AC, power steering, power brakes, 12 volt wiring?) It certainly promises to be fun building!
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Latest reply: Sep 16, 1999
Midtown Moronathon
Posted Sep 16, 1999
Lately I've had the displeasure of sharing the road with too many drivers trying too hard to get somewhere else too quickly. I always see them stressing out trying to get ahead. They could use some advice.
Invest in a good CD player, decent speakers, and some soothing CDs. A little John Lee Hooker, Pink Floyd, George Thorogood, Rush, and Lynard Skynard to name a few. Relax and listen to the music. It is possible to keep a sharp eye out and still relax.
If you try Pink Floyd you might want to avoid 'The Division Bell': the music's great for falling asleep. I personally find George Thorogood perfect for driving. Exciting enough to keep me awake, humorous enough to keep me interested, but laid back enough to keep my blood pressure down. The Wall is a bit too psychedelic unless you're stoned, in which case you shouldn't be driving anyway. I like the classic blues of Mr. Hooker, but after about half an hour I'm ready for Megadeth or Tool - both of which are somewhat harsher than necessary for driving. I've been listening to a lot of KMFDM lately, very interesting music, but not fit for behind the wheel because of the 'ultra heavy beat'. It just sounds really cool in my RX-7.
Kick back a bit but don't fall asleep or lose attention. Quit trying to pass every car in front of you. If you want to compete, go to the go-kart track. This is driving, just get there in one piece.
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Latest reply: Sep 16, 1999
Pit Bull On Crack
Posted Sep 14, 1999
Pit Bull On Crack
aka Pit Bull And Crank
Recipe #1
1 oz Jagermeister
1 oz Rumpleminze
1 oz Tequila (Jose Cuervo Gold)
Recipe #2
1 part Tequila , Jose Cuervo gold
1 part Jagermeister
1 part Jim Beam
1 part Bacardi 151 proof rum
Recipe #3
1 Part Rum, 151-Proof
1 Part Tequila
1 Part Jagermeister
1 Part Seagrams 7
1 Part Peppermint Schnapps
Note that all three recipes are centered on Jagermeister and Tequila. Think hard, 'Do I really want to combine these two rightfully notorious liquors into something I'm going to ingest?' Also note that the last two also include 151. Wise? I think not, but having seen its effects, I don't think the people interested care much about the wisdom of it.
Final note - It's not wise to ask the bartender for a double of one of these. He might realize that you don't know your limits and cut you off all alcohol for the rest of the night.
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Latest reply: Sep 14, 1999
Flyboy
Researcher U85702
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