Thread: Self isolation gun projects

I finally got all the rust, tar and mud encrusted fasteners undone (only had to cut two) and have got all the sheet metal off back to the fire wall. I water blasted the parts and only have to do tiny rust repairs on the guards, but they total only about 4 square inches so no big deal. Next job is to disconnect the old motor and gearbox and lift them out, then I start looking at new engine and gearbox mounts, fire wall mods, etc.

Originally Posted by gundoc

I finally got all the rust, tar and mud encrusted fasteners undone (only had to cut two) and have got all the sheet metal off back to the fire wall. I water blasted the parts and only have to do tiny rust repairs on the guards, but they total only about 4 square inches so no big deal. Next job is to disconnect the old motor and gearbox and lift them out, then I start looking at new engine and gearbox mounts, fire wall mods, etc.
Attachment 135192

i know of a chev 427 going spare very soon. was bought by a mate to build his truck but now going off to 527 twin turbo (he is a nutter )

@gundoc, are you keeping the ‘lucky dip’ motor etc or is it going to be ‘modernised’?

No, the entire original engine and drivetrain is being replaced with a '72 Chevy Nova 250 cid 6 cylinder (rebuilt to about 250 hp), TH350 3 speed auto, and a 8.5" Chevy 10 bolt rear end, power brakes, disc front. It will have wider 15" wheels that retain the original appearance, and be lowered a couple of inches but still look like a standard Fleetmaster. In short, a wolf in sheep's clothing! Have a look at the pictures on page 7 of this thread.

Should be a doddle with the guard's off like that. Even my galaxie didn't have as much room in the engine you'd think it would.
there certainly wouldn't be much room left over from a 460. Putting heads back on was a mission. leaning over the guard with 50kg of cast iron almost at arms reach with out buggering a gasket. hate to say I wasn't too bad at it

Originally Posted by csmiffy

Should be a doddle with the guard's off like that. Even my galaxie didn't have as much room in the engine you'd think it would.
there certainly wouldn't be much room left over from a 460. Putting heads back on was a mission. leaning over the guard with 50kg of cast iron almost at arms reach with out buggering a gasket. hate to say I wasn't too bad at it

Same deal installing a cast iron 390 intake manifold while the motor is in the car.

Thanks gundoc - sort of thing I’d do myself if I had such a car.

Got a later 30’s Ford coupe that had already been rodded in the past - so I’m rodding it even more, it won’t be a sleeper.
I’d be working on it now but (a) too many other projects and (b) none of the businesses I need stuff from are open.

Keep us posted

Originally Posted by Finnwolf

Thanks gundoc - sort of thing I’d do myself if I had such a car.

Got a later 30’s Ford coupe that had already been rodded in the past - so I’m rodding it even more, it won’t be a sleeper.
I’d be working on it now but (a) too many other projects and (b) none of the businesses I need stuff from are open.

Keep us posted

I hate to say it now but back in '60s we used to buy old pre-war V8 coupes on a Saturday, strip out the glass, bar them up, then race them at the Prebbleton Car Scrambles the following day. They would usually last for a few weeks but never more than one season. Stock car racing at its finest!

An old family friend was a mechanic and used to work at the local forestry camp in the late 60's early 70s.
He told me one day that every year when the recruits graduated/left for next role, there would be a bunch of old ford coupes and similar left in varying states of repair at the camp along with all the bits they used to keep them going. generally used as quick trip to the pub and shooting hacks.
Cant remember the engine specifics but suggest straight 6's and 8's?
Anyhoo they would take them all a couple of k's up the road and using the forestry excavator put them in an old dredge pond just off the road and squash them down with the bucket.
Would've been a few cars in that one.
@Finnwolf yup I was happy when I put an alloy one on mine. First time I took it off it was a bitch. Heavy as and stuck down with silicon.
Lucky it was on there as I had to take the heads one of the heads off straight after the break in run. A head gasket failed straight away. that was a fuck off I can tell you.

First crack at bedding finished.There's a number of things I'll do differently next time but it's all back together and goes click. Cant wait till lockdowns over to see if it's made any difference.

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Started another gun restoration project today

Any guesses and tentman and scout can't play this game

Originally Posted by akaroa1

Started another gun restoration project today

Any guesses and tentman and scout can't play this game
Attachment 135311

Ha - you scored it eh?

Originally Posted by Tentman

Ha - you scored it eh?

Yes very enjoyable afternoon in the workshop despite it being fine
Needed a break anyway

Pretty ugly inside
Took a long time to get this apart

That looks like a nice TD you have there Akaroa1, you will be making some thing cool of of that I reckon !