[elky] Re: 1953 Chevy engine compartment
- From: John Christensen <johncgg@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: elky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 3 Dec 2010 04:41:12 -0600
I have been hanging back.... It's cool, but is the Monte even Running? I
don't know what the budget is, but I have to prioritize EVERYTHING in my
life. I have so many tasks undone, that I can never finish them in the time
allowed..... 24 hours in a day.
(That is why I get up between 3 and 4 in the morning every day, besides,
thinking of all the tasks will not let me sleep)
Therefore, only the things that have a purpose are even looked at. On
occasion, I will refinish a drum. That took 9 or 10 months, and I haven't
done that since 1983. That's because of it's priority status. Now it's done,
and I have picked my next frivolous act. It is planning a trip to Utah, and
that's going to take 9 or 10 months too, in between everything else.
Keeping my Monte on the road has been no small project, and although it
included pulling the engine and putting it back in, then the trans, it
didn't remotely resemble what you are talking about. You are retired though
<grin> and have unlimited disposable income ;) My thoughts on the Chevy?
Follow your heart, but don't spread your resources so thin that nothing your
stable is operational. If the Burb came up to bite you in the ass, you would
be a hurtin' unit.
My thoughts for a retirement vehicle I have already shared ... a 57 Nomad
with a modern power train and suspension that pulls a teardrop for traveling
around the country. Will I take 10 years to build it, and take up the space
in the garage along with 2 other cars that may or may not be operational at
any given time? Probably not. My wife wouldn't approve, but she would let
me. Common sense would prevail, mostly because it is tied to my pocket book.
It is hard to be really stupid when you have no money. I would really like
to figure out what I will be able to sell in 10 years to be able to afford
something like this though.
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/cto/2091608450.html
It has been on Craig's list for a year. My guess is the guy will not budge
on the price. He probably has 15 grand more than that in it. Sure would save
a lot of work that my back just won't take any more.
Speaking of which, I am glad you are healthy. Happy as hell in fact. I would
worry about you under this puppy for days/weeks/months on end. Just being
honest.
Your Monte is small potatoes in comparison. Consider the same amount of
energy invested in the 53 put towards the Monte: it would have full aero
package, roll cage, 4 link rear, twin turbo, Intercooler, top chopped 4",
Frenched everything on the body work, HID headlights, satellite data link
upload, automatic rear wing deployment over 200 mph, and it would still fit
in the garage without the neighborhood being any the wiser. Get the 53 and I
personally would be trying to start the Monte for the first time about
September 4, 2011.
Not trying to sound selfish... hell, I love the look of this thing. I just
know it's beyond my personal resources.
Not trying to dash your dreams.... will it do 130 on the Salt when you are
done? (just getting to the salt is on my bucket list, and I have a feeling
130 is on yours)
Damn, Rufus was a cool project, and I know you like 'em. If the 53 will get
your mojo workin' then *go for it*. You got me lookin' at every rat rod I
see wondering how I could justify another project. So there. I am just as
indecisive as you about it.
The Monte is my rat rod for now. Rustoleum on the rust spots, faded black
paint with fizz can touch up, hail damage, leaky sunroof, and all.
I will be a live mannequin in the window at the store tonight till about 8
PM. I'll be sitting there carving wax models at the bench I built a platform
for out of old water bed frames. It is part of Christmas Walk in Geneva, IL.
http://www.genevachamber.com/christmaswalk.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I6mBu1kA04
The tail end of the video has some of the people in the windows from last
year. The first time they did this.
I am rambling, and I gotta get some CAD done.
Peace,
JC
On Thu, Dec 2, 2010 at 9:03 PM, Ray Buck <rbuck@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>
> Well, it looks just like what you'd see in a car that sat for 44 years.
> I've seen better, I've seen worse.
>
> Here's what I'd probably do if I got it...as opposed to the original idea:
>
> Replace floor pans and trunk pan.
> Yank motor, trans and rear end.
> Install 292 I6 with Saginaw 4-speed (or Muncie, if one presented itself)
> and later-model rear end to get rid of torque-tube driveshaft.
> Rewire completely with Painless harness, convert to 12 volt.
> Rebuild front suspension and steering.
> Use seats from some junkyard donor, cover with Mexican blankets.
> Hell, I spose I could put it on a donor frame (see below....wheelbase
> should be the same as the Poncho.)
>
> Question is, do I wanna do all that? The sensible thing would be to make
> sure the race car can race before doing anything else. Did I just say
> sensible? Hush mah mouff.
>
> Department of Irony department: My oldest son ALMOST bought a Nissan 350ZX
> Touring today. It was outta site...and it went for $5k less than he was
> willing to pay for it. We talked for quite a while about it...he's already
> decided to buy a "sporty car." It had to be a quick decision cuz it was an
> eBay auction and it ended just a few minutes ago. With about 6 hours to go,
> he decided not to pull the trigger and didn't bid. I was under the
> mistaken impression that he'd driven one (and driven the other cars on his
> "possibles" list) and he hadn't. So I don't even know if he'd like it. He
> probably made a wise decision, even though the car was/is very kool:
> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200547694279
>
> Should I take a lesson from what he did? If I'm honest with myself, I have
> to say that 1953 is NOT my favorite year of Chevy. I prefer 49-52 far
> more...and even the 54 over the 53. The 51 Pontiac with the OHC motor is
> more appealing. Btw, it has a 120" wheelbase, close to a 65-70 Caprice at
> 119 or 71-76 Caprice at 121. Interesting concept. But a big project.
>
> I must be jonesin (flattery intended, JC) for the days of
> rebuilding/restifying cars like the orange Camaro and the Coyote Nova
> (+++++~~~~~ for its roof transplant.) I guess I just otta get out and
> install some heating and insulation in the garage (since I have a small cash
> influx from the sale of posters) and start thrashin on the Monte Carlo.
>
> I'll sleep on it.
>
> r
>
>
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