GreenBird:



Yep, we've got the blow by or road tube on this engine. To be exact, the leak I am worried about looks to be hitting the floor right where it would run down from a rear seal. Sunday I am planning on getting in a few hours on The Bird. Will be the first thing I crawl under and check out.



Other thing I thought of today. All the trim pieces were removed and holes were filled. I think I can locate the script on the quarters through the trunk. Hash marks, maybe can see up behind the fender in the wheelhouse. However, is there something online or does anyone have a manual (body repair maybe) for The Birds? I swore there were manuals that had drawings and dimensions as to where emblems and stuff was mounted.



One more thing that needs to be done is exhaust. It does have headpipes and mufflers on it. Need from mufflers on back. Would you guys suggest purchasing online? Have talked to some E-Bay sellers that do the 55-57 exhaust and they shot me a fair price. Also thought about hitting one of the local exhaust shops but fear they won't be too very excited to build exhaust for an Old Bird .

you may be able to sneak up on the front fender emblem locations by checking with your hands and a flashlight. I bet you can see the the location if you check.



I've both ordered original pipes and had a local shop do the repair and or bend new ones. The shop did fine, muffler work is one of those things I prefer to job out. The older I get the longer that list is getting

       A  L  A  N   F  R  A  K  E  S   ~  Tulsa, OK    

Greetings.



Update. As of 5.16.12 at 10pm...........the little y-block is alive. New tank is in and decided to redo the fuel lines to work with the backwards fuel pump! Silly engine has been sitting for 43 years and fired right up and purrs perfectly. Sounds very good for a small displacement engine, responsive, quiet valvetrain, no smoking, etc. It actually likes the new Holley and all vacuum items are working such as vacuum advance and the brake booster so that was a relief. We'll actually tune it this weekend, timing light and all that good stuff. Turns out, Dad remembers NOW that he never actually drove it with this engine so it's brand new! Anyway, planning on a marathon this weekend and finish up engine and driveline related stuff. Straighten up the engine bay wiring, etc. etc. and be done hopefully with that part of the project.



Next will be ordering and getting the exhaust together, LOTS of weatherstrip replacement and the oh so fun job of sorting out electrical stuff under the dash and part of the engine bay. Which leads me to this question........ WHERE is the flasher "can" for the turn signals???? None of our manuals tell me anything. Also noted, the leak I feared was the rear crank seal has seemed to quit now that the engine has run! Praying it stays dry, or dry enough to not worry about right now. Tonite gonna try to sit down and make the HUGE shopping list for the final run of parts ordering for now. This would be exhaust, weatherstrip/gaskets, carpet, kick panels, p/s rebuild kit, new "hash" pieces and hardware, hubcaps and some other odds and ends. Gonna be an expensive order I am thinking! Other fun part I am dreading is the wiper system! Not quite sure how it all works and certainly cannot afford the electric conversion package for the wipers right now. Some of the vacuum pieces are left under the dash for the wipers and I believe one of our manuals shows how it all goes together and is to work.



Saturday will be a shake down run up and down the street a few times. Get it warmed up and legs stretched then dump the oil and get fresh stuff in it and add the spin on filter adapter. Once we're satisfied with it's running and driving, off to electrical fun under the dash. Dad is rebuilding the door hinges (star wheel portion) with new bushings and other custom pieces. Wife and I will tackle electrical while Dad is getting door parts ready to go back together. Also have some floor tunnel pieces to fab up. Dad (gasp) hacked the tunnel years ago to make access shift linkage on the 4 speed easier. Well, now he is freakin out and wants to redo it all so it's factory looking. That's his project, I don't even know where to start there to make a new tunnel cover! Also have to make some custom pieces to secure the battery safely. Went with a group 56 like I've read online (Gil's garage) suggested. Not too pleased with how it fits but with the right parts, it'll be ok.



Anywho, if I get the green light to order parts......will do that this evening which would get them hear middle of next week. Then we've got the holiday weekend to play. Then once it's pretty much complete, have to get it inspected and Pray it passes. Then, appraised in order to get insurance, then we can get plates on it and it'll be legal!!! LOTS to do and not much time to do so. I may have to get me some happy pills to keep me leveled out



I apologize for lack of getting pics or anything up for you guys. I really need to sit down and put some together and get them posted. Wife shot a 30 sec video of the engine firing up for the first time as well as me messing around seeing if the horns work. They DO and MAN are they loud! . We plan without a doubt to drive it this weekend. We have a long dead end street so we can safely putt around and check everything out like brakes, trans, clutch adjustment, steering, etc. etc. Wife will be shooting video you can count on that .

Ah, one other thing. How is the majority of the weatherstripping attached? Adhesive? Haven't pulled any off yet so didn't know. Trunk appears to be "glued" in place. Am sure someone can shed some light on the subject.

Should be glued in place. You are having too much fun, congrats

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

You must be pinching yourself! 43 years and it fires right up.Cant keep a Y-Block down!

  

Dunno who was more excited when the engine fired. Me, my Dad or my wife that jumped about a foot off the ground! Was SO cool to hear fire off within a half a revolution after all these years.



Oh yippee, glued in place weatherstripping. Gonna need lots O tubes of monkey snot I guess. You guys use 3M yellow weatherstrip adhesive?



Flasher.............where might it be in a 55 Bird?? Turn signals no worky, found new flasher laying in the trunk. Pretty sure it doesn't go back there . Guessing it would be somewhere under the dash kinda hanging under there or clipped maybe?

If it's like the car it's on the back of the dashboard.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Red

Sounds like your having a ball.....I use the 3M-yellow adhesive, works good and is available about anywhere. Isn't it great to have the spouse involved..it makes it much easier working on the cars...and a bonus with your dad. Keep up the good work, sounds like it'll be ready before you know it. Jim

Location:Washington,Ia

Yes back of the dash is a clip next to the steering column, pass side, ((maybe) could be the other side I'd have to look again.

IF you have all you claim to do under that dash with wiring and tunnel and such-Here's what I recommend. It is a WAY easier on you to pull the seat out and do your work under the dash! Makes it super easy compared to with the seat in. It may not seem like it but, it's worth it to pull out the seat first. Your neck and back will thank you for it, besides you got to do the tunnel right?

Still need those pics!

       A  L  A  N   F  R  A  K  E  S   ~  Tulsa, OK