1959 Chevy Kingswood project

And we certainly appreciate and enjoy the results of your nuttiness!

 

A few updates. The guys have gone over the weld seams with a bonding agent, and are primering the pans and removing the old undercoating. Several areas have been patched, with more to go.













Newly-fabricated inner rocker panel. This was the piece were were unable to source.




In other news, the engine guy, Larry, got back with me about the particulars for his portion of the project - the brakes, engine, transmission, a/c, suspension... he recommends the body be removed from the frame to give him better access, and also to be sure the frame is sound.

Here is a link to the motor and goodies that come with it:

http://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Performance/809/19210008K/10002/-1

Bits of my notes scribbled down as we talked things over:

- 700R4 Transmission w/ chrome oil pan
- Heavy-duty coil spring suspension, rear will have air shocks with adjustable valve for towing
- Chrome headers will wrap around block for a clean look
- new exhaust
- Electronic ignition
- Radiator - two electric fans
- larger alternator for more amperage; chrome bracket

And -- I am going to get power steering after all. You guys helped talk me into it. With everything else we're doing, we might as well. I don't think I'll regret it, and the extra cost is minor.

Plus: two year warranty on engine and transmission, and Larry will personally repair, free of charge, any problems and make any adjustments needed in the first year of driving.

Now, I just have to write a little check (actually, not little!) and he'll get things going. Hopefully by next week!

 

careful with the dual fans , they caused my car to overheat , after spending about $400 to swap from mechanical to electric i'm back to mechanical

 

Why did this happen? Did the fans malfunction, or did they not move enough air to properly cool the engine? Why did you decide to install them in the first place? I've got a lot to learn, and it seems there is a lot of debate in the car community over which kind is better.

 

Well, I'm late to the party here, but great work on an interesting project.

To jump in on the Fan question, I'm a big fan (pun intended) of stock, original fans. In my opinion the factory knew what they were doing when they engineered them. I like using original type Clutch Fans.

Bill

 

Thanks for your input, Bill. Welcome to the thread.

I guess the original fan will be going away with the original engine... in our mechanic's opinion, dual electric fans are his preference for the high-performance engine we'll be using. I would enjoy hearing everyone's points of view... always something new to learn.

 

Lisa, you are going to keep hearing this from us.........these guys you found to work on your wagon are unbelievable! The progress is unbelieveable!!!!!! the work is good!!! it's well documented!!!!Good for you, girl!
Fans............I like electric fans, even though I had one fail and wind up costing me an engine. No way would your 6 cyl fan work..........and I think the dual fan set-up will work just fine. That's my 2 cents worth, you'll see both sides of the discussion soon, I'm sure.
I had to look back at your engine choice. This engine will be just fine in your cruiser wagon, and you'll be happy with it. That 260 horse engine is not, by any means, a high performance engine. It'll behave all day on 87 octane gas, run smoothly, and be just fine. High performance, though, no way.
I'm loving your progress, I hope the 56 Chevy I've been working on for 7 years is running before your wagon..........we'll see.

 

the dual fans caused too much turbulence on the highway. everything was fine on the street . the car would run great till you jumped on the highway and you could watch the needle climb and climb. everyone told me how much smoother it would run, better gas mileage,yadda ,yadda,yadda. i put a new mechanical clutch fan,spacer and shroud and the car never overheats again. the electric fans were tried with a simple on and off switch, and a dakota digital thermostatic control. get a new fan blade, fan clutch and shroud and the car will run fine. the engine your getting isn't really a high performance engine but it is a good reliable medium horsepower engine. plus those electric fans make too much noise for an old car

 

Just to make it a little more clear, I wouldn't use the original 4-Blade 6-Cylinder type Fan either, but a newer 327 or 409 Clutch Fan. I would have to count one to be sure, but I believe they have 6 or 7 Blades.

But, in all fairness to the mechanic, Electric Fans seem to be somewhat popular out there.

Bill

 

Good point to mention the Shroud. The original 6 did not have one, but all the V-8's did in '59.

Bill

 

Okay, at the risk of sounding really ignorant, I think our mechanic said these fans will have shrouds... though I don't really know what those are, or why they're important. What do they do?

As for the engine - I apologize for posting several different engines and saying, "This is the one!" because our mechanic came up with a better option after he'd researched different packages and had determined which would be best for our needs. He plans to purchase the engine package in the link I posted. Let me try to post a picture of it, along with the specs. It is being called a "performance" engine, and it's 330HP:

Chevrolet Performance 19210008K - Chevrolet Performance 350ci/330HP HO Deluxe Engine Details

350ci/330HP HO Deluxe

Kit Contains: Chevrolet Performace 350ci HO Deluxe Engine - 809-19210008
JEGS Black Cast Iron High-Flow Water Pump - 555-51033
JEGS Mechanical Fuel Pump 80 GPH - 555-15950
JEGS Fuel Pump Pushrod - 555-15930
JEGS Mini Starter 153/168-Tooth - 555-10090 Engine Specifications:
330 HP @ 5000 RPM
380 ft/lbs torque @ 3800 RPM (Maximum Recommended RPM: 5500)
9.1:1 Compression Ratio
Cast Iron 4-Bolt Block with One-Piece Rear Main Seal
Nodular Cast Iron Crankshaft
Cast Aluminum Pistons
PM Steel Connecting Rods
Cast Iron Vortec 64cc Cylinder Heads (1.94'' Int/1.50" Exh valves)
Dual Pattern Cam (Lift: .435'' Int/.460'' Exh, Duration @ .050": 212° Int/222° Exh)
1.5 Ratio Rocker Arms
Recommended Spark Plug: Accel #111-516 or any spark plug with 14mm, .708'' reach, 5/8'' hex, tapered seat, projected tip Engine Replacement Parts:
Block - 809-10105123
Crankshaft - 809-14088526
Connecting Rods - 809-10108688
Pistons - 809-12514101
Camshaft - 809-24502476
Cylinder Heads - 809-12558060
Intake Valves: 1.940''
Exhaust Valves: 1.500''
Rocker Arms: p/n 809-10089648 Stamped Steel 1.5:1 ratio
Spark Plugs: R44TS
This block is drilled and tapped for clutch linkage.
​

 

I like that choice..........and still runs on 87 octane...........you're gonna have a lot of fun with that engine, and car........

 

i could have just sold you that exact engine a few months ago as that is what i removed from my wagon . it wont be a drag racer but it will move you down the road and you should get about 17-18 mpg on the highway. Think of the shroud as a funnel to direct air into the radiator and across the fan. originally i think even the v8's had a 4 blade fan but once you added a/c it goes up to usually a 7 blade fan with a clutch

 

Why did you remove it? Glad to hear about the mileage, too. That's good news.

 

Right, a Shroud in a '59 (and up to '64) is an all Metal, Round "Container" that is about 7 or 8 Inches Wide. It's mounted on the engine side of the Radiator and the Fan goes right up to it, and actually a little inside of it. It is designed to keep the air contained and "Funnels" it to the Radiator as 59 wagon man has mentioned.

Bill