Got a new project car.

Initially we planed to pull the heads and do a few minor things to it then reassemble and start cruising. However, after we started to take it apart we realized that there were many things going on inside the motor and most of them were wrong.
The cam was worn, over half of the springs in the valve-train were in backwards, most of the rings were shot, etc. Our Mechanic said he was surprised it ran as good as it did. At this point things snowballed (weird, that never happened before with this project...) and we decided to rebuild the entire thing from the ground up.

 

We ordered a complete wire-harness kit from painless for the rig, but it was on back order. So while we waited for it to arrive we decided to paint and detail the engine compartment before sticking the motor back in. We figured with all of the other work that has been done to this rig, it seems fitting to have an engine and engine compartment that matches the rest of it.

I spent the evening painting the engine compartment and our shop foreman Mike fabed a new plate for the aftermarket fuse box.

I used a semi gloss black paint, then we coated it with a aftermarket spray on product that has the same color and sheen, but also has some texture to it.




Here it is in all glory:

 

Since this is my father-in-law's rig and he wanted it done right, we decided to go through the whole thing and and make a few upgrades. This little 260 has had a number of people work on it over the years and things were added at different stages. It had a cam installed, new valve-train, then later we put headers on it, then the 4 barrel intake etc. The guy who rebuilt it does the motor work for a lot of the circle track guys in our area. He does fantastic work. He took everything we had and made it all work together. He did some head work, installed roller rockers and the like to make it all sing in harmony. Here it is all back together and after we reinstalled the transmission.

 

We got the engine in. Hooked up the exhaust, put in the new MSD control box and new fuse pannel and started wiring. We stuck the original radiator in it to get an idea for fitment of the new unit we ordered from Ron Davis. In the following photos you can se it's starting to come together.

 

That little engine sure is purdy !

 

Thanks Cat, it sure is.
It scoots too. I'm not sure what the HP is exactly on the motor now (builder extimated 300+ to the wheels) but since the car is so light, the power to weight ration is awesome.

 

Here are a couple of pics I took over Christmas of the engine bay after installing some new wire loom to hide all of the electrical "stuff"






We're trying to keep it clean and simple under the hood.

 

I had to run an errand for my Father-in-law on Friday, so I took the Ranchito. It's such a fun little run-around rig. It always gets attention. And it sounds so good.

 

Ah, now I understand...I forgot that was a project car. But it's still classed as a truck, and I'm sure if you used it as such, it would impress you.

 

I have actually hauled a few things in the Ranchero. But that's not it's primary function.
My Father-in-law used to haul all manner of things in the back of it.

 

At one time, mine was a DD. Now it's a project-in-waiting, but I can't do anything much on it, as I can't handle doing medium to heavy car work right now. So I try to occasionally drive it, but I fit into my Exploder much better.

 

Gotta wash it if your gonna drive it..





Fortunately I have a little buddy who loves to help.

 

I never got to drive until Dad gave me the car...at the age of 24, after I left the Navy. So as a kid, I hated having to wash the car or Mom's truck. I'd make a few bucks if I did a good job, but still....

 

My boys are too young to drive at this point, Nathaniel can't reach the pedals. But they rarely miss an opportunity to wash a vehicle. I think it's the fact that they get to spray something with water to their hearts content.

 

I never saw it that way. Kids just being kids, I guess.