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428 FE in a '57. Cooling Suggestions?

This is a discussion on 428 FE in a '57. Cooling Suggestions? within the Early Birds [1955-1957] forums, part of the Thunderbird Model Years category; no rack, traditional steering linkage. hows your project coming along?...

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  #16 (permalink)   IP: 67.180.143.135
Old 08-13-2010, 02:29 PM
 
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no rack, traditional steering linkage. hows your project coming along?
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Old 08-13-2010, 10:12 PM
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Red face Big Milestone This Week

The motor fired up and ran on a test stand for about 40 min for cam break-in. A few minor issues but no leaks, no smoke, no excess metal in the oil. Sounded strong. Whew! Glad that's behind me.

Brought it home for a final trial fit & shifter test fit. I'm hoping the test drive will be in the next week or so.
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Old 08-14-2010, 02:00 PM
 
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what did you come up with for an air cleaner?
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Old 08-14-2010, 06:02 PM
 
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Im putting mine back together as well, Im hoping to have it ready for a car show next saturday.

new fuel lines

beadblasted intake

painted valve covers

offset power booster/master

new brake lines and adjustable prop valve

repainted block and manifolds


I need to hurry
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  #20 (permalink)   IP: 67.166.14.105
Old 08-15-2010, 06:30 PM
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Cleaned up real nice. Looks great! Good luck with the show.
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Old 08-22-2010, 03:52 AM
 
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zilla, how did the test drive go?
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Old 08-22-2010, 10:04 PM
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No test drive yet. Worked on the shifter & TV cable this weekend. Tried to test the BG Speed Demon Carb I'm going to use on the 'bird but it has an odd 9/16" X 24 tpi inlet thread I couldn't find locally. Ended up ordering from Jeg's but wasted a lot of time trying to find it. This stuff takes me forever.

Did you get out to a show?
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Old 08-23-2010, 03:12 PM
 
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Yeah made the car show on saturday. I was super pleased with the brakes. Had a couple too many degrees of initial in it, but I think I got that straightened out.

I do need to get a smaller tire on the rear now with the battery in the trunk, and my cooler and (just in case) jumper box, I got a lot of tire rub with a passenger and a 3/4 tank of gas. So long to the 295's hopefully 275 will do the trick.

I see that B/G likes to be different. Im lucky I have a lot of auto parts houses around me, and if that fails I get summit stuff overnight with standard ground shipping being only 250 miles from them

Goodguys this weekend for me

Good luck with the fuel.

Lets see some new pics
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Old 11-04-2010, 10:41 PM
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Hope the Third Torque Converter....

...is the charm. The one that came with the PA Street Smart kit was too big, replacement was too small. The replacement for the replacement is supposed to arrive on or about 11/12/10.

Here's a few pics of the project:

The operation getting started.


The new ATTITUDE!


The FE/AOD physically fits...however, the Medium Riser 2X4 didn't make the cut. Going with a BG Speed Demon 850 on an Edelbrock RPM for simplicity and better power.




Modified Aviaid bracket mocked up with external oil pump.




Refinishing the brake fluid damage caused by leaking master cylinder & power brake booster. DOT 3 is a fine paint remover!


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Last edited by birdzilla; 11-04-2010 at 11:18 PM. Reason: Add a picture.
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Old 11-18-2010, 09:16 PM
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The got the 3rd torque converter last week. It fit. Decided I needed to round up a block plate to put between the aluminum adapter bell housing and the block to position the starter. Found a nice one on Ebay, won it and it arrived today. On to the next obstacle.
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  #26 (permalink)   IP: 76.182.236.130
Old 01-09-2011, 09:52 AM
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great idea

good luck sorting things out
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Old 01-09-2011, 11:38 AM
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@ bromhead, Thanks. Haven't been on here for a while. I checked out your Album of the white '55. Very nice! Have you put many miles on the wires? My wife wants our car to have a set but I'm resisting due to the cleaning issues.

I've got the engine and transmission mounted in the car, the carb is linked to the gas pedal & trans, drive shaft is installed, fuel system is completed, and the starter is wired. Mostly wiring left to do.

The aroma of stale premium unleaded emanates from the garage but no exhaust fumes yet.
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Old 03-28-2011, 03:30 AM
 
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good luck sorting things out
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Old 03-30-2011, 09:04 PM
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It's running, with about 200 break-in miles on the setup. I'm busy plugging holes in the radiator support to address air routing issues through the radiator. Just trying to crutch the stock radiator enough to last this cruising season.

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