2012 Project Review

Year End Review

Hmmm...I made progress in 2012 which is a good thing!!!!!

Has my project been well managed in 2012?  No!!!!!

If this was a performance evaluation of me as a project manager I would probably be fired!!!

But I don't really want to dwell on my short comings...my earlier blogs reflect the challenges and my observations...nothing to be gained by going back over it all again....

So what is needed "right now" to get the project back on track?

1. Setting garage time as a priority in 2013
2. Celebrating the successes and building on them to move the project forward
3. Continue to search out inspiration from what ever sources are available
4. Stay positive-do not dwell on the obstacles...
5. Stay energized---

I have the skill sets and the resources...I really need to focus.....




The biggest challenge is setting garage time as a priority...

Oil Filter Head Clean Up

Time in Garage 1.5 hours

Cleaned up my recovered Oil |Filter Head...looks good!!!!!
Spent some time straightening out my work area...

Out into the Shed

Time in the great outdoors: 1 hour

There was a break in our winter weather yesterday (higher temperature) that allowed me to venture outside and sift through my shed for the oil filter head that I had mistakenly thought I didn't need when I bought my spin on filter adapter from Moss Motors. (I didn't read the instructions first-left them in the box until very recently)...I figured the part was in one of the Rubbermaid tubs I have stored. Unfortunately the extraction required the moving of a number of items including my table saw which is heavy and cumbersome....about 45 minutes later I came to the realization the part was not where I anticipated it was!....next step was to move over to my other shed-which is much more accessible but still required the moving off my lawn mower and assorted "stuff" to extract a box of spare parts I had put aside for later sale...the head was there....it is now in my garage awaiting clean up and reinstallation.

I delivered one of my "straightened" spare wheels down to the powder coater for refinishing. I need to change over one of the wheels on the chassis which is not an OEM issue which has slots verses the round holes of the original wheels. The tire will need to be moved over. One of the things on my list of tasks...

My parts are in...with the exception of the shock absorber mounting rubbers which are on back order....

Some activity this week but no "wrench turning" as such...

Water Pump and Head Manifold Port Clean Up

Time in Garage: 2 hours

Removed water pumps from both engines. Not sure of condition of seal on the '59 engine so I intend to utilize the '57 water pump in the reassembly. Cleaned up the head manifold port area-removed the old gasket...spent some additional time cleaning up the block. Put the manifold hold down clamps and studs and bolts into the Eastwood Tumbler...they came out "looking good"....

More Block and Trans Cleaning

Time in garage: 90 minutes

Temporarily installed oil pan and brought the engine upright again. Cleaned the manifold side of the block and the remaining sections of the timing cover and engine mount that I couldn't get at when the engine was on it's side...then back to the transmission for more clean up...I am about 80% finished now...

More Parts Cleaning

Time in Garage: 2 hours

Sprayed brake cleaner on the block areas that I have been working on...the block cleaned up well...sanded the distributor side in prep for painting....went back to the transmission for additional cleaning...There is some kind of black material on the casing...perhaps some type of undercoating or road tar...takes a while to clean off for sure...

Put the oil pan bolts and washers in the Eastwood tumbler and cleaned them up..

I decided to purchase a new oil pump pick up screen-ordered yesterday and added to the existing order..

My wife asked me last night how I was doing out n the garage and was I making progress...I said "well" and I was making progress..I explained briefly what I was doing and that I hoped to have the drive train reinstalled and the chassis ready by the end of February..I figured this would give me the 60 hours I have estimated for the job taking into account Christmas and my winter vacation and the kitchen reno I am assisting my daughter with at the end of January..she looked somewhat skeptical...I am not surprised...

Oil Pan and Engine Clean Up

Time in Garage: 2 1/2 hours

I finished cleaning up the oil pan including a primary sanding of the finish for final painting. Next I turned my attention to the engine block cleaning the distributor side of the block along with the timing cover area. I have decided to remove the water pump for painting and replacement of the gaskets which I ordered yesterday.

I also inspected the fender beads (on Friday) and determined they are pretty ratty for reinstallation so I decided I would take the new ones offered me at a 30% discount from my supplier.

I am still researching the need to solder the oil inlet screen...

Engine Internals

Time in garage: 3 hours

Last week I refocused on my critical path and decided I wanted to get the engine and transmission installed on the chassis to free up room in my garage. First order of business was removing the oil pan again and installing the new oil pump cartridge. After removing the oil pump I realized the pick up screen was broken at the oil inlet point. Checking the Moss catalogue I noticed a new screen was around $38...figuring I could save $38 I pulled the pan off my spare engine to check out the screen ...it was flawed in the same way. A quick e-mail to my supplier indicated the need to solder the screen. My rational self questions the need to fix the problem based on the fact the solder job would need to be correctly or there could be problems with contamination of the oil supply by loose solder...also it would probably be difficult to get the existing screen clean enough to solder properly....given both engines have the same problem and I am putting on an external oil filter conversion kit onto the engine which may filter the oil better than the stock system I may skip the step...more research is required....

It looks like the transmission input seal will need to be replaced....some oil leaked out when I had the transmission sitting on the bell housing when I was cleaning it...probably an indication the seal has dried up in storage...

I have to pick up some new bolts,nuts and lock washers for the new engine mounts...also new washers for the oil pan...oil pan bolts need to go into the Eastwood tumbler for renewing.

I spent about 30 minutes cleaning up the gasket mounting flange and the outside of the oil pan in prep for paint...

Lots of lugging around of engine blocks and some oil spillage to take care of.

A productive time...