Engine Rebuild Update

A few Quick video updates...

second update 

Just been working on getting the engine put back together and painting it in sections.  I read that judges take off points if the gaskets are painted, not that I plan on entering car show/contest as a serious contender but I do want to go for as much authenticity as possible.  Also if I paint it all together paint will cover my pretty Shiny new Stainless Steel bolt kit!
Hopefully tomorrow morning I can bolt the head to the block and get the pushrods & Rocker arms aligned, install the oil pump, pickup tube & oil pan.  Then I can bolt on the fuel pump, distributor, install spark plugs & wires, flywheel & Bell-housing.  Then all I'll need before mounting the engine back in the car is the tranny rebuild...

Engine Work

I Got the engine hoist all cleaned up (it sat in a rusty environment for years), after sanding and lubing up the hydraulic shaft, I put the entirety of my body weight on the crane to help break the rust free and got it pumping smoothly.   I went to Lowes to pick up a Heavy Duty chain for the hoist I decided to get the strongest one they had.  This chain can lift 3900# and I only paid ~$3/ft.  Then I had to find the Class 8 bolts to mount the chain to the engine block as the original bolts weren't long enough to get through the chain and securely fasten to the engine.  

 I Finally got the engine off of the frame after about 2 hours of crawling under the car, yelling, banging, more crawling, and a little bleeding (gashed my knee crawling out from under her).  There were many things hooked up that aren't easily visible, Shifting Linkage, grounding cable, transmission/driveshaft...

 Here she is hanging free and clear out in the driveway 

There's the big empty hole waiting for me to finish blasting the frame and firewall, within the next week or 2 I'm hoping to get this ready for prime and paint.

Here's Me and my brother getting the engine mounted on the stand.  (for the record that's my pink work shirt, I didn't want him to get his shirt all greasy) 

Here she is without the valve cover, oil pan, transmission & bellhousing.  My Engine expert/buddy Beau Tiffany was helping me take her apart and told me that a lot of the parts look fine/reusable and apparently this engine is all original with the factory copper head gasket still in place.  

 And here are my finished rims next to the finished Valve color, I think the colors look good together!

Stalled due to Inflation!

Sorry I've been dormant so long, between biking to work and other random things...(video games) I haven't had/made a lot of time to work on the '55. The other problem is a lack of fundage... Saving up money to buy a new air compressor while trying to catch up on bills from my "disability pay" period put a huge damper on my spending for the car. I did manage t get a few more parts primed and painted though.
The problem I came across yesterday is how am I to sandblast the front frame without turning my garage into a beach again? Anyway I've had several guys offer to help me yank the engine and rebuild it properly which I have gladly accepted and plan to get together as soon as all parties are free to do so.

Upper control arms after 1st coat

Radiator Support frame

The exhaust/intake manifold next to the Valve cover, I decided the engine is going to be "Chrysler blue" since thats the closest shade I can find to the original in High heat paint, and the Exhaust & all engine accessories will be glossy black (i.e. generator, oil filter holder, fan, pulleys, battery box etc...) I think they look good together.

Here's a pic of the stock engine!

HOODwinked

I managed to get a few things done today...
I got the doors and floorboards totally stripped down to the metal (no upholstry or molding),
the entire driver's side floor pan was rusted out so I ripped it all out.
I got the Hood off and the hinges and springs soaking in the molasses, the battery box and a few other engine parts have been removed. It doesn't sound like much but it tok a long time to do.