Finally got around to picking up the engine from the rebuild shop after it was stored there a very long time.....it is a beautiful thing!!!! Now to restart the debate as to what color it should be painted....or have we all come to terms that gray is the right stock color for the '54???
There are a lot of threads on this subject if I remember, but the link below is a good start to look. http://www.1954advance-design.com/Web images/PPIP/PPIP-1912-1966-EngineColors.html https://talk.classicparts.com/showthread.php?p=93937&highlight=engine+color#post93937
I was just kidding....... Charles, I plan on painting the engine gray. I was just joking about starting the debate about the color. I have read the many comments about what color the engine should be and I really like how the gray looks. Now the real question is, what should I wipe the engine down with prior to painting it to remove all oil, dirt, etc so I get the best bond possible with the paint???? Steve
cool Steve cool that you picked up your engine today hope you pass on the shops address and phone number for future work and share what the shop did for you. if you want to paint your engine gray you can get rattle can engine paint at pep boys called ford gray its real close to the chevy gray at 1/2 the cost i used 2 cans good coats.
I should have mentioned that..... I used the following shop: Eddings Engine Rebuilding Inc. 615 Fifth Street, San Fernando, CA 91340 (818) 361-0118 www.eddingsengine.com I had actually looked at 2 other shops which were recommended or highly rated (even dropped the engine off with them) but in the end they seemed to struggle with it and one of them doubled the price for the complete rebuild. When I went to Eddings it was nice to see that they actually had 2 other 235's in line to be rebuilt. I showed up unannounced so they couldn't have been planted there. They finished it in a timely manner and really have stored it there for the last year (maybe 2) since I was not ready to pick it up. As far as the work they did they did a complete rebuild. It has been a while but I had them do the following and there is probably some stuff I have forgotten: 1. Change from a 235 to a 261 2. New pistons 3. New lifters 4. New values 5. All corresponding boring And I know there are other things I am just not thinking of. I mostly wanted to just keep it stock with the exception of the change from the 235 to the 261 which still looks stock on the outside
Eddings did my engine and she is a fine machine. The owners and staff (family owned and operated) answer all my questions I have about things going on with the motor even years after they did the rebuild and install. Absolutely a great bunch of folks to deal with.
Charles - Thanks!!! Charles - I think I may have gone there based on your recommendation IIRC. It has been a while so I can't remember but I think it must have been through this forum because there are probably 20 or more rebuild shops between my house and their shop, so there had to be a reason I went specifically there. I worked with the son mostly (Eli) but when I picked up the engine Saturday it was the owner and Dad (Gerry) that helped me load it. Extremely helpful and even was able to give me the name of a rear end shop that I could check out.
Steve, Thanks I remember that and was wondering about how the build went about 3 wks. ago when I was in AZ. Changing my tags over to Historic Vehicle with the copper colored plates. Which I had of thought of having the engine build like you did but as she is, it runs so nice. Even when I was having the oil leaks Gerry was correct on what it could be, side cover in need of tightening the stovebolts. I just never seen any oil in that area until I was washing off the mess from the oil line break. Glad to hear you are making progress getting the truck back on the road.
Russ - now you have me a little worried.... Russ - The front of my engine where the mount goes looks the same as it does when it had the 235 cam. Same holes for the front mount (except a lot cleaner). Is there something I am missing or was something done incorrectly? I didn't watch them do it but I am pretty sure they put in a 261 cam. Pics attached.
Then you are good to go! Many of the other engines had mid block mounts, but can be modified to use the front mounts.
Russ - you can't do this to me.... Russ - as a newbie to this whole restoration thing you can't get me worried like that
Fresh Engine I use engine starting fluid on Foo-Foo cans , it's Ether and leaves zero residue . I use Rustoleum grey pant and no primer . The basic difference between the 235 & 261 engines is : Bore , different connecting rods (big diff here) , cam , aluminum cam gear , steam holes drilled between the head and block , different cylinder head with reduced compression via re designed combustion chambers . IIRC they use a different crankshaft too .
Nate - you like those rattle cans.... Thanks for the tip on the starting fluid. I will give it a try.
