Muscle Cars & Hot rods

[953 nut 68,040]

My '47 Dodge with a 350 Chevy V8 had mechanical throttle linkage. Pulling out of a restaurant parking lot I hit the gas pedal, left motor mount broke, engine twisted to the right locking the throttle linkage wide open, I hit the brakes avoiding hitting another car while the rear tires were pouring out smoke. When I turned the key off there were a few people on the sidewalk applauding                  and not a police car in sight.

[Handy Don 17,135]

1 hour ago, 953 nut said:

and not a police car in sight.

Is that a complaint or gratitude? 

[Pullstart 70,969]

For future Google reference.  S10 V8 Hydroboost conversion Astro van Silverado k2500 struggle is real.  

 

They say you can use a Safari or Astro van to convert an S10 to hydroboost.  I figured the one out of my 2000 K2500 parts truck would be just fine.  Not just fine, but doable.  I heavily modified the stock V8 v belt power steering bracket and also heated and manipulated one of the return tubes on the late model reservoir.  The stock brake master cylinder could not be used either, it did not fit the 3/4 ton booster.  We pulled an oil cooler off the wall in the shop, it was literally part of my shop deco.  It’s mounted to the core support and we need cooling hoses hooked up to it.  Otherwise, it’s nearing time to fire it up!
 

 

Rylee has been very involved in this project, can’t you see how much fun @Lil’ Pullstart is having?

 

[Thegearhead0324 1,785]

@Pullstart, that truck reminds me of my 83 S15 I had years ago, also owned an 85 when I was 16. 

[Thegearhead0324 1,785]

These aren’t muscle cars or hot rods, but these are my two girls here. My 79 F100 with original paint, put in a roller 302 and kept the 3 on the tree, and my 95 Chevy that has seen and done quite a lot and is my daily. 

Edited 12 hours ago by Thegearhead0324

[ebinmaine 80,022]

6 hours ago, Thegearhead0324 said:

 3 on the tree

 

I've driven hundreds of vehicles over the years but I don't recall ever driving one. 

Owned a couple that weren't registered and rode in a few. 

Neat throwback. 

[953 nut 68,040]

6 hours ago, Thegearhead0324 said:

3 on the tree

The ultimate theft deterrent device, kids today wouldn't know how to steal it.                  

[Handy Don 17,135]

8 hours ago, Thegearhead0324 said:

 3 on the tree

With six children, our family rides were 9-seater International Travelalls with the three on the tree. Took my drivers test with it and got a compliment from the evaluator at my smooth clutch and shifting work. Failed, though, for making a left turn from the right lane of a one-way street. Learned something new that day!

[Pullstart 70,969]

I needed a bushing for the new brake rod.  The shaft was 7/16” and the hole in the rod was 5/8”.  The old vacuum check valve just needed to be framed out and it’s a perfect fit!

[ebinmaine 80,022]

Use what ya have!!

 

[Thegearhead0324 1,785]

I kept the three on the tree for nostalgia, I actually learned on my dad’s old 79, basically the same, except he had power steering. Mine is manual steering, so I make sure the king pins and all grease points are all greased up, gearbox lubed, and I replaced all bushings and the shifter collar on the column so it shifts nice, doesn’t hang up as I remember my dads used to do. But it’s definitely fun to drive. I’m 38 now, I was around 12-13 years old when I was driving and shifting dad’s old truck. 

Edited 2 hours ago by Thegearhead0324

[Wayne0 1,601]

6 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

 

I've driven hundreds of vehicles over the years but I don't recall ever driving one. 

Owned a couple that weren't registered and rode in a few. 

Neat throwback. 

My first car was a '53 Buick Special, 3 on the tree straight eight. $50 from a junk yard, drove it home.

King pins (J.C.Whitney), muffler and tires is all she needed. Thank God for Chiltons! I think I still have the book.

Edited 2 hours ago by Wayne0

[8ntruck 9,157]

Just before I learned to drive, we had a '63 Fairlane with a 3 in the tree.  My oldest sister learned to drive a stick shift on that car.  Dad was teaching her in late February, with some snow still on the streets.  She did pretty well - until she got on a dry street.  The car made about 3 hops per block until she polished up her clutch skills.

 

In the late 70's I was involved with a SCCA Pro Rallye car.  Our tow vehicle was a GMC van with a very loose 3 in the tree.  A successful 1-2 shift required the lever to go towards reverse before dropping through the neutral gate to go into 2nd.  If you got wrong, you coasted to the side of the road with the clutch in, then climbed under the van to reset the shift levers on the trans.

[953 nut 68,040]

4 hours ago, Handy Don said:

. Took my drivers test with it and got a compliment from the evaluator at my smooth clutch and shifting work.

When I bought my motorcycle in '73 I had to take a road test to get an endorsement on my license for it. The NY DMV required a second vehicle driven by a driver who had the motorcycle endorsement for the evaluator to ride in. A friend who was on unemployment at the time volunteered to drive the evaluator. When I got to his house with my pick-up, motorcycle in the bed, he got in and as we backed out of his drive he said he had never driven a standard shift.          I let him drive to the test area and we unloaded the bike. As the test went on I had to pull to the side a couple of times while he started the truck after stalling it. At the conclusion of the test the DMV guy said I had done fine and turned to my friend and laughed as he said "you I have some doubts about" then shook his hand and said you are a real good sport, you never panicked.