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Restoring 1970's California T-bucket with Tube Frame

Hack said:
Looks awesome so far, can't wait to see some more progress!
Click to expand...
Thanks Hack, It is going to look the same as the pictures but with a completely rebuilt motor and a new higher stall convertor. The new motor is sitting next to the car along with the hoist. The convertor comes in Friday so I guess I am running out of excuses to not get back into the shop!
 
The convertor doesn't fit the flex plate, now I have another excuse to do nothing for a few days! I am assuming that they gave me a 350 convertor. Does anyone know if there is a difference in the flex plate convertor bolt pattern between the 400 and the 350? Like I said in the beginning, I am a Ford Guy.
 
Flatsman, we'll be coming up for the show next month in Tampa, do you know of any decent hotels around the area? Would like to see your ride, will you and your ride be there?
Mike J.
 
Hey Mike, I am leaving Florida on the 29th of Sept on a long trip and will not be back until around Nov 6th. I am missing Street Rod Nationals this year for the first time in a long while. Sorry I won't be around to visit with you Guys. There are some hotels right around the Fair Grounds that are pretty reasonable. The Hard Rock is nice with covered parking but pricey. As of today the motor is in the car and the new flex plate and convertor went in real smooth. I took a couple of pictures and I will put them up later.
 
HenrysT said:
What size motor do you have? I don't think you can interchange a 350" flex plate (internal balanced) with a 400" (external balanced) flex plate.
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/performance_parts/store/catalog/Category.jhtmlCATID=913.html
Click to expand...
Wow! Lot of info there. I have a turbo 400 with an external ballanced turbo 400 flex plate that has two different torque convertor patterns. One for the larger torque convertor bolt pattern but it will also fit the smaller pattern. I don't believe the other flex plate was for a turbo 350 after doing some research.
 
Your talking TURBO 350 and TURBO 400, I'm saying 350 CID MOTOR which is internally balanced vs. a 400 CID MOTOR which is externally balanced and has added and/or lack of weight(s) on the flex plate and harmonic balancer. The trans. (turbo 350's and 400's) are not "internally" OR" externally" balanced.
 
I didn't get much done this week but the motor is back in and the radiator is back on with the new electric fan installed.
DSC02833.JPG
 
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The fan wiring turned out real clean. I ended up cutting and shortning some wires and lengthening others but it looks real nice coming off the relay. I will get some pictures of that part. The fan will turn on with a thermostadt or I can manually turn it on with a switch that I still have to buy yet. I am looking for a push button on and off instead of a toggle, preferably brass! I am planing to reinstall the intake with the carbs tomorrow. I am still looking for a small tranny cooler that I can put up front, not that it needs it. Has anyone tried a powersteering cooler on their T-buckets?
 
I am using this style cooler on mine...............And with my Derale cooler pan it wont get hot even with my 3500 stall converter.

images

MOR-41200_ml.jpg
 
I just put a new chrome pan on the motor but I was considering using a cooler like the one you pictured. That does look like a real nice combo. I think I will start looking at the power steering coolers and see If I can find one that look right. If not, I will go with the one in your picture. I have room for that.
 
I don't have a cooler on my coupe!!:eek: Let me explain...

Many years ago, some 4 and 6 cylinder Chevy Novas (1962-'64) had Powerglide transmissions with no cooler. When I was building my first C-Cab (1975-'76) I asked a transmission specialist that I knew how they could do that and here's what I was told: The Nova was a lightweight car and didn't really put a lot of strain on the transmission or the fluid inside, so it wasn't a problem. I then asked, "What would happen if I run my Turbo 350 without a cooler?" and he told me, "Nothing as long as you watch the fluid and change it when it starts to discolor. You will probably have to change it twice as often as normal." He also added that if I was going to do any drag racing on a regular basis that I should definitely run a cooler, but for normal street driving it's optional. So.., I take a 60 inch piece of 3/8" steel line and coil it around a 2-inch pipe; it looks like a coil spring. Then I bend the ends so it will fit the transmission where the cooling lines go. That's all I use for a cooler.;)

I built two C-Cabs (about 2100 pounds each), my '31 Coupe (about 2600 lbs), and my son's '31 sedan (about 2500 lbs) all with Turbo 350's and all with no coolers (except my homemade coil) and never had a problem. I watch the fluid and when it gets the least bit smelly or begins to lose its bright red color, I change it. I guess my point is - if you want a cooler and can figure out where to put it, go for it, but you can get by without one if you choose.:cool:
 
Here is where I ended up installing the fan relay. The relay will turn the fan on with a temp of 185 automatically or it can be turned on manually from the cockpit. I also installed a blue power light when the switch is in the on position.


Here is the on and off switch with the blue power light.

I have been having trouble uploading my pictures so I will try later.
 
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