Time for....Brakes!

I went to move the Olds to the new house yesterday and was surprised to find I had no brakes!  After adding brake fluid, it built up some pressure, but not great.  New project!

Some pictures

Who is my St. Pete Olds buddy? Snapped this when I spotted it at the brake shop. 

Wow, has it been that long?!

I have completed quite a bit on the Olds.  Recently rebuilt a carb and Jezebel is running waaaaay better!  Working on chrome bumpers and grille.  Thank goodness for payment plans.  :)  I will work on posting pictures soon.

Pictures

I am very guilty of forgetting to photo document along the way. Here are a few.

Front end troubles got you down?

Jezebel and I are on to our next project, bent wheels, bearings, bushings and king pins.  Yay! Kinda.

I love learning about everything that this girl throws at me, but I was having tons of fun being back on the road.  However, I do already have the king pins and bearings, now just to track down one more wheel, maybe.  I somehow ended up with two bent wheels after getting new shoes.  My friend, Thom, was able to track down some replacement wheels...but the shop seems to have replaced one non-bent wheel, leaving one bent one still in place.  Whew!  Confused?  

When the bent wheel was discovered, it was also noticed that I needed to replace some bushings.  Then, when the wheels were being switched, the king pins and bearings were noticed.  You know how these things go!?

I can't wait to see how she drives with a tuned up and tightened front end!  Keeps getting better and better.  Did you know air shocks require air?  Gasp, it is true.  That made a big difference, thanks dad!  

Other things to note, Indian head gasket sealer: old school crazy, messy goopy stuff that I love.

Torque wrench usage: they should make these for those of us with less than amazing arm strength.  I looked like a battered woman after that job.

Next, before starting a task, consult someone familiar with your particular engine.... For example, did you know that all the head bolts on a 324 rocket engine do not need to be loosened and re-torqued just to take the rocker arm assemblies off?  Yeah, neither do most non-Olds people.  Too bad Tony mentioned that after I had already done it.  Teehee. 

Lastly, sometimes dad's should think to tell their daughters really descriptive instructions when helping work on a car over the phone.  Such as: after you start the car to see if it is oiling with your new push rods, you must rev the engine to build oil pressure.  Slight oversight, but an important step.  Lessons learned.  Thanks to helping and patient friends for making this project successful!

Push rods and lifters, whew!

I got the 4 push rods and 4 lifters in in the corners that I got from Ross Racing to help the pesky non-oiling issue with the rocker arms.  11 hours, lessons learned and lots of bruises, but I did it!  She is running fantastic and I have been out on the streets lots lately.  Missed that sooooo much! 

Has it been that long?

I have done soooooooo much lately with Jezebel.  I will add all of my photos and experiences on my nice five day weekend up ahead.  I am feeling much more confident and productive as of late.  Ready for cruisin as the weather cools somewhat!