Really?

So, one rocker arm shaft assembly is lost and all the bolts to them are lost.  Drats.  The only thing stopping me from re-assembling poor Jezebel.  $195 for new one.  Where could they be?  On another note, the heads look fantastic!

One new arm

Check out this Olds at Lonestar Roundup in Austin!  Inspiration!

Between me having the distributor cap on backwards, oopsie, and these shiny heads, I should be running like new....in about three weeks.  :(

Almost back in action!

My dad and I got the heads pulled and they are at the machine shop.  Get them back tomorrow!  This has been a really great learning experience.  It was actually much easier than I expected.  We are even completing this without air tools, so in my opinion, we are making excellent timing.  Although my dad does like to mention how much easier this would be with them repeatedly.  :)  After inspection, the two bad valves were not getting any oil.  Plus, one head had been rebuilt and the other had not.  Why would someone do that?!  While I wait for the return of the heads, I am scraping gaskets (which really sucks), degreasing and dealing with other minor issues.  I seem to be permanently oil stained from the elbow down, even after four washes with orange yumminess and multiple Dawn washes.  What the H?  I have also discovered how you memorize tool sizes and can guess which size you need--the cleaning of the tools and putting them away after each days use. It is starting to stick now!  I am so appreciative that I have so much support.  So many silly questions answered, tools loaned and encouragement given--thanks guys and gals!!

It isn't a day in the garage with Jen if something isn't spilled on the floor.  Antifreeze mess.

 

 

 

Bad valves and oil gunk...

Biggest job yet

At the end of the month, my dad and I will be pulling the heads due to two bad valves.  I am upset to be off the road until then, but kind of happy that she will run with full power soon!  It was a great learning experience trying to trouble shoot, although Doug told me what it was...I hoped he was wrong, alas, he was not. So I still went through the motions (changed the plugs, wires, cap and rotor...then did the compression test).  All was going great, saved the bad ones for the end, and of course, the compression test showed 4 and 6 at 0-50.  Bad news because I need help to complete the job, but good news because I finally know what is wrong.  Also, it will be fun to work on the Olds with my dad.  While we are working, I will try to hunt down that pesky tranny leak yet again, change the oil, maybe have the carb rebuilt and any other maintenance I can get done. 

Sometimes, things are bad, but they are learning experiences and kinda fun, even if they are bad!

New tires and hubcaps look fantastic!  Thanks to Dallas and Doug (East Coast Garage-look it up)!
I didn't take a day picture yet, too busy driving.  :)
How strange is it that the drivers side lug nuts tighten counter-clockwise?

On to the bad, but opportunity type stuff.
 The rough ride does not appear to be timing, distributor cap, wires or the plugs. I changed them all and not much change.  Thanks to Miss Jade for her strength and getting those evil distributor clamps back on.  Doug seems to think the problem is a bad cylinder.  I hope he is wrong, but know he is probably right. Tonight, I will teach myself to do a compression test.   After that, my dad will be visiting and we can disassemble, have it machined and get it back together if need be--learning opportunity.  :)  While we wait, I figured it would be a good time to hunt down the transmission leak, again, and beat that pan back into shape.  Might as well be productive, especially when I have my most trusted mechanic around to supervise and advise, yay dad!

Sad part, don't think poor Jezebel will make it to Billetproof March 17th.  She is already registered and it was my first goal.  Always next year, right? 

Haven't been keeping up here

New tires, new wheels, sweet bullets!  This week, Jezebel should get her new shoes.  However, things are not going well in the not-so-fun hydramatic world.  I still have a leak.  It stops, it starts, it taunts me.  My goal over the next two weeks will be to locate the actual leak and to adjust the timing.  It is riding quite rough and needs some love.

She did successfully make it to Sanford for the Groundhog Gala!  Then to Tampa for the Ruckus.  So, she is doing a great job, just not smoothly.  Back to lessons in timing.

While in Sanford, watched a top get cut off, fun!!

I also still have inadvertent horn honking.  This can be fun, but not at two in the morning.  I know something else goes where the tape is...

  On a good note, I think the exhaust leak is fixed.  As you can see, really bad.  Now it sounds and smells so much better.

 And they also welded the brackets to stop that pesky grille rattle.

But I got the new/old Oldsmobile grille, needs chrome though.

While it was on the lift, it was noticed I was missing a bolt in my drive shaft, eek!  So, thanks to Owen, who just happened to have one, I got that put in.  Also, he put on the new antenna!  Not that I have a radio that works, but it looks better.

Saturday-Garage day!

Hopefully all works out for Saturday Garage funtime.  Funtime should include setting the timing, which will hopefully get rid of the fun but not good backfiring issues; figuring what should be on the throttle linkage (I know it isn't the random screw that is hanging on for life); and fluids 101...we know I have issues in that department.

If I make progress, I will share it!  So happy to be back on the road with my lady!

Good news

Leaks are gone!  I can pick her up tomorrow.  Yay! Not the front pump after all, just the side pan.  They ordered all new seals and did the whole thing.  Hopefully, this will keep us on the road for a bit.  Soon enough I will be learning to set the timing and getting some pretty tires.  It is funny how attached one can get to a car!

On another note, the stats option for blogger is interesting.  You can see who visits your blog and where they are located.  That's a hint.  I am amazed at the number of hits I am getting.  Technology, love it and hate it.