Great Weekend at Columbus - despite a bad start
 

As some of you may or may not know, Dad and I have been in thrash mode trying to get my '52 Chevy truck project to Columbus. We had it all together and even had 50 or 60 miles on it prior to leaving for Columbus Friday morning - - - -but it wasn't meant to be. About 40 miles or so outside of Columbus the motor went. I think it spun a bearing. Anyway - - that isn't the point of this thread. Everyone has had things happen like this. It just never seems easy (maybe it's just me). It's part of the reason why everyone doesn't have cool old cars.

Needless to say, I was exhausted and pretty disgusted. I want to thank Dad, Tom Farrington (and family) along with everyone else that encouraged me to not go home and feel sorry for myself, but instead to come back up to the show. That truly was what I needed - - to be around other car people. In the grand scheme of things, it really is pretty inconsequential to have to replace a SBC - - right!

I can honestly say I had a fun weekend, despite the truck not making it.

Sucks about the truck, glad that you came up. If you would have asked for a ride, i would have given you one.

Thanks.....we'll get the truck fixed.

It's never easy.. trust me on this.. but that makes it more rewarding when things go well :)

Glad you made it there.. now post the obligatory photo of the truck please :thumbsup:

Sometimes stuff happens Brandon... sorry to hear about the motor.

I just spent half a small fortune on a hot rod and NOTHING went right with it... until I now have it all sorted out! Took 1100 miles and lots of frustration but she's there now - and well worth the effort.

Wow! Sorry to hear that, but glad to hear you soldiered on and enjoyed the show. :thumbsup:

Brandon, I was sorry to hear the news from your Dad when I talked to him on friday. Glad to see you made it back after getting the truck back home.It's always good getting to see you and your Dad. Wish you the best on getting it back on the road. take care Joe :thumbsup:.

The day before heading to Columbus.

http://www.blog.wiedos.com/wp-conten...-47-18_914.jpg

............dropping it back off at the shop.

http://www.blog.wiedos.com/wp-conten...-04-53_698.jpg

Nice looking truck...I love the stock looking color.

Great looking truck! When your Dad told me what happened I couldn't believe it.. Glad you still came to the show and we had a chance to catch up.. I gotta tell you, the Thomson Racing LS7 in the Runt would run good in that old truck! :thumbsup:

You guys talking about the tow truck?? :rofl:


I love the color and stance! I had a '53 for awhile... my wife thought it was "cute".

Brandon -- just asking... why would you suspect it to be a spun bearing? New rebuild? Wrecking yard motor? Oil pressure okay? Where you on it or just cruising etc? Just wondering is all. :cheers:

Glad you went and salvaged the weekend. Great looking truck :thumbsup:

Sorry about the engine. That is a great looking truck.

Well, I don't really know what happened. I was cruising down I-71 about 70mph and the motor just started to sound a little different, still had 50psi oil pressure when I glanced down. I signaled to Dad to get off the next exit and by the time I changed lanes it started sounding worse and I looked down to see 0psi -- -I hit the key and coasted to the side. It all happened so quick, that I'm not sure whether the oil pressure went (ie: oil pump, pickup?????) or if potentially a bearing went which kept it from holding any pressure. I let it sit for a minute and hit the key - -it started right up, but had a pretty good bottom end knock.

I called a few of the local machine shops and they are swamped with upkeep on race engines. I would like to get it back together for Indy GG, so I don't want to wait a month or two to get it fixed. I was able to find a good deal on a ZZ4 crate engine and will probably take a day off work on Thursday and go pick it up. I will tear the 327 down and assess the damage and potentially rebuild it for a future project.

I was pushing the limits with the family on working in the shop recently so the engine swap may take a little while - chipping away one or two nights a week. We have baby #2 on the way and have to get the house prepared for that -- ie: turn my office back into a bedroom for our 2 year old! ;)

I had several people tell me that this was a great opportunity to do an LS swap, but not in this truck. I don't really have the cash for all of the fuel system, new accessory drive and so forth...... The good ole ZZ4, 700R4 combo will be just what the doctor ordered for the old Chevy truck. If I were starting from scratch, I would probably have gone with a 5.3, 4L60E combo.......

Thanks again to everyone for the encouraging words and compliments on the truck. It has turned out pretty good for a project that I started when I was 15 -- - -I'm 31..........It has been and continues to be a learning process. There are always things that you realize you would do different afterward, but all-in-all I'm pretty pleased. I will plan to drive it to Indy and then send it to the interior shop this Fall/Winter.

Oh, and yes Greg - it was a pretty nice tow truck. ;)

Well sorry you had to have the problem but I'm glad you have a plan and a fix for it!

Those little ZZ4 motors are real nice street rod engines! You'll be happy with that!:thumbsup: :cheers: