The Truth on the Engine

When the engine was pulled the numbers on the engine were ran and it is a 1954 - 239 engine and some of the parts are from a 292. Explains why some of the tune-up parts wouldn't fit...More to come on this...

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Y-block engine is an overhead valve V8 automobile piston engine from Ford Motor Company. It was introduced in 1954 to replace the side-valved Ford Flathead engine and was replaced by the Ford FE engine (on larger cars) and the Ford Windsor engine (on smaller cars) in 1962, and lasted until 1964 in Ford trucks

The first Y-block was the 1954 239 in³ (3.9 L) Ford engine; known for its deep skirting which causes the engine resemble a Y. Rated at 130 hp (97 kW), it replaced the 239 in³ (3.9 L) Flathead which was rated at 106 hp (79 kW). The Y-block was considered a major advancement over the flathead. Known for having oiling problems in the rocker shafts due to the fact the oil first went to the crankshaft bearing, then the camshaft bearings, then to the rocker shafts. This problem plagued the entire Y-block family and could be remedied by running a copper line from the oil pump and then to the rocker shafts. This series of engines also lacked the breathing abilities compared to the Chevrolet 265 small block, thus could not develop the same power.

The oiling problem was caused by the passage from the center cam bearing to the cylinder head being offset by an inch and too small. The motor oils available at that time were low in detergents but high in coke which when combined with short trips and infrequent oil changes led to this passage blocking up. This left the lower end with ample oil while the rocker shaft assemblies literally burned up. The external oiler kit essentially provided oil to the rocker shafts from the oil pressure port on the outside of the engine.

A quick reference of the engine specifications for 1955-57 will show the Ford V-8s ahead of the Chevrolet counterpart in displacement, horsepower and torque. The Y-block head provided excellent air flow, superior to the Chevrolet. The real enemy of the Y-block was its displacement limit. The original architecture was very small and tight. Even with the benefit of today's technology, (aftermarket rods and stroker cranks) the real limit of a Y-block is about 348 cubic inches while the Chevrolet could go well past the factory limit of 400. Simply put, the ever increasing size and weight of the standard passenger car, the added parasitic losses for accessories like power steering, power brakes and air conditioning, cheap gasoline and the horsepower race all conspired to outgrow the first Ford OHV V-8 engine. It is interesting to note that both Ford and Chevrolet went to optional "big block" engines for 1958, 352 in³ (5.8 L) at Ford compared to 348 in³ (5.7 L) at Chevrolet.

The Girl Behind the Car

Cow Palace January 2007 - Hot Rod Portion of the Show, I like my 'Jack'

6/18/06 Impromptu photos shoot at an SF Car show with one of the car club boys. My boyfriend was getting filmed for --> YahooCurrents
I went to ask the car club boy to turn down his radio while they were filming, he said, 'go ahead and turn it off yourself' and that's when one of the event photographers set up the shots.

Look 'Nameless' Gets a New Pair of Shoes

The Rims / Tires took a lot of thought on my part. Wanted to go back to the original 'rat-rod red rims' that were on the car when I bought it. But literally after a dream I decided to go black with red pin stripping accents.

But it took much longer to decide to go 'Coker' thick white walls or regular 'white walls' (also considered the red walls).

After much discussion with various car people, I decided against the consensus who preferred 'Coker'. Considering the price of the 'Coker Tires' against one's I can buy off the shelf, get insured, replace the same day I decided to stick with regular 'white walls'. Plus, I think the tires become too much of a focal point with the 'Coker's' and I am still looking to define the 'point' elsewhere on the car.

So 'Nameless' got a new pair of shoes for Christmas with hand-painted, pin stripping by Mike Taylor, Gemini Motorworks



That's my kitten 'EPIC' that I rescued, peeking thru the rim...

000001, Nameless Begins, Again

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Care of
'Classic Hot-Rod Performance'

Freeze Plugs Replaced

Before Photo
Engine freeze plugs replaced on Nameless 12/17/06.

Freeze plug

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Freeze plugs are a subset of the plugs on a car engine cylinder block or cylinder head. The traditional plug is a thin, domed, disc of metal which fits into a machined hole in the casting and is secured by striking or pressing the centre to expand the disc.

A true Freeze Plug is an expansion plug located in the side of an engine block that is supposed to protect the block against freeze damage. Water expands when it turns to ice, and if the coolant doesn't have enough antifreeze protection it can freeze and crack the engine block. The freeze plugs (there are usually several) are supposed to pop out under such conditions to relieve the pressure on the block.

Most of the plugs to be found on an engine are actually to plug the holes where sand cores have been held. The sand cores are used in the casting process to form internal cavities in the engine block or cylinder head, for cooling water for example, and so should really be refered to as core plugs.

Freeze/core plugs can often be a source of troublesome leaks as a result of internal cooling system corrosion. Ease of replacement depends on accessibility. In many cases the plug area will be difficult to reach and using a mallet to perform maintenance or replacement will be nearly impossible without special facilities. Expanding rubber plugs are available as replacements when access is a problem.

A variety of block heater called a "freeze plug heater" can be installed, replacing the freeze plugs, to warm the engine before start up.

Talk about Plug Replacements

West Coast Rancheros

And so it begins...I am starting a club

Nameless - 4 months later

Friends of Nameless

Northern Cali Rancheros 1st crusie in, Alameda Ca 10/14/06

I ended up hosting the 1st No Cal Ranchero meet-up at the Alameda Naval base. It wasn't my intital idea but I ran with it. We were suppose to meet at the Alameda Swap meet but apparently they cancelled the event and only the vendors knew. I decided to stick it out and host the event in my work parking lot anyways. We had about 6 Rancheros that came and went. There was about five us who stuck around and enjoyed the BBQ. And people who drove from as far as Davis / Santa Rosa to be there. It was funny that we had a lot of people drive in to the lot thinking we were the swap meet.

Rods and Wheels has hosted some shots for us and we do all believe this is the beginning of a good thing.

Rods N Wheels

My Event Photos

One Door Done, another to go...

I was graced with some wonderful assistants today and one of my doors now locks and closes with the orginal hardware.

This is really a great project I have taken on. Some were a little skepticle at first unsure why the heck I would do such a random thing like purchase a project car. But being outdoors, getting dirty and meeting wonderful talented people - who wouldn't want to do it?

I am excited to take on each little project. I might not know how to do it like the pros but by working with people, asking questions and just going for it I am learning a lot.

Its like being back in school and its giving my brain a healthy work out.

Rust and Power Tools

Yesterday, I scraped off rust from the inside of my roof with a wire brush and wiped it down with paint thinner for any extra oils and dirt. And, yes my arms hurt a bit the next day.

Today I pulled out my dads old overalls, bandanna, ball cap worn backwards, face mask and safety goggles (had a doctors face shield/mask but went with goggles but they fogged up a bit) and set-out to use the "Eastwood Rust Encapsulator Black Aerosol 16 oz. Item No. 16060 Z" on the inside of my roof. I considered using "POR-15" but considering the application being upside down I went for the Aerosol.

Before the application I lined the inside of my car with a plastic drop sheet, I should have went to the store to get painters tape but I used what I had on hand a box of binder clips which actually worked out perfectly (pictures will be posted later).

The spray went on really well! By the time I left it looked like it would dry evenly and only need one coat. I managed to get one smudge of paint on my face, unfortunately some up my noise the mask that I had did not keep the particles out, even being outside the fumes were definitely getting me high. So as more painting is needed I will get a better mask.

This took me very little time so I went back to the door hardware project. Empowered with a door handle removal tool certain things became much easier. I was only out done today because of my power tool! I got a Ryobi 7v which is not going to be beefy enough to get me thru a day since I don't currently have power right near the vehicle. I got about 3-screws on the door panels that are beyond screwing out naturally. I was able to use a drill bit (after breaking one) to get the first one out. If I wasn't so intent on moving this part of the project along I should probably go out and buy a hole saw but than I got to think about sizes etc. It appears I made it past the threads with no problem and if the other one's don't work out well these parts can be welded down because they don't need to come off again in my life time.

PS. I learned that 'Deep Woods Off' gets POR-15 off skin. I am sure I will end up using POR-15 on other parts and I will try that if my paint gear doesn't protect me.

Bay Area Ranchero Meet-up Sunday, October 15th

Bay Area Ranchero Meet-up Sunday, October 15th
We are planning to meet-up in the parking lot of the Alameda, Calif. Swap Meet. http://www.turnkeyprod.com/showdates.html

Contact me for more info.
info@thenetworkgirl.com

Nameless gets some bling

I made this from the extra gauge panel trim and a broken Ranchero emblem

Part of this...

Part of this adventure with 'Nameless' is to discover who she is or really who she wants to be. Now I really thought when I got this car it would sit for a long time under a cover but I don't think that is going to happen...things are just happening in a way that won't allow it. I have been looking around on line to find something that clicks in regards to where she can go - there is 100% restorations, mild custom approaches and going Rat Rod.

In my own life I am a mix of many things, practical, minimal accessories with single focal points, few cool things to keep people guessing and all about black. Now in my mind 'Nameless' chose me out so she got to like that style.

This picture totally jumped out at me today:



This one jumped out at me yesterday:

But I do respect 'Nameless' for what she is already with the Rat Rod style of the red rims and white-wall etc. I think it will be a little of this and a little of that to make her unique unto herself.

Head to Toe Body Shots

http://www.networkgirl.com/images/Nameless/index1.htm

Head to Toe Body Shots...Sexy...

More Surprises!!

So this really amazing thing happened Friday night. Someone forwarded me an add from Craigslist. I didn't recognize the email but the ad was for parts for a 1959 RANCHERO!! I immediately called the person who placed the ad because there was a few things I needed. I scheduled an appointment the next day. Was in SF Saturday night and stayed up too late but was totally excited to wake up and go get my parts. The gent selling the parts was a very gracious car enthusiast/mechanic for pre-72 cars. He had purchased the Ranchero to find too much of it was rusted out for a restoration. I totally lucked out in many regards with extra items he threw in just to get them out of his garage but also because another buyer didn't show to buy all the steering / power steering parts! I loaded what would fit in my car and made a second trip tonight. Once again I am amazed by this wonderful car community.

WANTED: PARTS LIST/TO DO

1. Radiator (kinda got it! 7/15, from 59' Edsel - needs to be re-cored)
   
2. Fuel Pump (got it!)
   
3. Steering Wheel (got it! 7/15)
4. Gauges (Tack etc.) (got 2 now, 9/17 got one with fuel gauge)
   
5. Ignition switch (check! got it from a friend of 'Nameless')
   
6. Battery Tray (got it! 7/15)
7. Battery (got it!)
   
8. Ashtray (got it! 7/15)
9. Windshield wipers - all parts needed. (got it! 9/17)
   
10. Finish Pop-locks (scratch that got all new doors)
    
11. All Door Hardware - latches etc. (got it! 9/17)
    
12. Front Grill (custom made on the way...)
    
13. Rear Bumper (got it! 7/15)
    
14. Side Mirrors ( got it! 7/15 - extra got in the mail 8/24)
    
15. Tail-light Lense (8/24 got in the mail! from a friend of 'Nameless')
    

A special surprise today!

I got a special surprise today in the mail from a Birch Bay Cowboy - a taillight lens, a back-up light and 2-fender mirrors for the 59. I am delighted and inspired by the warm welcome I have received into the Ranchero family. A warmth that seems to be prevalent with all the enthusiasts I have interacted with a cross the country.

Maybe the world would be a better place if more people drove 'classics'.


I use to have a 69 Overlander - Airstream ( I cried the night I sold her and wished today I kept her)... but I felt that same sense of community. And as one of the youngest owners that I bumpt into at twenty something of age it was a great feeling that age didn't matter either.


For me personally and maybe for others I appreciate the sense of history it offers... a connection to a time past and lives past that seems more tangible than 'this' world that seems to be as disposable as a Big MAC box and tastes just as bad going down. With very few real opportunities for human connections today its ironic that some aged steal could create such a spark between people.


A special someone in my life also introduced me to the world of VW Vans and the 'hand wave' that almost all of them offer in passing...it may transcend into other breeds of cars too but its just another sign of humanity behind the wheel...

She is Running!

She is Running! more to come on the story of how it happened....

Photo of the Engine