Tribute to East LA Max RIP July 2008

On the way back from Ink and Iron stopped over in East LA for a BBQ. I noticed the neighbor had tons of cars and after a lack-luster car show in Long Beach I wanted to go check them out. Found out the guys name was Max. Went knocking on the door and this kids come out on the deck looking at us and we asked for him. He comes out and I told him if he had the time I would love to meet his cars. A girl was starring at us, he said ' that's my daughter but she acts like my wife'. He was an old-school leather face Mexican and I describe him that way with MUCH RESPECT. You could just tell he was a man who has seen the times.

He went to each and every car and gave me the story that went with them. He was such a traditionalist he took everything back original. Including disk brakes back to drum brakes. I told him about our break down on the way to Long Beach and he said if you ever need help in LA that we knew where to come. I was so tickled about meeting him knowing I left with a piece of history.

He very recently died in a car accident in Texas, he was crushed by the steering wheel, no seatbelt. I found out about this on my birthday. It really struck me. What I have taken away from this is how very important it is to talk to people about what they love, strangers or not, so that a piece of them and what they love will always have a place to be.

Especially, the older cats because cars are a way of life that is deeply rooted in our history and we really are the keepers of the stories of this way of life. It isn't coming back again and especially in the form of traditionalist. One may ponder if a seat belt would have made the difference but somethings going to get us one day and knowing that he was doing exactly what he wanted the way he wanted is as good as its going to get in the end. In this time of grief I hope the best for the family and that they can carry on his traditions.

Pictures of Max's Loves.

Took My Hot Rear to the Mustang Ranch.

Really I did...the story goes like this...(skip to the end if you want to hear what happened to the car skip to the end)

I was driving to Long Beach for Ink and Iron with Miss Cris. I thought I smelt something but than we blamed it on Semi-Truck brakes. She mentioned coffee..talked about getting coffee didn't. Next stop 38 miles. Ranchero seemed to kick-down a gear than I was hearing a whirling sound when I hit 70. Made it to the next stop - Coalinga. Open the hood, had some oil burn from the warped valve covers. But than I kept smelling something...looked at the rear and she was SMOKIN!

Knew this was no good. Went to a shop across the way and he said I needed to take it to Fresno for a chance at parts. Had friends at home lending moral support, Miss Cris was totally positive and we had folks from 'The Wanderers' car club in Fresno paving the way for our grand entrance into town. Called AAA, thank god I had auto-pay set because my Gold membership expired the day before. Spent the next 55 mins. calling around to shops. The tow truck driver thought the tranny may have problems to from all the fluid on the ground so I was trying to find a place that would look at both - no one would, especially once they heard '59 ford' because of 'the parts' I kept trying to tell them its a 9" rear everyone still works on these babies. Didn't help it was Friday at noon and no one really had much interest in getting us back on the road that day. After calling a dozen places got referred to the MUSTANG RANCH. Turns out to be a alley shop, with a salvage yard and rows of axels on a shelf - I knew I hit pay dirt. They offered a reasonable hourly rate but couldn't get to it till Monday.

I had already called our hotel in Long Beach and they wouldn't let us cancel so I had to make a decision...so we went and got a rental car. All they had left was full-size trucks a Dodge and a Ford. In honor of Nameless I went with the F150-Ford 4x4. I have to admit I felt like a bad ass and the air condition was a bonus. I kissed Nameless goodbye and we were off. Only to discover a tomato the crisis and the increasing gas prices along the way.

Ink and Iron certainly wasn't worth bringing the car to! There was very few cars there. It was fun to check out for the day but we called BullSh@t on Sunday and drove to Hollywood for Safari Sams Rockabilly Brunch.

From there we proceeded to East LA for a Tee Pee BBQ, met a neighbor who could have his own car show and stayed in our spiffy F10 motel - (got to see it to believe it).

Monday, back at the Mustang Ranch round 1 they were putting the finishing touches. The Diagnostic: Last owner had a drive shaft that was too long. There was NO Fill hole. All the focus on my car has been on the front end. No one noticed this and after 4,300k of my miles on top of who knows how many miles before I got her she was running dry. He said that if it was night time the rear axel would have been glowing it was so hot AND we were lucky it didn't get the gas tank. He replaced the center piece and had a shorter yoke to compensate for the shaft.

We were on the road by two in the blazing heat. Man we missed the air conditioning a little bit but its all part of the adventure.

MORAL of the story:

- Don't book a hotel room in advance if you can avoid it

- Try to leave a day or two before a weekend

- Don't plan to make it back to work on Monday

- Shits going to happen, be sure you have friends with you who understand and maintain a network of car enthusiasts along the way

- Bring a credit card or plan to spend several days having friends try to help out (LOVE YA for offering)

#1 Rule of Hot Rodding - never leave your car behind...YES, I know I cheated with the rental car but I ask forgiveness because I did leave her in good hands and not the Shell station on the corner.

Brake Job

Ok, ya...I became one of those people working on the car hours before I head-out for a road trip...

More to come on the Brake Job and SANTA MARIA...

Magic 59

Magic happened for me today on the streets of Oakland out in front of my house on Easter Sunday. I had just parked the car after a trip for ice-cream and cruise through the local cemetery...a gentleman was walking down the street towards me and hollored how "much of that is stock?". I hadn't heard that question before, usually it starts with what year is that?...but he already knew what Nameless was and he showed me his 'baby' picture of his Red 1959 Chevy El Camino.

He said his family had pulled up to the park down the street when he 1st spotted my car parked on the street and by the time he walked over I had just driven away...It was a happenstance that I came back the opposite way along the park and his family spotted me so he headed back over to see the car.

He was tickled about Nameless and that I gave him the complete tour...he had his camera and was taking photos...he was impressed with how clean the engine was and asked me some technical questions I didn't know about some of the wiring.

His name was Dave and he was from Burbank visiting the grandkids which he also showed me pictures of. He also showed me a picture of his "Pride and Joy"; which was a joke card with pictures of the cleaning products...made me laugh.

Dave had been told by his doctor that he had terminal cancer and he should live his life - that's when he got his 59.

He also told me that he was a magician for years. He performed a three piece rope trick where I cut it with his knife and some how puts it back together leaving a knotted piece that he gave to me. I said 'this will always stay with Nameless'...he said 'that means a lot'....The license plates on his car is "Magic 59".

Nameless Gets her 1st tune-up by me

With some wonderful guidance I gave 'Nameless' her first tune-up by me. Adjusted/checked the points, throttle and timing. Changed the oil. Checked the spark plug gaps some carbon. Fun stuff, but made for a long day after my regular work.

Mike from GeminiMotorWorks diagnosed the odd noise I heard on the way back from the Vegas trip as the U-Joints which need to be replaced. I climbed under the car to take a look at the situation...



http://wikipedia.cas.ilstu.edu/index.php/Universal_joint

Friends of Nameless Nationwide

So now I know people actually read my Blog with some regularity...
This email made my day:

"About a year ago, I picked up a '59 Ranchero that was in dire need of TLC. In the process of acquiring data and ideas for the overhaul, I came across your blog about your '59 Nameless (which, when you think about is actually a name, but I digress). I've followed, on your blog,
your progress in finding parts and doing some restoration since then. Meanwhile, my own project has fallen further and further behind, as I came to the realization that , basically, the car's a wreck. It appears to have been partially restored by the owner of Bondo, INC., who, I have reason to believe, was demented as well.

As you are no doubt aware, the world's a small place. It turns out my son and his wife live...right next door to you...

The whole purpose of this note is to say we, my wife and I, are making a trip out there from New Hampshire, next week and thought might be kind of cool to meet you and your car. ( Well, I don't suppose the car would much care, but it would be kind of interesting for us humans.)"

His Ranchero in New Hampshire.

VIDEO

Short Video from the Vegas Strip...

Day 3 - Road Trip home via Los Angeles

After hanging out at the Venice Drum Circle Sunset - Marina Del Rey. Ate at my favorite Rest. C&O LOVE those Garlic Rolls. Ended the evening at a Santa Monica bar**, was at the table next to JOHN CUSSACK, doesn't get much cooler than that.

**Jonathan, this is none other than the famous Chez Jays**

Day 2 - Las Vegas 50th Ranchero Anniversary

Girl Meets Boy! Meow, Nameless makes a new friend that makes her pop her hood...





Look at all the pretty Rancheros that came together to celebrate the 50th Anniversary.



The Girls are ready to go cruise the strip - going to see the Coasters, the platters and the drifters at the Sahara.

It was a HOT ride. The 4-core radiator, driving with the hood partially up and running the heater kept her from overheating in bumper to bumper traffic. It was 130 degrees inside the cab.

This was the only POTENTIAL problem of the whole trip and she did just fine.

Day 1 - on the road to Vegas

1st Stop




Barbie came out in 1959 - seemed like an appropriate 'mascot' for a trip to Hooters casino (where car show was)






Peggy Sue's - Quickest Burger ever made in the world...scary...






Baker, only 98 degrees





Great (Digital) - Juke-box



Love their hot-wings and Blue Hawaiians

This...

This almost kept my car off the road...because of the lamp inspection for the DMV. More to come on this story.

Wheel me Baby

Ok, after work at my companies warehouse I have been starting the wheel restoration project. Filed out most of the cracks yesterday...today started to use the POR-15 to fill in the cracks (not a good project to start in my work clothes). So far I have learned a little goes a long way. I also went for the big-missing piece chip first. More to come...on the progress. Luckily, I have another wheel to use in the car till this is done....it may take me a while.

Engine After

After




Before

Home-Made Recycled Kick-Plates

Made from recycled sign foam core from my work, recycled fabric and a cardboard pattern I put together myself. Lots of adhesive and trimming, found a perfect fit...









Dum-Dum and plastic

Upholstery Done

Upholstery Done, 3-days, $350 and exactly how I described I wanted it...
Beautiful. By O&R Auto Upholstery, El Sobrante Ca. 510-724-0233

Front End Complete

I did all the wiring for the headlights, and front turn signals.



Got the bumper on. That was a two person and a floor jack job. The bumper is very heavy and trying to get all the pieces and bolts to line up is a task on its own. The bezels needed to be buffed up to go with the 'new' front bumper. I used the wheel and some fine cleaner. The bumper is 'new' thanks to a connection CHP has, that took 3 bumper cores and traded for an immaculate one.

I switched out the tires that were on loan with the brand new wheels that were hand painted by Mike Taylor from Gemini Motors (BTW: he does complete restoration work as well in the East Bay, Alameda miketaylor@geminimotors.us)





The Scuff plates I had were pretty beat up so I got to use a dolly and a hammer to get it back into shape. Finished the painting of the rear view mirror (inner part is black to go with interior/outer engine red for some bling), scuff plates and windshield wiper motor.

This all took about 6 hrs. Its amazing how time consuming this stuff can be especially when they just don't go back on like they come off...or the replacement screws and clips just aren't right...or if parts are flying thru the air.

Hands On

Now that most of the big mechanical stuff is done care of 'Classic Hot-Rod Performance' , gettin' down to some of the items I can get my hands on...installed sound insulation, carpet kit, went thru almost 3 cans of spray on adhesive and was 'high as a kite' from the fumes...still peeling off glue from my hands...but my favorite quote of the day had to be from the guy at OSH when I was buying more adhesive. 'Did you spray it on your hand, smells like glue'...umm duh well it was all over my hands but it wasn't like I was testing it out in the store or something...Did some bolting/screwing interior pieces, glove box trim etc., windshield wiper parts, prep / cleaned parts for painting and even did some random painting - chose to make the back of the rear-view mirror the Ford red to go with the engine red.

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...