Taking some good advice and getting to know Snoopy. Made a list of wish and wants, and needs lol. Noticed a broken bolt on the front fender piece. This involved taking the tire off, taking the brake cover off then a trip to CT to find a replacement bolt and back on everything went. Quite a morning for me lol Found the engine number 3849852 and apparently is a CID 283 from a 1958-61 GM Truck or passenger car.
There should be plenty of Chevy guys on here who can guide you . Good to see you " getting your hands dirty " as it were . That's what I did with my first car ....got my Canadian Tire el-cheapo wrench set out and started taking things apart to see how it worked and fit together . Those were fun days , especially when I got it back together and didn't have parts left over .
T
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Be easier for us to help you more if you take a few pictures around the car close up .. It's hard to tell much from I photo .. I would think if it is a 283 it must be an older build "T" ..What history do you know about Snoopy? If you have trouble with posting the pictures send them to me and I will post them for you.. Maybe we can set up a snoopy thread for snoopy to help us help you, Till we get your confidence level up so it won't feel so intimidating.. I have a feeling with your determination you will catch on quickly ..
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Was not sure what to take a picture of...so I took a lot.
History....We met Snoopy in Orangeville off of Kijiji when I emailed the gentleman told me that he didn't know much about cars, and that it hadn't been running for about 2 years, just sitting in his garage. His brother owed him money and Snoopy was it. We went and I loved him on site. When we asked what what the engine was he said a fast one...bit of the blind leading the blind. Hubby recognized it as a small block 8 350, when we got there to look at it rolled his eyes and said ok. We paid 8,000 and when the man from the MTO appraisal got through he said it was worth 16,000 but that seems a bit high to me, as he needs some love. The mechanic that certified it gave him a tune up,checked the brakes and I had to buy a speedometer because it wasn't in klm and didn't have a mileage counter on it?? I shook my head at that because it was going to read 0 anyways on the new one. Rules are rules though so I complied - put his plates on drove him home.
Looks pretty good so far ....I wonder how you get in ? For me , to get my bulk into the car , I would have to fashion some kind of " step plate " attached to the frame near the driver's door and painted black to match the frame . That way you and husband could get in from the same side . Of course , you could make 2 step plates . The motor should have more than enough power for such a light car . Interior looks pretty good , I wonder how comfortable everything is regarding how you sit , leg room , working the pedals ? Some rods look good but are really cramped and awkward to drive .
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That is helpful.. I don't think $8,000 was out of line for the car. I believe you bought it right. I am thinking the person who done the appraisal may have cost you more in tax than you should have had to pay.. Did you pay tax on the 8 you paid for the car or the 16 he appraised it for? I am not sure you really needed a speedo in Ks unless it was a what we call a RIV inspection but you have it now so .. One thing I notice and would recommend is a shroud to cover the fan blades for safety and cooling ..Most import thing is if your happy with the car and the purchase that's all that really matters..I have to make a trip to town to pick up meds for my girl.. So when I get back home I think we will set up a private little forum for you and snoopy for a couple months just to keep your "build" in as, it is sort of a build and learning curve for you and maybe make it easier for the other members to keep your "T" in the light so we can help you.. We all learn from helping someone else .. And We learn something new with every car.. I will figure out how to set that up later and let you know when I have it done .. That will make it easier for everybody to pitch in and help you to become a safe hot-rodder and hone your skills in what you have and what makes it tick.. It should be a fun project for everybody.. I will transfer the pictures to the forum when I have ready ..
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There is a tiny little step, very easy to miss and deadly when you do lol. Driving is hard, to be honest. No power steering and the little guy is quick. I'm 5'6" and it's just right for me. Hubby is 5'10" and it's a tight fit for him. When we are in it together you'd be pressed to get a piece of paper between us lol. I find it a bit hard on the back after a long ride, you're sitting very straight up and there's no give, I'm thinking those shocks are just for looks, no way age has anything to do with that lol. It certainly takes 100 percent of your attention to drive. The brake pedal was cut to clear the steering wheel column and the gas pedal is normal. The shifter is a bit tricky if you don't let him warm up. He has a radio with a cassette deck lol can't hear it though so on my wish list is to redo the dash and the radio will not make the cut.
You have a transverse front spring ( or " buggy spring ) designed a gazillion years ago and not made for comfort . That and the straight axle combined with the chrome radius rods are not going to make a comfortable ride . You could approach an upholstery shop and ASK ( don't spend yet ) about what might be reason for the lack of comfort ....is it cushion foam or whatever ? The angle of the seat could be dealt with so you aren't sitting straight up . Possible small separate buckets . Do a lot of asking at this stage , possibly chat with people at cruises . At a cruise down here in Windsor a couple pf weeks ago I chatted with a husband and wife who had a 34 Ford Roadster , and the guy's wife did the interior of the car and did a great job .
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So, I've wanted a t bucket since I the first time I ever laid eyes on one. You folks can build one in a weekend - I don't have that skill. I have come to realize this dream comes with a few responsibilities. I can do the basics, am willing to learn, (can get hubby to help but he thinks I've boarded crazy train with this) but I need a little guidance which I'm hoping to get here. These are not cars you bring to the shop....apparently as I have learned. You take the piece off and bring them to specific people lol getting it certified was a treat. I've called a few parts places I found on line, mostly in the US and trying to describe what I want got me a "sweetheart, sell it before you get hurt" which in his defence I think I deserved Lol
I need to find the rubber strip that goes between the windshield top glass and bottom glass, my fancy windshield wiper with the hand crank needs to be replaced and here's the technical question part.....those wing like things on the windshield is missing a piece. So if someone could be kind enough to tell me if there is a catalogue I can order or a web site I can look at, I would really appreciate it.
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Noticed that Snoopy was leaking the green life blood this morning, puddle was pretty big. Went to CT and got some Prestone rad sealing stuff, read the instructions and things calmed down. This is not a solution though so I tried to find a radiator shop in Brantford without luck. Went to the address and they have been closed for a couple of years, but spoke to a previous employee who directed me to another garage. He wasn't able to help me, but gave me the number for Redi Rad in Waterloo. Apparently in my area they are slim to none for radiator work. Spoke to a really helpful gentleman named Jim who will actually have the rad picked up for me....once I get it out. He's going to look at it then tell me what goes on and what needs to be done.
Can you , or have you , determined where it is leaking from exactly ? It may just be a worn out rad cap that won't hold pressure and spews out liquid after you shut down a hot car . Neighbour with a Jeep YJ just had that problem ...rad caps are cheap .
T
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There is a seam on the bottom where it was coming from. I felt all the connections and they were dry, but when I ran my hand along the bottom it was very wet. The puddle was about 3 feet in diamete. I have and over flow tube too, but nothing was coming out of it. When I put water in the cap, I had to putt in two jugs full to bring it back up to where I could see the water again. When I started him, a little came out the overflow thing, but until the Prestone stuff kicked in it was all on the bottom. Wet, that is.
Well I was hoping for a cheap solution for you but it sounds serious . Even if you find a used rad that fits , the same problem could arise as radiators wear out and the stop-leak stuff will only help you in the short term I was going to say to ask the previous owner what the rad came out of but from your earlier discussion it doesn't sound like he knows much . The last car I had a rad re-cored was a Camaro , 30 years ago , and the pressure test showed blocked passage ways .........heater core had the same problem . I guess you need to get some numbers together to determine your best choice .
Maybe some other guys here have a better solution .
-- Edited by teejay99 on Monday 6th of June 2016 03:16:15 PM
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Pictures help somewhat.. be careful anybody picking it up is charging you for that.. They don't do that for free.. with the history or any paperwork of the build is there any information of what rad was used..and I would want to have a good look at the core to see if it has rotted and the fins and cores are rotten.. Also check the lower rad hose clamp for leaking ..Not unreasonable to expect some things to show up after the car has been sitting for a few years.. Wish you were a bit closer so I could get that thing in my shop on the hoist so I could have a good look at it.. It would be an hr and a half to St Marys to my shop a good little run for you and your hubby..one day. It is so hard to make decisions or give advice over the internet..here are a couple rad shops in Brantford..I would remove the rad and take it there..Call first to make sure they are open and choose one..
i called the first one and the gentleman answered using a different name. When I asked he said Hamilton rad service no longer exists and the other number was not in service. That abc place is where I drove to this morning and that's how I got in touch with Jim. The guy told me that nobody makes money on rads anymore, it's like they are bic lighters. Jim was the guy who took all the tools from ABC and started up in Waterloo. He, Jim, has a connection with Brewers here in Brantford, if I drop it off at Brewers when he orders parts from them they will take it over to him....or I could I guess. He didn't say there would be a charge but then again I didn't ask either.
Just phoned my mechanic down here and he also said that these days he just calls Napa or Car Quest .....not much repairing of rads any more , not like years ago .
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To Err is human ....to blame someone else is Management Material !
Well I guess this will be part of the learning curve you have to go through..Your best bet is going to be get out to a few park and sits to meet a few rodders keep a pen and a note book with you so you can ask questions and write down information .. I will try to find a fair and honest shop that might be hot rod friendly .. CTC is not nor do they usually work reasonable I worked for them as a service manager and they have crummy labour rates really do not have a fair way to charge for working on non boxed operations..I guess at this point you don't have much choice.. Just make sure it is not your lower rad hose that is leaking and make sure it not the weep hole in the water pump seal.. hard to tell without actually seeing it and pressure testing it.. Be very carefull putting coolant in the rad or opening a hot pressurised rad cap. You can get seriously burned from hot coolant .. Good luck ..keep us posted .. You need to take it for a cruise to my shop with hubby one day so I can look it over.. We need to find you a shop in Brantford that is honest ,qualified and somewhat rodder friendly and I am sure there are a couple..and like Tjay says for the most part we just replace them now-a-days.. most of the new vehicles all use aluminum rads in todays vehicles so it may need recoring..
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^ If it's driveable to Chuck's shop I'd take him up on the sweet offer! ^
(I'm sure he'll be able to help you prioritize your to do list as well.)
I'm pretty green myself, all these guys/gal are very helpful. When I got started I focused on the items to improve the safety/driveability first.
Don't get frustrated when you fix something and it's not fixed.. I quite often redo things over a few times before I've learned how to do it.
The engine code is 3849852 and the CID is 283 and when I searched it it said it was from a 1958-1961 GM truck or passenger car. That is all I know....sorry
A pm is a private message. If you're logged in click on your name at the top right hand corner and it will show you your profile and messages. Call Glenn he's a rest guy and loves to help
yes what a generous and kind offer for sure! If I wasn't afraid right now that Snoopy would not make it I'd be so happy to have him look him over. Right now I think I'm in mother mode and want Snoopy to just be ok. Lol
I see speed way has them brand new.. Aluminum... You might even just take a look at speedway and make a list of a couple things you need and have somebody measure that rad as they have a couple different rads listed and order in some of those parts that you need in one lot..Shipping is pretty quick..
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I just had the most awesome conversation about Snoopy with a "Cat in the Hat", aka Glenn. He made me feel so much better and narrowed it down to the bottom neck being worn out. He suggested speedway as well Chuck and I am going on line to order that exact radiator in polished aluminum And some other stuff that now I know the name of! We talked about paint,nasal meets, you name it. So exciting to learn what he wind wings were called, how to finally figure out the new speedometer and how to order parts from speedway and get them. I could spend all day just following him around learning.
He reassured me that Snoopy was the perfect car for a beginner like me - which was what I really needed to hear about now. I can't thank him enough for his help and this board for helping me get started on this journey. I'm looking forward to meeting you all some day and am planning to attend the event in London.
I'm going to see how long it takes for a new radiator to be shipped and decide if I should get this one fixed in the mean time
I just had the most awesome conversation about Snoopy with a "Cat in the Hat", aka Glenn. He made me feel so much better and narrowed it down to the bottom neck being worn out. He suggested speedway as well Chuck and I am going on line to order that exact radiator in polished aluminum And some other stuff that now I know the name of! We talked about paint,nasal meets, you name it. So exciting to learn what he wind wings were called, how to finally figure out the new speedometer and how to order parts from speedway and get them. I could spend all day just following him around learning.
He reassured me that Snoopy was the perfect car for a beginner like me - which was what I really needed to hear about now. I can't thank him enough for his help and this board for helping me get started on this journey. I'm looking forward to meeting you all some day and am planning to attend the event in London.
I'm going to see how long it takes for a new radiator to be shipped and decide if I should get this one fixed in the mean time
P.S to Janice I was nervous but not scared lol
Glad it worked out and we didn't confuse Glenn to much . You will learn a lot from this bunch and its a great community. Looking forward to meeting you at ELTA bash.
Suggestion .... I see it has only a single return spring on the carb. It is highly recommended to run two, just in case something happens to one and the throttle stays wide open. a chrome spring set is pretty cheap insurance for that. you can get a set over at
Performance Improvements
1515 Upper Ottawa Street, Hamilton, ON, L8W 3E2 (905) 574-6940
Canadian Tire used to sell them too, but not sure if they do any more.
just a small thing, but it could be the difference between a bad day and a great one...............
If you are ordering parts, be sure to get a US mail drop. Most places have free shipping in the US and if you bring it across the border yourself, you will usually, at most just have to pay the GST as autoparts are duty free! I use a place in Niagara Falls NY called "US address.com" they charge a flat fee of $5.00 per package and have great hours. You register on line and then need a photo ID to pick up your package. Also you can stop by and chat on your way home.
Insurance is good. I will print out the picture you sent and go get one. Next question....where do I put it? You're talking about the big spring in the picture right? Take that off and install the one you're suggesting - right?
Glen showed me how to measure the radiator and then how to find it on the Speedway site. I'm going to order it and a bunch of other stuff tomorrow....excited.
i was just on line and registered...lol just got the email telling me I have an account! You must be psychic. I would love to stop by and bring a coffee. Thanks for the offer.
Sure, just give us a shout when you are headed down our way, the door is always open for rodder's. I will PM ( personal message) our address and phone...............
The radiator isn't curved when I took the fibreglass cover off. It's flat, the radiator itself is square. The radiator at speedway is part number 91015600. When we measured it matched...you think I should measure again? Glenn said I would lose the fibreglass cover but I don't mind because the radiator will be polished and blend in with the other Chrome.
Pictures never work for me either lol. I will take a picture of my radiator tomorrow morning and post it with the measurements and maybe we can figure this out...
That radiator will work without the rad shell , but you also need to purchase a reliel valve , gaskets for the rad cap and it seems possibly the rad cap itself
it
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It' a good thing we dont get as much goverment as we pay for !!!