Grandpa Car

[Taterhead]

I don’t see any stickers but I do see the reflection of your big toe with a band aid on it.

[DRIVEN]

Are we playing Idaho 'Where's Waldo'?

[Taterhead]

Yes

[DRIVEN]

Just because...

[Laecaon]

That is a good reason.

[Taterhead]

I concur

[DRIVEN]

I just can't ignore cheap parts...

So now I'm the proud owner of a 2nd Toronado drivetrain. This one is a 455, near as I can tell it's probably a '72. Not even sure it's got any core value until I open it up...some day. Maybe.

[Laecaon]

Grab an s10 chassis and mount both drivetrains front and rear! 4wd and 4 wheel steer!

[DRIVEN]

Just a 4 wheel burnout would be cool enough for me.

[DRIVEN]

Ran over to my dad's shop today for a prehibernation LOF. Delco filter and Delo400 because that's what my grandpa always fed it. Went looking for the source of the clunk under the seat and found the transducer for the aftermarket cruise control was within bouncing distance of the floorpan. About 8" to the left is where the frame extension for my G-force crossmember is about 1/16" from the frame. Isolated both points.

Also went on the hunt for any loose steering components. Found the RS tie rod sleeve clamps were loose -- Snugged both sides. Couldn't find anything else in the front or rear suspension loose. Kind of suspect that it needs new front brake hoses though because it's got a weird momentary left pull when I apply the brakes. Happens for about 1/2 second then goes away.

Then went across the river and dumped $50 of pure gas along with some stabilizer in the tank. My belly needed tacos so I blasted to Melba.




Stopped by the little boat launch south of my house. No one was there but me.


Decided to take the long way home. No one was there either.


Acres and acres of beer trees. This was all corn last year.


Stopped at the grocery store in Homedale for some dinner fixins and Caymen Jack and made a new friend in the parking lot. Somebody's 75 year old abuela reeeeally liked my car.

Now it's all tucked in under the cover for the winter. See ya next spring.

[Laecaon]

I dont think I have ever seen a rigidly mounted sway bar like that.

[DRIVEN]

GM thing, mostly.

[DRIVEN]

Guess who really needed to drive to Eugene for a std. Bore 455 block?

[wayno]

I don't understand some of the things we do, but if we didn't do them we would not be who we are.

[DRIVEN]

Well, I had a job in Bend, then Beaverton. Wasn't really that out of the way and I got paid for most of the trip. This block should complete the 455 pile I bought last winter. Brings the total to 2 455s and a 425. I'm probably done buying engines now.

[wayno]

There is a line on the ground somewhere, but I didn't even notice crossing it, is one ever really done with anything?

[DRIVEN]

Done? No. This car isn't really much of a priority, I just grab stuff when I run across it. The rearend and transmission won't be cheap but they will be necessary. Oldsmobiles weren't known for making big horsepower numbers but they make big, flat torque curves. The combo that I'll end up with for the 425 should be around 450hp and 500tq, and still be pretty docile. A similar build using a 455 would probably be around the same for hp but closer to 550tq. Most of that would be all-in by 2000rpm. They make their power in a totally different way than a 427 or 454 Chevy.

[jtinluvr]

I'm probably done buying engines now.

Until the next “deal too good to pass up” comes along.

I see what you did there with “probably”

[DRIVEN]

Well, exactly 6 months after being tucked in...another taco run.

Since they're still take-out only, I enjoyed my lunch at the Dan's Ferry boat ramp.


After that I went over to my dad's shop and put in my new dash speakers. I was super cautious and nervous about cracking the dash but managed to pop the grill covers without any damage.



That white plastic tool is intended to be used to wedge against side glass and hold it in place when you're doing regulator replacement but it worked great for this. Replacement speakers were a perfect fit and I ordered up some pigtails as advised. Glad I did too.






The screws aren't super easy to get out but I had plenty of room for a 9/32 socket on a 1/4 drive ratchet -- No problem. Massaged the grilles back into place and life was good.
Do they sound great? No, not really. But I don't expect much from 3.5" speakers. They don't fuzz out though and I get equal volume when I set the balance to the middle. Both improvements over what I had.

I'm going to wash it now and shake out the cover. Nice weather is here and I plan to put more than 100 miles on it this year.

[wayno]

Are you sure that goal of a 100 miles isn't pushing it slightly, a bit unrealistic.