Re: Richter's '53 Caribbean

Posted by Richter12x2 On 2014/4/19 22:54:40

Managed to get back by the storage building today - got the radiator out, the area with the hood latch, the trunk and trunk hinges so far. I'd hoped to get the fenders, but just didn't quite get there. I tricked myself for the second time now thinking I had everything I needed because my tool kit was in the car, but forgot that I'd taken the 3/8" ratchet to use for one of my others cars I was working on and not put it back, so I was stuck removing what I could with a 1/4" ratchet and wrenches. I'll have to go back with a 3/8" and extension to get those bottom bolts.

Everything on this car is in great shape - I have the new trunk floorpans ready to go in, but was worried about how I was going to make the spare tire well since noone seems to sell it - well the one in this car is perfect, now I just have to find the best way to cut it out in a storage building with no power!

My wife amused herself reading headlines from the 1983 newspaper she found in the trunk, until I gave her a wrench and told her to get the hinges.

The bad news - it turns out it was a 288 in the car, but correctly from 1953. Unusual since the info page here shows that model of Clipper coming with a 327, but as it's still a 1953 serial it seems like a swap would be unlikely.

So it looks like I'll be looking for a correct engine now. In the meantime I'll grab this one and get it working, but no point in rebuilding the thing if I'm just going to be getting rid of it, as long as it runs. If I get ready to put the engine in before I find the one I need, then I can at least put something in to get her moving down the road while I try to find the right parts.