Re: KPack
Posted by kevinpackard On 2021/7/9 23:22:42
Don and Jerome - definitely not a fun job. If the dipstick were easier to access it wouldn't be so bad.
I got the Ultramatic topped off this evening and didn't even make a mess this time. I ran it through all the gears to be sure that it was distributed around and the level was right on.
While I had the car on stands I took the opportunity to install my new front seatbelts from Retrobelt. I got the 72" length because I wasn't sure if the 60" would be enough. Better to have too much. A previous owner had installed seatbelts, and they were in a box of junk when I got the car. The color was hideous and all the hardware was rusted, so into the trash they went. I went with the dark blue from Retrobelt, because I feel it matches the dark blue carpet, dash, and trim. The seats are currently lighter than they should be, and the light blue from Retrobelt is very bright.
I used a body mount on the outside belts, and previous drilled holes for the inner belts. Grade 8 hardware and big fat washers. Should be plenty strong.
Because I don't trust my fuel gauge I picked up a 2 gallon can and threw it in the trunk, along with a tool roll and jumper cables. I really don't want to get stranded while I test drive.
Threw some more gas in the car and double checked the timing. It's still right on target at idle. Then buckled my new seatbelt and turned on the "radio". My wife got me a JBL Flip 5 for my birthday a while back, and even managed to match the color to the inside of the car. I place it right under the front of the bench seat and it blends right in. Sound is great. It's pretty nice to cruise while listening to Elvis or Sinatra. I don't think I'll get to repairing the factory radio anytime soon, so this solution works great.
I took a nice 15 mile or so drive to test everything. The transmission feels fantastic. So much more responsive now. The fuel gauge is miraculously registering something....not sure it's accurate but at least it shows something. Took the car up to 50 for a few miles and it was effortless. Temp stayed very steady (85 ambient), engine was smooth, slight bounce in the speedo (lube the cable?). Brakes are working great.
When I got home the car had quite a bit of light colored smoke coming out the exhaust. I notice this whenever I run the car hard. I can't tell if it's just burning off carbon build up, burning up a clogged muffler, or if it's something more serious like a head gasket leak. I have a new exhaust system coming in a couple months, so hopefully that will help.
-Kevin
Attach file:
New seatbelts.jpg (133.49 KB)
Emergency necessities.jpg (141.72 KB)
JBL Flip.jpg (143.00 KB)
Quick and easy stereo.jpg (132.79 KB)
Evening drive.jpg (79.37 KB)
Cruising at 50.jpg (100.30 KB)
I got the Ultramatic topped off this evening and didn't even make a mess this time. I ran it through all the gears to be sure that it was distributed around and the level was right on.
While I had the car on stands I took the opportunity to install my new front seatbelts from Retrobelt. I got the 72" length because I wasn't sure if the 60" would be enough. Better to have too much. A previous owner had installed seatbelts, and they were in a box of junk when I got the car. The color was hideous and all the hardware was rusted, so into the trash they went. I went with the dark blue from Retrobelt, because I feel it matches the dark blue carpet, dash, and trim. The seats are currently lighter than they should be, and the light blue from Retrobelt is very bright.
I used a body mount on the outside belts, and previous drilled holes for the inner belts. Grade 8 hardware and big fat washers. Should be plenty strong.
Because I don't trust my fuel gauge I picked up a 2 gallon can and threw it in the trunk, along with a tool roll and jumper cables. I really don't want to get stranded while I test drive.
Threw some more gas in the car and double checked the timing. It's still right on target at idle. Then buckled my new seatbelt and turned on the "radio". My wife got me a JBL Flip 5 for my birthday a while back, and even managed to match the color to the inside of the car. I place it right under the front of the bench seat and it blends right in. Sound is great. It's pretty nice to cruise while listening to Elvis or Sinatra. I don't think I'll get to repairing the factory radio anytime soon, so this solution works great.
I took a nice 15 mile or so drive to test everything. The transmission feels fantastic. So much more responsive now. The fuel gauge is miraculously registering something....not sure it's accurate but at least it shows something. Took the car up to 50 for a few miles and it was effortless. Temp stayed very steady (85 ambient), engine was smooth, slight bounce in the speedo (lube the cable?). Brakes are working great.
When I got home the car had quite a bit of light colored smoke coming out the exhaust. I notice this whenever I run the car hard. I can't tell if it's just burning off carbon build up, burning up a clogged muffler, or if it's something more serious like a head gasket leak. I have a new exhaust system coming in a couple months, so hopefully that will help.
-Kevin
Attach file:
New seatbelts.jpg (133.49 KB) Emergency necessities.jpg (141.72 KB) JBL Flip.jpg (143.00 KB)
Quick and easy stereo.jpg (132.79 KB)
Evening drive.jpg (79.37 KB)
Cruising at 50.jpg (100.30 KB)
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