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Thanks guys. You are right about the channels. If I can reproduce them though, it will be a good learning experience for me. Thanks for the tips on the paint and washers. I didn't know that. About the paint, the 500 degree engine enamel was the only paint I could find in cast iron gray at the store.

6-23-11

Spent an hour today in the garage media blasting the heater motor and housing. Got the motor blasted and painted. I have about 1/4 of the housing blasted. Pic below is the first coat of paint on the top of the motor. Hopefully I can finish painting it tomorrow.

I also ordered a heat riser spring, gas sending unit gasket and air cleaner decal from Max Merritt.

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Just a tip, that gas tank sending unit gasket is really a large o-ring that you can buy at any auto-parts store. I think I bought a 3-pack for $2.50 or something like that.

Oh well. Live and learn. I threw it on my order, but I didn't take the sender off yet so I had no idea.

BigKev, when you got the rust off your gas tank the first time, did you fill the tank with water or anything to prevent the possibility of fire? Not sure how you are supposed to handle a tank when you are going to wire brush it. That project is coming up on my list.

Also, if that manifold paint doesn't hold up for you, you can brush on the 2000 degree stuff after throwing some rags, masking off stuff, etc. So worse comes to worse, you can brush the manifold later if it does peel and if it really bothers you. No need to let it slow you down now.

Well before I wire stripped the out side I rinsed out the tanks very well and did some acid washes on it, and that really helped to de-fume the tank.

But yes, just to be safe, you should fill with water, and do it outside for ventilation. Make sure to dry the tank out with forced air afterward to prevent rust.

Just checked my exhaust manifold test with ir gun, it was around 450 totally warmed up. Intake was about 150-170. Your paint should hold up well!

Thanks cortcomp! I hate having to redo work. Now I have a little more piece of mind.

6-29-11

Finished sandblasting, priming and painting the heater motor housing. I also sandblasted, primed and painted the fan blade. I was going to sandblast the air cleaner, but I decided to wire brush it instead to keep debris from getting inside it. Got that primed.

I noticed something on the air cleaner lid. I ordered a decal from Max Merritt. They sent me one that follows a curve. The one on my car is a square. Which is correct for 1951?

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I don't see anything exactly like the square decal on the PAC store or on an old page of Max's list of decal placements--nothing orange and black that says "air cleaner and silencer". There is one square AC with the colors reversed that says "heavy duty air cleaner" bu that seems to be as close as it comes.

Max's list says the curved one is 48-53 oil bath air cleaner. PAC says 48-54 except 359.

Hmmm...I wonder what I have then? Should I media blast it and put the label on, or is this something that should be saved? This must be a Packard air cleaner, right?