Been a while, bought the Bird 2 years ago now and just getting started on the restore. I have putted with it for awhile but had too many other projects to get started with it. I checked it out mechanically and made some plans for upgrades. She needs major engine work, I'm going to pull the heads and take a peak, if the cylinders look good, I'll just do rings and put it back together. She runs and drives fine, has plenty of power but smokes like a chimney. I'm hoping stuck rings. I also acquired a mostly complete 292 bored to 301 with all the internals and the heads. all is machined and ready for assembly, so it the original doesn't pan out I have a plan. The trans I will upgrade, it is a 3 spd standard, I bought a 4 spd top loader wide ratio for her and did the machining and installed it, and made a shifter and linkage to fit the original hole in the floor. The plan is to swap the rear gears in the dana 44 to 3.08's. That will give me the same gear ratio off the line but act as an OD in 4th.
I cleaned out my shop, added shelving, and new 10x20 loft area and a car storage lift to give me enough room to do the frame off resto here. The body is pretty good, there is a lot of surface rust, but no rot that I can find yet. But it will be on the rotisserie so we will see.
I bought a generator look alike alternator in 12V, and I'm going to use 2- 6V batteries mounted in the trunk so I can use both the 6v accessories it has and add 12v if needed. That will allow me room to use a more modern firewall mounted booster and dual master to the brakes. Jury is still out on front disc or 4 wheel drum. I will add som pix later, have to head for work.
I cleaned out my shop, added shelving, and new 10x20 loft area and a car storage lift to give me enough room to do the frame off resto here. The body is pretty good, there is a lot of surface rust, but no rot that I can find yet. But it will be on the rotisserie so we will see.
I bought a generator look alike alternator in 12V, and I'm going to use 2- 6V batteries mounted in the trunk so I can use both the 6v accessories it has and add 12v if needed. That will allow me room to use a more modern firewall mounted booster and dual master to the brakes. Jury is still out on front disc or 4 wheel drum. I will add som pix later, have to head for work.
