VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 Rebuilt Engine Done

Some pics of the new engine and recored radiator. In the '50 is a 1954 235 PowerGlide engine, stock bore, all new insides, all new clutch, etc. Used some of my 216 stuff to keep that look. Still looking for decals.
Next is new brake lines and next winter maybe, 3:55 rear end.

Looks good!! I noticed the overflow tank and was curious if you have had experience with its usage.This past weekend I saw one at a car flea market(NOS) but didn't purchase it as I am uncertain of its necessity on a 50 or 51.

Oil filler cap and the bolts and retainers that hold the manifolds to the head and the head bolts and water pump pulley should be engine color.
Oil filter decals are both wrong. Only decal is one on the lid. Goes around the rim of the lid and letters are blue. Won,t comment on the engine color as the correct dark gray dosen't always reproduce well when photographed.
You shold be running an at least 4 pound pressure cap with the 235 engine. If a pressure cap is used it requires as gasket (in the cap) for the filler neck or the radiator will not pull the water back out of the tank. Tank decal is for a 1948 and older. 1950 decal is the red letter one.
I hope you don't mind my comments as it looks great and hope it runs that way also. Now take a nice 100 mile long trip to break it in.

Hello Chevgene,

On my 51 fleetline PG the oil cap was a similaar orange and the bottom was a "Napa" navy blue if you will. Is that right for a 51?

Dean,
Just curious....did you use stainless bolts on your engine? They look good even if not purely correct. Although a VCCA member I do not intend to have my wagon judged.I'm only interested in reviving the car to the point where I bought it for my wife in 1984. (Of course some things will be nicer & cleaner looking if not correct)I'll try to make it as presentable as I can so that she may impress her Kindergarten class!I hope my effort will look as good as yours.

A very clean, great-looking engine!

Hi
Would you mind sharing approximately what the cost was for your engine rebuild?, machine work, parts ect. mine will be coming up and it would be nice to know for my budget.The pictures are great.
thanks
gnewt

Wow,
Thanks everyone for the kind comments.
Gene, I appreciate your honest comments, I know you just want 'em to be right. I hope you are feeling fine now. I will take care of the things you mention over time.
I thought I ordered the proper oil filter decals but when it came the paper they were on said "truck". Didn't metion that in the catalog. I stuck 'em on anyway for now, because they just peel off. The air filter decal I got was not a water decal and was not right at all so I didn't use it. I think Nat'l Chevy Assoc. has the proper oil and air filter decals. The paint details I wasn't sure of before.
The gent who did the rebuild is a real nice guy who did a lot of extra work on this. He's in his 80s and really worked hard on this job. Also did a lot of other general maintenance stuff just because he likes my car.
Steve6 - The overflow tank is functional in the summer, catching the extra fluid for a minute when you first shut the car off. Better than that $12 a gallon going onto the ground. As it cools it just draws back into the radiator. But with this "new" radiator it may not be needed. Also I just think they look cool.
54 210 Wagon - No, not stainless, just all new plated bolts, washers, etc.
gnewt - I set aside about $2500 for the rebuild. I definitely wanted to go the full pressure route. I found an engine for $100 and a spare one for parts for $20. I got lucky and could use the original pistons, didn't need a rebore. Did buy a some new stuff(lifters, NOS motor mounts for example)but the big items (pistons, crank, cam,etc.) were usable. Did replace the clutch, pressure plate and flywheel, since the engine was out of the car. Also rebuilt the steering idler arm.
Most of the stuff came straight from a regular automotive supplier here in Michigan and a couple of items from Chevs of the 40s.
It pulls pretty strong, runs real smooth and quiet (hydraulic lifters now) and I'm really looking forward to putting some highway miles on this summer.
Thanks again everybody. Good luck with your projects.

Dean

Dads51
When you get your May G&D note the engine and filter colors for the 1954 truck. They are all correct and the colors reproduced well.
The truck did not use different decals and the dealer installed orange and blue filter could have been installed on a car or truck from 1950-1962. If the filter was ordered as an option from the factory (factory installed) it would be all black with ivory lettering on the outter rim of the cover....and was the same filter. The basic canister was used on many GM cars including on a 1955 265 V8.

Dean, Nice to see you have the 54 in and operating.
Drive it over to Brighton so I can admire your efforts.

Hi Walt.
Hope you are doing well. That will be one trip I will be sure to make this summer.