1947 Chevy Fleetline Aerosedan: Company...

The competition will continue until either it is guessed or I have completed the work (might take a week or two) and I post of pic of the end result...

So, it's been quite a week, not much Chevy time after the fantastic news of getting it running as reported in the post reference below:


As promised, here goes, with a quick recap:
So Dad had advised that I remove the plugs and pour some diesel into each cylinder and leave it to soak for 24 hours. Then crank the engine over by hand as much as possible to free things up and lube things. I used Duck Oil instead which is a fantastic penetrating oil, and of course had the luxury of a hand crank handle rather than having to use a ratchet on the crank pulley.

Later on Sunday I checked the wiring and cranked the engine over a number of times with the plugs out. I also check the points gap, power to coil, distributor, oil, water, etc. I got my son to help and we cranked the engine over a number of times on the starter. I then hooked up a small fuel tank and popped the plugs back in and could get it to fire even though it seems to want to. I wasn't sure about the strength of the spark, and managed to break a plug lead (they were very perished).

I was suspecting the coil, but chatting with Dad on Sunday evening, he was convinced it was the points, even though I had operated them manually with screwdriver and seen them spark.  I also took the time to put the battery on charge overnight to top it all for more cranking.



So, when I got home on Monday evening, I grabbed some emery paper and carefully sanded the points (a magneto file would be better, and Dad also recommended carefully wiping the surfaces clean with a lot free cloth - like a hanky). Due to the broken plug lead, I popped next door to Joe (another petrol head with a penchant for US motors) to see if he could lend me one. With a good lead from Joe, I suddenly had a strong spark and the Chevy barked properly. I quickly headed back to Joe for more plug leads and he lent me the brand new set he had bought for this:



Following the new plug leads and filing the points, it all fired up as you saw.

Here are the old leads and new box.




I subsequently started it a few times during the week, once to get this picture of the oil pressure.



I have since placed an order with Rock Auto for some new parts, including a new set of plug leads for Joe. On Thursday evening Joe warned that he might need the leads back as his electrically minded friend was coming to visit on Friday.

Friday evening Joe confirmed that he had taken the leads back, and more Chevy good news in the street. His '55 van is running as well. So currently between us we have one set of leads, I'll leave them with Joe as mine should be here in 10 days or so.

Sorry, wrong again, but I like your thinking. I'm thinking old chest freezer and cookers (for elements) for powder coating booth.

On the car front, thanks!



I decided to let you all out of your misery. Some guesses were close, but people probably don't know enough about my hobbies (or the insanity that is my mind) yet to guess.

First, some progress pics:
As delivered. My colleague (Dan) from work collected it and dropped it off for me. We left it lying like this overnight so that I could strip the refrigeration units from it before moving it.


I then ratchet strapped a homemade trolley to it and having moved the motorhome and towed the Chevy out of the way, my boy, Kyle, helped me trundle it down to the garage.



I then returned the Chevy to it's rightful place (Kyle steering - he's driven the Chevy more than me since I've had it).


I then spent a few hours continuing to strip out the fridge and re-wire it so that only the lights work (failed at that, think the lights are faulty, will look again sometime), and finally Kyle helped me manhandle it into it's final home.


This space below, where the motor, etc used to be will become a big deep drawer for general storage in the garage.


So, what is this for?

I will be putting a clothes rail and some shelving in it, and it will then be the "Wardrobe" for my motorcycle gear. SWMBO wants the bike gear out of the house as it is quite bulky, and I don't want it getting dusty with normal garage detritus. So I figured a fridge is sealed and I can see in it. Before you start commenting about the fact that gear could be damp, etc. I do actually plan to cut some holes in and fit filters and fans to make it draw controlled air through the unit.

Oh, and a Coke fridge is simply cool!!! Especially those door handles.

3rd and final update for the evening (I didn't get much time last week, so tonight is catchup time!!!). Remember this post?


Well, I know it hasn't been 4 months yet (and still not ready to let the cat out of the bag) but...

What most of you guys probably didn't know is that I have a 2CV in storage which was meant to be sold before the Chevy arrived. When the re-commissioning in preparation for the sale when badly, I got fed up with it and pushed it into my storage unit and pretended I was an Ostrich (I.e. Stuck my head in the sand and ignored it).

Well, today I decided to do something about it. The 2CV has to go so that I have some space back in the storage unit. So this evening quickly went out and snapped some pics (here's one):


I then spent some time writing up an Ebay listing. The plan was to then copy that and post it up here on RR in case someone here likes the idea of a French project. When done with the listing I submitted it and while getting my head straight on what to next, and email popped into my inbox, entitled "You've sold your eBay item: Citroen 2CV6 Special White B-Reg - Project".

So, the listing lasted all of 21 minutes. The buyer has already phoned me and will be coming around with cash tomorrow night to collect his new toy. And the good news is that the Buy It Now price I set means it broadly washed it's face which I thought might struggle.

I still have a pile of 2CV bits (mainly for older ones and vans, but some new parts) to sell. A taster of these is included in the listing I have for a new galvanised 2CV chassis:
Ebay listing


What does this all have to do with the SECRET?  Well, the storage is needed.  

Hi followers. I've just posted a question in the "Questions" forum. I need some help on solutions for raising the Chevy to a suitable height for easy access to clean and paint the underneath.

More information here: retrorides.proboards.com/thread/190793/raising-car-chassis-cleaning-paint

Sketches would be interesting even if I don't do that. Need ideas just to figure out a plan.

Quick update.

Remember this?


Well, Joe told me he didn't get a key with the van, so when they started it last Friday they had to hotwire it.

In case anyone was taking note and wondering about the Burger King cup on the back seat in the pictures on the first page of this thread, here is what was in it...


Joe borrowed the keys and and trying a number managed to find one that fits his van. Result!

What I didn't tell you before is that the key the seller provided with the Aerosedan didn't work, and I also found one through trying them all.

To all who have tried to help me solve my problem with raising and supporting the vehicle for cleaning/painting underneath, I have just posted this update in the questions thread, thanks!!


I will post pictures later when I can download them. I might even be able to cobble together a variation of fer4l's idea by combining this with my new engine crane (Oh Yeah! Did I tell you about this? The colleague who fetched the fridge for me, also delivered the engine crane that he sold me for a knock down price)

I like these and had looked at some on Ebay, considering distance and needing to rent a trailer or pay someone to get them home, the trailer is a lot cheaper (and more useful - hmm!  Projects!!!)