Tearing Down Engine

Compression didn't look good, so the only thing to do is a complete engine rebuild to cover all bases. Removed head, intake, exhaust, water pump, generator, starter, and side valve spring covers to see what we're working with. Cylinder walls look pretty good and found .030" over pistons tucked away. Hopefully I can go to .040" over easily. Valves are chewed up and most likely original. Casualties of running old motor originally designed for leaded gas. Running unleaded gas has done it's damage.

Allen and I removed the old Hydra-matic to prepare for brand new Borg Warner T-5 transmission. Need an overdrive because the straight-8 doesn't like rev'ing over 3,750 rpm.
Plus, you just gotta go manual in an old ride like this. The T-5 won't be a direct bolt on option. Will need to dig up and old Pontiac manual transmission bell housing and have it machined to mount up with special adapters.

Pulling Engine From '48 Pontiac and Dropping it Into '28 Chevy

Estimating rough placement of cowl and how much of it will be chopped down. Began to lay out custom engine brackets. Nice to see some of the basic proportions take shape.

Next day finished grinding off brackets and rusted frame bolts from the '28 frame. Brought the frame into garage, blocked and leveled it. Lowered engine into place.

Unloaded engine from pickup to and plan to drop into frame tomorrow.

Loading this monster into the pickup to take home.

Pulling the motor at the storage lot.

Straight 8 Is Here

After about 6 weeks of waiting, the 249ci Pontiac was delivered.
Just removed the carb for rebuild. Pulling the engine and transmission this weekend and lining it up in the '28 Chevy frame so I can design mounting brackets.

Down To The Frame

There is no power at the storage unit to grind the rivets off so I have to take it home to my garage. To make it more of a pain, I don't have a trailer yet so I have to transport the frame in the back of my shortbed Chevy. The side support brackets on the frame just barely fit into the bed width-wise. Simply stood inside inside the frame, bent down, picked it up and walked her partially in the bed. Then ducking out of the frame I gave her a push from behind to slide the rest of the way. Tied it down with straps, flagged it, and took the frame home to prep for grinding.

Finished removing the last of the bolted on parts such as gas tank, spare tire assembly, rear axle, and the last of the rear mechanical brakes. Battery box, exhaust hanger, and side step rail supports will need to be removed by grinding large steel rivets with an angle grinder.

For the past few weeks I've had a visitor, 'Petey', living in my spare parts pile. He hangs out while I hammer and work. The most chill rabbit I've ever seen. He naps while I work. Awesome.

Deconstruction

This weekend was perfect to get outside and blast through disassembly. Removal of cowl, fenders, bucket, running boards, steering column, front axle assembly, and some of the brake linkage were knocked out in about 12 hours. Most of the fasteners were frozen by rust and either twisted in half or needed to be sawn off.

Trailering Back To Texas

Got her on the trailer and began the 125 mile trip from Sulpher, OK to Dallas, TX.

(Video) Got the '28 Chevy National AB

Met up with the owner today in Sulpher, Oklahoma to strike a deal. After seeing the car in person, and digging through scattered spare parts, it seemed like there was enough to work with. Frame was in good shape and had original suspension, rims, drive shaft, and rear end. We made a deal and loaded her up. Had to use a tractor because the field was muddy from the previous day's snow.

Going Out Saturday To Look At '28 Chevy

Found this 1928 Chevrolet sedan in Southern Oklahoma. Headed up there Saturday morning to check it out and hopefully make a deal on it.

Picked Up '48 Pontiac Striaght-8 & Chassis