1960 Rambler American Super
"Buttercup"
In December 2011 I got this awesome, well loved '60 Rambler., and traded it in August 2016.
The previous owner had started to remove the head, presumably to change the gasket, then let the car sit for 10 years. I decided to start where he left off. It took two people, an array of pry bars, chisels and hammers, and lots of grunting to get the head removed. What it revealed was bad news: The cylinders and valves were rusted in place, and we found the motor would not turn over. We tried soaking ATF in the cylinders, but the motor was thoroughly seized. Uh oh.
The previous owner had started to remove the head, presumably to change the gasket, then let the car sit for 10 years. I decided to start where he left off. It took two people, an array of pry bars, chisels and hammers, and lots of grunting to get the head removed. What it revealed was bad news: The cylinders and valves were rusted in place, and we found the motor would not turn over. We tried soaking ATF in the cylinders, but the motor was thoroughly seized. Uh oh.
Normally I don't deal with seized motors, I'd just sell the car, but this was a special case. I made the decision to remove and do a mild rebuild on the motor. After a few hours of removing bolts here and there, we finally pulled the motor out. I brought it to the Rocket Motors shop and was able to strip the motor down to the bare block with a few sockets, some solvent and a blowtorch. The motor has gone through the hot tank, been pressure tested and is being honed and checked out.
In the meantime, I replaced the master cylinder, wheel cylinders and brake hoses so she'll be ready to go when she gets her powerplant back. I'm also polishing the chrome and other things.
In May 2013 I got some bad news: The block has two rust scarred cylinders, the pistons are in bad shape and the valve area is a bit iffy. What started out as a simple, cheap rebuild has now turned into an expensive set of pistons, boring and sleeving and more money than I was hoping. Worst of all, progress has been extremely slow with the machine work, but I kept hoping it would get sped up.
With no signs of progress on the engine, I had to move the Rambler out of the shop and to a friends house in December 2013. She sat there, basically untouched until I decided I had too many projects waiting and it was time to get them either on the road or out the door! In early March 2015, I bought another Rambler straight six 195.6 Flathead from a high school auto shop. I brought the new engine to Rescino's Performance, where new valves were quickly installed and the head was resurfaced.
The Rambler body went to Tim at All Classics and Customs who was able to install the engine in July 2015. After replacing and fabricating various parts, the car was complete. She was started in August for the first time, but unfortunately she wouldn't run run. The motor started and coughed and spit, but wouldn't actually run or idle.
After bringing it to Herb at High St. Automotive in Mid October, a new set of points was put in and she fired up! I drained the gas tank and replaced the rubber hoses along the fuel line. She didn't start up as hoped, and needed an electric fuel pump put in and some timing adjustments.
On Jan 26, 2016, she started and idled for the first time in years, though she was leaking and smoking pretty significantly. And the next day, her timing chain broke! The next month, I replaced the timing chain and she ran well, despite billowing clouds of smoke out the tail pipe. I drove her home successfully, though for some reason she doesn't have a working reverse gear. Around August 2016, I traded the little Rambler for a 1963 Cadillac coupe, and it puttered off into the sunset.
In the meantime, I replaced the master cylinder, wheel cylinders and brake hoses so she'll be ready to go when she gets her powerplant back. I'm also polishing the chrome and other things.
In May 2013 I got some bad news: The block has two rust scarred cylinders, the pistons are in bad shape and the valve area is a bit iffy. What started out as a simple, cheap rebuild has now turned into an expensive set of pistons, boring and sleeving and more money than I was hoping. Worst of all, progress has been extremely slow with the machine work, but I kept hoping it would get sped up.
With no signs of progress on the engine, I had to move the Rambler out of the shop and to a friends house in December 2013. She sat there, basically untouched until I decided I had too many projects waiting and it was time to get them either on the road or out the door! In early March 2015, I bought another Rambler straight six 195.6 Flathead from a high school auto shop. I brought the new engine to Rescino's Performance, where new valves were quickly installed and the head was resurfaced.
The Rambler body went to Tim at All Classics and Customs who was able to install the engine in July 2015. After replacing and fabricating various parts, the car was complete. She was started in August for the first time, but unfortunately she wouldn't run run. The motor started and coughed and spit, but wouldn't actually run or idle.
After bringing it to Herb at High St. Automotive in Mid October, a new set of points was put in and she fired up! I drained the gas tank and replaced the rubber hoses along the fuel line. She didn't start up as hoped, and needed an electric fuel pump put in and some timing adjustments.
On Jan 26, 2016, she started and idled for the first time in years, though she was leaking and smoking pretty significantly. And the next day, her timing chain broke! The next month, I replaced the timing chain and she ran well, despite billowing clouds of smoke out the tail pipe. I drove her home successfully, though for some reason she doesn't have a working reverse gear. Around August 2016, I traded the little Rambler for a 1963 Cadillac coupe, and it puttered off into the sunset.
Delivered to All Classics & Customs
