Getting Her Started

I think I flooded the engine. I started her up just like Melvin showed me but she wouldn't start.

Jimmy and our neighbor had to push her back up the drive way. That is no fun.

Later, it turns out I made an amateur mistake. I put the car in "accessory" instead of "start." In the meanwhile, we had it taken to our favorite local mechanic to get the state inspection and the once over (I want to get his permission to put their name on this project!). We call them the physicians of mechanics; not just because they are good but because once we were having a problem in the front axle of our Ford F150 and the guy literally had a stethoscope he put to the truck while jacked up. And they figured that one out free of charge if I remember it right. They are like the TV show House for cars, they go through every possibility until the problem is solved. Their motto: "Today's technology, yesterday's service." And its every bit true.

While there, she had quite a few experiences. First, I had a great moment with one of the young guys from the shop jumping in to move the car. I said, "I don't mean to be rude, but do you know how to drive that thing?" He said, "What? A manual clutch? Of coarse I do." I said, "No. A manual choke." He jumped right out of that car. There were plenty of old school guys on hand to drive it better than I could!

It turned out she needed some work to pass state inspection. Texas does not require a full smog inspection on a car over 25 years (I think that's what they said). But it has to pass basic safety parameters, like functioning signals. While working on the electrical they noticed the motor mount was sagging and causing something else (sorry, not that technical) to rub up against it creating a breach. This required a new motor mount and they also noticed the need for a new oil pan. That turned out to be quite a trip to find. Eventually a guy with a great shop in New York (I will ask my mechanic who) specializes in such requests and was able to locate one for us. It just took a little time.

All these issues are resolved as of this coming Monday. It is road ready and headed for . . . guess where?

Restoration. We begin the project Monday June 1, 2009. We have a plan. We have vision. We have patience.

Now I have to decide the interior. Its still months away but I want to be ready to make the right decision when it comes up. I like this one . . .
http://www.52classicchevy.com/1952-chevrolet-interiors.html

There aren't many pictures on the internet of good interiors so I will rely on my consultation with experts when the time comes.