Truth told, a build like this RUINS more clothes and shoes than anyone might imagine. When I started the channel, I was trying to wear car shirts. That quickly ended and I've been going through white undershirts like they're paper towels! LOL!
Great job, Bill. As for the bracket for the AC compressor, you weren't supposed to look at the instructions before putting it together. We're guys! We don't look at the instructions until something doesn't go together correctly (I normally have to pull them back out of the trash.). 😄 Party on, dude. Looks like you're gonna make it -- still might be close, but you're doing a great job.
Sad part is, I DID look at them. They only showed the compressor ears and it was a cutaway. I didn't catch it until the brackets told me that it was wrong. Oh, well!
I totally like the stock look, it’s ok to have a little bling for contrast like the polished alternator and few accessories but I’m not a big fan of billet, your car is looking really good Bill!
When I put an Old Air unit on the Cutlass (not recommended), it came with the Pro6TEN compressor. It was originally a factory air car, and I used all of the original brackets without needing any modifications. As long as you put the compressor in a stock position, it should be pretty easy. While I don't like it up high and wide, the pocket where the fuel pump and radiator hose is is too tight with factory v-belts. Maybe if it was an LS and serpentine you might be able to get it in front of the block and heads, but this stock position is likely easiest.
I'm getting ready to do a power steering change on my 55 belair and my center dump exhaust manifold is only about 1/8 " from old manual steering box and I have the front motor mounts not sure if the new power steering box gonna work ..... about find out .
You made it look simple! I bet there was a lot of head scratching off camera!! ;) And would seem like a lot of on-line research before hand. At least that's the way my projects seem to go. Good video!!
@@RestoringChristine1956 I'm going to have a little more difficulty as my 56 did not come with a 427. ;) That's partly why I used the original engine mounts.
Timing of this video is perfect. I’m in the process of repairing/modifying my ‘55 Bel Air frame but once that’s done I need to drop in the (bare) 327 that came with the project and get my pulleys worked out. I’m convert the car to power steering/brakes but not AC. My motor has its original cast iron headers which I will keep.
I learned the hard way not to use trimmer string to measure belt length. You have to go to the outside of the pullies like you did and not in the groove. She is looking so good! You can do it! You'll be putting her in reverse saying "lets' motivate" in no time!
Those alternator brackets were for heads that didn't have holes in them. You m!y be able to get a different one if you need to. Your getting closer every day.
And I guess the top arm would have bolted to the water pump in that setup. If anything, I just wish it wasn't so bulky. That's why I was thinking about welding it and eliminating the bolts.
@@RestoringChristine1956 68-72 chevy/gmc truck used short waterpump with the bracket that bolted to the head. There were about three different types of upper brackets.
Since I'm leaning towards a roller version of your cam, how do think it will do with the AC? I'm turning into "If its good enough for Bill...by golly I'm gonna do the same!"
You know, I'm not sure. Again, this is a 307, so my situation is likely a little different. The carb doesn't have an AC idle kicker (neither does the Cutlass), and I'm hoping that because it's a manual transmission, it's not going to be an issue.
No, it clears just fine. That's a factory replacement pump and the alternator is in the factory position, so that gap between the pump pulley and pump housing is meant to provide a clear path, and it does.
I'm learning many things with each episode.
So am I! LOL!!!
I'm envious you get to work on something that is so clean and everything is easily assessable! Great progress, Bill.
Truth told, a build like this RUINS more clothes and shoes than anyone might imagine. When I started the channel, I was trying to wear car shirts. That quickly ended and I've been going through white undershirts like they're paper towels! LOL!
Great job, Bill. As for the bracket for the AC compressor, you weren't supposed to look at the instructions before putting it together. We're guys! We don't look at the instructions until something doesn't go together correctly (I normally have to pull them back out of the trash.). 😄 Party on, dude. Looks like you're gonna make it -- still might be close, but you're doing a great job.
Sad part is, I DID look at them. They only showed the compressor ears and it was a cutaway. I didn't catch it until the brackets told me that it was wrong. Oh, well!
Great job Bill. You are getting closer to the finish line, thanks!
YES! This is a long weekend and I've got a hall pass to spend as much time as needed, which is ALL of it! LOL!
@@RestoringChristine1956 look forward to more videos, when you have time, obviously
It is so fun to watch and learn all the decisions nyou have to make to restore Christine! Reminds me of engineering 🙂
My best ideas are in the garage. That stuff I do at work... meh. LOL!
Nicely done Bill, all looks totally factory! Thanks for the video!
Thanks! Like I've been professing, "just say NO to billet!" (at least on this build...)
I totally like the stock look, it’s ok to have a little bling for contrast like the polished alternator and few accessories but I’m not a big fan of billet, your car is looking really good Bill!
Think can see a light at end of the tunnel! Bill thanks for sharing your videos. I look forward to seeing what your up to each week.
I learned how to measure my pulleys. I would have measured wrong. Great video.
Don't feel bad. I learned that one the hard way!
I am going to install vintage air on my 56 chevy, this video was very helpful, thanks.
When I put an Old Air unit on the Cutlass (not recommended), it came with the Pro6TEN compressor. It was originally a factory air car, and I used all of the original brackets without needing any modifications. As long as you put the compressor in a stock position, it should be pretty easy. While I don't like it up high and wide, the pocket where the fuel pump and radiator hose is is too tight with factory v-belts. Maybe if it was an LS and serpentine you might be able to get it in front of the block and heads, but this stock position is likely easiest.
I'm getting ready to do a power steering change on my 55 belair and my center dump exhaust manifold is only about 1/8 " from old manual steering box and I have the front motor mounts not sure if the new power steering box gonna work ..... about find out .
Thanks as always love the channel
Glad you enjoy it!
Love this!! I’m adding power steering to my 57 real soon!!
So far, so good! We'll see what happens when we light the fuse!
Thanks for the parts numbers
Again... short water pump, so if that's you, then you're good!
Cool beans. I didn't even know you painted this car. The last video I seen I think you were welding pieces in the firewall, vents and stuff.
You made it look simple! I bet there was a lot of head scratching off camera!! ;) And would seem like a lot of on-line research before hand. At least that's the way my projects seem to go. Good video!!
I was aiming for something that aligned with factory stock and (surprise!) factory pulleys do that. LOL!
@@RestoringChristine1956 I'm going to have a little more difficulty as my 56 did not come with a 427. ;) That's partly why I used the original engine mounts.
Gettin there ...
Hopefully within a month, yes! LOL!
Timing of this video is perfect. I’m in the process of repairing/modifying my ‘55 Bel Air frame but once that’s done I need to drop in the (bare) 327 that came with the project and get my pulleys worked out. I’m convert the car to power steering/brakes but not AC. My motor has its original cast iron headers which I will keep.
A lot of this will be applicable. The part numbers should be the same if you have a short water pump.
Nice going--looks like a bit of an erector kit with all the pieces you have to start with but it came together really well. Thx!!!
Speaking of erector sets, my parts pile is rapidly dwindling down. Must be getting close!
I learned the hard way not to use trimmer string to measure belt length. You have to go to the outside of the pullies like you did and not in the groove. She is looking so good! You can do it! You'll be putting her in reverse saying "lets' motivate" in no time!
I'm very optimistic about making my goal! A little more than a month to go!
You're gonna make it
You know, I think you subscribed when I only had 300. You've watched every bit of this build. I have 1 more month and I'm thinking you're right!
Those alternator brackets were for heads that didn't have holes in them. You m!y be able to get a different one if you need to. Your getting closer every day.
And I guess the top arm would have bolted to the water pump in that setup. If anything, I just wish it wasn't so bulky. That's why I was thinking about welding it and eliminating the bolts.
@@RestoringChristine1956 68-72 chevy/gmc truck used short waterpump with the bracket that bolted to the head. There were about three different types of upper brackets.
Since I'm leaning towards a roller version of your cam, how do think it will do with the AC? I'm turning into "If its good enough for Bill...by golly I'm gonna do the same!"
I've caught myself thinking the same thing with my 57 😆
You know, I'm not sure. Again, this is a 307, so my situation is likely a little different.
The carb doesn't have an AC idle kicker (neither does the Cutlass), and I'm hoping that because it's a manual transmission, it's not going to be an issue.
Did the belt go behind the power steering pump pulley. Is it rubbing.
No, it clears just fine. That's a factory replacement pump and the alternator is in the factory position, so that gap between the pump pulley and pump housing is meant to provide a clear path, and it does.
Dude, I'm guessing that when you were in school, you would read the end of a book first. Tell me I'm wrong.
Worse... I was a Cliff's Notes guy.
@@RestoringChristine1956 We were both scholarly scum and proud of it.