3/14/19: “Maiden Voyage”: I bought 7 qts. of 10w-30 Valvoline and installed. I added oil to by-pass oil filter housing then reinstalled the filter and the cap. It took all 7 qts. to top her off. I started it up and it sounds great, oil pressure was good. The engine wasn’t running perfect but it was time to see if she would drive. I called for my wife to go for our first ride. We didn’t go far but enough to shift thru the gears, go in reverse, feel out the clutch and see if the brakes work. They all checked out OK. I am thrilled. I now have a running, driving antique truck. The gods are shinning down on me.

I parked her in the front yard, to show all the neighbors, (that have been stopping by to see my progress) that I had finally got her started. Later that day I went to move her back to the temporary shelter I erected and she wouldn’t start. I noticed that the ignition switch was in the on position. That couldn’t be good. I had my wife crank her over while I held the plug wire near a ground and there wasn’t a spark. One step forward, two steps back! I ohm’d out the coil and sure enough it was shot. A lesson to be learned. Although I can’t figure how I left it on when I turned it to the off position to shut her down. In the future I’ll have to make sure it is in the off position. 


Phil
Moderator, The Engine Shop, Interiors and Project Journals

1952 Chevrolet 3100, Three on the Tree, 4:11 torque tube
Updated to: ‘59 235 w/hydraulic lifters, 12v w/alternator, HEI, PCV and Power front Disc Brakes
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