I am doing some pre-planning for my engine build and would like some advice from the experts please. Here is some background:
The truck is a '52 1/2 ton and the engine is a '61 235. I have decided that I want to build a nostalgic performance engine that will be a daily driver, so I want it to be reliable.
A local pulled his souped up 235 and replaced it with a souped up 283 and sold me his add-ons.
I now have fenton headers and will either buy the exhaust pipes or have them made. I also have a Offy 2x1 intake, (2) Rochester B models, and the linkage. Lastly, I got his 3 year old Howard's M4F cam, push rods, lifters, springs, and his rebuilt 848 head with hardened seats.
And I almost forgot about the dual point Mallory
and the Wayne cover set. He had a lot of stuff so we made a package deal.
Questions:
1. Should I have the Fentons ceramic coated and if so, are darker colors better for exhaust? I want the 235 to be fire engine red.
2. What is the best solution for providing a warming system for the Offy 2x1? Jim Carter sells a Fenton plate system that I am guessing uses short tubes and heat from the exhaust vs some sort of water heating system.
3. The old Rochester B's don't leak now, but I've read that the preferred carb long term is some flavor of Carter. Should I use the old ones until they start leaking, then upgrade?
4. Can I use the 3 year old Howard's cam and the old lifters, etc. or do I need to get new lifters, etc.
5. He also had a set of Wayne covers that he painted and I would like to remove the paint and get back to original. Can anyone recommend a good method for removing the old paint?
I have lots of time to complete all this, so I want to do it right. Thanks for all the wisdom.
