We'll be having the next HQ Wrench session this Saturday, 7 Feb 2026, starting about 1000. We'll be covering valve adjustment, timing and carburetor adjustment (Carter YJ). We'll also install the solid state condenser thingy that JonG makes when we reset the engine timing.
The class session will be with the Chevrolet 261 engine.
Address:
2769 AL Hwy 146 Scottsboro (Skyline, physically), AL 35768
If coming from Huntsville on I-565/US72, take AL65 after Gurley. Be careful on those corners as there are no guardrails ...! AL65 to Swaim, turn right onto AL146. Go to the top of the mountain and we're the first inhabited house on the right. If you're unsure of taking the twisty road with no shoulder and a straight drop into the Paint Rock River, then stay on US72 and then take a left (you have to do a u-turn hooptydo) onto AL79 North. Go up the mountain through Skyline and turn left onto AL146. Go about 3 .5 miles. We're the first house on the left after County Rd 138.
We'll probably get lunch from Bernie's in Skyline.
Sure would be great for those of us who can't be there if it could be videoed! (Don't worry, we wouldn't be upset if the language got a little rough if someone bangs a finger.)
Nick 1940 KC Model 1/2 Ton Pickup Project (with '37-'39 Bed and what we think is a '42-'46 Frame) Taos, New Mexico
Nick ... I'll see what we can do! That would be cool if we can do it!
~ John
A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult.
1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 1963 Kaiser M38A1 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
Just a reminder, John- - - -has the residue in the oil filter canister been dealt with? It's bound to be an oil/antifreeze mix that shouldn't end up back in the crankcase. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult.
1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 1963 Kaiser M38A1 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult.
1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 1963 Kaiser M38A1 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
John, I’m sorry for the late reply. I wasn’t able to make it today. My grandkids had a sleepover. I look forward to being able to meet you folks in the near future.
Cool! Enjoy the grandkids while they last! It'll just be Jerry fussing at me for my unorganized tool box and all the dumb ways I do things... You can catch that most other times, too.
We'll definitely plan something for when it warms up a little more.
John
~ John
A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult.
1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 1963 Kaiser M38A1 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
Here's a few pics from today. I'll be working on the videos this week. Jerry walks us through proper feeler guage use, using a dial indicator to check piston to valve clearance, and the Companion Cylinder Valve adjustment method.
Videos you will *not* see:
1. John neglecting to remove a zip tie (that was supporting the manifolds while they were unbolted) and then wondering what was keeping the manifold from moving towards the head...
2. (Video 2 is Classified Secret/NOFORN)...
3. The garage filling with smoke from the engine burning off everything that got into it during the headgasket failure and subsequent work ...
4. Jerry singing karaoke in Thai at Rosa's during lunch break.
Last edited by John Milliman; 02/08/20264:39 AM.
~ John
A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult.
1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 1963 Kaiser M38A1 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
And that galloping noise in the background is all the skunks, possums, and other varmints in the neighborhood heading down the mountain at a dead run after getting one look at that butt-ugly old geezer! LOL! Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Yep, can't wait for the video... That's an interesting paint scheme on Charlie's fan blades...
~ Craig 1958 Viking 4400 "The Book of Thor" Read the story in the DITY 1960 Chevrolet C10 "A Family Heirloom" Follow the story in the DITY Gallery '59 Apache 31, 327 V8 (0.030 over), Muncie M20 4 Speed, GM 10 Bolt Rear... long term project (30 years and counting)
If you don't like driving yourTruck, you won't drive yourTruck..| Living life in the SLOW lane
I was wondering if I could run a 235 with the valve cover off and not sling oil all over the place. I need to check the valve/rocker clearance when the engine is warmed up.
Don
Edit: How much clearance did you end up with on the piston to valve clearance?
Last edited by 2-Ton; 02/08/20263:47 PM.
1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck "The Flag Pole" In the Stovebolt Gallery 1946 2-Ton grain truck 1946 3/4-ton pickup, 1953 1-ton pickup 1957 1-ton flatbed dually, 1954 Pontiac Straight Eight Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most!
Yep, can't wait for the video... That's an interesting paint scheme on Charlie's fan blades...
That's the "DON'T PUT YOUR GRUBBY HANDS HERE" paint scheme. Aircraft propeller blades are also painted like that.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
~ Craig 1958 Viking 4400 "The Book of Thor" Read the story in the DITY 1960 Chevrolet C10 "A Family Heirloom" Follow the story in the DITY Gallery '59 Apache 31, 327 V8 (0.030 over), Muncie M20 4 Speed, GM 10 Bolt Rear... long term project (30 years and counting)
If you don't like driving yourTruck, you won't drive yourTruck..| Living life in the SLOW lane
Don, I glue the valve cover gasket down with 3M trim cement (AKA Gorilla Snot on the NASCAR circuit). It makes a convenient dam for the oil that drips off the rocker arms. No sealer on top- - - -which allows the valve cover to be removed easily for adjustment checks. I stopped checking when the dial indicator made a full revolution- - - - -100 thousandths. I'm going to guess probably 1/8" or so with the Elgin E-323 cam that's in that engine. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Thanks for the tip Jerry, I thought there had to be a trick.
Don
1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck "The Flag Pole" In the Stovebolt Gallery 1946 2-Ton grain truck 1946 3/4-ton pickup, 1953 1-ton pickup 1957 1-ton flatbed dually, 1954 Pontiac Straight Eight Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most!
Please refer to the Engine Forum for the videos. I just uploaded the videos as a potential Tech Tip.
Don -- One of the videos shows the engine running with the valve cover off. Note how the oil stays where it is supposed to be.
The engine sounds like it has an exhaust leak because ... it does Yesterday, we discovered the manifolds need to come back off and make a trip of their own to the machine shop so they will all behave and mate up to the head without leaking.
I'm just happy we're getting this all done now and not the week before Townsend ...
~ John
A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult.
1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 1963 Kaiser M38A1 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
