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Hello Stovebolters!

I am beaming with joy!! The day finally came today!!

I took the 37 out for a spin for the first time since September, 2002!

Since that time I have done a load of things to the truck, not the least of which was a totally rebuilt front end which is for the most part a 54 truck front end, now. I used all 54 parts, axle, steering arms, modern tie rod ends, shock set-up with 54 car hubs and backing plates. I topped it off with a 41-46 recirculating ball steering column. All of this stuff is bolt on stuff that sure made a difference.

I realize that this is not the same truck I used to own and, I'd like to tell you, it drove as good as any new truck I've ever owned! I am very impressed at what has happened with my truck! No shake, no shimmy - just a nice smooth ride and steering was effortless, something I have never enjoyed in the past with this truck! The steering is a touch loose, but I'm not going to complain. The other new part is new 225/75R15 Diamondback Classics. Their tire is a high profile radial that looks like a 4 ply bias tire, but, of course, gives you everything you would expect from a radial.

The engine has a new NASCAR mini alternator and a new short shaft water pump with a double pully set up - one groove turns the A/C on the left side of the engine and the other groove turns the alternator on the right side of the engine. I also dumped my Offenhauser intake and went with an Edelbrock intake with exhaust heat from on old original set of Fentons with a heat box, that I found, which were NOS. It is topped of with all new linkage.

I have spent way too much time working on the truck to get the results I have gotten, but it has been well worth it!

Pictures will follow as soon as I can do a layout.

I'd like to say "Thank You!" to everyone at the Stovebolt site that has given me information and help to make it happen! I will guarantee you that this site helped me do the job! I could give you details on how many of you helped me make the right decisions to accomplish what I have done. Again, "Thank you!"

A T-5 is next!!

Joe

Wow, Sounds great. Congrats!

Can't wait for your pictures!

Joe,, good job, are you going to drive it to arlington?Fred

Joe - That is great news! Looking forward to lots of good pictures.

Mike

Gotta be a good feeling after all that hard work.Never hurts to update them a little.Hope it keeps running well for you.

Sounds great. I'd love to get an eyefull. Bring it to the meet next month.

Joe,

Congratulations. Can't wait to see pictures.

I will quote a very good friend from Thailand.

"Oh! What a feeling"

He used to sell Toyotas.

Bill Schickling

I am excited for you and very anxious to see photos. Did you do any body work, or was it all mechanical?

Just out of curiosity why dd you dump the Offenhauser and go with the Edelbrock? Also, where did you get the Edelbrock?

Wait until you see the pics of Joe's engine, it's absolutely perfect! Everything is painted, polished, or plated to perfection.

Thank you very much everyone!

Joker -
I wasn't planning on bringing it to Arlington, but I have registered for the Goodsuys event at Texas Motor Speedway the following weekend. I might bring it to Arlington.

J Lucas -
I didn't do any body work on this round. The body still looks pretty good. I bought the truck in December, 1978 and this update was only one of many up dates, however, this was the most extensive mechanical update.

InMy40s -
I dumped the Offenhauser intake for several reasons.
The Offenhauser has two bosses cast into the front of it for mounting an oil filter and because the front of the truck's engine compartment narrows quite a bit at the front, there was not enough room to mount the oil filter on those bosses. I didn't like the bosses just being there and I didn't want to cut or grind them off.
Offenhauser's are still being made and I wanted a vintage intake. I actually wanted a Thickston or a Sharp, but have not been able to find one yet.
Offenhausers don't offer a tab and hole set up for a rod to build linkage off of and I wanted that feature.
I built the engine this time with a different vintage item at each "show" spot. I have twin Edmounds oil bath air cleaners, an Edelbrock intake, a Sharp valve cover, an Offenhauser side cover (that was my Offenhauser spot) and Fenton headers with exhaust heat to the intake.

Barry Weeks -
You are very kind. It looks nice, but I still see room for improvement. Thank you!

I will be taking pics this week and will be posting them on my web site.

Again - thanks to everyone who has helped me!!

Joe