The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop My 52 about to become high school project

Weather permitting today I'm taking my 52 into the local High School auto shop for them to use as a project. I was wondering what things would be recommended to do as a learning experience on this truck. I'm having all the usual stuff done, all lube drained and changed, brakes looked at re lube front wheel bearings,plugs points condencer, timing, compression, valve adjustment.
If there are any items that would make for good instruction please let me know. I have the 51-2 shop manual which deals with the 216, how much difference is there in adjusting the valves on the 235. Dave

If it still has an original 6V system with generator and voltage regulator I would think that would be worth learning about. Everything today is alternator with internal regulator and 12-24 volt and computer controlled. Todays kids may not have ever seen a voltage regulator or generator. Let alone that old wiring system.

Does this sound reasonable?

I need to add that it has a 58 235 in it. Dave

What a cool HS project! I'll bet the kids are looking forward to getting their hands on your 'bolt.

As to adjusting the valves, your old shop manual will have the procedure for adjusting solid lifters since that's all the 216 came with, but with the later 235 there's a possibility that you have hydraulic lifters, completely different procedure. There's been several posts here about how to tell what you have, try doing a search and see what pops up.

Make sure you "nut and bolt" it when you get it back to be sure nothing was left loose,
Scott

Well, I got it there in between bad weather, just dumb luck on my part. The teacher is thrilled with it, can't wait to start. Dave

i did that once with a ford van they were welding on it and it burnt up hope you have better luck and mayby insurence on it because they probly dont good luck

Fired it up today, ran fine after 2-3 years of not running, everything seems to work fine, kids having fun with it.

Homer52 you're doing a great public service. Congratulations.

I had my '53 in my Auto shop when I was teaching the Voc. Ed. Auto. The kids loved it. I never required the kids to work on my project but they were required to work and not sit around. They completely redid the brakes from the master cylinder to the shoes. They resurfaced the drums. They even made the brake lines including the double flare. They converted the electrical to 12 volts. My wife worked nights and some weekends so instead of me sitting home, I would open the shop for the kids to come in and work. That is the time that I used to work on my own projects. It gave me a chance to really get to know the kids and they realized that teachers are human. Usually on Friday night we would call and order a couple of pizzas and have them delivered to the school. I had as many as 15 kids working at the school sometimes till 3 AM. The parents thought it was great to keep the kids off the streets and in the shop at night. A lot of my former students are now my friends. I just had a former student stationed in Honalulo call me with a question about a truck problem that he was having. Teaching Auto Shop was the most rewarding job that I could ever imagine. Being retired is pretty good also. Don

A lot of folks think the younger generation is all bad but I've found given a little attention, they are really great to be around. Much like us when we were teenagers...

It's apparent that geographical location makes a big difference. My son requested to take his 59 to his high school shop class, but the shop teacher didn't want the truck up there, stating 'Everything is different from today's cars.' I have the feeling once he drives it to school, the attitude might change *just* a little bit.

Chris