The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs Mr. Lang converts to "tail-dragger"

Or, It's not under the hood, its' in the back.

Today, I drove over to scenic Sooke, and picked up what is likely to be the "new" power-plant for the old bus. It's a 239 Flathead Pontiac six. This is a '52, and it's out of a Canadian Pontiac, so the bell-housing should bolt up to my SM420....... or failing that, I also have the three speed on it still. Canuck Ponchos used a torque tube, unlike the American Ponchos of the time. I used to have a '49 Pontiac with this engine, and I was always pleased at the low end torque, plus they sound cool. My plan is to get it ready to dump in my bus, unless a straight eight shows up......

Also, pictured, is my ludicrous single wheel trailer, with the rest of the running gear. The front end has airbags, and the rear is set up for them. I don't really have any plans for the running gear, but maybe I'll bag my panel, hahahahaha! More than likely, I'll pass them onto someone for free, as it was all free to me. It would be sweet to have "air overload" on the rear, but that seems like allot of work.

Now, I'm not sure how much the flathead weighs, but I can tell you this much, I was often on the bump stops, perhaps the whole way home! Of course, my springs are pretty tired... Man, when the forklift set it in the back of the truck, I thought I was going to sink all the way to Hades! When I was in the drive way here, even with the trailer off, the truck didn't seem to have any give left when I jumped in the back.

On the way back, when looking out the rear view mirror, all I could see was asphalt!


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Cool choice for an engine.

If you're gonna use your truck as a TRUCK, time for some new springs!

....this is getting interesting. Kind of like a soap opera. I'm hooked, when is round 2

Those 239s have a very distinctive sound all right. Dad had one in his 52 Pontiac (Canadian), remember it well.

Looks like your panel/sub. has the same overhead rear door light as mine.
Add-on? Dealer accessory? Factory? Late night garage project?
Marty

Yes, I'm pretty excited about the flathead power! My Pontiac had a glass pack on it, and it was great! It sounded soooooo cool! Plus, no tappet racket! Hahahaha

The rear light, was added at some point, probably during the "conversion", which was long ago, its' cloth wires give that away! The two dome lights are great for loading, and finding stuff at night in the old bus.

I do use my truck as a truck, but man, that engine is heavy! With the trans on, I'll bet its about 750 pounds or so, plus hitch weight, plus tool box, and all the lead filler on my truck (there is allot of lead!), I'll bet I'm nearly at the magic 1/2 ton!

I do need to get new springs though, you're right about that! My fronts are sagged, my bus has the huge 4 speed in it, which sure is heavy!

Last weekend I was over to visit the BC Bolters, Here's the bus trapped on the ferry!

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Wow cool and thanks for fixing my video on my 40 I see you live on the island im in port alberni and i shure would take that front end stuff off ya for free for my 42 pick up and if I would have read about this earlyer I could have used it for my panel I dropped mine onto an s10 frame and am now sort of regreting it cause fitting the front end sheet metal is a PITA.Den

Thanks for the photos, Christopher.

I like the additional interior rear overhead-light.

Hello Mr lang

Next time you do a "tail-dragger" job you
might want to invest in a Overload conversion.
Here is a picture of my 1954 Chevrolet panel overload springs also has 10 leaf RPO's.
with front sway bar,no body roll with these.

But than again your driving a SUB you might want a smoother ride,

Thanks

Those overloads are great Jorb! I've actually seriously been thinking about adding some air-overloads for the back of the truck. Or new springs!

Mr Lang i to traveled the BC Ferry Service in my 54 Chevrolet Panel Truck. Back in 1974 . When i saw your photos it realy stirred up some old memories and i must say those memories are/were very smokey. As your's now is sticking out of the crowed on the ferry, back then the 54 did as well and maybe the long haired bunch of Hippies in it stood out just a little as well
Thank's for the flashback
Keep On Truckin Man.
Laybacklenny.

"The Dude"

Lenny, where abouts in NL are you? About 6 years ago or so, I rode out there on a motorbike, and toured the rock for two weeks. It was the best trip ever!!!! I have a friend getting ready to move to St. Albans this summer, and plan to visit at some point.