1959 Bel Air Winter Project

[scuncio]

Cool project. Will be interesting to see how much cutting the Air Ride kit requires.

[napa68]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: scuncio</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Cool project. Will be interesting to see how much cutting the Air Ride kit requires. </div></div>

The Air Ride is in!. The tank and compressor are mounted underneath on each side of the fuel tank. This all was installed by the previous owner. He plumbed it with hydraulic hose rather than nylon for durability. I'll take some close up photos tonight or tomorrow.

[napa68]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: napa68</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: scuncio</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Cool project. Will be interesting to see how much cutting the Air Ride kit requires. </div></div>

The Air Ride is in!. The tank and compressor are mounted underneath on each side of the fuel tank. This all was installed by the previous owner. He plumbed it with hydraulic hose rather than nylon for durability. I'll take some close up photos tonight or tomorrow. </div></div>

Here are the photos as promised on the Air Ride components.



I posted a couple of pictures of the engine compartment. Would you guys leave it or refinish it? My buddy from Rad Rides was all over me to refinish it. Of course in the next breath he mentions an Art Morrison chassis to me! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/sick.gif[/img] Hopefully tomorrow or Tuesday, I am going to set the engine and trans in to see how this all will work with the accessories, manifolds, ECM etc. I can make some decisions from there.

[427TJ]

I like the idea of a modern driveline and 50-year patina everywhere else. Put the LS in and then later if you decide to refinish the engine compartment you can.

[x Baldwin Motion]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427TJ</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I like the idea of a modern driveline and 50-year patina everywhere else. Put the LS in and then later if you decide to refinish the engine compartment you can. </div></div>


yeah, I'm on this page too. It's only original once AND it looks too good to mess with. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif[/img]

[napa68]

For tonight's work, I dropped the motor in to see how everything fits. While you would think it should be a slam dunk, I did run into a few items that can be taken care of.


The right side manifold is a litte tight, but will work

The left side though, the O2 interferes with the frame and the casting is real close to the mount for the lower control arm. I should be able to use the manifold, I will just have to move the O2 into the pipe.

The oil pan hit just a little on the left side right on top of the crossmember. The spacing behind the crossmember is pretty much spot on.


Nice amount of room behind the engine although the brake booster is going to be a little tight.

The spacing for both the engine mounts and the trans crossmember were spot on!

Looks like I will have to use an aftermarket accessory drive. I am doubtful how much O.E. accessory equipment I can use. I do like how compact the units from Vintage Air and Billet Specialties are packaged. Just a little more than I wanted to spend.

Thats all for tonight!
Tim