350 and 305 timing markers

 Well, since my last post I've had the car running. Well for about 30 seconds, but it was still running. After that I didn't start it till the following day. Right after work I rushed home excited to fire it up again. when I began to turn it over it surprised me and all my neighbor's by back firing through the exhaust. Normally the only thing I would worry about is blowing out the baffles in the Flowmasters, but I live in a peaceful town house complex. Needless to say its scared my neighbor's as much as it did me. I guess it wasn't fun enough the first time, "BANG!" there it goes for a second time. With all the neighborhood looking in my garage and relived it wasn't a shot gun going off I decided to call it a night. I've spent the last week watching YouTube videos trying to find out what went wrong. Set backs like this can be so discouraging and make it hard to go back to working on it.

 I have tried 3 times resetting the distributor and was unsuccessful in Lining up the timing mark with the scale. Every time the motor was at TDC the timing mark was at 12' o'clock. Tonight I found some clarity. After searching a few forums I found a heading "Cant line up the timing mark with the scale. This wright up made me feel a lot better for two reasons. 1- I wasn't the only one to not do enough home work on small block Chevys. 2- there wasn't something wrong with  my motor. As it turn out normal timing mark for a 80's SCB is 12 o'clock. and have there timing scale at the top of the cover. the chrome cover I purchased for the motor is for a 350 so the timing marks are to the right of the cover ( when facing the motor). The 305 should in theory be ready to fire now. I'm still a little nervous to try it do to NOT pissing my neighbors off. Tomorrow ill put in the ear plugs and give it another try.

1950 Dodge Coronet Parts For Sale

Ok, as I get closer to the finishing of the Coronet I'm getting more and more parts I wont be using. So here's a few things I'm looking to sell. I have a full set if gauges, a fantastic radio that works. I also have a full 6 volt fuse and bulb package for a 1950 Coronet. All the dash chrome and a few odds and ends. I'm open to offers on these parts and don't want them to go to waist. Send me a email or a message if there's something I have your after.

Almost there!

         Well it all seem to be falling into place. I've finally crossed off most of my to do list to get the car running. Tonight I hooked up the Battery and for the first time in 6 years she opened her eyes. This was a great moment for me. I know starting the car would be the highlight but this was a great moment also. This week I will be doing the last of the wiring from the harness to the dash and it should be running by the weekend. The last month I've thrown a lot of money at her and want to thank the wife for her support. Not only does this put a drain on our account but it also leaves the wife alone for the many hours while I'm lost in the car. When the Coronet is cruising down the road all the lonely days and nights will pay off.
 
          I've been taking a lot of pics and videos as the build progresses. You can find 2 of my videos on you tube @ http://youtu.be/lYYSqS8vEV4 and http://youtu.be/JccKp5tlNiM. I'm going to make a video of the car this weekend with some more progress and hopefully the first start up.

Update on the dash

Well I finally finished the dash. I'm still in need of a 2 gauges and the coronet symbol beside the glove box. The fab work is complete and now time for paint and to start on the rest of the interior. It will be getting racing buckets and roll cage with the stock bench in the rear.

Here's a quick upload of the Coronet. I finally had the drive shaft shortened to fit and in the car. The shifter is now hooked up and no more wheel chalk needed!

Favorite Movie Cars.

So I've wanted  to put together a "favourite movie cars" list for a while now. I have had some time to put together a small list of great cars and trucks from the big screen. Please keep in mind this is a list of MY favourite cars and trucks. The list might not be in exact order but its as close as I can get it. There were a few ties but its a list so I had to number them all.

#1- This 1958 Plymouth is by far my top movie car. Yes I'm referring to CHRISTINE! This car has etched a car scar a mile wide in my brain since I was still riding my Kuwahara bmx. What car guy wouldn't love a car that could fix it self and choke off the old lady at the same time! (lol, kidding)

 

 

#2- The 1967 Lincoln from the movie Hit And Run. Dax Shepard who wrote, directed and stars in the movie is also the owner of this awesome Lincoln . This great, car chase action film that was released in 2012. Dax feels that "most of the best cars were made in 1967." He makes a great case but there's too many years of chrome and rubber to dwindle it down to just one year. This car hides a ford 514 big block crate motor. It's nice to see a 4=door kicking some ass for once. Who said a 4-door can't be cool?

 

 

#3- This next car was so influential that I named my son after the lead character. If you ever seen the price on this car you would know why they refer to it as a mythical creature. This unicorn is most likely at the top of most peoples favorite over all list. Nicholas cage plays the role of a retired car thief that goes by the name of Memphis Rains. I knew if I ever had a son I was going to name him Memphis. Well, a few years later I had my opportunity when my son was born. The 1967 Ford Mustang  shelby GT 350 is one sexy, sexy car.

#4- When I was a kid growing up in Calgary my Uncle had the coolest car on the block. When he would come over for a visit, the neighbors would take pics of themselves standing beside it. He had this tribute car while the show was still running on tv. This 1976 Torino was reintroduced to movie goers in 2004. They ran the 351 Windsor in the movie cars which seems to throw this red and white beauty around quite fine. Other than the Ferrari in Bad Boys II or the 69 Chevelle in The Other Guys this is a pretty awesome cop car.

 

#5- In 2005 a remake of a 1979 robin hood car was also reborn. This car tore up the south for 8 years. The model of car was almost brought to extinction in filming this long running series. From its turbine wheels to its bright orange paint this car was cool through and through.  The General Lee's racy flag painted on the roof and bull bar nose broke every driving law know to man and was still  loved by all. Back in the day whippet antennas were seen on a few movie cars. My list includes 2 cars with these stuck on the trunk and curved in the wind.

 

 

#6- Sylvester Stallone stars along side this car in 1986. This 1950 Mercury is equipped with a small block chevy and backed up by a blower and nitrous. I think they need to start giving cops in my area cool cars like these. Judging by another pic on my list I would say Sylvester has great taste in movie cars or maybe just luck of the draw.

 

 

#7- Two Sylvester street rods make the list back to back! West Coast Customs knocked this one right out of the park. These body lines stayed the same from 1948 through to 1956. My favorite truck of all time is the 51 F-100. This truck has nice modern touches and still shows that rich nostalgic iron under a beautiful black paint. 347 cubic inches and 429 hp whips this little truck down road no problem! Nice to see it when the horse power is higher than the cubic inches.

 

 

#8- This black beauty has it all. Guns and more guns, a bar and record player. a 1965 Chrysler Imperial Crown powered by a 413. Here is another robin hood car but this one mostly runs at night. I love they choose not to use a modern day for the remake of this movie. Hollywood went way out of the box on this car. If modern touches are added to old cars in just the right way they blend really well. I've seen this look attempted at the Langley Cruzin car show this year on a couple cars and it didn't turn out so good.

 

#9- Ok, everyone with a list like this has this car some where on it. Even if you make fun of people you see driving these its a very cool ride. I think this movie had me in mind when it was made. Who wouldn't race across a few states for a truck full of beer! There's some movies that cant and shouldn't be remade due to nostalgia. If you get it right the first time there's no reason to do it again. From the bird on the hood to the whippet antenna and T tops this car screams redneck!. Now I am not dissing redneck here, as a matter of fact my kids refer to me as one. 1977 Firebird with the 6.6 L and Sally Fields in the front seat, Good times!

 

 

#10- When you ask most kids what they wanted to be when they grow up they say Police or fire fighter. Not me, I wanted to be a truck driver. My father was a trucker as was my grandfather. In 1978 the movie Convoy or in 1979's Bj and the Bear were a huge influence for me. As did the Kenworth from Smokie and the Bandit. Years later the movie Maxim Over drive came out. In 1986 a comet passed close to the earth and turned machines against man. Well the star of the show was the Green Goblin. There's a catch. The goblin was strapped to a Western Star 4800. Year later I lived my childhood dream when I drove tractor trailer cement truck for Lafarge in Calgary.

 

 

I know there's a lot of great movie machines that are not on this list like the mad max car or the Torino Client Eastwood had in Grand Torino. The ones on this list were the most influential to me in one way or another. Lets hope the movies industry keeps producing movies vehicles the inspire us and keep the classics from being recycled.