54 Pathfinder

Rolilk · Guru

RE: 54 Pathfinder

Fitz · Guru

So you have the high gear ratio with a stick transmission.

Just a suggestion, plan to find a powerglide diff. the ratio is really better highway speed for your car, a powerglide diff is 3.55 instead of yours (I think is 4.10, I don't have my book near, but it is write inside).

This is a bolt in replacement, without removing the diff. only the front part ( the tube).

Mine is powerglide equipped, and I can run to 75 mph "nearly" easily.

Fitz.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

That sure is coming along nicely. Detailing like that is SO rewarding.

Keep it up, and keep up the pictorial updates too!

Rolilk · Guru

Fitz wrote:

So you have the high gear ratio with a stick transmission.

Just a suggestion, plan to find a powerglide diff. the ratio is really better highway speed for your car, a powerglide diff is 3.55 instead of yours (I think is 4.10, I don't have my book near, but it is write inside).

This is a bolt in replacement, without removing the diff. only the front part ( the tube).

Mine is powerglide equipped, and I can run to 75 mph "nearly" easily.

Fitz.
Thanks for that info. It is tall for highway speeds, so far I've just lived with it.

Rolilk · Guru

My book tells me 53/54 conventional 3.70, Powerglide 3.55. It also says that the 49/52 conventional is 4.11.

Rolilk · Guru

so if you replace only the propeler shaft with the right pinion gear ratio this would give me the 3.55 i'm looking for?

Fitz · Guru

Yes, but it is almost impossible to find parts to correct your diff. that's why i suggest you to replace the torque tube as a unit, without the diff. axle housing by a powerglide one.

PS: thank for correct me about the diff. ratio.

Fitz.

Rolilk · Guru

thanks I will have to keep a lookout for a powergllide unit.

Rolilk · Guru

Fitz has inspired me to post a few new shots of what I've done. First off The original rad recored cleaned and repainted. A new fuel pump, new water pump, and a complete overhaul on the generator. I still have some bugs to work out on the car, but she's starting to be a real joy to drive down the road!

-- Edited by Rolilk on Saturday 19th of September 2009 10:50:25 PM

Rolilk · Guru

I would like to refinnish my oil bath air cleaner. I have a couple of shot of the cleaner decal. I have yet to find a repro of this decal. It says dominion of Canada on it. Sorry my shots of it suck!
I'm going to throw in a pic of the water pump before I installed it.

Fitz · Guru

I'm happy to see your car!

The color of the engine is the correct green or not?

Keep posting picture it's very welcome

Fitz.

Rolilk · Guru

The higher powers tell me that its the right colour, but they were wrong once before. I am investigating more yet with another source. It is green, or blue/green but in the pictures I have noticed it looks lot more blue. Maybe its the camera. I still think its not the right colour thats why I'm still hunting for more info on the right paint code.

57poncho · Uber Guru

looks great keep us posted

bob53 · Addicted!

Rolilk wrote:

A few more progress shots. Not restoration but at least its going to help save what I allready have. Its amazing the rust prep that I tried works pretty good. Picked it up at Rondex in Winnipeg.

that looks like really good stuff. what kind of prep did you do before using it? bob

Rolilk · Guru

I used a rust inhibiter from KBS coatings or something like that, then cleaned what was left of the rust as much as I could with a wire wheel Soft one. Then once it was as clean and as smooth as I could get, two coats of POR15. That is good stuff dries slow, but puts a pretty hard finnish that is sandable and recoatable.
By the way Welcome here From another Manitobain and I love your Avatar..That is one nice 53!

-- Edited by Rolilk on Sunday 22nd of November 2009 10:59:16 PM

bob53 · Addicted!

thanks, after seeing your before and after pics i figured thats the way to go.i droped my fuel tank today and going to try make it to rondex tommorow for the repair kit.

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

Your car looks great Rolilk!

Fitz · Guru

yes, your car look great Rolilk!

post some new picture!!

Hey Bob, start a new thread with yours, and a lot of picture of your work.

Fitz.

Rolilk · Guru

Fitz wrote:

Hey Bob, start a new thread with yours, and a lot of picture of your work.

Fitz.

I second that remark! biggrin

-- Edited by Rolilk on Monday 23rd of November 2009 10:04:15 PM

Rolilk · Guru

When I et some time I will post some pics. I think I have not yet posted a shot with the new gas tank, that looks pretty good under the car. I put some stainless straps on it and they look good.
This past Sunday the Family and I went out to Gull Lake with the 54 and she was just a treat to drive that far. Went to Church there and afterward Took the Father out to Soutbeach Casino for lunch and Had a wonderfull time. On the way back visited some friends and got back home after about 200 miles on the odo had passed. What a wonderfull day this past Sunday, one of the good ones for me to remember!

Fitz · Guru

those car are easy and fun to drive.

Fitz.

bob53 · Addicted!

I will start a new thread, i just have to wait for my computer to get repaired(glad i bought the extra coverage).
Sounds like you had a wonderful day,200 miles, must have been nice.

-- Edited by bob53 on Wednesday 25th of November 2009 11:39:54 PM

Rolilk · Guru

OK.. I got the itch to get some work done on the 54. I also took some new shots of the car. I now have the new tank in and its running good. But will need to drop it down yet once more to install a new sending unit as when I installed the original one it seems to have stopped operating. Oh well I knew I should have replaced it when putting in the new tank, Murphy's law I guess. Now I need to put a new sending unit in still need somework on the cluster as it still is skipping, thought I had this one fixed, nope. I have to get a new horn ring as when I last took it out for a run to keep things up I pushed on the horn ring and realized it was falling apart. Poor fix from Jack, which is not what he normally did. But I will put a new one in and it will look good. I also have to replace the heater control valve these are things that would readily go on these cars. I am working on a way to repair the original one but for now I will install an aftermarket one untill I can get the factory one repaired. I had some trouble back on a Sunday cruise night with the car and had to have it towed back home. I have now figured out what was wrong with the car and finnally found a new regulator for it and it seems to be runing just fine! I have finished the front hood trim polished and painted to match the car. I still have the rear one to do yet.
Some of the shots show some of the parts I have gatherd up. Enjoy!

Rolilk · Guru

More pics..Oh yah on shot has the vin tag of one of my donor cars RIP 54 Canadian Pontiac model 2211..

You served us well!

-- Edited by Rolilk on Monday 15th of February 2010 04:03:18 PM

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

Lookin good!