The (%&$*#) Carburetor

After removing, cleaning, replacing, removing again, rebuilding, and replacing this carburetor as often as I have, I don't know whether to hate it or cherish the knowledge I've gained through so long and intimate a relationship. It is a Holley, which usually came with the R-110 series, but I doubt this is the original.

It had a LOT of carbon build up, as you can see. It has since been rebuilt and cleaned. Not pretty, but it does it's job...well, kinda. My wife (and partner on this project) was looking into the engine as I was revving the engine one afternoon and reported that flames were shooting out of the carburetor. Some online research indicated that could be a timing issue or a lean mixture. I'll test for both.

Eventually, we'll replace the whole unit with a brand new Holley.

First Tune Up

About a month after buying this lovely beast, I did a quick-and-dirty tune up: new spark plugs, new gasoline filter, refilled the anti-freeze, changed the oil, new battery.

As you can see in the picture, I also changed out all four shocks.

Generator (NOT alternator)

The situation: replaced the battery in May and it was completely dead 3 months later.

Best guess as to why: she's pulling all power needs off of the battery rather than creating her own power.

Solution: Called NAPA for guidance to either buy a new one or repair the one I have. Their advice was either to buy a conversion kit and install a new Chevy alternator, or take the old one to Generator Exchange and have them rebuild it. As my wife and i want to restore rather than merely rebuild, I dropped the beastly generator off at a shop today and will pick it up next week.

In the meantime, I will buy replacement cables (as they obviously need to be DX-ed), buy a new heavy duty battery, and a battery tie down kit that will pass a vehicle inspection.

I also want to know what this thing is:

Acquiring the '54

I'd been seeing this beat up old blue truck for months across from another business I used to visit is south Salt Lake City. Then one day it was gone. In fact the whole car repair shop that the truck sat in front of had been replaced with an Hispanic auto crew. When I asked the new tenants about the old renter, they gave me his number, I called, discovered the truck had not been sold, and—after seeing it close up, kicking the tires, etc—bought it. My sister said it looked liked the wrecker from the movie “Cars”, so it’s unofficial name is Mater—“like ta-mater, without the ‘ta’”. Acquisition date: April 23, 2010.