The Flathead's Dead Zed.

Well,
Pops and I got the heads off of the '36 pickup's flatty this afternoon and it wasn't pretty. 

Looks like it will need two cylinders sleeved and at the very least a serious honing, cam grind, and ring n bearing job. We don't have a bore mic, so it could easily need a clean up job and some over-sized pistons. 
All that being said, as long as it's not cracked, the block is worth saving for future use. I was really surprised at how relatively easy the heads came off the block. I'm sure you all might have a horror story about trying to get a set of these off.

 

So after this discovery, I think I am leaning towards using an early overhead cam Ford v8 260 I have in the garage now. Not sure I am quite ready to take on the financial spoonful required to run a mill of this condition in this project.

 

Above we have the heads, and it's pretty easy to point out the problem holes... 

 

 

Member Build Update: The 1936 Ford "Red Top Ranch" pick up.

Growing up out here in the country the only place to get gas, a soda, or food without driving 15 miles away was a little roadside cafe and store called Red Top Market. The Red Top name had been in our area for generations. It first started out in the teens as a large cattle ranch and farm that accounted for miles and miles of area. As generations went by the land changed hands and size as it was split up through the natural progression of farm development.

Today it is unfortunately a shell of it's former glory. The market and cafe are still there, but under new ownership by people from foreign lands, it is hardly the clean, friendly place to buy petrol and goods that it was when I was a child.

At one point a few generations back, the ranch and market became the property of one of a neighboring family in our farming community. This was to be the hi light of the market and cafe's existence. 
The owner traveled the world sport fishing and put all of his prize catches mounted on display around the perimeter of the cafe. It was a real spectacle, and many who came to see swore they were fake.
He was also an animal lover who maintained a petting zoo on the location with several exotic animals for the children of weary travelers to enjoy as they gassed up their autos.

Recently while riding around the ranch a good friend of mine, who happened to be a descendant of the aforementioned Cafe/Market and Ranch owner, I stumbled across this 1936 Ford pickup with the faint remains of the Red Top Ranch company logo on it's doors. Although the truck had been sitting pretty much frame on the ground for 40 years, it was very complete and in relatively good shape aside from a few dents, and some rust damage. Just the thought of owning a piece of my local history got my blood pumping and I knew right then that I had to have this truck. After a little back and forth, a deal was struck and the Red Top Ranch truck is now parked on my family farmland.

Today I peeled off the enclosed hood and began making an assessment of the truck's factory flathead V8 mill. In just a couple hours I had all of the spark plugs out, engine accessories removed, all hoses and wiring removed, as well as the intake to get a closer look at the valve train. Since hot rod time, is reserved for after hours on weekdays right now that's as far as I was able to get before the sun went down. As soon as I have a more solid game plan and know what I'm dealing with  I'll be sure to post an update.

2014 ACES CC POKER RUN......GET READY TO RIDE!

 Check out the virtual flyer below, and also the link to pre register!

 

Click Here To Register In Advance

Member Build Update: Bob's 1950 Shoebox Ford

Here are some before and after images of the current progress on Bob's project car. There's lots of kustom features and mods, but we'll have to have him tune in and give us all the details at a later date. One thing is for sure, there's a good chop and an even better license plate.

Dust Off The Cobwebs

Well it's been way way too long since this blog got an update. It's time to shift gears from park to drive and keep this thing going. 

There seems to be a lot of action with the club with newer members and more activity from the early guys as well. 

There have been trials and tribulations concerning out annual car show and our poker run. But everyone is pulling together and making the best out of every situation. 

Keep up the good work brothers! Be sure to check in on the blog as I'll be making many more posts moving forward. 

HONEYMOON

It's Honeymoon time for the newlyweds. Can anyone guess what city they're in?

RECEPTION

Time to get the party started. Good to see some ACES supporting the event.

WEDDING BELLS

Check out Jason Sharp and Miguel! Gonna get this wedding started.

DRIVING MISS DAISY

Good Ol Bob scored himself a sweet single owner 1951 Hudson Super 6. With 43,000 original miles this old gal runs and drives like a dream. Have a look at some of the pics supplied by the man himself. My only question is "Where's the plaque gonna go?" I guess we'll just have to wait for that photo next!

Wedding Bells

I am so proud to announce that I am happily married to the most rockin girl I've ever met. Another great wife addition to the ACES. Thank You Mickey and Sherri for bringing out the '34 Plymouth for our photo shoot. Also a big thanks to the club chaplain Brian Bent for hitching us up in the eyes of The Lord. We wish we could have had all of the ACES members in attendance but our small scale location just wouldn't allow it. We missed you all.

Another Runner In The Club

I'm very proud to say that I've finally got one of my projects on the road and driving. Want to give a big thanks out to the ACES Club members and some of their significant others for all pitching in to help out during the different phases. I didn't do a very good job of documenting the build but here are some pics from early to now. The tub is a '27 Ford touring car cut down to a 2-seater that came from Sammy. The chassis was a rolling pile of crap I found on Craigslist that required extensive weld grinding and rework. It also had a rat rod suicide perch that just had to get cut off and replaced.

The drive-train came straight from a 1965 Impala I found in Los Angeles with Mickey. A classic 327 with a powerglide linked up on the rear. So far the mill is proving to be reliable aside from a leaking gasket at the rear of the intake manifold. The Firestone Bias Ply's seem to be rolling and stopping straight as well. The only thing it's missing now is some seats and a windshield. To be continued...

ACES Poker Run 2012 PHOTOS

The Southern California ACEScc third annual reliability run went of with a bang! The curvy Trabuco Canyon roadways and great California weather made for another great event. With tons of Hot Rods, Sleds, and Customs in attendance the scene was a good one for sure!

The price was right, the genuine Rose Canyon Cantina lunch that was included with every entry was tasty, and the live music was hoppin. Scroll down below to see some amazing images captured by Swiss ACES member Marc Wöltinger from this years event. Video from the event will be coming soon.