Re: A '54 named Busty
 

so the rear speed bleeders aka speed thread leakers did not work for us, we got more bypass action than through the hole, and we even tried the just barely crack it open trick rather than the 1/4 turn twist to get them to bleed, so we went back with the stock bleeders in the rear, the front ones worked, so we kept them, I don't like returning parts but for $30 bucks these will be going back, just wanted to share

and a huge thanks to Pontiac Mike who swunged by for the first time in over a year to help a brother out, (we know he really wanted to get out of baby sitting his grandaughter, but shhhh I won't tell)

Re: A '54 named Busty
 

so the next hurdle to get over is to fab a custom lower bracket for the steering column since the aftermarket one I bought is a joke and an insult to Hot Rodding, I would not install this on my kids Big Wheel it's that flimzy and it doesn't even fit around the steering shaft

Re: A '54 named Busty
 

I've been meaning to fabricate this rear bumperette to go behind the rollpan for quite some time now, and what better time than Easter Sunday

Re: A '54 named Busty
 

I am most proud of using all Corono Virus scrap metal

Re: A '54 named Busty
 

of course I had to run to Depot Home twice to get some MIG wire for the spark machine, the first time they put flux core wire in the MIG wire bin, and I didn't bother checking, the second time they were all out of .030 wire until I looked in the .025 bin and found two spools, next time I'm going to LOWE's

note the single bolt hole per side to reduce weight (ok so I was too lazy to drill two holes per side)

Re: A '54 named Busty
 

I think I even managed to spritz some gray primer on the metal to prep it for bondo and sanding before the final two stage powder coating tomorrow, ha ha yeah right

Re: A '54 named Busty
 

made a lower steering column bracket for my late 50s truck / impala steering column

started out by carefully selecting the very first pipe I saw

than we lopped 4" off of it and split it in half... half moons style

Re: A '54 named Busty
 

then we made fools out of ourselves by tryin to cut a hole in 10 gauge steel with a holesaw powered by a cordless drill, so we called in the heavy artillery aka Ol' Milwaukee

yes I know WD-40 aint cutting oil but that's how they do it on TV

Re: A '54 named Busty
 

not my design, something I stoled off the InterWebs

Re: A '54 named Busty
 

then it was off to our brake (break?) machine to put a bend in it

Re: A '54 named Busty
 

the SEMA judges love rounded corners on their brackets, so here we go

Re: A '54 named Busty
 

you find out right quick who yer friends is, when you try and get some help scratching up the newly painted steering column moching it up 17 times all by yourself, using every trick you go

Re: A '54 named Busty
 

and here she is before I splashed her with sum primer

Re: A '54 named Busty
 

Turned out good, and it's quite substantial!

Re: A '54 named Busty
 

Nice job on the column mount. Looks great

Re: A '54 named Busty
 

That bracket is going to do the job for sure! Compare that to the aftermarket peice....no comparison, you will feel good using it. I don't know if it's necessary but I welded a small stopper/tab on the column , on the bottom next to the half sleeve you have and again at the column top against whatever bracket you use. Kinda locks the column between upper and lower mounts.

Re: A '54 named Busty
 

thank you, had it perfect till the very end when lacking a third arm it slid a bit on the firewall when I drilled the four holes through it 1/8th of an inch maybe

Re: A '54 named Busty
 

and here she is all bolted up, exhaust clamps aint just for exhaust you know

had Ray Charles weld it up for me... with his feet!

Re: A '54 named Busty
 

so Good News... Bad News

Good News: she runs and drives

Bad News: the front tires rub on the outer fender bracket bolts, you know there are two per side on the inside front of each fender, so I am thinking of switching to the smooth button head Allen bolts and considering 1/4" spacers between the radiator core support and them brackets

but this is all part of the shake out, the engine sounds soooo smooth like a Buick

Re: A '54 named Busty
 

well hell, congrats!! if that's your number 1 issue after the first drive, you are doing REALLY good.

Re: A '54 named Busty
 

Good deal. Glad it is driving.

Re: A '54 named Busty
 

"It's alive!"

That is a big step, congratulations.

Re: A '54 named Busty
 

I know right? Thanks, she's just stretching a little bit that's all and telling me what she needs adjusted.

Re: A '54 named Busty
 

Yeah brother I could not wipe the silly grin off my face while trying to look all cool driving her around the neighborhood with no hood on.

Re: A '54 named Busty
 

Congrats, that is great news.

please post some pics (with, or without the hood)