Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

So I checked it out a bit more and it does have a GR on the dash. Boo. What trans would bolt up with the least amount of modifications?

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

Just because the shift indicator shows GR (grade retard) would not rule out the trans has been changed to a Powerglide. My BIL has a 57 wagon that shows GR on the dash, thought that was what he had until seen Powerglide cast into the side of the trans. The Turbo Hydramatics were really dogs from what I understand and gave problems from day one. Think I would look for a newer aluminum PG for almost a direct swap or maybe even go to a TH350 or the overdrive 700R4. Would require a bit of mod work but would be a better choice in my opinion. Good luck in your choices.

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

I guess I will just fix the leaks and drive it the way it is for a while until I figure out what trans is in there and find a suitable unit to rebuild and install. My brother drove it once and he says he cannot remember it shifting. He also says it was fun to drive so he may have been having so much fun that he blocked out the memory of the shifting. It must have been driving kinda cruddy with that big ole vacuum leak. I tore my meniscus so I haven't been back over there to work on it. Getting old sucks, but the alternative is worse.

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

My knee is still bugging me. It is stiff but the pain is almost gone. Some guys at the surgery is fantastic but others say don't do it. I may have to bite the bullet and go for it. That would put all my projects on a further hold though... Daggum!

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

been there done that with the knee...I had torn meniscus, , dislocated kneecap, torn acl and arthritis all in my right knee....it never gets better til you get it fixed...full recovery will take a yr or so...the week after my surgery I was back on the roof of my pole shed putting on tin....just had to be careful what I did....been 2yrs now and I'm still careful how I step

you right ...getting old sucks.....
Id look for a good surgeon that specializes in sports med...they're usually the best....the guy that did mine does a lot of pro ball players....

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

If you tore your MCL, I don’t know how you can walk! I tore mine last year and I am still not 100%...or 80% even. To add to that, sitting and not being able to move well has allowed me to add a few pounds. No, it ain’t fun getting older but the alternative sucks worse!

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

I could still get around ...but it wasn't easy.....but I'm not normal either...haha

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

I am not sure exactly about a "tear" in mine but the doc said there was not much left of it. I guess I will have to do more research. It is really stiff and swells by the end of a day on the concrete at Lowe's. It feels like needles are poking from the inside when it bends the wrong way. I sure am getting restless about this car though. I really want to hear it run right and idle well. I am having a hard time finding the original style spark plugs though. AC44 I think. I gave up a while back. I can find AC45's. Would that be OK?

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

So I finally got over to get this beast running. It runs sooo much better.But one of the mixture screws has no effect at all. I can take it out all together and nothing changes. I don't like these carbs but maybe someone can change my mind. It idles ok and seem to have a load of torque. but this carb issue is baffling me. Right side screw BTW. UGH!

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

That's a great looking car jj!

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

Thank You. I did not build it so it feels weird to say thank you. I will however make it run right and blow cold air! I think I need to just pull the trigger on a new Holley.

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

As far as brakes go, you definitely have a modified system. If you look at your master cylinder, it's a split/dual reservoir unit for disc brakes. Stock 1958 would be a single reservoir unit and no disc brakes.
As far as Edelbrock vs. Holley...
Edelbrock will work out of the box without tuning/fussing, and work even when abused/ignored.
Holleys usually have to be tuned, and are more sensitive to dirty fuel, but make more power when tuned/maintained.

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

Well the knee is functioning ok. I still cant bend down on it due to numbness. No real pain but I am scared to hurt it again. The car is running cruddy but well enough to get to the DMV today. My brother will tag along in his 57 Ranchero just to make it fun. I would keep trying to fix it but I have insurance on it and want it to be officially mine on the title before I dump any more cash into it. I am pretty sure when I drove it yesterday for the first time that it has the Powerglide. The brakes are not good at all. I think it needs a booster. It stops but wont be skidding any time soon. I will be leaving some good room in front of me while creeping to register it. I think it would be a fun car when set up right. Maybe some finned valve covers and a new aluminum intake and fuel injection? She does have some balls when you nail it. Well getting ready for the trip now. Wish me luck. I will update later.

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

On the carb though...I put a gauge on it and it is pumping around 7psi. Its a stock pump so not so sure at what psi it should be. Some say the float might be set wrong on that side that does not adjust. Could this be? The inlet of fuel should push past both needles if that were the case right? The needle closer to the inlet is the one that works. This carb is just making me angry! And what the heck is that tube coming off the fuel pump that looks kinda like a vacuum connection? Could that being open be the issue?

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

Well it's all registered and officially mine. My brother and I made it ok (he ran out of gas) and we both got antique plates one digit off from each other as we were in line together. My wife likes it but says I MUST get the AC to function and fast. And now I have to think of what carb or injection will go on it. It has an iron 4jet intake so I may start there. Has what looks to be a 20 gallon tank. Kinda small if you ask me.

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

Thing runs great with the choke on. I think there is still a vacuum leak. Oh well until next time.

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

So I bought the Maxi Frig refrigerant (another thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=765462 And got ready to install some and found this Idler pulley bearing completely obliterated, So I ordered one for $7 and went to work on installing the fuel regulator instead. I lowered the pressure down to 4.5 psi and it runs a million times better. Idles nice and accelerates fabulous. The right side needle still does nothing. I am leaning toward a float issue on that side. I also loosened the covers on the needles to see if they were moving up and down and they go down fine when accelerating. I will try to readjust the float and that is all I will do before this baby gets a Holley. I will check for vacuum leaks at the base when I remove it to adjust the float.I also have a nice one inch Phenolic spacer I may put on as the linkage is way close to the valve cover right now and is a pain to mess with. Did these cars ever have the motor mount issue our trucks have? It has a non cable type linkage on the carb I may swap out for a cable.

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

I tried the Holley and it ran great until it started flooding and the filter filled with rust colored crud and I gave up. I ordered a new tank and sender and await the delivery. I also found a 58 oil bath filter I believe to be correct for a 58 but it only fits a 4jet which is smaller. I am looking for someone that can change it over to a Holley style opening. I think I can possibly solder a cut down spacer to it but it might look ugly. I would rather someone cut the hole or roll the edge to fit the adapter. Any Ideas?

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

The tank came in and now I am just waiting for the sender. I did some inspecting and the jack wagon that put in the 2" hitch welded it in. Wouldn't you know it- wait for it.... right over the tank strap bolts. SOOO now I have to either cut the hitch out or cut the strap bolts and figure out a different way to attach the straps. I don't like cutting things anywhere near fuel tanks but the ya-hoo that welded that hitch in didn't seem to mind. Not the worst looking weld but most likely a stick type from the looks of it. Definitely not a mig. After I get the tank out I may try to cut it out and make it a bolt in type. I was thinking of leaving it out but who has a 58 Bel Air with a trailer hitch? ME!

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

Sure is a great looking 58. I never was really fond of 58's but your's is really a good looking one for sure. So so so clean! Your folks took great care of it for sure!

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

Well thank you! I did not build it though and they bought it that way. I was not a big fan either but this thing was free and it just needs to run right. I am close and cannot wait to get this driving. I really like the crank out wing windows! They sure had a different kind of Class back then.

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

So I got the sender unit in and went to lower the tank out but it had gas in it so I pumped it out and man was it hot outside. I decided to put a 1" phenolic spacer under the Holley and I epoxied up the leaking plugs where there would normally be a float adjuster. Not sure why they went with non externally adjustable floats on this thing but there are no sight glasses either. I may end up just buying a new one that is adjustable. I installed the spacer as the 58 had overheating issues and I am not sure what engine this is. They fixed that in 59 so I am hoping this is a 59 348. I put the spacer in anyway as I think it doesn't hurt anything. I will drop the tank on a cooler day.

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

Bad rusty gas tank replaced and several carb rebuilds has landed in several carbs meeting the trash. I did however find that the motor (348) could run nice occasionally. There is hope. I found the most recent Holley carb to run the best but was actually crumbly. Yes it has mega cracks and would run ok sometimes but small pieces would crumble off here and there. WTF? So trash! Going to buy a new Holley today but may try to run my truck carb first as it has been a real good carb and starts and run great every time. It is on a 406 small block though and I hate to take a good running motor apart. What to do? It will need a carb eventually anyway so run the truck carb first for a baseline and then run the new one that of course will need adjustments and blah blah to get it right? I have been struggling with this sucker for so long it has me frandustiggled! I want to drive this beast! I am about to spring for some fuel injection! I have seen what I believe to be a vacuum leak in all the carbs I have tried as the idle mixture needles only make it run ok when they are turned in all the way. This should kill the motor altogether but nope. Runs great that way. Futha what? Baffled! Intake leak?

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

My first car in 1967 was a '58 BelAir 2dr. 283 2brl. 3 o.t.t. I was 16 and the car was 9yrs. old and had led a rough life. My Dad & I spent a Saturday in Miami looking in the back row of crummy used car lots for a 2dr. V8 stick shift Chevy for around $100. It was the only candidate. It was a rusty Michigan car that ran ok. A month or so later I bought a '61 348 factory hi.perf rated at 350hp..... 3x2 Rochesters, solid lifters, 11 to 1 comp. My Dad was an engine guy & we had the crank turned 0.010, new bearings, oil pump, rings, honed the cylinders & had the valves freshened. 348/409's have a very unique block deck/combustion chamber/piston top design. Guys called 348's anchors & boat motors but mine ran pretty strong. I heard they were weak too but I ran the crap out of it for 2yrs and never hurt it. Had a Hurst Mystery shifter on my 3spd. and an open 3.31 rear. The car would run no traction 14.80's at 92-3mph.... which was pretty close to 325hp 396 Chevelles, automatic GTOs anda lot of other 60's muscle cars.
Re: your carburetor problems, I currently have a 750 Holley on my Blazer and a 600 Holley on my '71 GMC and haven't touched either one in YEARS.... but I had an Edelbrock on the Jimmy I sold worked fine too.
Looks like you live right across the state from me, maybe I'll get to see your pretty '58 when you get it lined out.

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

Yep. Right across the state. Just got a Holley Avenger cheap and will try it out tomorrow. Might need to take a run over there to check out all yer toys.