Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

The Avenger works fabulous. I need to fine tune it a little but wow what a difference! The other Holley I tried will find it's way to a land fill as I don't want others to follow this path. I never seen a crumbly carb until now. I will run nothing but ethanol free gas now.

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

Ethonal sucks...it ruined all my small engines in one for or fashion before I caught on...I've since been treating all my can gas and havnt had any more issues.....

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

So I got it running and idling decent and decided I would try to charge the AC with the Maxi Fridge universal refrigerant I scored on evilbay. People say this stuff is pretty much just propane but it worked OK in my 99 Bird so I gave it a shot. I saw a fridge recently at work that had a big label on the back stating that it had Cyclopentane refrigerant in it and it was flammable. This must be ok stuff?Anyway- 42 degrees at the vents on one can. Woohoo the AC works. Probably will leak out quick due to the old hose clamp style hoses but I got something to work with and I have a hose kit and crimper. But for now I was just happy to get it working. Then it happened. I heard a dripping noise. Yep you guessed it, the heater core was flowing like a river right on the pretty blue carpet. DANG! I am going over there today to bypass remove and send out for rebuild.

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

Update, Haven't found anyone local to rebuild the heater core but the car is purring nicely and the AC is still charged and blows ice cubes. Had a weird isuue the other day when I putted around town for about an hour though. I pulled into the driveway and the left exhaust started smoking. Started her back up the next day and it smoked for a second or two and went away. Oil issue? Valve seal? Rebuilt engine so I am baffled yet again...

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

It could be that the holes in the engine that let oil drain back down to the pan might be partially blocked and letting it puddle up to the valve seals. It's not that uncommon, and an easy fix.

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

What's the best way to clean them? Someone suggested a speedo cable on a drill and then some air blown through. I am a little worried about frayed ends of the cable breaking and dropping in there. I am also wondering about what could be in the holes dropping in the bottom of the pan and possibly getting sucked into the pickup. This motor has been rebuilt 20,000 miles or so ago so I can't see something getting caught in there.

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

I'd just pull the valve covers and have a looksee...

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

Drove a bunch and it seems fine now. Dunno why it smoked. A/C is holding a charge and is VERY cool. I am thinking of selling it as I am getting older and need to thin the heard a bit.

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

Update = new fuel tank is leaking. A very small seepage at the seam has resulted in a fuel small that was hard to find. However the tank has a ten year warranty and the ebay company simply sent me another very promptly. They said all I have to do to continue the warranty is send in the old one at my cost. Not a bad deal. How do they know its really leaking. Any way, It's a nice car and it is so stock that I don't want to do much with it. It has steep gearing so highway driving is out. New trans or rear end chunk is in order. So this baby may be going,,,... I found an A-833 that would be fun with this car but alas more work and no place to do it. Thoughts?

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

is it low gear or high gear zepp?..a ratio change would be easiesti if there are gears available...nice as that is it would be hard to not drive it

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

It IS hard to not drive it. It is hard to find gears for this thing around here. I don't have the scrill to go with new stuff. So I am looking around for a "chunk" but I may have to bite the bullet. It could use more than 2 speeds though. It would respond well to an overdrive for sure.

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

Just re-read thru the 3 pages of threads to get "reaquainted" and am still liking that 58. When they first came out back in the day it was so much of a change from the previous tri-five years and kinda soured me back then originally. Now, not so much, love the one year only look, :lol: How we do change huh? Be glad that the body is in great shape. Not sure how much after market support there is for one year only body panels.

You mentioned about wanting a rear end gear change or a newer "chunk". Do you know what gearing you have now? My 57 2 dr. post has a 283/stock 57 dual four Carter WCFB 4 bbl carbs, Muncie 4 speed and a 3:55 posi rear end. Seems to be pretty good on the road last I remember but has been awhile since I've been able to drive it. Still tied up in paint/body process.

Earlier you mentioned having a 3:36 gearing which would be the standard offering unless changed or optioned to a different gearing when ordered. Either a 3:36 or 3:55 I was told would be a good original 55-64 10 bolt 3rd member drop out style gear for highway use. Maybe look for a 3:08 for better hiway cruising but low end would suffer some.

Again, loving this thread and hope you are able to keep it with the condition and family history it has. Good luck in your quest.

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

I really like the car and having the first big block is awesome. I sure get a lot of looks and the real kicker is the older folks. I kinda put it around anyway. It's no race car. So far all I have found is a 4.11 posi chunk. And they wanted big money for that. I can rebuild transmissions so I am looking for a 700r4 core.

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

If you would be interested, and it's a big "IF" because of the shipping logistics, I have an empty 55-64 3rd member case minus the ring gear and pinion if that would help in your rear gear change. It is a 3 series open case, non-posi, minus the ring gear and pinion as mentioned but other than that it is complete with no damage or cracks in the case. That would allow you to choose the gears you would like. Looking on line after market ring and pinion alone are rather reasonable from Richmond and several others. I would suggest either a 3:36 or 3:55 as I mentioned earlier for just a classic ride while cruising in some old iron. If that is something that you would be interested in send me a PM and we can go into further details.

Good luck in your build, it's a great looking classic ride. The 348 look is quite unique in looks under the hood.

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

I thank you very much for the offer and I may have to go that route. You don't think 3.23 or 3.08 would be better to get some highway use? Too bad they don't make a overdrive for a 2 spd.

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

Either the 3:36 or 3:55 was suggested to me by several members of a tri-five website I belong to. www.trifive.com The 3:08 gear would give better top end for highway use but would be a bit of a dog on the low end acceleration. Take a fair distance to get up to speed. Forget about smokin' tires off the line, LOL.

For factory gears offered from 55-64 as far as I know the only ones were:
3:08 3:36 3:55 3:70 4:11 and 4:56
Have read on that website that the 57 onward rear housings had a thicker webbing and casting material, held up better while being punished, LOL.

PM me if you decide you have an interest in the spare case.

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

OK. So I had no room for this at my new house so I sold it. I know! It went to a nice older fella and is off to Belgium. Weird. That is where my first European vacation was. I will miss it but we did not have very long to develop a relationship. Oh well. I can focus on my LS1 6 speed 3.73 posi 72 2wd Blazer project now! WOOHOO! Oh and I have some project funds now. Hmm.

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

Well......shucks

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

I need to come over and check out the Blazer! I have been spending my time on my 67 C50, 5 speed Diesel pickup. Cab, driveline done, working on the bed.

Re: 58 Bel Air 348ci
 

Got any more pics of that beauty ????