Recent content by Oyster60V200

Hello all, This is reviving a very old thread, but I’m going through some big clean-outs on my project list and sending out a feeler to those of you interested in following this build. I’ve decided to move on from my Valiant effort. It’s been a long time coming, but 2027 will mark 30 years of...

I usually reuse but I do the following: I clean the valve cover face very thoroughly and dry. Then I apply a light coat of high quality RTV to both faces of the gasket and immediately “glue” it in place on the cover. Set aside and let the head side of the gasket dry out thoroughly before...

That’s great news that it runs smoothly and starts quickly. One of the attributes I’ve found most slant sixes share. Given that she’s all buttoned up and back in operation, you might be out of the woods for the time being. I wouldn’t remove the head now just to replace umbrella seals as I was...

Not a good plight… given your lack of information as to what the shop did to the head. Is there any way you can follow up and simply ask them? Sure, they may lie, but it’s better than nothin! But if you can’t get this info (or you don’t trust it!) I’d ask you this. Is the head back on and...

I’m a sucker for slant sixes so I’d stick with it. Here’s a question: are you sure it’s ENGINE oil in the coolant? Not ATF? The internal radiator/trans cooler could have corroded through causing intermingling of coolant and ATF. Just something I thought of to check before you get too crazy into...

Ditto to all posts saying they love to do serious rust repair! While I’m doing it, I’m complaining, but seriously, there is something majorly therapeutic about reconstructing a tinworm addled car and making it whole again. After a while, it does get kind of repetitive. Oh yeah, another spare...

Thanks for the words of encouragement! As you can see, I need them since this project is now in its 24th year! Geez, when I bought my first car, my '71 Saab, back in 1995, IT was 24 years old! Time flies, and I need a garage! Hopefully this summer...

I figured it was time for an update, although I can't say that much has been accomplished to White Lightning. More in preparation for its next workspace location. I should probably mention that I own a house that has no garage (yet) and I manage to work on my fleet either outdoors or in a tiny...

[ATT Much appreciated! Glad to have you along. Saabs (95s and 96s at least) are getting tougher and tougher to find since they, like MoPar A-bodies, were so reliable they invited neglect and rust. When I was visiting Breckenridge, a block up the road from our rental property was a Saab...

Here is White Lightning during summer 2000. Axle is out and 8 3/4" axle is in background ready to be installed. That's my Saab 96 in the background and even further back is my friend's Dodge 600 convertible with a blown Mitsu 2.6 head gasket looking for free labor. Below is the Super Six 225...

This is White Lightning pretty much as found in 1997, photographed here in 1999. Dull oyster white paint and a seized 170 slant six and mouse pee musty red interior with ugly faded re-covered seats. Fortunately for this V-200, my neglect through the years avoided what I call the "douche effect"...

White Lightning looking very sad in what I'll call a "before" picture. It was, from the time it was rescued from the swamp in '15 until this spring, a seat storage room for interior parts from other parts cars. That's an early '80s VW Rabbit seat behind the steering wheel. Fenders are surface...

Picking up the V-100 parts car in late April this year. Good front brightwork and correct 1960 bumper (White Lightning has an incorrect '61 without the little overrider "teeth" which I prefer. Then again, I like 1950 Buicks so that would naturally follow... That's a ratcheting tie down holding...

Here are some photos after rescuing White Lightning from the swamp on July 4, 2015. Not a pretty sight. A squirrel or other very large rodent made a mess out of the front seat necessitating tearing off the upholstery to the springs. That nasty synthetic 70s seat material ended up right in the...

Hi guys, Pictures definitely to follow! When I sat down to write this dissertation, I had no idea it would reach such proportions, and wrote it on my iPhone X! I think I discovered small bones and joints in my wrists and hands I never knew existed until they started to hurt like hell... so being...