Installed the new kick panels w/ repainted grilles today, after having restored the vents to good working order (cables were locked up, a good soaking in PB Blaster ad a little elbow grease fixed them). Previously I had painted the dash, and everything else (NOS steering wheel, replaced some gauges, restored the trim, fabricated heater block-offs, NOS radio delete panel, etc.) had been done for quite a while. So here's the final product:
Not exactly stock but that's the plan
Next up: pull the head on the 261 and see exactly what is going on in there (number 6 cylinder has no compression, probably bad exhaust valve, but also could be other damage - it is NOT a rocker/lifter/pushrod problem). Fill in holes in hood to compelte the "Nose" job as long as it is off (gonna use the engine crane to lift the head).
Then finish building the 496 and swap it in (still not sure what to do with the 261 then). And rebuild rear end with 4.11 Positraction. And install new tranny. Then start on body work. It's a project, eh?
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
Coming along really nice Dave. I'll check it out in person in April.
Al
Geeze that means the pressure is on to get it running good!
Look foward to seeing you Al. Norm (forespeed) is down here now and we are going to a car show together here, near my house, then getting together to yak and eat and drink, next week when the weather should be warmer (we do NOT like 60 degrees Fahrenheit for the daily high!).
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
Great stuff Dave! Maybe some day I'll make it down some day to see it in person.
Thanks Todd, and all you have to do is make a plan and then make it happen - get you a cheap plane fare and sometime in March or April when you are so sick of Winter you cannot stand it anymore - just think about sun and margaritas and old Canadian Ponchos and bikini babes on the beach and ... ummm, now I have bikini babes on the beach on the brain, I cannot post anymore.
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
"So when you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think... The good outnumber you, and we always will." Patton Oswalt
thanks Dave, i have one waiting for me at my little brothers house, thanks though. Sure wish i was in florida right now, i hate winter and snow. We leave for mexico on the 18th, i dont know if i will come back, the wife will have to pack and sell the house her self!! Where in florida are you again?
Hey Trevor, hope you enjoy Mexico! We are in Fort Myers on the Gulf Coast of Florida. We have had cold here this winter, hardly ever gets above 70 and in the 40's most nights, we may have to move to Mexico ourselves!
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
Original plan was to drive the car this year with the 261, build the 496 during the year (while also replacing transmission and rebuilding the rear end), then maybe next year put in the big block ... we'll see how it goes, I have no deadlines, I make no commitments
But I have 100% of the parts and all the tools needed and it *WILL* happen
Dave
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1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
Absolutely beautiful! What a really nice piece of work. If my project this summer with my nephew turns out half as good as this I'll be more than happy. And I absolutely love the Hotrod insignia.
Great taste Dave. I really like the tuck and roll job on your seats, the big steering wheel and the HOTROD emblem and shifter, it all goes together great !