More Expenses

Since I'm about to attempt my most extensive sheet metal repair/replacement project, I finally broke down and ordered some hand tools that should make things easier. They should all be here in time for me to practice on scraps before most of the real patch panels arrive.

...and the winner is!

Looks like a Poly 318 is the way I'm going. Well, at least I ordered some parts for one. Chrysler Power magazine is working on prototype aluminum intakes and heads. The intake is going into casting immediately, but info on the heads is not yet available. The price is high for an intake, but they had a special pre-order price that was too good to pass up. Since no one currently makes a modern four barrel intake, these should be in demand once the word gets out. The photo is of the "mule" that was used to prove the design.



Since leaky sheet metal valve covers are one of the annoying faults of Poly engines, this cast aluminum version should alleviate that problem. The cover looks nice, even with the garish manufacturer's ID, but I guess it can always be removed or covered with a decorative plate. I never could stand to wear clothing with advertising messages, and I'm somewhat the same about aftermarket car parts.


Now all I need are the aluminum heads and the previously mentioned exhaust manifold to have a really unique power plant. I'm not concerned about neck-snapping performance, and am much more interested in just having something different under the hood.

Another Potential Engine Option

Saw an article about someone making aluminum heads and a modern four-barrel intake for the Poly engines. The parts are supposed to be available in a few months, so I might be choosing a Poly 318 for motivation. It would look closer to period correct. Yesterday, I sent an email to a guy who has designed and cast rear dump exhaust manifolds for the right bank of a Poly engine. I had originally planned on using a LA engine with rear dump truck manifolds, but if I can get a similar setup for the A engine, that would be perfect. The result looks nice.

New Parts...New Tools

With Christmas in the rear view mirror, I can again spend more time on the '56. I ordered and received sheet metal patch panels, as well as some nice rubber seals from Steele for the windshield, rear window and trunk. I also ordered a tail panel from Big M, and rear seat floor pans from BlackCar LLC, but I was quoted at least a month to build.



Last weekend I made a trip to East Texas to pick up the rest of our furniture from the house we are selling and to haul back the cleaned and painted '56 frame that's been sitting in the weather for over a year. It will need some touchup sandblasting and a repaint before I install the body.



Apparently I won't be able to find patch panels for the trunk, so I'll have to make my own. I won't be able to duplicate the exact trunk pan shape, but since the car will not meant to be a restoration, that's not a problem. It will be a bit easier with this sheet metal brake that was on sale at Harbor Freight. I also got a Northern Tool bead roller from Santa. The brake is ready to go, but the bead roller needs to be bench mounted before I can use it. I'm running out of bench space to mount tools, so I may have to build a bench just for it.