1964 bonneville rebuild

[Last Indian]

3 hours ago, BearGFR said:

No, it's not a substitute for lead in fuel, unfortunately.   The TEL (tetraethyl lead) in gasoline, in addition to raising octane, worked by providing a soft lead "cushioning effect" on the exhaust valve seats so that the valves didn't hammer the seats into the heads when they closed.   In reality, that was only a risk under really heavy engine loads such as pulling a trailer up a long hill, when the engine was working hard and putting a lot of extra heat into the exhaust valves and seats.   It's pretty safe to run unleaded fuel in engines without hardened seats, as long as it's not subjected to those kinds of loads. 

Letting any engine sit for an extended period of time with fuel in it runs the risk of having the fuel 'gum up' things - especially if the fuel has any alcohol in it which makes it hydrophilic (it loves to absorb moisture).  StaBil helps to alleviate that some.  For engines that I really need to depend on, like my backup generator we use to power the critical things around the house (such as our water well pump), whenever I'm ready to shut it down I ALWAYS turn off the fuel valve and let it run until it stops from lack of fuel.   Having StaBil-ized fuel sit in the tank after that isn't a problem, but letting it sit in all the tiny passages in the carb and other parts of the system would eventually be.   Because of this practice I follow, the generator ALWAYS starts immediately on the first pull, no matter how long it has been sitting, which is quite nice when I'm having to hook it up and switch over to generator power in the middle of the night when it's freezing/rainy outside and I'm still 9/10's asleep.  

I always keep the tank on the generator full of treated fuel, and also keep at least 15 gallons of treated fuel in metal "jerry cans" at the ready.   Thank goodness I had all that already in-place during the "snowpocalypse" we had recently in here in Texas.    We ran our house systems on that generator for a solid week and were never without heat or water, didn't lose any food from spoilage, etc..   I've since upgraded to a larger, higher capacity generator but still a 'portable' unit that runs on either gasoline or propane.    The one that got us through that winter storm worked to keep us going, but just barely - my wife managed to pop the breaker on it one morning just by using the toaster when the well pump happened to be running.  I'd be interested in a 'whole house' backup with an automated transfer switch, but fuel is a problem I haven't solved yet.   We're on propane out here in the boonies with no natural gas utility available.   Even a large, dedicated 500 gallon propane tank can only power one of the big units for about 2 days, so if we have another weather event like that one and couldn't get resupplied on propane every couple of days, we'd be out of luck.   Diesel powered whole-house generators are super expensive, plus I'd have to deal with preventing the fuel from gelling up in cold temps in addition to the problem of keeping enough on-hand to carry us through for an extended time.     

So for the time being, having a big gasoline-powered backup generator I think is the best option for us.   I do have a 4-wheel drive pickup, and because I grew up in the northern Texas Panhandle where we got actual winters, driving in snowy, icy conditions isn't a problem for me.  As long as there's a gas station open anywhere in the area I'll be able to get out and get more fuel, if needed. 

Bear

Good explanation Bear! You don’t work for a additives corporation like I did by any chance? 😊 Just teasing. 
Kiwi, Sta-bil has three products I like depending on what I’m doing. The 360 marine I like for my in use engines. It is their most effective product at removing water, ethanol & it adds in some PEA additive. When I use this in my working car engines I also add a bottle of Gumout Regane PEA fuel additive every other tank full. For those engines that I store for an extended period like my ZTR or the snow blower or the lndian I use the Sta-bil storage. They also make a product called 360 protection, which is a PEA additive that also protects against rust from water damage, but I have never used it because I use the 360 marine & Gunout Regane, which does the same only more effectively I believe. That’s my two cents worth. 
One thing to add. I know for a fact that it does remove the ethanol/water from the fuel for this reason. I usually keep about 40 to 50 gallons of fuel on hand in 5 gallon containers. These are high grade polymer containers that can be used for nearly any chemical. I like them because they have a separate vent valve you can control up to & including closing. They are also opaque to a point, but you can still see the liquid content. When I fill then right to the 5 gallon mark & then add the Sta-Bil to the gas & just barely crack the vent valve, a few days or more later when I look at the container it will be reduced down in volume. Usually it take about a week for it to reach equilibrium & then it stops. I have actually measured this more than once in the past & it works out to be the 10% volume that the ethanol is in the fuel at. 

[JUSTA6]

9 minutes ago, Last Indian said:

Good explanation Bear! You don’t work for a additives corporation like I did by any chance? 😊 Just teasing. 
Kiwi, Sta-bil has three products I like depending on what I’m doing. The 360 marine I like for my in use engines. It is their most effective product at removing water, ethanol & it adds in some PEA additive. When I use this in my working car engines I also add a bottle of Gumout Regane PEA fuel additive every other tank full. For those engines that I store for an extended period like my ZTR or the snow blower or the lndian I use the Sta-bil storage. They also make a product called 360 protection, which is a PEA additive that also protects against rust from water damage, but I have never used it because I use the 360 marine & Gunout Regane, which does the same only more effectively I believe. That’s my two cents worth. 
One thing to add. I know for a fact that it does remove the ethanol/water from the fuel for this reason. I usually keep about 40 to 50 gallons of fuel on hand in 5 gallon containers. These are high grade polymer containers that can be used for nearly any chemical. I like them because they have a separate vent valve you can control up to & including closing. They are also opaque to a point, but you can still see the liquid content. When I fill then right to the 5 gallon mark & then add the Sta-Bil to the gas & just barely crack the vent valve, a few days or more later when I look at the container it will be reduced down in volume. Usually it take about a week for it to reach equilibrium & then it stops. I have actually measured this more than once in the past & it works out to be the 10% volume that the ethanol is in the fuel at. 

At least in Mich and I'm assuming is FED as well that refineries can NOT have more than 10% ethanol. This is on our gas pumps.  I'm sure you figured in temperature as a factor in expanding and contracting fuel.  It's always better off to your pocket/tank to fill up in the cool AM or evening air during the summer.  Justa taking a break...my back has had it, but borrowed a gas can from the neighbor. Using my fuel pump to fill 5 gallon cans of 5yr old gas from the Sunbird.  I must have have topped it all the way off.  Have some fresh to put back in,  Hook up the fuel line and she's finally ready to fire.

[Last Indian]

13 minutes ago, JUSTA6 said:

At least in Mich and I'm assuming is FED as well that refineries can NOT have more than 10% ethanol. This is on our gas pumps.  I'm sure you figured in temperature as a factor in expanding and contracting fuel.  It's always better off to your pocket/tank to fill up in the cool AM or evening air during the summer.  Justa taking a break...my back has had it, but borrowed a gas can from the neighbor. Using my fuel pump to fill 5 gallon cans of 5yr old gas from the Sunbird.  I must have have topped it all the way off.  Have some fresh to put back in,  Hook up the fuel line and she's finally ready to fire.

Copy that! Always keep my gas stored between 65 & 75 ! When I built my house/garage I spent a lot of time doing everything I knew to do to build a very well insulated building especially the garage. No windows! Only a garage door that is insulated to R13. Then when I built the shop I went 2x6 construction, no windows, a special man door insulated to R25. Shop holds steady all year long between 65 & 75. The garage holds between 58 & 78. Except in the extreme heat when I pull in with two hot cars! Then it will go to 89. If I don’t use a car for three days it will take at least 36 hours for the temperature in the garage to drop to the upper 70’s.

[Andy H]

Have always wondered about that stuff,thanks guy's.

Just another 5 cents, i have noticed that if you have a car you that sits and the gas evaporates out of the carburetor especially if you run one with A power valve it happens that the acceleration pump and power valve dries out and start leaking so it's a good idea to start the car at least once a week to fill the carburetor.

A friend of mine has a hot rod with a electric fuel pump he installed a prime button/ switch under the dash so he doesn't have to start the car.

This of course only works on a car that you drive every now and then different story if you put the car in storage for example the winter.

[64 kiwi boni]

Thank you Bear, justA and Last Indian! 

great info and now i know what i have to do !

 as you know i have a number of cars that sit for long peroids and 2 of them the camaro and holden have fuel in them thats over 2 years old, those 2 will have their tanks drained and refilled with freash gas and sta-bil.And like Andy said they both need a run so the sta-bli  is in the carb too !, the fun fact of that is, when i start the holden, i ususally get phone calls from my neigbours saying it was great to hear the ute start !! its pretty loud !!!hahahaha

i have all the usual small engines and they are easy to justA dump the fuel from. headge trimmer, generator,chanin saws, line trimmer etc.

really i should have been using this years ago !👍

 i am also going to put some in the 64 as she sits for months too at the moment... life and funerals have consumed our lives of late and i am still trying to get the boss's additions to the house finished... she has given me a december 1 dead line..... no pressusre at all !!!!

[64 kiwi boni]

A great big thank you to fitzy for bringing me Pontiac treats !!!

he has given me a drivers side and passenger side mirrors ! 
a full gasket set suitable for my 389 !!!

i think he knows what I know and it’s going to have to be rebuilt sooner than latter !!! 🙄

a spare filter , brass frosty plugs ! 
 

And !!! Two copies of the unique cars mag ! 
now this is the one that fitzy  may very well be featuring his 65 gp in !!!

i hope it all works out ! I certainly will be buying a copy !  
 

Edited September 26, 2022 by 64 kiwi boni

[JUSTA6]

We will all need signed copies of Fitzys Pontiac and yours when you make it in the mag.  Price of fame includes shipping/handling.   Very cool of Fitzy to take up that much room in his suitcase. It'sa Pontiac brotherhood thing.  Pass it on boys N girls.

Edited September 26, 2022 by JUSTA6

[Last Indian]

2 hours ago, JUSTA6 said:

We will all need signed copies of Fitzys Pontiac and yours when you make it in the mag.  Price of fame includes shipping/handling.   Very cool of Fitzy to take up that much room in his suitcase. It'sa Pontiac brotherhood thing.  Pass it on boys N girls.

Copy that! You can get a bulk rate to states since you’ll need about 10 or 15 copes!

[64 kiwi boni]

raining again !! wheres spring !!!

Edited October 30, 2022 by 64 kiwi boni

[Wrongway]

Damn it Kiwi, she does look good buddy! 

[64 kiwi boni]

I am hanging out to get her legal mate !

this addition to the house has been sucking up all my spare time !!

but today we moved most of the furniture out into the garage in preparation for all new carpets … painter has not finished the. Additions . But he knows he has till Wednesday !

super over this build as it’s taken 11 months tomorrow ! 
fitzy seen what we have added and it’s nothing major ! 
just here in nz materials are sooooo slow to get , then all the tradies are soo flat stick . Everthing is delayed 

2 hours ago, Wrongway said:

Damn it Kiwi, she does look good buddy! 

You know what wrongway . I soo soo love that I went with the white walls !!!

they so suit the car with those 8 luggers ! 

I would really like to do the repaint in the new year , but , a daughter getting married here at home in March , I want to chop down the near 200 pine trees after that , which are on the property . JustA going to have to see . How it all pans out .. Then there is the 57 to make a start on .. but 64 comes first 

Edited October 30, 2022 by 64 kiwi boni

[KiwiStarChief]

22 hours ago, 64 kiwi boni said:

raining again !! wheres spring !!!

 

Chris, we had to cancel our planned run down to the Stragglers Show at Lake Karapiro yesterday because of all the rain. Mind you, to be fair it hasn't rained here in Auckland since we came back from Aus 3 weeks ago.

And yes, those whitewalls sure do look super cool.

[Andy H]

23 hours ago, 64 kiwi boni said:

raining again !! wheres spring !!!

You know I'm not much of a white wall guy but it really looks good on that car especially with those rims.👍

[64 kiwi boni]

3 hours ago, Andy H said:

You know I'm not much of a white wall guy but it really looks good on that car especially with those rims.👍

i was the same Andy! 

i used to hate white walls, but when we got the 59 caddy  and its white walls just looked right on the car.

That really made me apreciate the 8 luggers and i had to hunt a lot of google pictures justA to find a 64 bonneville with wide white wall on it. once i did, i knew it would be the right move for the look i am working the car to be.

once i do the repaint and loose the off white/cream white, it will look even sharper !

Ah, it gives it its own personallity !

[64 kiwi boni]

sometimes i forget how stuffed the 64 was !!!

[Ringo64]

That progress! Well done, bud!

[Fitzy]

On 9/26/2022 at 2:27 PM, 64 kiwi boni said:

A great big thank you to fitzy for bringing me Pontiac treats !!!

he has given me a drivers side and passenger side mirrors ! 
a full gasket set suitable for my 389 !!!

i think he knows what I know and it’s going to have to be rebuilt sooner than latter !!! 🙄

a spare filter , brass frosty plugs ! 
 

And !!! Two copies of the unique cars mag ! 
now this is the one that fitzy  may very well be featuring his 65 gp in !!!

i hope it all works out ! I certainly will be buying a copy !  
 

Kiwi - it was an absolute pleasure to catch up with you. I was chuffed to be able to unload my spare bits & pieces to a worthy cause. When you want a hand to rebuild your 389, give us a hoy. I'd come back over there in a shot! Between you, me & Rocky Rotella, we'll have her singing.

Edited November 1, 2022 by Fitzy

[64 kiwi boni]

11 hours ago, Fitzy said:

Kiwi - it was an absolute pleasure to catch up with you. I was chuffed to be able to unload my spare bits & pieces to a worthy cause. When you want a hand to rebuild your 389, give us a hoy. I'd come back over there in a shot! Between you, me & Rocky Rotella, we'll have her singing.

hi Mate, i will certainly take you up on that offer. 

i cant wait to get some time on the 64 and fit those mirrors!! 

the painter finished the new additions yesterday, i pulled up all the carpet last night, so the whole house is empty and the new carpet goes down tomorrow/friday !!

THEN ! i have to drag everthing back in the house !!! happy happy joy joy ! NOT !

 we are off to Tauranga today to pick lights !! and i want to con the boss into buying a 95 inch samsung tv.. 

i may even have to take her out to lunch to butter her up i feel !!

[KiwiStarChief]

Chris, I can't believe the wreck the '64 Poncho was! It's a credit to you, for sure.

[Last Indian]

Great job my friend! 

[JUSTA6]

Few can say they've brought one back from that!!!  

[64 kiwi boni]

The chassis obsorbed a huge amount of energy and thats the only thing that saved the car!

if this was a uni body, it would be scrap metal by now !!

Last indian!! 

have you seen Andys posts about his cam run in dramas ? 

64 lemans.

its a curly question on run in oil.

 and i would certainly be interested in your thoughts 

 

Edited November 3, 2022 by 64 kiwi boni

[64 kiwi boni]

 

[64 kiwi boni]

And my blond girl waits too . 
 

[Fitzy]

I've been there. I have touched that car. I remember peering into what looks like the endless trunk. What a pity we didn't have time to go for a ride. I have every confidence that I'm gonna be back there, working as a TA for Kiwi thru the day, and twirling wrenches into the night with some beers and music, whilst his Boss tries to glue that friggin' tooth back into that pig ugly hippo!!!