'58 (nash) rambler american family project

[mygasser]

my a/c compressor arrived today, woohoo! forgot to get it out of the box and take a pic, doh!
neil.

[mygasser]

i've been thinking (bad idea i know) and..... i'm tempted to fit my nash's complete and running fe big block and fmx to the cresta and get that on the road. 2 reasons, 1st.. i'll have a car to use while it's for sale and 2nd.. some of the money from the cresta can buy me a stroker kit and ally heads for the other fe that will then go in the nash. how's that sound?
neil.
ps i forgot i've not mentioned the cresta on here have i? i've got a pb cresta gasser project cheap for it's rover v8 to fit to a ford pop aussie ute i had in with a bad engine. i bought another ford fe big block that's apart to rebuild and fit in the cresta. but my idea above makes good sense, to me anyway.

[mygasser]

today i had a call from fibreglass alan (who's not made of fibreglass and ''that wasn't funny the first time'', lol) who makes the fibreglass (funnily enough) lowback bucket seats for me. he's moving to a smaller workshop and wondered what i wanted doing with my seat moulds. strangely the other day i was thinking about calling him about collecting them and making them here, mainly as i could do with a pair for the cresta. him calling saved the possibility of an awkward conversation about wanting to take the moulds from him, result. my daughter terri who's a bit arty farty craftsy says she's happy to make them, doing my pair as a practice run. she can do them in the garage over the road so as not to stink the main one out, lol.
neil.

[mygasser]

it's been a while but i just ordered a gps speedo that has high beam and indicator warning lights on the face. the one i bought earlier with a tacho on built in will be used now on the cresta gasser project. i bought an autometer monster tach with shift light at the swapmeet so i'll use that on the dash of the nash.
neil.

[mygasser]

i forgot to say the fe i bought for the nash had no dipstick or tube. the longest i could find to give me the most scope for cutting to length was a chrome bbc one at £15 so the tube is now cut to fit and mount as per stock ford. i'll trim and remark the stick once i change the oil and filter so i know it has the right amount in it.
neil.

[mygasser]

i ordered a new starter and a thermostat housing for my fe engine so it's here when i need it.
neil.

[mygasser]

and because i'm decisive i've just made enquiries about a 440 for the nash. if it comes off then it could get adapted to the ford o/d box that i've spent ages altering to fit the fe engine, lol.
neil.

[ScottyDave]

Nice to have options

[mygasser]

the 440 fell through so tomorrow i'm off to look at a 318/904 still running and driving in a 73 scamp. this'll go in my cresta gasser and the nash will still be getting the ford fe/4r70w combo. good job i'm decisive
neil.

[mygasser]

i've bought the 318/904 for the cresta,
it just occurred to me that i've done it again..... i'm buying parts for 2 projects..... again, doh! the cresta needs to be done and sold before getting back to the nash but i'm looking at fe parts..... for the nash. it really is a disease, it must be, we can't seem to help ourselves.
neil.

[mygasser]

i've bid on an ultrasonic thickness tester so i can check the bores on my spare 352 fe block to see how big i can go with it. it'll at least go to 390 bore, but 428 size would be nice, lol.
neil.

[mygasser]

been busy today, buying bits, lol. first a good used holley 770 street avenger carb and then a new chrome (we like shiny) high volume (115gph) mechanical fuel pump for a ford fe v8. £105 inc p&p for the carb and £23 inc p&p for the pump. both were bargains i reckon.
neil.

[mygasser]

i just ordered some more parts for the 318 engine. a high volume oil pump, a van/truck pickup tube and a set of 30 over plasma moly rings for the new pistons. i chose the van/truck pickup as the car sump pan will be altered to be rear bowl to suit it. this will give more clearance over the tube axle and spring crossmember on the nash.
neil.

[mygasser]

popped out to the mobile shed (my transit) to have a look at the 360 heads we picked up last weekend at the pod. yes they're 'j' heads as stu told me which is cool. even better they have the larger 2.02" inlet valves which frrom what i've read means 340 or early 360 heads. also the chambers appear to be smoothed somewhat and the valve keepers (collets) and retainers are upgraded too (probably valve springs as well). all in all i'm well pleased with them, thanks stu.
neil.

[mygasser]

it looks like i've sold the torq thrust wheels. i know, i know but i have a soft spot for slot mags so..... i picked up a skinny (4.5") pair at the supernats and today agreed a price on a pair of 10x15's so slots it is, lol.
neil.