Engine - Page 3
 |
 |
 |
| I removed the engine to perform a major greaslabotomy. A good kerosene bath followed by a wipedown with lacquer thinner prepared the engine for paint. To seal it up I removed and replaced all gaskets. | I replaced the foreign water pump with a correct corvette pump. This pump abandons the upper inlets and draws its water from the freezeplug opening. To adapt the block for this pump required adding a lower bolt hole (see pointer). | Sealed up and freshly painted I replaced the engine into its place in the frame. This process (removal and replacement) was conducted with the body off the frame (note upper left of picture). Lift process and Dolly construction are shown in later photos |
 |
 |
 |
| My engine was also missing the signature Corvette Ign Shielding. To prep the engine, tabs had to be added to the valve cover to secure the upper half of the shielding. Note the tabs taped to the cover. | I fabricated the tabs from sheetmetal stock, bent them according to their application and added 1/4-20 studs for the shielding to attach to. These tabs will be welded onto the Valve cover. This is as close to GM as I can make it. | Original 54's all have automatic X-missions. Mine has a 4-sp. To accommodate this I had to add a clutch cross shaft. The frame side was easy (used orig GM purch) but the engine side required design and fab of a support bolting to the bellhousing face. |
 |
 |
 |
| With three sidedraft carburetors and split exhaust unique to the C1 Vet the Blue Flame Six is an impressive engine. It's a far cry from the injected V-8s of today but in it's time it was the cat's meow. It's simplicity is inspiring. | In spite of being totally rotted out the battery tray needed replaced. My 54 was converted to a 12V system earlier in its life. The 12V battery is of a different size. To keep it a GM as possible, I cut the mounting brackets off the orig. tray. | I then took a 58 tray, removed its mounting supports and adapted the 54 brackets to the new tray. With this modification the hybrid tray bolts onto the 54 frame as the original did. I have made an effort to make any mod look GM. |