'61 356 Project

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Justin Cordesman
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Re: '61 356 Project

#76 Post by Justin Cordesman »

Vic Skirmants wrote: Tue Oct 29, 2019 7:36 am Ken; and EVERYBODY else; When assembling an engine, or anytime the intake ports are "naked", keep shop rags or paper towels stuffed in the ports. You never know when a stray SOMETHING might find its way into the port. I have an interesting story about that from 40+ years ago. Too long to post here.
I'm late to the party but I have a quick story about this to reinforce the point. Many moons ago when the earth was young and dinosaurs roamed the earth, I was changing spark plugs on my XJ-6 and did not realize that the tip was a separate part in the spark plug box that threaded on so you could use spring clip or threaded cables because I'd never seen that before. Since it was way easier than leaning over, I was sitting on top of the XK to remove the plugs, and when I opened the box, the loose tip bounced a couple times and went right down the open spark plug hole. The tip was non-ferrous so I could not fish it out with a magnet, so I used a butterfly closure and stuck one side of it to a long Philips, then fished with the sticky flap dragging on the top of the piston until I caught and extracted the tip. In other words, magic.

So... cover the openings. Blue painters tape or better yet the green 3M paint masking tape are what I use most of the time unless the part is greasy, then a rag.

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Ken Tuvman
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Re: '61 356 Project / Car is Running!

#77 Post by Ken Tuvman »

I've not posted for awhile but will be posting pictures of progress on our car. New engine is installed and running. So far about 325 miles on new engine and will be taking to son's shop later today to check valves and a few other maintenance items. It's really fun to drive compared to the '68 Karmann Ghia convertible I used to own.
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Ken Tuvman
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Re: '61 356 Project / Electrical

#78 Post by Ken Tuvman »

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Not a concourse car by any means. Car had been raced and there are extra holes that were drilled in the dash - in talking with others, my best guess is there was an oil pressure and temperature gauge as in the big holes and switches in the lower 4 holes for possibly auxiliary fuel pump, kill switch, fog lights and who knows what. Car was originally ivory and dash is currently crackle black.

Have been sorting out the electrics - right headlight was not working and when I put a voltmeter over fuses with power, I wasn't getting any readings. Figured out person I'd bought car from had built this relay board under the hood and ran headlights, brake lights and turn signals over here to gain brighter illumination from all lights.

Everything works except windshield wipers and guessing no power going to it. Fuel gauge doesn't work but I'm not taking any cross country trips at the moment.

Previous owner must have cut power from the oem fuse block and am thinking about going back to stock but would like to incorporate the relays for brighter lights. Like the idea of the relays for lights but any suggestions for a more modern set up appreciated but want to keep this 6 volt.

This is where I'm at today.

--
Thank You,

Ken Tuvman
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Ken Tuvman
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Re: '61 356 Project

#79 Post by Ken Tuvman »

Yesterday’s work - balanced wheels with Ron’s Precision Matters wheel adapter, installed Bosch fuel filter on Al Zim’s suggestion, pulled plugs & gapped them - Had added 2 stroke oil in 1st tank of gas on new engine startup & had been fiddling with Zeniths & right side 1&2 were sooty - now running great.

Adjusted e-brake but handle won’t lock in place. Any suggestions?
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Ken Tuvman
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Re: '61 356 Project / oversized idle jets

#80 Post by Ken Tuvman »

May have figured out why engines been running rich - pulled jets yesterday & discovered previous owner installed “C” #55 idle jets and a super should have #50 - I read if you have a 50 idle jet and change it to 55, that’s a 20% increase in fuel! if that doesn’t do the trick will recheck float levels - really impressed with the helpful folks at 356 Carb Rescue!
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Ken Tuvman
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Re: '61 356 Project / new inner pulley

#81 Post by Ken Tuvman »

Look how chewed up existing was!
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Ken Tuvman
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Re: '61 356 Project / new clock

#82 Post by Ken Tuvman »

Will be filling the 2 big holes in dash with this cool clock & an oil pressure gauge!
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Ken Tuvman
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Re: '61 356 Project / OP Gauge

#83 Post by Ken Tuvman »

New to me OP Gsuge with 2 print adapter
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