1951 Pontiac Chieftain

[PhilA]

Spoke to a few people and they suggested I bump up the pressure in my tires from 26 to 32.
I put them up to 30 all round and went for a quick drive.
The ride is better, despite the car liking to tramline more, but the steering is noticably more light.

I set the timing back just a touch, think it might have been a bit much. Now that I'm getting it all dialed in better, smaller changes are making a greater difference. That's a good thing in my book. Means I'm getting it right.

Phil

[mercrocker]

Are you adding any kind of octane booster or is the Eight happy on regular? Seem to recall that a lot of the iron-block stuff was.....

[PhilA]

Are you adding any kind of octane booster or is the Eight happy on regular? Seem to recall that a lot of the iron-block stuff was.....

It's happy on regular, apparently it's good down to about 65 octane.

[DodgeRover]

Are you adding any kind of octane booster or is the Eight happy on regular? Seem to recall that a lot of the iron-block stuff was.....

It's happy on regular, apparently it's good down to about 65 octane.

You should be able to run kero in it then to keep mobile at the end of the world!

[Hooli]

So it'd even run on JD then.

[PhilA]

Started on petrol, once warm, with modification it would run on TVO yes

[PhilA]

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I now have the factory option handbrake warning light!

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Ignition on, pull the handbrake on and the light blinks at you as a reminder.

Wanted to fit this, could never find one, typical one lands unexpectedly on my doorstep.

Amongst a bunch of other spare parts, was a clock. I said I would repair it and send it back because the guy who sent me the spares is hotrodding a '53 Chieftain and put a tachometer where the clock goes. I said no, clock goes there, tacho goes in a pod on the steering column. Etiquette!

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I got the clock running, it just needs a little work and conversion to 12v.

Phil

[PhilA]

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If nothing else, at least it looks pretty.

[DodgeRover]

I should think with the low compression ratio the easiest way to make hot rod power would be to fit a large blower?
Be a shame to fit a V8 if it had the straight 8 still

[PhilA]

That's the generally accepted method- either that or improve the breathing with more carburetors and massively bump up the CR.

Either way the main bearings and big ends tend not to last well if you do.