My 1957 L6-226 Wagon Build.
- Thread starter Flinthillsben
- Start date
Flinthillsben
Well Oiled
Thanks, before you know it you'll be changing the oil!
indian john
Sharpest Tool
Nice meeting you today Ben! And your wagon! Nice job on that, can't wait til I get to that point!!
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Flinthillsben
Well Oiled
Thanks John, and good to meet you too. Thanks again for the hood.
JohnMelon
Sharpest Tool
Flinthillsben
Well Oiled
Saturday June 3rd update.
Last night I changed to the 160 thermostat and removed the speedo drive gear from the old transmission. I also installed the seat frames for the back seats.
At some point in the last few days I installed the choke cable. The black knob version was out of stock so white it is.
This morning I was under the wagon and working by 745am. I drained the transfer case and started on the speedo gear mechanism. I got the drive shaft off and all the bits. The gear went it and then I buttoned it all up.
Then I started on the overdrive installation. It was all pretty straight forward and I didn't get any picks of it really.
After the OD was in I started on the shift lever. It was all a much easier process than I thought. It took around 3 hours total with a 40 minute lunch brake in there.
Then I installed the seat cushions and front passenger seat and called it a day.
More to come....
Last night I changed to the 160 thermostat and removed the speedo drive gear from the old transmission. I also installed the seat frames for the back seats.
At some point in the last few days I installed the choke cable. The black knob version was out of stock so white it is.
This morning I was under the wagon and working by 745am. I drained the transfer case and started on the speedo gear mechanism. I got the drive shaft off and all the bits. The gear went it and then I buttoned it all up.
Then I started on the overdrive installation. It was all pretty straight forward and I didn't get any picks of it really.
After the OD was in I started on the shift lever. It was all a much easier process than I thought. It took around 3 hours total with a 40 minute lunch brake in there.
Then I installed the seat cushions and front passenger seat and called it a day.
More to come....
Flinthillsben
Well Oiled
Sunday update - this morning I did a fluids check and then loaded up the boys for a ride. We headed west to visit my brother and his family and then we headed to visit my folks and drive through the spillway at the the local lake.
Since becoming mobile I have noticed an oil leak letting out about 1/2 a quart per 100 miles. It was coating the back of the wagon, the trans and rear drive train and dripping all over the place. Today I found the source. When I had the engine machined the shop chiseld out the rivets holding on the engine id plate. They boogered it up enough I haven't replaced it. Well from each rivet hole oil was bubbling/dripping when the engine was running and at higher rpm than idle. I put some black rtv in each hole for now. Looks like I will need to put the rivets back in.
440 miles on the clock in 6 days. Almost time to adjust the valves, change the oil and call this engine good.
The overdrive is worth its weight in gold.
Since becoming mobile I have noticed an oil leak letting out about 1/2 a quart per 100 miles. It was coating the back of the wagon, the trans and rear drive train and dripping all over the place. Today I found the source. When I had the engine machined the shop chiseld out the rivets holding on the engine id plate. They boogered it up enough I haven't replaced it. Well from each rivet hole oil was bubbling/dripping when the engine was running and at higher rpm than idle. I put some black rtv in each hole for now. Looks like I will need to put the rivets back in.
440 miles on the clock in 6 days. Almost time to adjust the valves, change the oil and call this engine good.
The overdrive is worth its weight in gold.
Flinthillsben
Well Oiled
June 10th update:
Today I didn't do too much. I installed the horn, wire and button, relays and associated wires and got to honking.
While out driving (today only)I would get a periodic stumble, but it always seemed to recover. Throughout the day it was getting worse though. When I pulled into my cul-de-sac I took a look at the fuel filter between the pump and the carb and saw air bubbles. Never good. So I checked all of my pre pump connections for looseness and found nothing to write home about. I tested it again and no dice, there was zero fuel pressure and flow this time.
Extremely excited at the thought of a 600 mile fuel pump I got a suction gun and put it in the circuit where the carb would be and started pumping. Fuel came right up. I swapped the line back to the carb and tried the key. Still no luck. I decided to pull the top off the pump - which is the bottom when installed on the Super Hurricane. After the two screws were out and the cover off I found that one of the two check valves had popped loose and was just hanging in the pump. The check valve that was the high pressure output was the issue.
I decided to pull the pump and try to fix it. I pulled the fuel pump body off and found some cork debris in the low pressure check valve sticking it open. Turns out it was extra material from the pump assembly.
I pulled the loose valve out reset it and found it loose in the mount. I then peened it with a punch to the pump body so it was nice and tight. I then reassembled the pump and then installed it on the 226. Once everything was replumbed I turned the key for 10 seconds or so and she fired to life. I checked the inline filter and she was air free and fuel of fuel. Finally everything was back to normal.
I let the engine idle for a few minutes and then took it for a spin to quicktrip for some ethanol free 87 regular. No problems or stumbles what so ever. Checked the filter and good solid fuel flow.
After that it was 12:15am sunday so - I typed this up and called it a day.
Sorry no photos. It was dark and the free hand held the flash light for all of this.
More to come.....
Today I didn't do too much. I installed the horn, wire and button, relays and associated wires and got to honking.
While out driving (today only)I would get a periodic stumble, but it always seemed to recover. Throughout the day it was getting worse though. When I pulled into my cul-de-sac I took a look at the fuel filter between the pump and the carb and saw air bubbles. Never good. So I checked all of my pre pump connections for looseness and found nothing to write home about. I tested it again and no dice, there was zero fuel pressure and flow this time.
Extremely excited at the thought of a 600 mile fuel pump I got a suction gun and put it in the circuit where the carb would be and started pumping. Fuel came right up. I swapped the line back to the carb and tried the key. Still no luck. I decided to pull the top off the pump - which is the bottom when installed on the Super Hurricane. After the two screws were out and the cover off I found that one of the two check valves had popped loose and was just hanging in the pump. The check valve that was the high pressure output was the issue.
I decided to pull the pump and try to fix it. I pulled the fuel pump body off and found some cork debris in the low pressure check valve sticking it open. Turns out it was extra material from the pump assembly.
I pulled the loose valve out reset it and found it loose in the mount. I then peened it with a punch to the pump body so it was nice and tight. I then reassembled the pump and then installed it on the 226. Once everything was replumbed I turned the key for 10 seconds or so and she fired to life. I checked the inline filter and she was air free and fuel of fuel. Finally everything was back to normal.
I let the engine idle for a few minutes and then took it for a spin to quicktrip for some ethanol free 87 regular. No problems or stumbles what so ever. Checked the filter and good solid fuel flow.
After that it was 12:15am sunday so - I typed this up and called it a day.
Sorry no photos. It was dark and the free hand held the flash light for all of this.
More to come.....
Last edited:
Flinthillsben
Well Oiled
I forgot - I did have one photo.
Gojeep
Well Oiled
Well done on sorting the problem out Ben.
Flinthillsben
Well Oiled
Thanks, since fuel pumps are 4-5 days away from me I had to try something.
Flinthillsben
Well Oiled
Friday update: since I have been driving the wagon as my daily deiver I do small things here and there every day. This week I locksmithed the drivers door lock to match some new keys and cylinders I have. I also re-ran the turn signal switch harness to clean up the wiring. I replaced the driver's door panel and adjusted the door strikers so that the closing latch could almost compete with my Dad's 55 mercedes - well ok its close but a baby's breath won't make it latch.
I just re-torqued the head hot per the manual and plan on do the valves next week some time. I can hear at least one that is a little too open. I will post some photos soon.
I also books rooms in Cody, WY and Yellowstone for August. It will either be the Willys or the Mercedes again and will come down to vehicle readiness. I would leave today in the wagon but taking my folks changes the game around. It will all come down to readiness the week before. Either way - short of a miracle the budget won't swing a headliner by then.
Heat index of 105-109F tomorrow. Where do I find the extra large cowl vent scoop?
I just re-torqued the head hot per the manual and plan on do the valves next week some time. I can hear at least one that is a little too open. I will post some photos soon.
I also books rooms in Cody, WY and Yellowstone for August. It will either be the Willys or the Mercedes again and will come down to vehicle readiness. I would leave today in the wagon but taking my folks changes the game around. It will all come down to readiness the week before. Either way - short of a miracle the budget won't swing a headliner by then.
Heat index of 105-109F tomorrow. Where do I find the extra large cowl vent scoop?
Flinthillsben
Well Oiled
Sunday Father's Day update:
Got up and lubricated all of the 1000 mile items and most of my arms. Then took the boys to see their Grandparents. That meant a short tour in the Flint Hills.
Afterwards we had to go through the spillway a few times. The boys basically make this mandatory. Yes that is two heads sticking out of the side.....
Then we chased our shadow home after a quick stop for some leaded fuel in Baldwin.
We ended the day with 1219 miles on the clock. I will adjust the valves sometime this week and change the oil. So far so good.
Got up and lubricated all of the 1000 mile items and most of my arms. Then took the boys to see their Grandparents. That meant a short tour in the Flint Hills.
Afterwards we had to go through the spillway a few times. The boys basically make this mandatory. Yes that is two heads sticking out of the side.....
Then we chased our shadow home after a quick stop for some leaded fuel in Baldwin.
We ended the day with 1219 miles on the clock. I will adjust the valves sometime this week and change the oil. So far so good.
Very nice. Looks like you had a great Fathers Day.
Flinthillsben
Well Oiled
I did Frank, hopefully all of you Dad's, or kids - did as well.
Flinthillsben
Well Oiled
Friday the 23rd of June update:
Today it was valves and an oil change. I took off work after lunch so that I would have the weekend free to drive.
First I started by removing the hood. I am tall and it doesn't open very far.
Then I started stripping everything down to the manifold. To the manifold nuts took 30 minutes.
To get the manifold off to an hour with the odd angles and high number of nuts. My favorite is the hidden one below the carb.....
Once I was inside the rocker- err.... lifter box it went quick.
Three were fine the rest needed a little adjustment. One needed a bit and was probably my tapper.
Then it was time for a can of coke break.
And finally it ran again.
Then it was time for an oil change.
This oil had about 800 miles on it and was a little past the 1000 miles second change recomendation in the manual but I am ok with that. This oil will go until 2000 miles and then we start our normal 2000 mile intervals.
The worst part of the valve adjustment is getting the manifold off and on. It isn't hard - just time consuming after years with a Stovebolt 216 Chevy. Both jobs combined took four and a half hours start to finish.
Last night I installed my heater cables.
I need to adjust the overdrive shift as it hits the airflow knob when it is pulled out. But its summer so the heat is off.
More later.
Today it was valves and an oil change. I took off work after lunch so that I would have the weekend free to drive.
First I started by removing the hood. I am tall and it doesn't open very far.
Then I started stripping everything down to the manifold. To the manifold nuts took 30 minutes.
To get the manifold off to an hour with the odd angles and high number of nuts. My favorite is the hidden one below the carb.....
Once I was inside the rocker- err.... lifter box it went quick.
Three were fine the rest needed a little adjustment. One needed a bit and was probably my tapper.
Then it was time for a can of coke break.
And finally it ran again.
Then it was time for an oil change.
This oil had about 800 miles on it and was a little past the 1000 miles second change recomendation in the manual but I am ok with that. This oil will go until 2000 miles and then we start our normal 2000 mile intervals.
The worst part of the valve adjustment is getting the manifold off and on. It isn't hard - just time consuming after years with a Stovebolt 216 Chevy. Both jobs combined took four and a half hours start to finish.
Last night I installed my heater cables.
I need to adjust the overdrive shift as it hits the airflow knob when it is pulled out. But its summer so the heat is off.
More later.
57Willys
Precision Fit
Well documented Ben. Thanks for sharing.
Flinthillsben
Well Oiled
Thanks. Now that I have been driving it I spend more time in it than under or reaching into it. Just finished a short 120 mile trip to help my brother get the hay equipment ready. Roughly 1600 miles or so on the clock now.
Ckelley254
Bigger Hammer
WOW!!!!! What a great job you've done on that beautiful wagon. Eight months and done. I've had mine 22 years and it's still a work in progress. Great job Ben.
p.s. What oil are you using? It looks to be diesel oil.
p.s. What oil are you using? It looks to be diesel oil.