Some progress on the mighty 394 Olds

Not long after Phil bought the 1964 Olds 98 (with a bad motor) we found a suitable replacement on the Detoit craigslist. It was an S code 394 with slim jim (roto-hydramatic), the same motor/tranny combo as original, but the high compression version that was an option in his car but more commonly found in the hi-po "Starfire" application. Fetching it is probably a story in and of itself, but suffice it to say it was an adventure and we got it home for a song.


Over Thanksgiving weekend we pulled it out of the corner and proceeded to remove the slim jim.


After a successful separation it's on the dolly ready to go to the quarter car wash for a bath.


Three bucks in change and a can of Wal Mart degreaser later it is starting to look a little more like something worth going through.


I have no more knowledge of these things than the man in the moon (same seems to be true at a lot of tranny shops), but I'm confident we'll find someone to freshen it up a bit. Supposedly it was a functioning tranny when pulled so hopefully with a cleaning, band adjustment and some seals it will be ready to go back in.

When you are trying to motivate 19.5 feet of real Detroit Iron down the road the equipment needs to be up to the task...

A stale project sees the light of day for a minute...

Had to rearrange for some work in the barn so we pulled the 27 T out yesterday. I will start this project someday....

So yeah, I'm a Luddite... what's it to ya?

I know a number of people will pay the long dollar to put one of these in. I just couldn't feel it.


Now let's get that goofy thing outta there...


I think the good lord intended for centrifugal advance in shovels...


I like the looks of these a lot better...


It seemed somehow disingenuous to hide electronic crap behind this point cover. I feel better now...

Shovel on the lift....

The "monster shovel" is on the lift for a little work to get it on the road. The 5 gallon tanks custom painted by Isaac are off to be returned and the new speedo is on.


Here's the "new 3.5 gal tanks that I picked up from cuppy at Wauseon.


Isaac's neat tanks ready to return...


And some sweet old FL fenders from Doug. Rear may go on soon, but I will probablt wait for winter to go FL with the front end.


Shop is still a mess, but it's my kinda mess...

A fresh project....

I had some frustration getting a title and some other issues with my purple FLH. I sold off the sidehack and then once I finally got the title I dumped the bike. Cool old bike, but we weren't meant to be.

Picked up the bike I should have bought in the first place. BarryW's 70 FL with a new 98" S&S shovel motor . Virtually a new 40 year old motorcycle.





I'm pretty excited...

Baby Steps

Getting closer to doing something on the sidehack for the Moto Guzzi. The FLH is off the lift and the hack tub is on. I need to turn two little holes into one bigger one.




There was a couple looking at this tub when I was still in Davenport. She wanted to have her guy buy it and make a sidecar she could take her two dogs out in. That would have been such a cool idea I would have sold it to her. Apparently it looked like too much work to him.




Needless to say, on the surface that guy appears to be much brighter than me.....

Beginnings of a new chore

Who doesn't love Craigslist? Scored some wire wheel axles for the MGB locally. The guy was even cool enough to drop them in my yard for the price. I slipped him a twenty for the trouble. Too cool....