[rdorman]

On a side note, the look of your engine compartment is where I am going. While I have a Cleveland and not an FE, I am trying for that more 'original' FE 'look'.

Any details about the finish on various parts would be helpful.

I have already aquired the turkey pan and stellings air cleaner. I have the hood clearence to put in a 5" filter which will be enough air flow for me. I have found cast pent roof valve covers for the Cleveland. But, I already have a set of finned covers and am going to strip the black paint on them and polish/brush them up a bit.

I found a used FE expansion tank that I am going to change over to left hand entry. The trick of course is that the FE manifold inlet is vertical where the Cleveland is horizontal. So the plan is to take the existing 90 that runs from the tank to the housing, modify the housing as required and flip the 90 so that it comes out of the back of the tank and downward. I have yet to mock it up to see how it will look/work.

I am also going to get rid of the kool flex radiator hoses and go to a rigid pipe. When ever I get around to pulling the motor, I want to line the engine compartment with aluminum.

What I am looking for is an old look. Like a 40 year old car that has been used but has been meticulousy been cleaned and maintained. You know like an original race car in a musuem. Not restored, not taken apart and had every piece plated and painted but rather the patina that is acheived over years of hard work.

Any ideas?

Thanks
Rick