Restarting a '55 Chevy 350 Small Block After Sitting for Over 10 Years - HorsePower S17, E17

A champion Pro Stock racer pitches in to bring a '55 Chevy back to life. And the guys will install and test some new supercharger technology.
PARTS USED IN THIS EPISODE:
Mickey Thompson: Tire, ET Street Radial, 29 x 12.50R20, Radial, R2 Compound, Blackwall, Each
More Info: pntv.us/pb_pt_...
MSD Ignition: Distributor, Pro-Billet Ready-to-Run, Magnetic Pickup, Vacuum Advance, Chevy, Big/Small Block, Each
More Info: pntv.us/pb_pt_...
MSD Ignition: Ignition Coil, Blaster SS, E-Core, Square, Epoxy, Red, 40,000 V, Each
More Info: pntv.us/pb_pt_...
Royal Purple: Motor Oil, Synthetic, 10W30, HPS Street, 1 qt., Each
More Info: pntv.us/pb_pt_...
Royal Purple: Oil Filter, Extended Life, Canister, 13/16 in.-16 Thread, Each
More Info: pntv.us/pb_pt_...
SLP Performance Parts, Inc.: 2010-2013 Camaro 20" Five Spoke Wheels - Gloss Black with Machined Face
More Info: pntv.us/pb_pt_...
SLP Performance Parts, Inc.: 2010-2013 Camaro V8 Loud Mouth Axle Back Exhaust with 4" Tips
More Info: pntv.us/pb_pt_...
SLP Performance Parts, Inc.: 2010-2013 Camaro V8 SLP Supercharger Package - Stage 1 575HP
More Info: pntv.us/pb_pt_...
Summit Racing: Alternator, Internal Regulator, 100 Amp, Black, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Chevy, GMC, Each
More Info: pntv.us/pb_pt_...
Summit Racing: Engine Dress Up Kit, Steel, Chrome, Chevy, Small Block, Kit
More Info: pntv.us/pb_pt_...
Summit Racing: Fuel System, Gasoline, Pump, Regulator, Filter, Fuel Line, Universal, Kit
More Info: pntv.us/pb_pt_...
The Industrial Depot: Fasteners, Hardware, and Shop Supplies
WD-40: Aerosol, 12 oz., lubricant, water dispersant, penetrant, protectant

[@derektrieglaff9103]

R.I.P. Joe Elmore. It's good to have the ability to go back and keep watching you build great projects over and over again. You were a great T.V. host and a knowledgeable wrench.

[@americanpatriot2.06]

1:49 Imagine that. Pat looks a little younger than I'm used to seeing. He took over Horse Power when it was renamed Engine Power. Must've got a pretty good deal to leave KB Racing to work for Powernation!

[@christophersmallwood3944]

It's the Origin story of Pat!

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Looks like the '55 Chevy we had laying around back in 1960's... guess it never did get a front bumper...

[@mindeloman]

Man....the late 70's and throughout all of the 80's was the era of yanking the ubiquitous 235 6cyl engines out the tri-five chevy's and dropping in a messaged 350 and th350 trans. They were frequently seen at car shows like that. In the mid-90's i helped a neighbor do that exact thing. He found a nice and cherry 57 210 two door. We yanked the tired 6 cylinder and built a mild and streetable 383 stroker. We even went back with cast iron rams horn exhaust manifolds. He wanted something fun but reliable. Mated it to a 700R4 trans. That was a nice and dependable car that could comfortable cruise at highway speed with that over drive.

[@79tazman]

Ready to run Distributor is any GM HEI or Points distributor you don't need a box at all you need is a power wire and coil that's all

[@nepttune710]

And one of those summit guys now works for horsepower! Very cool

[@alainbrisebois8334]

Funny, when I was a kid , I got a 55 Chevy miniature model kit to put together. It was the coolest Chevy for me. Everybody drooled over the 57, but not me. Then years after I saw the Falfa 55 in American Grafiti, and I got the hooke again. I 'am still drooling over any 55...

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

I love the "get them back on the road" stories. I don't have the time, money, and the desire for the big custom rotisserie 200k builds.

[@Anth4044]

Man I can watch this stuff all day👍👍👍

[@darkrose4704]

Would’ve been nice if I could’ve seen more of the 55!

[@Sojourning_]

awesome, in 72, built up a 55 chev, 396 375HP. ran like a scolded dog, crazy fast, wrecked, ran out of brakes.

[@lewisdeclouette6342]

This show is Christmas to me Merry Christmas y'all

[@Wolfdog370]

Learn the language .. to you all

[@senior_ranger]

I can't imagine how you do a show like this without the 1938 Phantom Corsair Coupe!!!!!

[@rustyshackleford2627]

I love the Royal Purple I run it in my 2012 Dodge Challenger RT Hemi !!! 👍👍👍

[@vernonricker9910]

Love these old cars

[@deliveryguyrx]

Love the '55!My brothers had a few back in the '70s.Wish we would have kept one,lol.

[@RedBanksClassics]

Hard to beat that SBC for simplicity.

[@donziperk]

If I started that engine I would have done it differently. After draining the oil and installing a new filter the next step would be to prime the oil pump filter and oil passages by turning the oil pump through the distributor hole with a drill and priming tool.. After that with the distributor in and the plugs out I would crank it over to lubricate the bearings and cam with out a load. I’ve used that method for a long time with great success.

[@Backyardmech1]

Looking at the oil coming out I’d change the oil and filter after a few laps up and down the street and then consider driving it out the neighborhood. Great job Powernation. EDIT: The one car my dad regretted letting go in his later years.

[@eclipsegst9419]

I would have flushed it first with kerosene and then with cheap oil before putting in that expensive synthetic.

[@toddyb1525]

RESPECT.......you guys are true car guys.......nice one :]

[@fredbach6039]

Nice work on the 55 Chevy. Was a good looking car. Intresting how you just replaced so many things first. I definitely would have done the plugs but I might have squirted some light oil into the spark plug holes first and cranked it over a bit with no plugs first.

[@jakespeed63]

Art Deco display super cool The Jordan Roadster was found in an East Cleveland garage, that belonged to a deceased friend of my grandfather. Good job helping dude get his Chevy running

[@toddbradley6225]

I’ve been following you guys for years know. I love what y’all do. I’m in need with help with my service truck to build more power and way better fuel economy. I’ve been budgeting for years. And it’s not paying off on my truck anymore. I’m trying to fix up a 1982 Ford F-250 with a 400m in here. She’s sat for about 5 years and I’ve been running into issue after issue. And do I get help like the guy in this video. I’m doing all I can to help my dad out and help my family out to the Max but my budging isn’t doing it any more at all.

[@johnhancock5554]

🇺🇸🏁 Love that 55 Chevy 👍👍 🎄

[@stephhaug3316]

Great Episode! Thanks & Happy X-Mas from Germany!

[@olderthanyoucali8512]

How do these guys pick people to " help", this man, seeing his home and age seems perfectly capable of being able financially able to pay to get that car running again?

[@ToxicMisfitsYt]

older than you Cali mainly just a sponsor deal and I don’t think the guy known anything about cars lol

[@clevelandmaker386]

@@Scott83016 I assume a lot!........I know how this game works! the whole auto build thing is the cool kids table but in a garage!

[@Ecosse57]

older than you Cali... my first thought too.

[@lordfever5b.e.83]

Mike Galley is a beast for real so is Pat they are my favorite duo

[@Kevin_747]

Is this the episode where Pat steals John's job?

[@karlbrooksmotorsports1487]

Kevin N John is still the president and ceo he gave pat the job lol 😂

[@Kevin_747]

@@karlbrooksmotorsports1487 Never knew what happened to John. Seems like he was a good fit for the show then Pat showed up with his two pocket protectors.

[@frostybytes6835]

Most seem to not like living in Tennessee which is why they probably leave

[@Kevin_747]

@@frostybytes6835 Everybody has their favorite place to call home but the Nashville area has some nice places to live. No state income tax either.

[@frostybytes6835]

@@Kevin_747 I'm not saying that Tennessee is bad but all these guys they get for the show are Hollywood guys and will leave once they get known for a show in LA or something.

[@neillpotts6019]

Great video. Mechanics at their best. Neill East Yorkshire. England.UK

[@ArkadianMr]

LOL,that gas filter at 4:09 is leaking, very easy to catch a fire this way.

[@Oblithian]

twin screw >> roots. Though the newest variant of whipple is pretty comparable now. It just surprises me how much better twin screw was for the longest time, and yet few people actually opted for it.

[@Oblithian]

If you don't know the difference, it's in the design of the compressor's rotating assembly. The screw is much more efficient than the lobes, but I imagine it is patented, as it should be, since it has markedly better compression. Now the whipple uses a single lobe like the roots, and the other side is basically an inverted copy of that lobe (like a twizzler or many grooved drill bit) to get more compression.

[@victoroneill7924]

These guys are professional mechanics? They left out several things they should have done before they tried to start this engine. They should have told the owner to remove the spark plugs, squirt some lubricant in each each cylinder and let it sit at least overnight before they arrived so the cylinder walls and rings would be lubricated before they try to crank it. They also should have checked the compression on every cylinder. They should have pulled the distributor and turned the oil pump with the valves covers off to make sure the valve train is well lubricated. That oil was so filthy they should have changed the oil and filter after they got it started and run it until it reached 180 degrees before anybody drove it.

[@davenelson1571]

Amish Mike looks right at home in that camaro

[@on-site4094]

Good luck with your project keep your dads toy 🧸 going

[@CJColvin]

Merry Christmas Powernation and a happy New Year.

[@christophersmallwood3944]

So this is the origin story of Pat!

[@bmh67wa]

Kind of hard to fill water through the thermostat housing if the thermostat is installed.

[@hawkdsl]

Obviously, they didn't have the thermo in the housing ... My guess is they ran it that way to purge all the air, then installed the thermo.

[@larrybrooks8768]

Make sense!

[@MetalMusicManiac]

I miss these shows was on Spike TV it went to a pay extra channel some 20 years ago

[@zed8083]

Not enough time spent with the blown Camaro! 4k leave was still spinning on a prepped track, way more potential there. 8.35 @ 87mph? Should be in the 7:40's/96+mph at least with that power! Oh well, maybe a future episode??

[@n5yiz]

Glorified Summit commerical

[@Bruhm-ms3yn]

Love your videos

[@tpetry1303]

Union Hill ! The first drag strip I raced at.

[@jaylenbrown2912]

Moses on the dyno

[@captjim007]

Great job guys.

[@npsit1]

Cars were so beautiful yet.. some were slightly ugly.. from the 30s through the 60s. They had style and character. Then the government got involved. Now they're just cars. They all look the same.

[@alexcorona]

npsit1 Crash in a car back then at 20mph, you died. In today's cars roll over 10 times at 80mph, still survive. It isn't for looks....

[@eclipsegst9419]

@@alexcorona hahaha you're funny. The only thing dangerous was the lack of seatbelts and airbags. Those cars were solid steel and sat on full frames. Like a pickup truck.

[@Adamu98]

@@eclipsegst9419 they also have thin a pillar which will let the roof cave in during a roll over unless you had a roll bar or cage.

[@eclipsegst9419]

@@Adamu98 some designs were definitely bad, but not all of them. The 50s cars that tried to emulate aircraft designs were definitely guilty of that. But, additudes were different back then. Men worried about dying in war, not their car. The answer to rollover deaths was "learn to countersteer and don't roll it"

[@donziperk]

Keegan Johnson They also had no crumple zones to absorb the energy of an impact. I’ve been rear ended twice once in a Toyota Camry the other in my Ford pick up both by pick ups. Roughly the same amount of speed but the impact was way more violent in my truck than the car.

[@IndridCool54]

Was this Pat’s first appearance on Power Nation? 😎👍🏼

[@marshalldillion2835]

Thats a real Christmas present 👍

[@crowvelle]

Okay, how do I get them to come fix my shit?

[@MrBluetruck96]

I would love to have one in this shape.

[@diesel1586]

A new water pump and radiator should definitely get it to fire up...

[@nathanadams6633]

Excellent

[@79tazman]

This is the first time I ever saw someone need to damn near rebuild a engine just to start it after 10 years. If the car was running and just sat there is no reason why it would need anything to fire back up even after 10 years

[@bmstylee]

Clearly you don't have a clue what rebuild means. I saw bare minimum of parts. All things that should be looked at after sitting for a decade.

[@clayon89]

I agree. Looking at what was they started with there was no reason why it wouldnt have ran as it sat but hey they had to sell for the sponsers.

[@mateo32755]

Man I wish they still taught broadcasting the way Joe Elmore talks😁. I'd take that course just to piss off my girl😆.

[@coolhandluke354]

Talked about a sentripical style super charger and showed a plan jane 4 barrel with a bug catcher scoop

[@philipbeasley72]

Damn that's an engine!!

[@bmstylee]

I like Amish Mike. He's a Hoyt guy.

[@bmstylee]

@Allen Portz yes. Yes you are. Thanks for letting us all know.

[@patrickrobinson59]

How come everything is always so clean?......I never see you guys dirty....I can't even get close to a car without getting dirty

[@JeffLocke1]

What's the little tool that they are using for those hose spring clamps?

[@cashed-out2192]

I guess who ever owned this car back in 55, didn't have any trouble starting it up

[@johnstoddard6699]

I LOVE THE TRI 5 CHEVY

[@johnstoddard6699]

These are plum sexy keep em coming. BOW TIES!!!!!!

[@tommygunn1901]

I have old street rods , all I seem to do is keep them running, 😂🤦‍♂️ I stopped running engine fans on the motor , run electric and gain 25 horsepower

[@copedennis1]

55 Chevy didn’t come with a 350. If it had a v8 it was a 265, I think

[@davidhoulden5791]

The 350 was likely swamped in years ago.

[@dennisbisconti4583]

It may have had a 283 cubic in

[@dennisbisconti4583]

From the factory and they swap a 350 in it yes your right

[@joeschlotthauer840]

@1:39, "when was the last time it ran" *"99 or 2000"*

[@perotekku]

Yeah, this is an older episode though, probably from around 2010 I think

[@larryburrough3024]

Hey PowerNation, Please Help. I have a 66 Dodge Coronet 500. It has a 512 engine with a Fast EFI. I cannot get the engine to run right. I thinking about putting the 850 Double Pumper back on. Please Help Me!!!!

[@jojjel8810]

Distributor ”ready to run” for which engine? How do you know what total advance is for that distributor and what it should be for the engine?

[@TheDutyPaid]

Fuel leak at 4:07 and they put just water in the rad lol

[@briang4470]

They probally put straight water in to check for leaks or blown head gaskets first and to flush the system later to put in fresh antifreeze.

[@ryanbarbolt3691]

Oil.. 11 bucks a quart, coolant... garden hose.

[@leonlinstead3725]

so do they actually show the finished resto on the old car?

[@DeadBoyJJ]

Should have added a catch can inline with the PCV hose.

[@billconservative9503]

Omg send the crew to my place to finish my 93 Bronco!

[@joeschlotthauer840]

Nice trick at 9:04, but how does he "load" it... Tool(?) At 11:07...

[@richardd.7479]

I too want that tool

[@richardd.7479]

Found one: www.amazon.com/Chiloskit-Flexible-Reach-Pliers-Reapir/dp/B07F8PPNFT/

[@joeschlotthauer840]

@@richardd.7479 Hey, thanks, for the link, looks well worth the money...

[@richardd.7479]

Your welcomed, I ordered, says delivery mid January.

[@richardd.7479]

@@joeschlotthauer840 came in the mail today, very sturdy and well made. Will be using this weekend

[@devinmoss3365]

he looked at the wall when the thing fired up because about 20 years of sludge flew out the rear end XD

[@brownpaul476]

I have a 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera with a 2.8 I need to do a engine rebuild on it and im having a hard time finding a quality master rebuild kit.

[@samthelegoman3990]

“You don’t want to pour a lot down the engine itself” I’m just picturing vice grip garage pouring twenty dozen gallons down the carb

[@colormesarge]

Waaaaay too much. Perfect.

[@johnvgrand]

Where r u guys located? I have chevy nova 73

[@michaelheathington9546]

Wish you guys could come help me with my 84 square body. Awesome show

[@19ADAM80]

Michael Heathington Email em.., I have a 86 Squarebody myself, I’ve had it since ‘97

[@daltonwilliams8272]

My 1988 mustang gt N/A 347 ran 7s at 108 mph on street tires with low low air pressure that's embarrassing that a newer supercharged Camaro is a couple seconds slower than a engine I built myself in the building out back.

[@captjim007]

Hard to beat a 1933 Ford 3 window coupe.

[@carltrano1325]

What happened to the sleeper t bird

[@alexcorona]

Carl Trano Go to their website, they have it all on there.

[@SeanPwnery]

Crying shame they don't do Loudmouths or Supercharger kits for my 3.9L V8 Retro Thunderbird. I'm more or less stuck in a rut in terms of getting more out of it. =/

[@bmstylee]

If parts are not made either the engine can't handle it or more likely just no market.

[@ImTheJoker4u]

Looked like that oil hadn’t been changed in about 20 years😳

[@blubberbean9558]

I hope you’re joking🤣

[@ratdude747]

Hose water in the cooling system? Unless you're flushing it out, no thanks. :P

[@spoonfixer3387]

Did you see that chunky oil? Hose water is the least of his problems.

[@robertweitlauf4653]

if it's a drag car you cant run coolant. granted they should put distilled water in it.

[@234dilligaf]

That's what I'm talking about. Never EVER use anything but distilled water.

[@thebrowser101]

window cleaner to not bind gaskets way smart

[@ronlheureux7623]

That car must have had some really bad gas in it after sitting for 10 years. What did they do about that issue?

[@heathersanborn4914]

Oh my gosh, who saw that oil !

[@majobis]

yep I did. they shoulda dropped the pan and after the engine has run change the oil again.

[@JW...-oj5iw]

The dude's old man used Autolites in a Chevy. Probably Pennzoil, too. Probably has plenty of caking under the valve covers. A good treatment for that is to overfill it with ATF added to the oil a day before changing it. Drive it normally gently andfor about an hour, then change it. A couple of those treatments help flush out the engine's internals. Quite simple, too. Cost: a couple quarts of cheap ATF. No need to get the high buck stuff. Now, I'm sure that some super technicians will tell us how it's going to destroy the engine and blow out all the seals, even though I've been doing it for over forty years with zero ill effects.

[@notj5712]

After all that work they used city water to fill the cooling system. Jesus. Hope that was just for leak checking.

[@KyleEbright]

yeah the right distilled water is only a buck a gallon at the store

[@mattg7952]

Royal Purple oil in a pan full of sludge and tap water in a brand new water pump and aluminum radiator. Makes sense.

[@NatureRecycleFlorida]

cool car

[@edwardmyers1746]

Merry Christmas Nation!

[@FlatPlaneCranky]

Am I the only one that cringed when they poured tap water into the cooling system?

[@Truckerdaddy]

It depends on the coolant they ran with it. Some coolant have to be diluted so adding the water is no big deal. Plus them old cast iron blocks can handle it better than the aluminum blocks can.

[@Truckerdaddy]

@@jassyatwal530 man I've used tap water for years and still do even on my big rig.

[@Truckerdaddy]

@@jassyatwal530 in this particular case I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the coolant system will likely be drained soon because the engine hasn't ran since 2000. So God knows what is in the water jackets. So why waste money on good coolant just get an engine going after a decade or more of not running. Plus in North Carolina he won't be able to get away with straight water because it will freeze in the radiator and with no coolant getting to the block it will overheat quick

[@KyleEbright]

@@Truckerdaddy I'd say the oil needs another change soon, look at the nasty sludge, there bound to be more after it's ran for a bit and the new oil cleans things out.

[@robsorgdrager8477]

What's a " coohl " ?

[@baddonkey6876]

Why do you always have the blower going backwards when you show an animation?

[@Ecosse57]

that's for a roots type blower. the one they showed is a twin screw type.

[@baddonkey6876]

@@Ecosse57 twin screw type works the same way, we used to install both types, the difference with twin screw is it creates more velocity without having to spin as fast

[@metalbeast1998]

Y'all just put synthetic in that old engine?

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Yeah, break in with conventional oil and then switch to synthetic... at Walmart, full synthetic only costs $2 more for a 5 quart jug now...

[@michaelwintz1896]

Was this pats first episode?

[@ninoreeves7702]

autolite spark plugs?

[@michaelstrafello8025]

Always ran good for our circle track cars in early 80s

[@tomsmedgen1034]

Thats what you call 'toe up'

[@hackfabrication139]

'Just a little bit of sludge....'

[@234dilligaf]

Did they seriously use mineral water in the radiator straight from a garden hose?

[@rickuyeda4818]

The owner couldn't get his Dad's 55 to run? He has no business with a car like that.

[@1996slamster]

Don’t rebuild anything, just throw new parts on. Kinda sad. Of course rebuilding stuff doesn’t sell parts and it’s all about money.

[@elmalortio4830]

Yoooo! Is that a dell Inspiron 1501?!

[@tomschweikert9537]

put a blower on that 55. Very sneaky, suck us in, talking about a 55, then switching to a $30,000 car. Oh well, back to Moonshiners.