Last January I bought a '56 Golden Hawk with 3 speed OD and dual 4 barrels. The car was built as a single 4 barrel automatic with power steering but was converted to 3 speed OD without power steering. (a proper 352 from a 3 speed GH was used). The rear end was left as a 3.09.
I decided to upgrade the whole setup to a factory spec Jet Streak with power steering and a more appropriate rear ratio.
Jack Vines helped me round up all the rest of the parts needed to finish the full jet streak modification - solid lifters, adjustable push rods, heavier valve springs, Isky cam, dual point ignition and hotter coil.
Driving the Hawk was a chore without power steering so I asked Brent Hagen to get me the parts needed to add a Saginaw setup. He found everything but a steering column for a 3 speed power steering setup.
Since I've gotten to the mid 70's been there done that stage of life, I needed someone to do the job for me. That's where STUDEMEISTER, Kenny Durkee came in. If you Studephiles don't know him, you need to meet him.
Kenny and I had several talks about the project, and since he is restoring my old '56, he is well versed in '56 GH's. Another help was that he had a complete 3.73 rear end set up.
When got the heads off, he found they already had guides installed so all they needed was a little machining for Vito seals. Also discovered that the complete engine had recently been rebuilt.
Kenny replaced the 3.09 with the 3.73 rear end, installed the Saginaw power steering, modified the steering column and shift linkage to fit a 3 speed with PS, installed all the Jet Streak parts and set it up perfectly. Even added the appropriate chrome on the engine. Love to show Chivvy fans the picture below and ask them what it is! America's first muscle car.
Wow, what a performance difference now with 330 HP! Before, at 3.5k the valves started to float. Now it easily winds up to 6k and pulls hard from below 2k up to 6k. 2k in 3rd OD gives 70mph. Acceleration is stunning. I don't think my '63 Super Hawk 4spd con keep up with it.
Thanks Jack, Brent and especially Kenny.
Randy Bohannon
'47 Land Cruiser
'52 Commander Starlight Coupe
'56 Golden Hawk
'63 GT R2 Super Hawk
'63 Avanti R2
'64 Daytona Convert
I decided to upgrade the whole setup to a factory spec Jet Streak with power steering and a more appropriate rear ratio.
Jack Vines helped me round up all the rest of the parts needed to finish the full jet streak modification - solid lifters, adjustable push rods, heavier valve springs, Isky cam, dual point ignition and hotter coil.
Driving the Hawk was a chore without power steering so I asked Brent Hagen to get me the parts needed to add a Saginaw setup. He found everything but a steering column for a 3 speed power steering setup.
Since I've gotten to the mid 70's been there done that stage of life, I needed someone to do the job for me. That's where STUDEMEISTER, Kenny Durkee came in. If you Studephiles don't know him, you need to meet him.
Kenny and I had several talks about the project, and since he is restoring my old '56, he is well versed in '56 GH's. Another help was that he had a complete 3.73 rear end set up.
When got the heads off, he found they already had guides installed so all they needed was a little machining for Vito seals. Also discovered that the complete engine had recently been rebuilt.
Kenny replaced the 3.09 with the 3.73 rear end, installed the Saginaw power steering, modified the steering column and shift linkage to fit a 3 speed with PS, installed all the Jet Streak parts and set it up perfectly. Even added the appropriate chrome on the engine. Love to show Chivvy fans the picture below and ask them what it is! America's first muscle car.
Wow, what a performance difference now with 330 HP! Before, at 3.5k the valves started to float. Now it easily winds up to 6k and pulls hard from below 2k up to 6k. 2k in 3rd OD gives 70mph. Acceleration is stunning. I don't think my '63 Super Hawk 4spd con keep up with it.
Thanks Jack, Brent and especially Kenny.
Randy Bohannon
'47 Land Cruiser
'52 Commander Starlight Coupe
'56 Golden Hawk
'63 GT R2 Super Hawk
'63 Avanti R2
'64 Daytona Convert
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