Getting to the end on the Skylark. Still have to fabricate a grill for it. It is more of a mild custom than a street machine, hotrod.

Engine bay really looks awesome. I like it that you can still see your plug wires with the separators. So much of the hidden wiring trend around me....I mean geez it's an engine, right? Like that air filter box....

Thanks! I had made that filter housing for my 61 Dodge, because the 4 bbl intakes were so hard to find. I finally got one, and the same issue with This 66. Not a real nailhead, but not the modern engine, either. Only had a 4 bbl one year, and they're rare. SO I donated my air filter to it, painted to match his car.
Paint is buffing out nicely.

Any updates Chop?

My Package came by the way!

Not much on the Olds, yet, Dennis. Got my new Diamondback wide white wall radials for it, so I painted the wheels and installed the tires. Finally got the cam and lifter last week, so engine assembly is going to happen next.
Been finishing up the Skylark , and started a new project, Mild Custom 51 Ford Coupe. I'll start another thread on that one!

Still haven't accomplished much on the Old,s but I'm going to hit it hard (hopefully) next month. I did send the front bumper out for rechroming. Came back beautiful, if not inexpensive. Before I sent the rear one, I had to reduce the height of the license plate surround, as the tailgate wouldn't open all the way, without hitting it. Had to take out 1 1/4". Not usually difficult, but the vertical parts of the guard are angled. And there wasn't a lot of area to remove it from. TIGed it together, then added lead free solder to rough finish it. I'll have the plater copper it, so I can add more solder to it to perfect it.
I also finally got all the parts in, to build the engine. The cam and lifters I ordered in March, finally came last month. Just got the crank back from machining, so I ordered the bearings, and all are awaiting the rebuild.
I spent the last 30 or so years working on, and/or rebuilding engines at the 'day job'. So I lost my enthusiasm for building engines. But now, after 3 years of "retirement", I am excited to get back into doing one for myself! I cleaned the inside of the block, but the outside was not so clean, and a bit rusty from the hot tank. SO I started "cleaning" that, as well. And , of course, I got a little carried away.

Again, waiting for engine parts to try and complete this, so I can install the engine, and assemble the front end. Got the heads "deburred" and primed, waited for ARP rod bolts and head bolts to get them mated together. FInally got them and painted it. Wound up mixing a color to compliment the copper and beige pearls on the body. I settled of a bronze-y metallic. I had to sand and polish a bunch of stainless bolts to use on it, everywhere it didn't need grade 8 stuff. Probably going to get a few pieces chrome plated, as well.
Next big issue is moving cars around the shop to get the Olds in position to drop the engine in.

Love those valve covers....brings back memories from the race car builder that used to live down the street from me when I was a kid.

Hey Chop Looking good!
I too like those Valve covers I got a Nice set like that for the Plymouth IF I ever get to get back to work on my projects Day job and my rental property have kept me busy as of lately.

Your lucky with your engine part orders I ordered a set of ARP head bolts for my wife's Hemi build 9 months ago and I am still waiting!!!!! I can get Stock stretch bolts all day long as well as an ARP Stud kit but want the Bolts so I can remove heads without pulling the engine.

Mean while I picked up another car for her that has some minor issues I am trying to sort out.

Update: Front bumper arrived from the platers, as did the rear bumper over rider (2 different platers). The rear bumper, I was just informed, is on it's way back now. I modified the radiator support and wheel wells, to fit the Impala front frame rails, crossflow radiator, and suspension. Front wheel wells are painted, and now being undercoated (the first product I used flaked off, and checked, so I removed it, and am applying Upol bedliner).
Once I sort out the brackets, and pulleys, bend up the trans cooling lines, and fuel lines to the carb, I can assemble the front sheet metal, and get ready to fire it up.