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SPRING TO ACTION
Dean Brown, a longtime rodder, was in the market for a new project car and stumbled across this ’52 Chevy panel truck, which turned out to be one of the original Helms trucks. The bakery cabinets had been removed but the body was in good condition, and it was still running with the original six-cylinder engine. Brown thought the truck was very cool, so he made a deal with its owner and drove it home. He formulated a plan of attack and started acquiring the parts he needed to turn it into a hot Chevy panel. The parts included a strong-running V-8 engine, a Turbo 350 transmission, a Fat Man Fabrications IFS front suspension and a new rear suspension that would provide a softer ride quality.

Sweet Patina
We recently had the opportunity to work on a Levi’s Edition AMC Jeep Renegade—a unique piece of off-road history that has undoubtedly seen its fair share of adventures. The exterior still boasts its original paint, complete with bumps, scrapes, and surface rust that showcase the character that comes with many years of use and enjoyment. Rather than opting for a fresh new repaint, our mission was to preserve its tough, battle-worn patina while adding protection and a nice polished matte finish to show it some love. We wanted to enhance its character, highlighting its scars instead of hiding them, and, with the assistance of Sweet Patina’s products, we accomplished this beautifully. This Jeep didn’t spend its life tucked away in a garage; its paint tells a story, with each scratch, chip, and faded patch serving as a badge of honor. We felt that applying a shiny new paint job would be a disservice to this classic Renegade.

NO NOMAD FOR ME
The year 1954 was a big one for the Ford Motor Company. That was the year that Ford’s new Y-block V-8 replaced the long-serving Flathead V-8, and it was also the final year before a major styling redesign. Thus the ’54 models are somewhat unique.
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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: The Accusump by Canton Racing Products
Stop Shortening Your Engine's Life: Why the Accusump 3 Qt No Valve is a Must-Have
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photos Courtesy of Canton Racing Products
What the Heck Is an Accusump?
In simple terms, the Accusump is like an insurance policy for your engine. It’s a pressurized oil reservoir that steps in to save the day when oil pressure drops or before you even fire up the engine. Here’s how it works:
- When your engine’s running and oil pressure is solid, the Accusump fills up and stores oil under pressure.
- When pressure drops—like in a hard corner or during startup—it shoots that stored oil back into the engine to keep things lubed and happy.
It’s that simple, and trust us, it works.
Why the Accusump Kicks Butt
1. Built for Power
This 3-quart beast is perfect for big V-8s or high-output V-6 and 4-cylinder engines. If you’re making big power, this is the Accusump you want.
2. Tough and Compact
At 16 inches long and 4-1/4 inches in diameter, it’s compact enough to fit in most setups but built tough enough to handle hardcore abuse. And yeah, it’s Made in the USA because quality still matters.
3. Mount It Anywhere
The piston-style design means you can mount this thing however you want—vertically, horizontally, upside-down, whatever. Other styles need to be vertical to work, but the Accusump doesn’t care. It’s ready to go no matter how you install it.
4. Pre-Lubrication = Engine Longevity
One of the coolest features is pre-oiling. Before you even fire up the engine, the Accusump delivers oil to critical components, reducing wear and tear. Whether it’s your daily driver, weekend warrior, or track toy, pre-lubrication is a game-changer.
5. Rebuildable and Serviceable
Unlike some of the cheaper alternatives out there, the Accusump is fully rebuildable. Blow a motor and get oil everywhere? No problem—take it apart, clean it up, and you’re back in business.
Real Talk: Why You Need One
Think about it. You’re ripping around a corner, hitting the brakes hard, or dealing with a sketchy oil pan setup. Oil pressure drops. Without an Accusump, you’re risking spun bearings, toasted cams, or worse. With an Accusump, you’ve got a backup plan that kicks in automatically.
And let’s talk startups. How many engines get murdered just from dry starts? That metal-on-metal grind is brutal. The Accusump stops it cold, feeding oil to the bearings before you even turn the key.
The Bottom Line
The 24-006 Accusump 3 Qt No Valve is one of those no-brainer mods that pays for itself the first time it saves your engine. Whether you’re a drag racer, road racer, or just a gearhead who wants to protect their investment, this thing delivers.
So, stop rolling the dice with your engine. CLICK HERE to head on over and get your Accusump, slap it on, and drive like you mean it. You’ll thank yourself later when your engine’s still running strong, race after race, mile after mile.




