Toms Oldschool Motors LLC

10/10/2026

OLD SCHOOL ISN'T JUST A NAME — IT'S HOW WE WORK! 🔧💪

These days, apparently all it takes to become an expert engine builder is a credit card, a catalog, and the ability to open a wooden crate. Congratulations! You're an engine builder! 👏😂

Well, not quite...

At TOMS OLDSCHOOL MOTORS, we still do things the old-fashioned way.

We tear engines down, inspect, repair, rebuild, and fabricate what needs to be done — with our own hands.

Just like I learned over 40 years ago, back when mechanics were actually expected to know how to fix things.

Because there's a difference between being a mechanic and being a parts installer.

WE STILL REPAIR THINGS HERE — NOT JUST REPLACE THEM! 🔧🇺🇸

Some call it old-fashioned. We call it craftsmanship.

09/15/2026

09/07/2026

1941 Chevrolet coupe, find it for a friend in Germany.....

09/03/2026

Another happy customer and another old Ford taken care of. 😎🔧

This beautiful 1940 Ford came in for a few custom jobs:

🔧 Fabricated a custom radiator bracket
🔧 Modified a universal coolant reservoir to fit the car properly
🔧 Rebuilt the door latch assemblies

When off-the-shelf parts don't fit, we make them fit — and when replacement parts are no longer available, rebuilding the originals is the only way to go. That's what old-school custom work is all about. 🔧

Keeping the classics on the road, one job at a time.

08/25/2026

1971 Chevy C10 – 454 Big Block Engine Repair

This 1971 Chevy C10 came to us with a 454 Big Block that was running poorly and suffering from overheating issues.

We went through the engine setup and made some major improvements:

- Converted the ignition system to a reliable rebuild HEI distributor.
- Replaced the no-name carburetor and intake manifold with a Holley carburetor and Weiand intake.
- Removed the questionable aftermarket electric fan, radiator and returned the cooling system to a cold case aluminum radiator and the original-style mechanical fan clutch fan with factory-style fan shroud.

And last but not least…

The overheating had already caused serious damage inside the engine. One of the cylinder sleeves had cracked, making the original block no longer usable.

So, in the end, we replaced the block as well and got this 454 back on the road the way it should be. 🔧🔥

Another classic Chevy brought back to life! 🇺🇸

08/18/2026

1955 Chevy Bel Air Radiator Upgrade

Another small but important detail on this beautiful ’55 Bel Air. The original radiator had been welded directly to the car, allowing engine vibration to transfer straight into the radiator and eventually causing it to crack. The coolant pipes also had rubber connections that were too short.

We corrected the installation: the radiator is now properly bolted in, with shorter metal pipes and longer flexible rubber hose connections to allow the engine to move without stressing the radiator.

We also custom-built the aluminum mounting brackets and panels, and had the radiator, brackets, and panels fully polished for a clean, high-end finish. ✨

Proper installation, better reliability, and a finish that matches the beauty of this classic Chevy. 🔧🚗

06/11/2026

Working on my favorite manual transmission.
For oldschool guys, like me, it's a Doug Nash 5 speed. But now it's a Richmond.

The Doug Nash 4+1 is a legendary 5-speed manual transmission designed in the 1970s by drag racer Doug Nash. Often referred to as the Richmond 4+1 (after Richmond Gear acquired the design), it was highly popular in heavy-duty street/strip builds and professional drag racing due to its split-case design and replaceable gear sets.
The "4+1" Concept: Despite being a 5-speed, it is not a true overdrive transmission. It features four standard underdrive gears and a 1:1 direct fifth gear.