Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Dan, Look at the post above yours

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Dan,
I just read that article last night and it is a good one. About the only way to do it better is to get Ogre to come over and help me. :)
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Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Dan, look at the before pics and the after pics of your truck, you gotta be proud! Looks real good, I ck every night just to see if you done anything else.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Wow, no pressure or anything!:lol:

Thank you, I'm flattered. Now I WILL have to do more.

I've been sloughing off. I've got so many things lined up complete with parts but when I get home I'm usually too lazy to go out to the garage and work.

I've got the Lokar shifter to install, the Altman bear claw door latches, new rear glass rubber, seat belts, and more. Embarrassing to admit but there it is. I just need to go outside and DO IT!

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Don't feel bad Dan about not getting a few small projects done.

I've got 6 major projects in the queue and nothing is getting done or even looked at this year !!! Opps just thought of 1 more, dang !

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Thanks Glen, I actually MAY have some unscheduled time this weekend to do one of more of these projects...plus complete the polishing of the lip on my vintage TT wannabe's that I started a month ago. I'm doing them with the truck acting as the lathe! Working good so far, BUT it's not posi so I have to move the rims around to the driven wheel in rear to accomplish the job.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Dan I know how you feel. Sometimes I work 8 or 9 hours on mine and sometimes I work 30 minutes. I want to enjoy working on it and I don't want it to turn into another job. Rich
my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post6265491

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Hi Dan! Have you had a chance to use this Eastwood bending tool? I have mixed emotions on it. The most irritating part of this tubing bender (pliers type), the rubber handles slip and move. As for doing what they're designed for, tight turns, I give a mediocre score. ;)

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Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Hi Denee!

No I haven't used them yet. They're sitting in a drawer awaiting their turn just like all my other parts.

A VERY generous member here has offered me a GREAT deal on an IRS setup off an '87 Vette I will pickup in Santa Cruz in November. The bending tools will get used sometime after that.

I had read only good things about those tools over on the HAMB so that is why I went ahead and bought them. Frustrating, huh?
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Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Imperial 364fha 3/16" bender.

http://www.toolsource.com/364fha-lev...r-p-99809.html

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Hey Dan,
Just got to page 7 of your build up. Last I checked in on you you had the 46. I've retired and both my kids are gainfully employed.
If you have not done the cam yet, I would suggest a stock 350 "929" cam 390/410 lift or a 305HO/350 cam 403/415 lift. Good all around cams with lots of manifold vacuum.
I did not see what you did with the rear end either, but from the size of the pinion I'd say 3.08 or 3.31 gears. The ring gear has a series of numbers on it. There is a part number and ratio numbers. Divide the little number into the big one and it will give you the ratio. Like 41-10 is a 4.10 ratio. 41-11 is 3.73. A lot of those rear ends have 2 reliefs in the casting for the center pin bolt only one is drilled and used. Just worked on a Jeep Dana 35 last week like that. The bolts do break though, the one in my 12 bolt on my 72 is. It is broken inside the threads so it is almost impossible to get the pin out without removing the carrier.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Wow, I'm shocked to see someone took the time to find my thread and bump it up. It's been (EEK!) FIVE months since I posted anything - and it wasn't much then.

I have nothing new to add except the "schedule" ain't looking a lot better due to helping my daughter with her "new-to-them-house" and because both she AND my step daughter in law are pregnant and both are due a month apart in mid June & mid July! No vacations this summer and probably not a lot of truck work either it's killing me see all the stuff you guys are getting done.

My apologies to Fabguy as I had fully intended to go over and help him on weekends with the Flat Out Engineering/Corvette suspension installation in his wife's Burb with the hope that later we could do the same in my truck. Now, I may have the money after my ta return arrives but I won't have the time! DOH!

Justcuz - Thanks for the interest. No, no cam swap yet (maybe when the engine comes out for the IFS install). As to the rear end ratio, I'd be surprised if it's lower (higher numerically) than 3.08 as the truck IS a bit of a dog off the line despite a fairly strong running 283.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

No need to apologize Dan, I understand. Life gets in the way for all of us and our projects. We can still do the suspension in your truck when your ready. :)
I will call later this week to chat a bit, and give you some info for parts also. ;)
Congrats on the up&coming grandkids too. !!

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Thanks so much Mike. For the kind words and for the understanding. Turns out BOTH grandkids will be girls! Think they'll wrap me around their tiny fingers? NAAAAHHH, lol.

All they'll have to say is, "I want it Papa" and you know I'm gonna move Heaven and Earth to get it for them.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

awesome truck you got there! Love the big window!
I think the price was right. for a couple hundred bucks you can make the engine look like new. I like the slots on there, but torque thrusts also look great.
I'm also interested in upgrading my single MC to a dual one. looking forward to seeing your progress!

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Progress?

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Dan good to here from you. Life does have a habit of getting in the way of things. I have pretty much finished with mine. Now I am working on an El Camino 71. Rich
my build
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=576185

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Unfortunately, no.

The two granddaughters arrived healthy, thank God. They occupy my thoughts every day. Along with this my girlfriend had a renter move out of a condo she's rented to this tenant for almost 15 years so there have been LOTS of repairs needed.

In addition, her brother has been here with us for several weeks. He lives out of the country and I've been helping him do some wrenching (timing belt, water pump, etc) on his granddaughter's 1st-ever car, a Mazda 3. There are more "reasons" including it has been hotter than hell and frankly I've not wanted to sweat so much but they're excuses.

I'll get back to the '55 soon. It's bugging me that I hadn't even started it in over a month but the other day I had reason to move it and it started right up - very reassuring.

I'll post as soon as anything worth talking about happens. Thanks for the interest guys.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

He's ALIVE , alive ! Hi Dan :)

Congrats Grandpa :)

I know the feeling, I haven't started my '56 Chevy in months, my '56 GMC in 5 years ! my '57 in a year, my '73 van in 3 years now the battery is dead, my '66 Dart was last run 4 years ago. My '78 Cordoba parts car has seen more action than all of them just moving it around (under its own power).

Oh brother, it will be a chore getting them all running again ! I guess I should set aside a week or three and get to them. Maybe this winter.

On the bright side the '56 Chevy will be run later this week :)

Now Dan, go drive your truck !

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Hi Glen!

The brother-in-law I spoke of above loves to wrench but doesn't do it anymore cause he lives in Thailand since he retired. While he's here I'm wondering if I can talk him into doing the cam swap I'd like to do on my 283? It's over-cammed as hell and I've been thinking of swapping in a Comp Cams 268, which I read over on the HAMB is a solid choice for my little motor and will still give me enough vacuum to run a power brake booster.
Opinions ARE solicited on this choice.

I'm running an Edelbrock Performer intake and a (leaking) Holley currently but have been looking for a used Edelbrock 1405/06 to replace it. I also have headers but would like to go to Ramhorns - I'm just afraid to turn those rusted bolts! And of course the dreaded, "...while I'm in there" since I'll have the intake off to take a look at the valves and cylinder bores....that's what leads to a valve job, yada, yada.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Hi guys!
Just a thread update that I worked on my truck this weekend for the first time in a long time. Washed her, cleaned up some minor overspray on the chrome bumpers from another project, Armoralled the tires and then got the bright idea to knife off the rock hard rear
Window rubber and install new. FAIL! I couldn't manage it, the rubber kept falling off so I'll have a local shop do the install.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Just an update to keep all the info in one thread, well kinda.

While surfing Craigslist for a carburetor I came across a good deal on a new-in-the-box Fatman Fabrications IFS kit for the 55-59 Chevy trucks. Long story short, I bought it for $1800 and it appears to go for about $2500 plus tax full retail. I'm happy, it's got a power rack but does not have the polished A arms their kits now come included with.

Next, I got a very generous PM from a member here offering me a new, never installed 30" Flaming River stainless steel tilt column for a great price and I'm buying that too. Yeah, it's a slippery slope. I need a power steering pump, brackets for my SBC that has no holes in the heads, some hoses and probably a bunch of other stuff I haven't figured out yet. In the mean time, I STILL need that carburetor but due to funds being used elsewhere it's looking more like I'll be rebuilding the leaky Holley!

That's it for now.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

CPP sells a powersteering pump bracket just for that kind of situation. It incorporates the front drivers side motor mount and powersteering pump bracket all in one! I have a 283 with powerpack heads without holes, that's the only solution I could find.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Hi Dan! ;) I looked up Alan Groves products of which I used on my 350 for the AC and alt, then came up with a thread on our forum. See if it helps! I'm majorly jealous on your IFS buy! :)
dne'

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=388841

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Dan this is what I used for power steering pump bracket just remember Chevy pump has to be modified to work with Ford R&P flaming river , speedway have the kit. I bought mine from RB's they are out of business now.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Mustan...-GPM,5852.html
http://www.billshotrodcompany.com/673/715.html

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Dan, I can fix your Holley, doesn't matter what's wrong with it. PM me and I'll send you my address and stuff.

I'd recommend a 260° for 283. a modern 268 is a lot of cam for a 283, better in a 350. I have a Crane 260 in my 327, about right. I had a Comp 268 in it for years, but it idled ratty and was a dog off the line. You're like 45 cu in smaller with that 283. I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out to have a 268 in it now.

A 260 and a Q-jet would really help that 283. to get good street performance out of a small engine you need a carb with small primaries, like a q-jet. What manifold is on there?

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Funny. Fast forward 3 years that truck here in Calif as he bought it will sell today, quickly for $12000 as is, or as was.
Nice truck and a very good buy.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Thanks for the real world advice, I need it.

Whatever's in it now gives it a rumpety rump idle, doesn't have enough vacuum to run a power brake booster and while it's not exactly a "dog" off the line it's not impressive. I'd been assuming it was the rear end ratio...but I do need to check it to know what it is for certain.

What do you know about using an Edelbrock 1405 or 1406? I'd read that these are based off a Quadrajet but honesty don't know enough about it. I'm planning to pull the existing Holley before the weekend and order a rebuild kit for it. If it's a model with large primaries you're saying it won't improve it's performance?

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Thanks for going all the way back and reading the thread.

I've been watching prices too and I'm shocked what prices are being asked for running, big window short beds but as they say, "Asking Ain't Getting!"

I think as it sits today (INCREDIBLY) it wouldn't be all that atypical to ask $10 or 12,000 IF I were selling it but if course I'm not. But as it was when I bought it? Nah, I'd laugh out loud if I saw a truck in that shape and someone asking $10,000 for it. Maybe someone would give that but it wouldn't be any of the guys on a board like this. You simply don't have to. Today I'd buy a non-running, but as complete as I could find truck.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Dan, the Eddie carbs have the same issue as the Holley as far as street performance goes. The primaries are too big, almost are or are the same as the secs. You'll get much better response with a carb with small primaries. Carbs are sensitive to velocity of air through the venturiis, it's the velocity of the air that builds vacuum signal in the booster venturiis. This is what pulls fuel from the bowls. no velocity means no signal means no fuel. Lean bogs at low RPM are the first sign of over-carb'd. This is what you're getting now. oftentimes rodders will try to fix this by installing giant accelerator pumps or other cover up type fixes. This is why I asked you what manifold you have. If it is a Q-jet or universal flange Edelbrock performer you could switch to a Q with relative ease. You might be amazed at the difference in response and fuel mileage.

did I mention fuel mileage?

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Thanks for the info, Rudy! Yeah, I'd read somewhere you had to cut the pressure of a GM pump but the link says to cut the volume of fluid pumped. Glad to have that link.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Yeah, my manifold is a new Edelbrock Performer dual plane manifold. Do you have a specific Quadrajet part number I should be shopping for? Any other advice relative to setting up the carb other than; of course, rebuilding it?

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

I found this link about Quadrajets.

http://www.carbkitsource.com/carbs/t...jet-index.html

Excellent information but I confess I don't know which one to look for and likely, won't be able to tell one from the other when I do find one!

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Dan, I have to be up at 5am, I'm headed for bed now. I'll try to answer you tomorrow during the day, but it might slip til evening. I'm working 12 hour days this week so things get a little spacey.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Dan, What you want is a 75-79 Chevy carb that was originally on a 350. if you go back to that link the second pic down on the left is pretty good. side fuel inlet, integral choke that can easily be converted to electric, chevy style throttle linkage that makes it easy to hook up your TH350 kickdown. Here's a pic of the throttle lever you want. This is hooked up to a 200-4R, but the throttle lever setup is identical.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

I met the owners of this company last year at a car show. Great people and there carbs looked awesome!!


http://www.allamericancarburetor.com/

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Thanks JJ.

I just found THIS link and it looks promising too:

http://www.everyday-performance.com/index.htm

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

if you want a nice Q-jet that doesn't break the bank look at this:

https://www.smicarburetor.com/produc...2/productID/18

This is Sean Murphy, many guys have reported excellent results with Sean's carbs. Call them and ask about a carb for a 283.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Thanks. Pretty much the same price as the Everyday Performance link I posted above. $350 isn't cheap on my budget so I've gotta count my pennies.

I did find a local guy selling a Quadrajet off a '72 Nova that had a 350 - but of course I don't know if that's the original engine OR the original carb and at only $20 this QJet may be in pretty bad shape. But I'll go look at it just in case. Maybe it's just been sitting for years (decades? Lol) and he doesn't know what it's worth.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

you want one with an integral choke. No 72 Q had that. check my post #915