Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

Whoa.
I just looked at every page and opened the Jeep link in another tab to look at later.
The skills and tools (torchmate and lathe at least) outclass my sticks and stone tools (before this I thought I had good ones). I wonder what Jim's profession is. I see a lot of consistently pretty welds of different thickness metal...
My taste runs to less shiny things but there's a lot to love on this truck.
I think I would have made a hardwood form and hammered/pressed the hose clamp. Maybe make it from aluminum. :)

Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

Jim
I might have to disagree with you, "that most think like you do" !!! Thats whats amazing, guys like you just think way different then most of us. Maybe its your training and the skills and DNA your pops gave you but, for me, I might have put a hose clamp on it and tied it to the fender well and called it good. You on the other hand took it to a hole new level !!!! Thank you for sharing because it does make the rest of us want to "play up"....

Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

bajabob, I'm glad you like me sharing my work, here I go again.;)

Nothing super technical, just me trying to take care of an issue or two before I start driving the truck.

I mentioned before that the truck has a rather large cam meaning there will not be enough vacuum to satisfy the brake booster. To solve the problem I purchased an electric vacuum pump. They have the tendency to be noisy similar to the sound a fuel pump makes when you manually pump a fuel pump before you install it, you can hear the air passing through the check valves.

It has no visual value so I'm mounting it on the frame under the cab.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...ps02190e8f.jpg

The instructions don't mention how it handles the environment so I want to cover it along with trying to quiet the sounds it will make.
As I usually do, I start with a construction paper mock up.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4d7fd14d.jpg

No torchmate this time I got out the 4 1/2" grinder with cut off wheel, then to the bender.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...pse91b2841.jpg

Then to the bead roller.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2aae7745.jpg

Then follow the rule of welding sheet metal, short welds with time to cool til it's all welded.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0eb8d13e.jpg

After a little grinding I have my cover.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...ps883cfcf1.jpg

As a test fit I used some rubber edge seal so the metal of the pump cover won't rub against the frame or the bottom of the cab. I have a different seal coming from Soffseal that I think will work well to keep the sound from being heard while the truck is running.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...ps87cdf6a1.jpg

What's my logic here.... I know once this truck is done I will do very little maintenance to it, I'll get involved in the next project and enjoy driving this one. The more work I do for the longevity of all the parts of this truck I can drive with confidence hopefully for many years.

Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

That's real slick.
Kim

Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

Nice job...Jim

Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

Very nice. What gauge steel?

Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

Hi hotrod1, I used 18 gauge for the cover.

Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

Hello Stepside Jim. I'm always glad to see your name at the top of the page. Always enjoy your posts and like to see what you've been up to in the fab department. Great work on the cover. Looking forward to the next one.

Earl

Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

What kind and size of wheels are those?

Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

Nice job on the cover!

Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

Jim-
Thanks for the link to your Willy's build, I'm about halfway through and enjoying it very much.
If you ever make it to the Pacific Northwest, the beers on me.
Andrew

Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

Just to catch up a bit here.

Clarance J, thanks, I feel the same about yours, I always look forward to some good ole' fabrication.

Northern lights, I will check, I think the name is on the center caps. They were very popular back in the '80's when my Dad bought them.

ChuckDriver, thank you, I have skinned your thread and thought, "he's taking a plunge" should be great when done. Hmmmm, and how do we remove the cab from the frame again. lol

Andrew S, what can I say, great, I hope it is well worth every minute you spend reading. I went at it to enlighten anybody who wants to work on vehicles. Thanks for checking in, I wondered if you went there.:bo2:

Still working on door windows, anybody have a third hand I can borrow? lol

Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

I took a look at the wheels and the best I could see is the name Progressive Wheel.

I've been on and off these windows for a month now, what a pain, not so much rebuilding them but dealing with the tint and getting the correct window setting tape.

On the left is what we get when we order the setting tape, 1/16" thick, no way will it will fit. On the right, e-bay order, 1/32" thick. finally after nearly 3 weeks I can assemble something.....
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9777fc99.jpg

Well lets say it's the most usable, I assembled with it and the window is a press fit into the frame yet, I could work it back out with a little wiggling and pulling, not gonna work for me.

My solution, cut and lay a single layer.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...psba84dc80.jpg

Then wrap another layer of the setting tape fully around the window for installation.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0d87bde8.jpg

The black tape is only to keep the setting tape from being pulled sideways during installation, it'll be removed with the final trim.

I will say, the setting tape I used had an excellent characteristic about it. As tight as the second installation was, as long as I kept firm even pressure on the glass, the setting tape would very slowly conform and the glass slowly sunk into the frame.

Also, I set the window into the frame with the frame already installed, this way as I pushed the glass into the frame I could close the window as I got close, this way I could check how it sealed against the thin seal it closes up against. You only have about a 1/8" interference, I stopped pushing the glass into the frame when I had the right fit.

With a new razor blade I removed all the excess material. Finally, all new rubber, fresh paint on the exposed trim, tinted glass and a nice tight fit.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...psb3bb1892.jpg

Fast forward to how it all looks.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...psbd7ef90f.jpg

And yes, the front fenders are back off. Since it has the Camaro clip you pretty well throw out the original cab mounting rubber thickness on the front mounts. This gave me a chance to check all my rubber bushing fits and gather all the gaskets that seal the fenders to the cab and to the inner fenders, next time the fenders go back on, everything will be sealed and tightened.

There shall be more on this whole glass/rubber/tint work to follow.;)

Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

Came out real nice.
Kim

Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

Thanks

Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

Very nice!

Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

Lot of work on your part, but it looks great...Jim

Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

Looking good!!! If you have the FAM there is quite a bit of detail about all the hidden places GM put sealant for sound, metal separation and water proofing. A lot of it gets taken off during demo and is not obvious when putting things back together. Your struggle with the vents was one reason I went with single glass conversion.

Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

More vent window work to look at tonight... OrrieG brings up a good point, as a matter of fact I was just a click of a mouse to ordering the one piece window.

Then I started thinking, I'm not running Air Conditioning so I'm gonna want to draw as much outside air through the cab as possible. I remembered the '65 Chevy car I have that has a vent window and the amount of air it pulls in when I open it up, then I remembered I have an option of a sliding rear window. With the two working together I released the mouse button and stayed with the vent window.

Now for a bit of the pain it was rebuilding some of it. :lol:

There is a seal that goes the length of where the window contacts the main frame. Holding the seal in are 4 rivets, once the 4 rivets are removed there is the painted tin that can be removed. I sandblasted the tin then primed and painted.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...pse04bc466.jpg

Now the fun part of dealing with the rivets. I ordered one of the tools to help install the rivets, it was a little lacking but I managed to win. The new pieces do look good once finished.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6fd91a64.jpg

Last up is a new handle, the parts book showed a wave spring to keep it from rattling.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...ps426ce0f4.jpg

New handle and wave spring in place and fit and works perfectly. A view of how the spring keeps tension on the handle.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...ps98fc1c79.jpg

Last up is installing the felt liner that the main window goes up and down in. It comes in roll and has to be glued in place. After removing the old liner and cleaning the rail, I glued in the new one. I didn't want any issues with the liner pulling away from the rail so I cut some plywood to fit into the groove til the adhesive dried.
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...psd237783c.jpg

The vent window is rebuilt, man, am I glad that's over with, the second one did go better once I got it all figured out.

Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

Hey Jim, on the "original cab mounting rubber thickness" with a Camaro sub you were referring to, are you talking about the actual cab mounts? I order the standard cab mounting package from Brothers, etc. Can I expect to have to shim it up or down after re-installing the cab?

Thanks, Jim

Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

I also ordered the original mounting kit, the rear I kept the same. The middle mount by your feet I added 1/4", one of the square cushions that are used under the bed cross sills.

The ones under the radiator support will vary due to different ways people make their mounts off the Camaro sub frame. NAPA sells some universal rubber pads #602-1045, I was able to cut these to the thickness I needed to get everything leveled off.

I just hate to finalize things til I know everything is set and adjusted first.

Hope this helps. Jim

Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

Jim I have a 55 coupe that I done away with the vent window, and now I wish I wouldn't have. This summer I will change it back. Rich

Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

Jim, what vacuum pump are you using and where can one be purchased. I may have to run one also. Thanks

Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

Rich, this leads me to my next thought. I know GM saved tons of money by stopping the vent window, but take an old car for a drive and open that window to where it forces the air in and feel the breeze.

I've always felt the non vent window design creates more of a vacuum due to how the wind deflects off the windshield then goes around the side windows, this is a vacuum situation.

If I didn't have the vent window I wouldn't go with the rear sliding glass. My theory is, if no vent window creates a possible vacuum in the cab, the open rear window can draw in exhaust fumes and dust ect.

With the vent window I know the cab will be pressurized and free flow out through the rear window.

Anyway, that's just me theorizing. ;) Jim

Re: 1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild
 

I believe I went with Stainless Steel Brakes Co. I don't always look for the least expensive stuff so there may be less expensive ones on the market.

Other than putting 12v to it I haven't had a chance to test it out in the real world yet. I just know that my engine set-up as it is, will not satisfy the booster needs so I figure I will try to pre-figure as many things that need to be figured out before my truck gets diss-figured by not having good brakes.;)

Back to the pump... it does come with an inline tee that senses low vacuum in the booster to turn on and off the pump.

Hope this helps, Jim