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

Dan, that is the same VA unit as mine.

More re-enforcement the better!!

:uhmk:

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

I don't think thats the smallest Vintage Air unit. I Called VA asking if they recommend the mini and they told me to go with the largest unit that will fit. I overruled them and went with the mini anyway. Just enough room for their glove box plus a stereo receiver. We shall see....

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

Agreed. This is what he did without me knowing about it. When I texted him that I wanted him to add reinforcement, he already had - excellent. I continue to be happy with Mike's work.

It's not fully welded out here but you can see that he boxed the frame and added reinforcement above making a deeper section. He doesnt have the bed so he can't verify how much room he has to add material yet.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/...psxbbyfrlf.jpg

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

No, it's not the smallest. Those "mini" ones are as you said.

This is a Gen IV yakety-yak-whatever-name that's supposedly made for the '55-'59 Chevy trucks (don't have the receipt in front of me). But as JJ said above, it's the same as the one he was sold for his '57 with an Impala dash. I'm guessing they SAY it's specifically for this or that vehicle but really, theysize them to fit in a lot of vehicles with minor mods.

As long as it works reliably I'll be happy with it. What I'm NOT happy with is the dash vents they sell for our TF trucks. They want over $200 EACH(!!) for them. I didn't go for that. I'm already spending money like a drunk sailor on this truck - at least for my budget - so we're going to try to adapt the '55-'57 Chevy car vents to the contour of my dash.

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

Man I can relate Danny!!!! ---- for the vents you should do some research, there are so many aftermarket makers out there now its redic! --- or just go junk yarding and get some new car vents and make them work. Theres alot of 2014+, corvettes, camaros, malibus, trucks that people love to wreck! I got my seats out of a 2015 Camaro SS, perfect condition, electric, heat, air bags.... :lol: $350 for a pair!

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

I finally found out last night that the Vintage Air vents for our TF trucks are "only" $209 a pair instead of each. And they don't even come with the "eyeball" part, just the housing!! They also are described as polished but the two reviewers on Summit's site say they're satin, not polished.

I may have to end up buying them though because we've got to get the truck torn back down to the frame so the painter can finish his magic, get the frame blasted and powder coated. More on this after I go to the shop later today.

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

Mike is making a cover that will go over the top of the crossflow radiator and will meet the factory hood latch panel.

We only had a general conversation about it and he mentioned putting some holes in the top using dimple dies. This afternoon he sent me this teaser photo by text. I'll reserve an opinion until I see it in person. No idea how it will mount with the huge bushing looking things welded on the ends. Kinda odd, but we'll see.

PS: Not sure why my iPad rotated the photo 90* counter clockwise but it won't let me fix it, sorry!

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

I think that's going to look pretty slick.
Kim

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

Eh..., I don't know. I'd have put twice as many holes OR used larger diameter holes but maybe it'll look differently to me tomorrow. Then I have to decide if it & the factory core support will be body color like the rest of the engine compartment or be chromed?

I admit I tend to be a chrome whore so I have to restrain myself!:lol:

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

Saturday, November 5, 2016

So it turns out the part I posted in #1527 above is NOT for the core support extension; my bad.

It's part of the rear frame reinforcement. He wasn't happy that the frame flexed too much so the first thing they did after adding depth to the section was put in triangular gusset plates behind the factory shock-mount cross member. Then; in addition to the stock rear cross member I moved to the back of the frame rails, he fabricated the part I posted last night & below to add rigidity right where the factory cross member used to be.

It will be bolted through both the upper and lower frame flanges with full length bushings. He was finalizing the welding but said even tacked up the rear of the frame didn't flex AT ALL. I forgot to mention he also tacked the factory rivets in numerous places. It's pretty rigid now.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/...pswoi6q2io.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/...pssabpfrzb.jpg

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

The new reinforcing crossmember installed.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...psusz54jpn.jpg

This essentially replaces the crossmember that was at the rear shackle mount and is now all the way at the back behind and protecting the new gas tank. Yeah, I know that rear cross member is in upside down. It's just mocked up to make sure everything fits.

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

Ok, that makes sense now, providing frame support and rigidity above the rear leaf spring mount. Nice looking crossmember.

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

Thanks Doug.
Another identical crossmember across the bottom flanges of the frame remains an option if there's any concern as the truck goes together. It'll only take longer bolts.

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

Looks good.
Kim

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

Thursday, November 10, 2016

My Holley intake and throttle body showed up today at the shop.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/...pswzprmo4z.jpg

Mike is fabricating a radiator cover which will have dimple died holes as shown below and an adjacent cover for the mechanical fan. One will be attached to the other but the attachment will not be visible.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/...psx8tmfkpy.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/...pslulsyecr.jpg

The cross piece for the rear shocks had torn metal for some reason by a prior owner. Mike repaired it and while mounting rear shocks determined we will have to extend the stud mounts about an inch.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/...ps3yem8nxr.jpg

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

Nice intake set up.
Kim

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

Thanks! I like that it kinda/sorta will appear like a traditional small block.

I'm using a Spectre 5" tall red foam air cleaner with chrome trim and Delmo adapters to use finned, polished aluminum Mooneyes valve covers. The coil packs will be relocated mostly out of sight.

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

Oh, also Mike texted me to tell me he and Eddie - the guy that lately has been doing a lot of the work on my truck - spoke after I left the shop and decided they didn't like the idea of extending the shock stud either. They decided to modified the lower mount which will allow the top stud to remain as it is. See, everytime I find anything I'm not sure about or questioning I find Mike has already seen it and decided to address it. Pleased.

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

Something like this maybe?

:uhmk:

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

That is a very good look...!

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

Yes and no.

Yes in that it will appear somewhat traditional but no in that the colors will be totally different.

I LOVE Chevy orange but since my truck will be a deep red including the engine compartment I decided against painting the engine orange. Block is black and aluminum LS heads have been left natural.

Same/similar exhaust manifolds as in your picture but I'm having mine Jet Hot coated silver. I'm told they will NOT turn color, we'll see. Finned valve covers but polished/no paint (as of now) and I'm using the factory truck serpentine system but polished with the recessed areas painted black - hopefully the overall look will pull together.

If it doesnt look right I'll need you guys to tell me, "Ugh....no. Something's not right, change this or that." It's easy to get too close and you can't see the forrest for the trees.:lol:

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

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/...psqawkpxap.jpg

This shows the same intake manifold i'm using and of course stick SBC valve covers but mine will be like this:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/...ps0nawlyni.jpg

With these breathers:
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/...psc0pdzgk1.jpg

This air cleaner....but the more i look at it the less certain i am it is in keeping with the rest of the style.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a4/...pscfggkeql.jpg

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

Going to look very nice when done.
Kim

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

Thanks, I hope so.

The upper radiator hose will also be a polished aluminum tube with hose on each end. I may be going a bit overboard with polished stuff but I figure i can always back away from using it if it looks too over the top.

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

Hmmm, not sure why a bunch of my photos disappeared.

I ditched the Chinesium finned aluminum valve covers and ordered from Mooneyes instead. They're much heavier, quality pieces:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...psptwtzfbr.jpg

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...psoke1gt0e.jpg

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

Those are real nice.
Kim

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

November 23, 2016

I guess I can't just leave well enough alone. I found THIS on Craigslist the other night for a decent price:http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...pseztkwveb.jpg

I'm going to look at it this afternoon and if its not bent up or badly rusted I'm going to buy it. Then I'll take it to the shop and we'll see if it's going to be too costly to R&R my stock dash with it. Since we'd already finalized the steering column install and the AC unit is installed on studs welded to the passenger side of the firewall, they MAY be too big an impact to do this. In that case, i'll re-list it on Craigslist.

Barring that, I've always wanted a Belair dash in my truck. It's the one custom body modification I really want. I had let a previous dash get away but it's been gnawing at me that i have this one chance so...... time will tell!

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

Hope it works out for you.
That is one mod I would redo my dash for.
Kim

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

Thanks Kim. The idea kept coming back to me and when I found this dash for sale relatively local to me I just had to call on it.

It's very straight. Whoever removed it didn't torque it out of shape so i was pleased about that. Now I have to decide if I want the original bow tie type trim or the polished aluminum style and whether to leave a radio or get the trim without radio holes?

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

Good luck with the dash. And like you said you can resell it if it doesn't work out.

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

Do it!!!!

:uhmk:

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

Yeah, I'm about 99% certain i'm doing it.

Trying to decide whether I'll use the factory '55 stainless trim with the little bow ties (I loved that when I had my Dad's '55 as a stupid kid) or the modern sorta billet polished aluminum trim. I think it looks pretty cool.

Right now I'm thinking I'll go with one of the repop small diameter Belair steering wheels.

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

I think the factory trim looks the best! The billet stuff looks to much like an 80's street rod.

:uhmk:

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

Yeah, you're probably right. But I was in my 30's in the '80's so I guess that's why I'm still attracted to it.

JJ, I've been meaning to call you. I will still but I'll leave you alone on Thanksgiving. Speaking of which, HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all my "friends-I-haven't-met-yet" here on the forum.

JJ, Man, you're killing it style wise with your truck's interior. Love all of it. Outstanding taste. Now that you've committed to a red interior, what colors are you thinking about the the body? Black? White & red for the Cameo look? Red? Enquiring minds (nosy people! Lol) want to know.

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

This is gonna be nice look forward to updates

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

I totally agree.

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

Yeah, I think you guys are right. If I get the stock trim i've got to fit a radio into the hole, or they sell the trim without a provison for a radio.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps3x9m5xks.jpg

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

Dan, did you guys figure out a solution for shoulder belts? Yesterday, I started brainstorming ideas. You're right, there is no way to get a nut plate up the B pillar. I think I have a solution, but it is going to involve slicing and welding.

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

Hi. Funny you ask because that's happening this week. I'm heading over the the shop today or tomorrow and we will discuss plans. So far the discussion has been using a die grinder to cut a slot maybe 1/2" to 3/4" wide and 4"-6" long for either a square tube with nut welded in or a piece of bar stock drilled and threaded. I'll take pictures when it happens if I can. The issue is there's not much beyond sheet metal to weld to. But as long as the shoulder belt keeps my face from hitting the steering wheel I'll have to count it as good.

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

Why does the shoulder belt attachment point have to be so high?
If you look at an 85 El Camino set up the attachment is low and has a guide that is attached to the seat to keep it in place on the shoulder.
If it's attached lower the area has a bigger area that a thick plate can be put in for more strength. Seems the biggest problem would be the guide.
I plan on trying to do that way for the added security.
http://i807.photobucket.com/albums/y...e/PICT0563.jpg
Kim