Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Just read your entire build thread, Josh. Ho-ooly cow! Good luck on the rear re-work. You'll be on the road way before me.

Thanks, Rich. Throughout life I've found that patience gets me through until I develop the needed skills. I've sure learned a lot from this board...

Thanks, Kim. Hope you're back on your build soon...
Thanks, Low Elco. I'm pretty sure the front of the manifold wasn't quite torqued enough because of the accessory bracket. I'll know in a few days. (That might be why they don't make that bracket anymore.)

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Just a note on the exhaust pipe polishing -- This time around I've just done the steps through the burnishing pad. I thought I remembered from last year that I could go straight to the cutting compound, but that shows you how good my memory is. More sanding will be needed on the joints. I'll probably try wet sanding 220 - 320 - 400 - 600, then the compounds. Nothing is ever easy.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

That frame looks great. I really like the way the intake turned out. I've got a Performer RPM that I've had for awhile that I want to do the same thing with. Can't wait to see you tackle the body. Real nice job sir!

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Thanks for the good words, Billy. Good luck with the manifold! If you get bogged down pop a post here and I'll try to help. I'm trying to get to the body but need to put the frame together and into mothballs so I can have room to work. Things are starting to spill over into the basement!

I'll finish the exhaust (i.e., cross-over) tomorrow. Here's a pic of the tail pipes:
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...45232345nu0mrj

While I'm here I'll give you the sequence that I ended up using. Discs can be 2" or 3":
1) 24-grit disc on the welds
2) 36-grit disc on the welds
3) 60-grit disc on the welds and on any other imperfections
4) 3m scotch-brite roloc disc EXL 2s FIN (Google to see disc)
5) The 3 buffing compounds mentioned in post #116.

The 3M EXL 2S FIN disc is MAGICAL. They're silicon carbide. Don't worry too much about the $6 price per disc. 1 disc did the entire exhaust system. When you come to a scratch that you want to remove, try this disc first. You'll soon learn whether or not you need to drop back to the 60-grit disc. Once you start buffing, don't be afraid to drop back to step 3 or 4. It only takes a minute to make an improvement.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

I understand the space issues all too well. I'm working in an 18x21 carport shed. I have to go outside to change my mind! Pypes look great. A friend of mine had a free set of Pypes put on her 71 Chevelle SS awhile back just for showing it at the Auto Fair once.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Bob that exhaust is AWSOME.
Rich

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Those pipes sure look nice.
Kim

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Thanx Baldeagle & Kim. I'm workin' on the crossover right now...

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

I have more space than you do, but a good hot rodder always takes up 110% of what he has.

Lucky girl! The show usually charges me to draw a crowd for them. What's up with that?

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Oooo, bodywork mess/mini disaster on the way! Work's lookin' great! what's the word on the motor?

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Ahh, you've seen my bodywork before!

As for the motor, it is next. Well, after the swap meet tomorrow in Springfield, Ohio (ohioswapmeet.com). Then the Naval Combat group (visualize floating mini-BB guns and sinking each others' boats) I hang with occasionally is re-enacting the Battle of the Denmark Straits on Saturday in Xenia, Ohio, and the wife penciled me in for a party on Sat. night, and mandatory beer drinking and grilling on Sunday with car people (couples) we met in the 70s (a yearly Memorial Day thing), and a party on Monday (Memorial Day night). Oh yeah, and the reclamation of the Ramco metal band saw I just bought today and will pick up Monday morning. (It's so bad, the plan is to drive by the car wash and hose it off on the way home.) There must be some hours in there where I can eat some aspirin and hang the crank in the motor and start the reassembly...

BTW, the exhaust system is done.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Hey Bob,

Just went through this thread. Great job! You are really a master. And, I thought I had a lot of rust to repair for my wife's '57. Incredible how you repaired all that. My hat goes off to you.

I can't believe that your restomod on the '55 is 30 years old. It looks like you completed it yesterday. Neat car.

I also see you are into Corvettes. I've had a few myself ('66,'69,'85,'90 and '95). I sold my '69 convertible last year and and am now Vetteless. I thought some about getting a couple of year old Grand Sport but have been trying to talk myself out of it. I've also thought that I'd like to have a '60's Impala SS convertible or '65 GTO convertible for my next car.

If we lived in the same town, I think we would hit it off!

Roger

PS,
Thanks again for the info on the LED bulbs. I had no idea that Boese carried them.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Roger, thanks for the kind words. I kinda cheated on the '55. I bought it in L.A. (for $250) and it's never been in the salt or snow. It's never been off the frame and still won triple trophies at the CCC regionals in '82 & '84. It's possibly the most solid '55 in SW Ohio. I've caught a lot of flack from my buddies over the years for not driving it a lot, but it's out this year sporting new 4-wheel discs.

The Corvette plan is to paint the '88 this summer (Ha!) and sell it. The wife wants to move up to a black C5 convertible, so I'll be trolling for a deal.

We had a red '64 Impala SS convertible around 1985. It could have been a nice car if I knew then what I know now. Having owned both, I'd go for the GTO.

It's funny, but nobody ever shows up at my garage. I must have B.O. or something. I'm 32 miles from the Ohio river, and just a little too rural I guess. You're right, if you lived close we'd be workin' on each other's stuff.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

While I'm bumpin' my thread I better give an update. The water-in-the-oil problem is solved. It was probably the intake manifold gasket, but just for insurance I did a complete engine disassembly and clean up, did a little J-B weld work low on the sleeve where the block had thrown a rod in the distant past...
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3B786345nu0mrj

...and blew another hundred on a better Fel-Pro gasket set.

Right now I'm doing final chassis assembly and all is well:
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3A%3C254ot1lsi
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...3A%3C254ot1lsi
http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...6%3B3254ot1lsi

Don't laugh too hard at the plug wires. I haven't cut 'em yet. The plan is to finish the chassis assembly, put it on the lift for storage, primer the cab that's been sitting in bare metal, then paint and sell the '88 Corvette to get a little cash flow going. There might not be a lot of progress in the near future but the finish body work should start in July.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Your frame came out great.
Kim

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

That frame and motor is AWSOME. Rich

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Thanks, Kim. I hope things start straightening out for you so you can get back on your build and I can get some more tips!

Thank you, Baldeagle, for your continuing support. Unlike pros like you that have to get a job out, I can take years to get something the way I want it.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

That frame is nice!!!

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

OOOOOOO purty!

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Thanks Chuck and Low Elco! I can't wait until I'm cruisin' in this one...

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Hi Bob,
Very nice work! You're making me wish I spent more time on my frame.
Would you mind posting details on your brake setup - line & thread sizes you used? I am just getting to this stage on my '57 build and have the frame mounted pedal booster setup as well. Any step down in line sizes? I see you have residual valves and a single line to the fronts, are you running 4 disk?
-Jeff

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Thanks for the compliment, and :welcome2: to the truck forum (or at least to your first post on the truck forum)! All the work makes me wish I had spent LESS time on my frame! :ack:

Not much magic here. It's a 4-wheel disc system so it uses 2-lb. residual valves, The Right Stuff p/n RV02. I also decided on the manually adjustable proportioning valve from The Right Stuff, p/n PV01. They also supplied the rear disc kit for my 10-bolt, p/n AFXRD. This same kit fits A, F and X body GM, '67-'69. Kit is comprised of 2 part numbers, CMB81 (rear disc brackets and hardware), and RDK01 (rear disc kit components).

No step-down in line sizes. All lines are 3/16" stainless from The Right Stuff, p/n TUB316S, which you order by the foot. The fittings are just regular line nuts for 3/16" lines from a cheap pack of brake lines that I bought and cut up to get the fittings. (Some guy sells these cheap line packs at the swap meets in SW Ohio.) The clips that hold the stainless lines to the frame were an Ebay purchase from Extreme Performance, p/n EMPI 17-2717-10.

I will tell you that the stainless lines are a bear to flare (no rhyme intended). They tore up my K-D flaring tool that I've had for 25 years so I borrowed the one that Autozone will lend you for free. Forget that. I made one double flare and returned it. I recommend going to Ebay and buying an old Imperial Eastman No. 93 like this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Used-IMPERIA...d4b879&vxp=mtr

I'm using the front brakes that come with the Fatman IFS and chose two brake hoses from the left front of an '85 Buick LeSabre, O'Reilly p/n BHH177410. I used 2 banjo bolts NAPA p/n 82703. I welded small flat brackets to the frame to hold the hose ends. There's a brass tee (NAPA p/n 702 x 3) at the driver's front to split the fluid over to the pasenger front. I use the same tee in the rear, but I don't have a record of the brake hoses I used in the back. I did decide to run a hose on each side from frame to caliper. Brass fittings at the master cylinder I believe are NAPA p/n 7817 and 7818.

The last item I'll talk about is the brake light switch. I decided on a hydraulic switch that I remembered from my '71 VW Super Beetle. It's a NAPA p/n SL159. I really got lucky on the rubber boot that I got on Ebay from a guy named Larry Weaver, p/n 111012199387. The switch has a normally open contact for the brake lights and I use the normally closed side for the torque converter clutch (TCC) Engage.

Hope this helps!

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Thanks for all the detail. I've seen several opinions about what size lines to use and whether to step down line sizes for different applications. Certainly not a "one size fits all" discussion - pun intended.

I went with a Wilwood proportioning valve and stainless steel 3/16" lines but have yet to install any of it. I was under the impression not to double flare stainless lines? I did go ahead and spring for the Eastwood Pro Double/Single Brake Line Tubing Flaring Tool Kit since I was having issues with the cheap auto parts one I had.

Still need to figure out how I'm going to mount the tabs to transition from hard lines out to each caliper. My frame is powdercoated and I'd rather not have to weld on it.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

As far as line size goes, the big manufacturers design systems that are mass produced and do not require adjustment. The manual proportioning valve that we are using allows us to balance the front to the rear, which is the major reason for varying line size in a non-adjustable system.

You can't go wrong with Wilwood. They are one of the best. I also looked at the Eastwood tool that you bought, and that will certainly do the job. Personally, I would not build a brake system that didn't use double flares. With a good tool the stainless lines flare nicely. For your hose terminations I would use L-brackets, or maybe flat brackets that extend past the frame, two #10-32 screws each. Put some gooey anti-seize on the threads to inhibit rust from starting at the tapped threads.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

to quote low elco.... OOOOO purdy :D

http://images2.snapfish.com/23232323...6%3B3254ot1lsi

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Thanks, Ogre. I thought about swinging over to central Ohio during the Power Tour to see Truk but it was a couple hundred miles. One of these days we'll meet up. Do you ever go to the truck show at Young's Dairy on U.S. 68 near Yellow Springs, Ohio? It's August 2nd this year and I hope to make it.

http://youngsdairy.com/truck-show/

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

As stated in post 134, I've been painting the '88 Vette. It's now painted and reassembled, but there's another obstacle: It's the 50th anniversary of the GTO this year and I've been invited to put the Goat into the Dayton, Ohio Concours d'Elegance. That means the top of the engine has to be repainted (among other things), so that's next.

In the meantime I thought I'd post my 16 pages of electrical schematics. I wanted to figure out where to drill all of the wiring holes in the truck before I paint it so I made a complete set of schematics. Probably got a little carried away. Each sheet shows the wiring in a specific location on the truck. The signals come into each page/location from the left and go out to the right.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

5 more...

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

another 5...

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

...and the last one...

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Bob, what's going on with the Garage of Neverending Projects? The people demand updates!

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Well, Monday was the first day working on the truck since AUGUST 2014. I did some work on the door jambs, which is the start of final body work.

A lot has happened in the last 6 months. I've had 2 toes cut on and my trigger thumb fixed. All is well. The wife knocked the front end off the daily driver - $2700 estimate. I fixed it for less than $400 and I can't tell it's been hit. The wife wanted a pond, stream and waterfall in the back yard and she got that. I laid 550 sq. ft. of pavers next to the garage so I can put the '69 Cutlass project car outside under a tarp. I played with trains during the cold winter months, including putting up a ceiling perimeter "Napa Valley Wine Train" in the basement. I also did a seminar on the 4L60 trans in January. (20+ people showed up. See my 700R4 build for the highlights.)

The good news is, I'll be working on the truck tomorrow. I don't want the edge of the carpet to show so I'll be fabbing a lip for it to tuck under. Pics to follow.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Bob, you have talent sir. Looks amazing so far.
Jeff

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Son! You need a job, this retirement bidness is hard work!

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Hey Bob.

What software do you use to create those schematics? I like that a lot.

Roger

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Nice work Bob, just signed on and enjoyed the read so far. Looking forward to the rest of the results. Thanks too for all your detailed information, it certainly helps....

paulc

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

It's a package called TinyCAD. Now here's the best news: It's FREE. When I downloaded it a while back it was at

http://sourceforge.net/projects/tinycad/

Now I'm also seeing something at:

http://ww2.tinycad.com/

I did a thread in 2012 that directly addresses this package...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=519674

...but the circuits you saw in the thread you're in now are more up-to-date.

Have fun!

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Thanks, Sim6. As I have said before though, the guys that do even better work and can actually make a living at it are the ones that amaze me. I'd starve at the pace I work.

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

You got it, Low Elco, and you never get a day off. Saturday is just like Tuesday!

Re: Bob's Retirement Build - My '55 TF
 

Thanks, ptc. Glad to have you along. There should be great progress this year if the garden railway (G scale) doesn't get in the way too much.