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

Thanks ptc. Nice poster too.

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

Hey Dan,
Your truck is looking Great Buddy, Really going to be nice,
Hey about your shoulder belt threaded mount, I was skimming back threw your build,
is it shown or outlined in your build somewhere on the mod they did,did i miss it somewhere, i want to put
the three point belts in my Big back window cabs just to have a Little bit safer feeling
and like how yours turned out!

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

Thanks so much for the kind words I hope it comes out as the picture in my mind.

Yes, it's in here somewhere but there's really not a lot to show.

I suspected when we opened the B pillar there would likely be only folded sheet metal and I was right. There wasn't even enough room to slide a piece of bar stock in there. I'd have THOUGHT we could put a 3/4" piece of bar with a threaded hole in it and weld the sheet metal back on top - no such luck. If we'd cut enough metal out to allow a piece of bar stock it would only have weakened what is already not terribly stout.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...psqfkcwwqb.jpg

In the end the best we could do was a piece of 1/8" flat stock behind the pilar sheet metal we'd cut to get access.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...pskitlpedu.jpg

We used a lug nut because it has longer threads than a standard nut and it is heavy walled. Also, it corresponds to the Juliano's bolt size. This isn't hugely substantive but it WILL keep my face from meeting the steering wheel in a minor to moderate rear-ender - what's you're describing above.

A truly catastrophic accident isn't my concern because frankly, none of us will likely survive one of those in these 60 year old trucks. They were never capable of anything like a modern vehicle in terms of surviving an accident. So I'm hoping of course to never be in such a bad hit.

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

Dan, I am doing an LS engine in my '59 GMC, Where does your guy source those plates for bolting to the engine?

Thanks,
Mark

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

Dan,

Also curious as to what tank you used on your truck? There were a couple of different ones discussed, just wndered which one you ultimately went with? Also , is it mounted with straps or ...?

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

Mark, I JUST texted Mike to ask where those plates were sourced. I suspect Summit, but I'll find out and post for sure when I get an answer. The gas tank was from Tanks, Inc.

Regarding mounting the tank, it's not finalized yet but pretty sure it'll be a direct bolt-in on the bottom flange of the frame.

Thanks for being interested in my project. I look forward to seeing/reading about yours. Best of luck with it, Dan

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

Mark,

Here's the LS engine mount plate. The photo is a little less shapely than the photo of the ones on my engine but the ad says the plate may differ. Cheap enough at only $7.99 each. Hope this helps you:

http://www.kartek.com/parts/ls-engin...t-pattern.html

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

Thanks, Dan! Thats what I wanted to see. Re: the tank, is it a 72 Chevy tank? I thought i had read that earlier?

Mark

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

No, it's Tanks Inc's generic Mustang tank. The larger of two they offer. I THINK 19 Gallagher me? Hard to remember. It comes with the 5 (or is it 6?) bolt generic sending unit mount instead of the Ford collet type sender mount.

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

Anyone else have problems seeing some of these pics?

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

Which pics? My personal ones or accessing the link I posted above?

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

Dan, its the ones that direct me to photobucket. all i can see is a kitten. cute but i would rather see your truck, haha

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

Hmmm, wait a minute. There should be NO "links" to Photobucket. I copy, cut and paste the photos directly into my thread. Unless I'm wrong (and I may be) you should see my photos full size whenever you open any page on my thread.

Can someone else chime in? You see the photos without having to click on a hyper link?

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

Yes, I see the photo's without clicking on a link.

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

Thanks Doug.

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

Same here Dan, no link...Jim

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

Thanks Jim.

Mark, there's SOMETHING wrong with your computer - I guess - if everyone else just sees the photos. Sorry. I wish you could see the pictures too. How did you access the engine mount photos? Those links opened for you?

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

Yeah, its kind of a hit or miss thing, but I will survive;)

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

I also have the same issue on the puter at work? Oh well, thanks for the replies.

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

Work computers sometimes have a firewall that block content from photo sites, FB, social media etc and such. my old company had that. very frustrating when I ws trying to see everybodys great updates AT WORK!!! :lol:

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

Ha, same at my office.

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

Hay Dan, Long time since I've been on your build thread maybe since 2012.
So I just spent the last 3 days reading the whole thread. GOOD GRIEF !!!

So sorry about your mom and your truck .

BTW there are over a dozen pictures scattered in you tread that do not show up , they link to Photo Bucket and an error message. This started about 2 years back then went away and just showed up again this year.

Early in the thread there are pic's that are upside down as seen on my iPad.

Now about the slippery slope ... Good Grief man you didn't just slip you ran down that slope with Teflon soled running shoes !

Glad to see the project nearing completion , it looks great !

Be sure to get all the "Bling" back on it especially the door handle guards to protect that new paint.

Did you ever decide on the the Deluxe chrome trim on the doors and back of the cab ? Now would be the time to add it. Yah, you know you want it ! More "Bling" and when you have the glass installed why not the chrome trim in the weather strip . Yep, that's right I said it , MORE "BLING" !!!

BLING , BLING, BLIng, BLing , Bling, bling ...blin ...bli ... bl ... b ... OK I'm done now LOL

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

Hi Glen! Long time no talk.

Yeah, it really has become a different build. I'm excited as hell about the truck I will end up with. It'll be what I've always wanted. But in truth a part of me also really loved it when it looked like my avatar....though I truly didn't enjoy the way it drove.

What kicked this off was me going to a truly excellent shop, seeing all the projects in his shop, my approaching retirement and the need for a daily - and NOT wanting to end up with a generic Honda or Toyota, and finally my mom's passing and the realization life is short.

I'm not going with the deluxe trim but I may go with the chrome lock strip on the front and rear windows. Thanks for the head's up on the photos I'll go back through and make repairs IF I can.

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

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Stopped by the shop today to check progress. Mike is shipping 4 cars out this week - one while I was there this morning, an '80's notchback Mustang. This will create shop space to bring in my frame for reassembly.

The remaining work to do on the chassis before the body is painted and returned is to plumb the brakes up to the calipers because the 15" TT's won't fit if the calipers are on. Then fabricate the exhaust up to the rearend - the remainder will happen after the bed is returned. Finally, there is still bench work to be done cleaning up the factory EGR flanges and bosses before sending them out to be Jet Hot coated:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...psgm5juicm.jpg

The rest as I understand it is just a big Erector set - bolt it all back on. The electrical work, final tuning, debugging and finalizing the stance will happen after the body is back. Then of course I'll have to think about interior work.

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

Hay Dan,

Have you ever considered a visor over the windshield ? It'll keep the sun off the glass.

How about limo tinting the back window ? This will make it bearable when the sun is at your back and make the a/c mo better .

Don't make the same mistake my friend did when he chromed the trim at the bottom of the windshield and painted the top of the dash with gloss finish . Talk about being blinded when the sun hits it . The top of the dash should have a flat finish to prevent that .

Heck I've been blinded by my chrome wiper arms ! Time to take a scotch bright to the upper side of them.

Gee , talk about small details that make driving easier .

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

Here ya go ...

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

Hay guys just a heads up,
On my buddies Cameo when it was under construction it was pointed toward the sun when I looked under the dash I could see sun light around the firewall to Crowel pinch weld . GM didn't seam seal the joint I also found this on other trucks.

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

Good info. Mine will be sprayed in the next two weeks (yeah, we'll see - ugh!)

If you used seam sealer from below you'd create a small space in the pinch weld for moisture to collect. Would have to be sealed from above....but could that be done and not look ugly?

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

It would be sealed from the inside of the cab. Your painter would know and have him seal it.

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

My comment was that if it's a pinch weld then there are two small flat flanges of metal pointing upward. If you seal from below that still leaves a small gap between those two flanges that will trap dust and moisture.

It's not a big thing of course because I will never take a garden hose to my truck to wash it after it's done and it will always be covered when I'm not driving it. But still, sealing gaps from the top would seem to be a better idea - unless I'm not understanding where you say these gaps are? I DO appreciate the head's-up though.

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

Dan I'm talking about the pinch weld that joins the firewall to the cowl . In the first pic the firewall is the panel you just welded shut all the holes. It includes the toe board.

The next pic's are from the inside and this is what needs to be sealed across the top and down the sides. Thats daylight showing in the second pic .

If its not sealed you get engine fumes and heat coming into the cab.

The part your thinking about is the top of the vent panel over the top of the cowl panel. No I'm not talking about the screw on louver panel.

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

BTW about the step on parking brake, if I recall right the '73- '87 unit will bolt to the firewall using the hood hinge bolts and clears the vent .

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

Ok in the first pic number 2 is the inner cowl panel.

The second pic number 3 is the firewall.

The third pic shows the outer part of the cowl panel, number 2 .
Don't seam seal this at the cowl panel , you want it to drain .

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

Wednesday, February 16, 2017

I AM STOKED!!!!!!!:metal:

CHASSIS
My frame is finally back in the shop and about to be reassembled. It was sandblasted & powder coated satin black.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...psn39hplem.jpg

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...pswar3fcfp.jpg

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...psi6kbeexb.jpg

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...pscu0ouhh8.jpg

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...psytu1mmme.jpg
I'd been thinking of gloss blacK but was warned not to. I'm really glad I didn't do it.

This week the engine, trans, rear end, gas tank and front suspension will go back on. The fuel plumbing will be reconnected, the brake lines plumbed and mounted and the exhaust fabricated back to the rearend probably next week. The exhaust will be finalized once the bed is mounted.

Paint
Marcos, the painter will spray out the color test panels this week and I'll pick the final color Monday. The interior of the cab has been final sanded and will be painted first along with the under side of the hood, inside of doors, inside bed sides and tailgate and finally the interior of the fenders will be undercoated. They will get sprayed color after that. REALLY happy its finally coming together. I never thought I'd be able to do this especially when I went through my divorce 17 years ago. Took a LOT longer than I'd intended but man, it feels so good.

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

Frame looks really nice.
Kim

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

Frame looks great. I was glad I went with Satin.

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

Congratulations Dan! A clean shiny chassis going together always gets my heart rate up a bit. Looks good!

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

Thanks, I've never had a "clean shiny chassis" before. I plan to stop by every day I can to see the progress and take pictures as it goes together.

For you guys that have put together frame-up projects before, what did you used for bolts? Yeah, I could use some of the 60 year old bolts that didn't break but nah...

This is a "small potatoes" issue but I don't want them to rust . Zinc plated bolts are yellowish according to my Google search. But i always thought the yellowish ones were cad plated. Yellow is fine but what are the shiny silver ones? Galvanize electroplated? No, I don't mean stainless. I know they're pricey and tend to gall if you don't install them with anti-seize.

I do plan to use button head polished stainless under the hood for inner-to-outer fender bolts but not much else.
Advice appreciated.

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

Frame looks awesome Dan!

I think the yellow cad plated ones are Grade 8, silver ones are usually Grade 5 or less.

:uhmk:

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

Frame looks fantastic! Mine is at powder coat and I chose glossy black we shall see. As for bolts I would just go with grade 8. They are pricey but hold up very well. Whats the plan for paint?