Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Ok you guys, I posted last week about a non-running LWB '56 in the local mountains. Endd up passing buuut...

Tonight I bought a running '55 SWB w/ NEAR zero rust for $4800. Tell me how I did:

The GOOD:

Truck was on non-op and supposedly garaged until last 6 months since 1991.
Prior (original!) owner had rebuilt the engine in '89 - 283 w/ 327 camel hump heads and mild cam, headers, 350TH trans and 10 bolt rearend.

Recently brought back to life w/ a rebuilt carb (Holley on Holley intake). I will immediately change all fluids, filters, belts, hoses of course.

Comes w/ new rear taillights, spare big rear window, rear window rubber, all chrome emblems are usable and with truck. Windows roll up and down freely. All electrical works including wipers and heater. Truck has 15x8 slotted mags I will sell later. I have 15x7 original Torque Thrusts for it. Bed and tailgate are arrow straight incredibly.

The BAD:

After claiming it had ZERO rust-through, I found a small - maybe 1-2" diameter rust through on passenger side kick panel with lots of dirt/leaves behind it & pass side cab corner has clearly been Bondo'd over and is now cracking. Driver door front corner is holed-through about 1/2". Yeah, I know, whatever you see there's 3x more you don't see...if you're lucky!
Poked everywhere else with knife and screwdriver - nothing. Floors are solid, above windshield, over headlights, rain gutters. Has a MASSIVE rear diamond plate bumper. A thin metal plate is tacked down over the original wood bed but it appears to be all there from below.

Pic's coming tomorrow when I pick it up.

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

Gee, I'm SO hurt...nobody cares enough about my "new" truck to even make a comment?:lol:

Okay, here are the first pictures of the ugly old beast. Check out that rear bumper huh? Truck will turn 10's after I take that off.

As I wrote above, the engine was rebuilt in '89 and the truck sat after about '91 (the last year it was registered before 2011). It starts right up and idles with a mild lope. Wipers, horn, lights all work. Even a working heater!

I pick it up today and first thing is replace all the fluids and filters. What tranny fluid do you guys recommend for a TH350 like this in unknown condition? Shifts well as is though.

Since its been sitting a loong time, should I swap the fluid (do anything else to it?), run "X" miles and change it again? Any advice appreciated. Hoses and belt appear to be newish.

Obviously it needs an alternator to bring it into the LAST century. Too bad the first owner let all that rust accumulate after spending the money to buy the (cheap) chrome bits.

Oh well, feel free to comment. I won't mind
"As Purchased" last night. Came with a lot of good stuff including a spare rear window!:metal:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/DSCN0098.jpg

PO removing junk stored in bed.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/DSCN0097.jpg

'283 Rebuilt in '89. Sat after '91 - too bad. All that (cheap) chrome went to hell but it once looked better. Think an alternator would be a good idea?:lol:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/DSCN0100.jpg

New Battery, Rebuilt Holley barely visible. Heads have "327" and "2.02" in yellow marker on front of them. I'm assuming these are the desireable camel hump heads with 2.02 intake valves? Any other way to tell for certain - advice appreciated.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...k/DSCN0099.jpg

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

Looks like a good start!

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

sorry, but $4800 seems steep to me...

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

Good looking truck Dan. I noticed it has the ol black & yellow plate in the front (can't tell if it has one in the rear). Good luck on the build & keep the pics flow'n.

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

Looks like a great start to me! Looks liek a pretty straight truck.

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

Hi Mr. Tucker,
I don't mind the opinion on price at all. In L.A. big window shortbeds that run at all get scooped up fast and IF they are running it is typically with the original six cylinder and granny four speed. This having a rebuilt 283; much less one with some decent mods to it) plus the automatic, ten bolt and five lug conversion all with minimal rust makes it a deal out here. As soon as i throw the Torque Thrusts on it and re-primer it, it will actually be worth quite a bit more out here.

Thanks guys for the encouragement - I'll need it! Anyone have any experience with the "Calyx" or other Eastwood paint on products for those headers? I'm thinking of blasting them and painting them...with something...they're probably too old and maybe thin to bother with ceramic coating.

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

I don't know, Dan. I think it is asking for a matching set of slots for the front, too.

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

Sorry MrTucker Dan in Pasadena is right, Big window and running, Dont forget we are in California! Looks like a good start.

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

Nice looking truck!
Build it, drive it like it was yours.
Steve

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

Decent price for a running truck. Back in the early 90's I had my eye on a nice 57' that was a good driver. The guy knew what he had and wanted $7k, too high for me. I just wish I would have made him a cash offer.

I purchased mine for $1,100 in 94'. I was happy with the deal until I picked up the truck and the owner start pulling out box after box of newly chromed parts (grille, etc). Then I was very happy.

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

I think the price is right in line, Dan.

Because it seems to run well, I would do a full flush (trans, radiator, gas, oil, rear end oil), change the belts and hoses (yours are probably dried out), trans pan gasket, valve cover gaskets, rear end cover gasket, and thermostat. I think you might have such a good time driving it that you won't want to tear it down for a full rebuild for a long time.

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

I was just waiting for pics before I commented.
Looks like a nice clean truck.
You may want to prime the oiling system before you start it for the first time.
Kim

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

Great find! Looks like a very good start!

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

Thanks all you guys for the encouragement.

I drove her home on the freeway 8-10 miles probably making 55 mph just fine. Brakes were excellent but I've got to get in there and see for myself or I'll not be comfortable. I'll flush the fluid at minimum but the old single master cylinder also makes me nervous. Does CPP (others?) make a direct replacement frame mount that is idiot-simple for me to install? Safety first is my motto so the mismatched lousy front rollers will go soon. I'm looking for a deal on 235/70's for the TT's I mentioned above. Truck actually has a fairly aggressive lope at idle. The gas guage (he put a new tank sensor in), oil pressure (good & solid on the idiot factory guage) and ammeter work fine. PO said the temp did but he broke something reaching behind dash - I'll take a look.

Chevyrestoguy - Yes, I agree completely. When you say "flush" do you mean drain/refill or are you suggesting something more positive to flush debris? PO said he pulled the valve covers and there was zero sludge and he felt the original owner was not BS'ing when he said it was a "recent" rebuild when he parked it in '91. PO admits he never changed the oil (WTF?!). I blew out a TON of crap from the cancer hole, under seat - which is loose & I suspect not original - how to tell? Windshield is fairly pitted and has a couple bad deep scrapes from wiper arms. I've got additional pic's but the cord to download them is in my office. I'll update tomorrow. Planning on using Valvoline or Castrol GTX - Weight for this oldie assuming it is rebuilt? What trans fluid is the right one? Same for rearend?

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

Ahhh, Chuckdriver. You posted while i was babbling on. I'm still looking for your rear leaf spring relocation kit but barring that, any recommendations to get this thing down out of the clouds in the rear?

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

I like it as it looks better then most i have seen. Great with the big back window.

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

Not bad money at all for a short bed v8 big window with minimal rust. Nice score.
:metal:
Posted via Mobile Device

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

Thanks guys. Any of you that may have experience with keeping the straight axle (I'm likely going to a dropped axle), rebuilding the king pins, adding power steering to the straight axle, I'd love to hear your advice or post a link if you know of good advice already out there.

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

Go with standard 10w-40 weight oil. I run Dextron II in my TH350 with no problem. Old trick was to run Ford fluid it supposedly tightened up the shift a little but I never noticed any difference. If it is going to see a lot of highway use and higher temperatures you might switch to 20w-50 in the summer. If you are lucky the guy had the valve seats changed when it was rebuilt. If not I would not sweat it, I have ran 283's on unleaded fuel up to 150K miles with no valve problems. Have fun with it, 283 is my favorite engine. Will rev like crazy and nice clean heads visually.

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

Thanks so much Orrie for the input. Its already been 90 degrees here a few days so I'm planning on putting 20w-50 in it right away. It's neverf going to see highway or a lot of use. This will be a weekend Home Depot-run driver and play toy. I have a soft spot for 283's too because I helped my Dad install his in place of the original six on his '59 when I was probably 10 years old. Later he replaced it with a 348 and though very powerful it nevr ran as nicely as the 283. Mine has a bit of a cam in it so I'll be running premium in it. No idea if the valve seats were changed out of not. Guess I'll find out!

For all the work I've done to cars I sheepishly admit I've never change tranny fluid before. I know I drain, drop the pan and clean the screen. Any trick to that other than make sure it's totally clean? Any particular gasket or gasket sealant recommended? Tranny has an old Hurst shifter that too short on it. I'll eventually put a Lokar on it, in the mean time I need to take the cover off and clean and lube it. White moly grease okay for this?

I'm also looking for pix of clean PAINTED small blocks as I'm gonna clean this thing up (Krylon rebuild!:lol:) and NOT spend money for finned valve covers, etc like I want to in the short term.

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

So, 'ya want pictures do 'ya? Be careful what you ask for - I'm so "in love" with this stupid thing I take pictures before I leave for the office in the morning. What an idiot, huh?:lol:

In her new home driveway this morning. I cleaned up one corner of the front bumper just to see if it was as good as I thought it might be.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...10-11016-1.jpg

Compare to the as-purchased condition above. I thought the rear window was etched and ruined but it came out clean. Now I truly have a spare big rear window! Another reason the price was reasonable (to me!)
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...5-10-11022.jpg

Original owner tack welded this plate on 3 sides-ugh, what a water trap. Got about 6 spot welds ground off before my El Cheapo Harbor Freight grinder started getting too hot to hold. Bed below isn't as bad as I thought it would be. One board missing, others fall apart if you touch the wood with a scraper.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...10-11010-1.jpg

Closer up:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...10-11012-1.jpg

The worst (and only so far EDIT - opps, forgot passenger side cab corner) rust through:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...10-11005-1.jpg

Door steps are clean as are floors except for light surface rust:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...5-10-11004.jpg
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...5-10-11003.jpg

Advice on how to repair this? I want to KEEP the original radio & knob holes but fix the drilled spot. Anyone make a patch panel or I've got to fab two tiny patches?
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...5-10-11017.jpg

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

I think you started with a pretty good truck....way to go!

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

you can get a patch panel for that from several places...LMC, Brothers, Classic...

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

Dan, the more I see of it the more I like it! Lots of ways to lower the rear, it's just how much do you want to spend. I think the easiest way would be to go with a different spring on the rear, maybe a monoleaf. I'm not sure but you may be able to do a flip and put the rear above the springs. One of the Truck Mags did a complete lowering job on one using the stock suspension, just swapped the springs and it turned out nice. Maybe, CPP, Posie's or Brothers might have what you need.

The dash, I think I would get a patch panel and cut out what you need. But a good metal man may be able to fab up the patches.

Defeinetly pull the steel from the bed and replace the boards, but try to leave it rustic looking.

It sure is fun isn't it!

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

Thanks Chuck. Coming from you I consider that quite a compliment.

I stopped off after work tonight and for a little over $100 I bought oil, filter, tranny fluid & gasket, battery hold down bracket (new battery is just sitting up there, nothing holding it), four cans of Duplicolor Self Etching Primer (all they had) and some VHT silver for the valve covers in my upcoming El Cheapo "Krylon Rebuild". The engine runs so good but looks SO bad. Anyone have a GOOD product for painting those gnarly headers? I'd like silver ala ceramic coating (but I'm too cheap) but I can do with BBQ black.

Also have to pop off the wheels and take a look at the brakes. LOTS of pedal but all that means is they've been adjusted up. I want to see if the wheel bearings have been updated too.

I can't recall if I mentioned it above but I have a new-to-me Hobart 140 MIG welder (that I don't know how to use) and I have that kick panel to repair. Since that's a hardly noticeable area after its repaired, I think its a marriage made in Heaven!:lol: I don't have the bottle/gas, mask, gloves or leathers yet (Harbor Freight anyone?) but I'll get to that soon.

If I get better while doing the kick panel I'll take on the passenger cab corner, a couple misc holes in the bed rails, and if I REALLY get good (yeah, right) I'll make a run at those dash holes.

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

Dan-
The more I look at that truck the more I like it. You've got a solid, driving runner and I'm jealous. The vehicles that I have had the most fun with were the ones that were runners, but needed a little TLC. It seems like every little thing you do makes a huge difference. It makes it fun.

When I said "flush", I meant just a simple drain/filter/re-fill. I would suggest a new set of valve cover gaskets before you do the engine paint work. For de-greasing, I have had great luck with Purple Power, which is super cheap and sold at Walmart. I use it at 100% strength for heavy de-greasing. As far as a coating for the headers there are many options, but you have to ensure that the headers are clean (preferably sandblasted). I like the look of a gray/silver header, but have had great luck with an exhaust paint (black) that Honda sells at their motorcycle shops. You have to weight the cost of sandblasting versus the cost of a new set. Take a good look at the current headers you have. They might be cheapies, so spending a lot of time and money on them might be a bad deal. The beauty of a small block Chevy is that parts are easy to find, and even though there are many different applications of headers, 80% of them look identical. You might find a brand new set on Craigslist for cheap.

The rust repair inside the cab is a great place to learn how to use the MIG. As far as the dash, you can buy a repair panel and weld in new sections, but that means you will have to re-paint the dash. Maybe you can check the hardware section at Lowes or Home Depot for escutchions that you can use that will cover the holes temporarily. Maybe a large beveled washer coupled with a thin aluminum faceplate? You never know until you look.

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

Excellent suggestions one and all Chevyrestoguy, thanks. Especially the Honda motorcycle paint. I'll definitely check that out. I have also read here a few times that guys use BBQ paint and it holds up.

Today I took a "mental health day" and played with my toy all day. I changed the oil & filter, dropped the tranny pan and cleaned the screen. Excellent news, the inside was pristinely clean. Fluid was still red and clear. No particles in the screen. Minor sludge at the bottom of the pan. Of course I washed all that out.

I also pulled the tailgate - Man, that gate is arrow straight. only two extremely minor dents, hardly noticeable at all. I can't believe its 55 years old! Feather out all the chips in the paint and got rid of the minor surface rust. I have pictures of all this but don't have my cord so I can't download the pic's til tomorrow. I still need to drain/fill the the rearend. Anyone know how much fluid it takes for a Chevy 10 bolt? I'm planning on using Castrol 90 wt, unless someone thinks there's a good reason to go with something else?

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

My radio panel looked like that when I started, except it had square cuts. I welded in patch pieces between the oval and round holes then build up the raised parts with weld. Grind, weld repeat until close. I then used JB weld to fill in the inperfections, filed, grind, repeat. final dab of rage,sand and here is how it turned out. You can buy the whole panel put I don't think there was as much work in fixing what was there.

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

Dan-
The 10 & 12 bolt rears are a real simple deal to service. You'll have to pull the rear cover, which is messy and stinky. Take a good look at everything inside, give the bottom of the housing and the backside of the cover a good wipe to get any of the big chunks of dirt and grit out, and install the cover and gasket with a light coat of silicone. On the front side of the snout, passenger side, you will see a pipe plug. That's your fill port. Fill the rear end until the gear oil is level to the bottom of the hole, and you're done. It usually takes about 2.5 quarts of fill it up.

One thing to remember. If your rear end is a posi, you'll need the gear oil that's specific for a posi. Once you get the cover off, you'll know if it's a posi or not. A posi will have clutch packs on each side of the carrier.

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

Thanks Chevyrestoguy and Orrie G for the good advice but also for sharing my enjoyment of this rattletrap! I like to think that if we lived down the block from each other we'd be talking over the same stuff standing in one of our driveways over beers.

It's amazing to me that no one at an auto parts store can tell you the capacity on a 350TH or a 10 bolt rearend. They're pretty young for the most part but I know there ARE young guys/girls who like & know cars. Apparently they just don't hire 'em. As you'll see below, if you tell them you don't know what make/model/year the tranny came out of its like asking a monkey to do a math problem. See the pan gasket I got from the (probably) 19 year old woman at the counter. I ended up at the good old reliable greasy independent parts house for the right one.

Pan vs. Gasket from Pep Boys. What's wrong with THIS picture?
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...5-13-11010.jpg

Tranny appears to be sano, fluid is clear-red, sediment is minimal and normal (I think) Opinions?
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...5-13-11004.jpg
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...5-13-11008.jpg
EDIT: I'd better add this pic to let you know I clean out that pan and hammered out the crease in it
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...5-13-11012.jpg

Front brakes are mildy worn. Last brake job was pro or experienced or would'nt have the white moly grease where it should be and certainly would'nt have brand new adjustment hole rubber plugs. Note 5 lug hubs are not drilled old 6 lug hubs. A late 80's "update" while keeping drum brakes
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...5-13-11014.jpg

Fun stuff. My tailgate is nearly pristine even after 56 years!! two barely noticeable dings, zero cancer. Feathered out and painted Duplicolor Etching Primer.

Before:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...5-13-11016.jpg
In Process:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...5-13-11018.jpg
After:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...5-13-11024.jpg
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...5-13-11023.jpg

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

Dan in Pasadena
Looks like it's shaping up nicely.
Kim

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

Yup, I really enjoy noodling around with this thing. Probably inudating the board with too many photo's...but that'lll pass...probably:lol:

Going to look at some CL tires this afternoon. Soon as I find some and mount my vintage Torque Thrusts the truck will look hella better...at least to me!

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

Oops, Forgot a couple things.

The tailgate on this truck looked so pristine after I painted it I could'nt bring myself to leave it completely unprotected by taking off that monstrosity of a bumper as I'd planned. So I took off the giant angle iron that was going to kill my shin eventually and tossed it. A fast and dirty sand and spray job sorta/kinda improves the look back there. The 20 some holes lightens the weight;):lol:

Bumper Before:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...5-13-11026.jpg
Closeup:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...5-13-11027.jpg
After:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...5-13-11028.jpg
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...5-13-11029.jpg

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

hey man - I want to clarify my comment. I in no means meant anything negative about your purchase. You obviously love you're truck and that makes the price worth it. Enjoy you're project!!

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

You got lucky with that tailgate for sure. Looks way cleaner with the "new" bumper.
Posted via Mobile Device

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

Keep the pictures coming....the more the marrier!

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

Mr. Tucker, We are TOTALLY cool. I've got zero problem with anyone's opinion or information about what trucks are availabe in other parts of the country. In fact I like knowing what's out there. Yes, I'm loving this truck. It's lust I suppose but I've wanted this exact truck - '55, SWB, big window, mildly built 283, auto, 5 lugs and little to no rust - for SO long that getting it is truly sweet for me.

Unfortunately guys, more pictures ARE coming. I just like keeping a running record of my progress so I can later come back and see in an organized way how far I've (it) has come. Tomorrow? I'm mounting my "new" vintage 15x7 early Torque Thrust mags! I'll definitely be posting about those over 15x10 slot mags on it now.

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

That price is GREAT if you ask me. Here in Florida it is almost impossible to find a truck. Let alone with a V8 and 10 bolt rear. Way to go, drive the wheels off it.

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

Keep'em coming Dan!