1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Finally got the title so it is time to start tearing in to the 55, here are some pics!

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

So I had to get a new hood because it looks like someone put a branch between the fenders and slammed the hood....but I picked up a perfectly straight one for 60 bucks!

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Figured out what the motor and trans are...283 and a th400.

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

So I got some stuff done on the truck. Took the 4" lift out of the rear...looks so much better!

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

ok I think its about time for some updates. so far I got the front clip off and the bed off. i cut out the old crossmember for the original trans (someone had cut it with a torch). I am now just figuring out how to make the new motor mounts. Its been pretty cold here so I havent done much to the truck lately, but today I got the motor all re-sealed and put a new water pump, fuel pump and harmonic balance on it. Im thinking it should be a pretty good running motor because it was really clean when I opened it up.

So with my updates out of the way....the way Im going with this truck is Im going to make it look like a 60's hotrod. It'll be satin black and I will put some period correct looking tires on it. Black and red on the seat but Im keeping the original seat design and I have some seatbelts out of a B-52 that Im going to put in it.


oops posted the same pic twice...hahhaha

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Ok lets see if anyone can get this...who can guess what used to be on these brackets on the cabcorners?

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Optional mud deflectors.

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

you got it! it also had the optional 4" lift in the rear end!! some of the things people do......

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Done real good, saved another fine truck from the crusher. Looking forward to seeing more pics. Thanks for sharing.

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Some more progress today. Stole the front crossmember from my dads 72 chevy and it has worked out great so far :lol: Got everything mocked up and its all looking pretty good. Only problem that I ran into was the oil pan was from a car so it hit the crossmember...oh well guess that means another junkyard run...bummer :lol:

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Looks good so far!! :truck:

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Thanks! should look even better when its done!

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Well its time for an update...my girlfriend helped me pull the cab off last weekend, now its just a bare frame. All I have to do is make a better trans mount then I can sandblast and paint the frame. Im going to put on all new line, brakes, etc.....here's some pics!

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Decided Im not going to paint it and leave the "patina". Got the trans X-member all done today so drive train is mounted!! The right way this time!!!

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

here's some more pics of progress....got the 82 holes filled in the firewall now just need to do cabcorners and fix some rust on the cowl but its coming along good.

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Looks good. It takes time but it will be worth it in the end.
Kim

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Awesome build! any updates?

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Got the frame painted and the motor back in. Brakes are all brand new and working great! Also started it up and now Im working on getting the exhaust done. Oh yea and Ive decided on a final color too...satin black and eventually I'll get everything chrome re chromed in black chrome.

Link to motor running..

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

The frame looks good. I wish I had a big shop like yours to work in.
Kim

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Well the motor is very healthy!! Got the exhaust almost finished so I figured it was time to test it out!

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Update time. Got the bottom of the cab cleaned up and painted, all 82 holes in the firewall welded up, smoothed and painted. Just waiting for the paint to dry and the cab is going back on!

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Sweet.
Kim

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

How long did it take you to fill the firewall holes? Did you used metal plugs for the larger holes??

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

It took me a couple of days to weld them all up and as for the larger holes I just cut some patches out of some old sheetmetal.

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

I havent updated this in a long time but she's looking like a truck again! So far the cab is back on permanetly and I'm just getting to working on the doors and front clip. I got a new throttle linkage fabbed up, inside of the cab primed and I'm still waiting on some fuel system parts, which should be here tomorrow. It should be a little safer to drive now than it was 2 months ago :lol:

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Well I got tired of looking at blue and red so I stripped the whole thing down to bare metal. Now I know I said earlier that I was going to leave the "patina" but I changed my mind and am going satin black with this thing...we'll see if that changes :lol: but it probably won't. I've also been knockin the sheetmetal back into shape and got that passengers side eyebrow fixed...still have a little more tweaking to do but its close.

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

That looks like a lot of work.
What did you use to strip it?
Kim

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

I used one of those Quick strip deals that you get from home depot that go on a 4 1/2" grinder. Takes the paint off real well and doesnt gouge the metal.

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

looks like you saved it just before mother nature sucked it back into the earth and reclaimed it :D
rebuild is looking good!

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1288929051

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Can you tell it was sitting for a couple years??:lol: Its a good thing I live in Arizona because anywhere else it would've been gone. Im about to jump on replacing the door bottoms once my new tool comes in.

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Thats real good progress, keep up the good work!

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Truck is looking great. Congrats.

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

^ Thanks!

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Since it was snowing here today I thought I'd light a fire in the shop and go to town on one of my doors....this is what I ended up with. Oh and if anyone is thinking of buying an airsaw, do it. That thing cuts so nice and it made replacing the door bottoms that much more fun.

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

bye bye rust!!

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Hey looking good. I remember when yiu first got it.

Do you know why this truck was called a hydromatic? Was it only a GMC thing
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Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Looking good.
Kim

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

I'm pretty sure Chev's and GMC's that came stock with automatic transmissions were called Hydramataics.

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Nice build! From the pics, I'm trying to guess what part of town you're in. There aren't too many shops like yours around here! I know I've had to drive by your place before. Good luck and I look forward to seeing you on the road!

Al

Re: 1955 GMC hydramatic
 

Thanks man! I'm out right in front of the cinders pretty much. I'll have to keep an eye out for ya around town. What color is you're truck? Theres a few 69's running around town.