49 chevy 1433
 

Figure I will start a thread on my '49. I have followed many builds here but never contributed much. So I guess here it goes. This is what I started with.

Re: 49 chevy 1433
 

First thing I did was tear it down. Seems like a good place to start.

Re: 49 chevy 1433
 

I ordered a speedway motors bolt in front crossmember and TCI rear leaf spring suspension package. I installed the front crossmember before pulling the cab sonic could mock things up. Then pulled it apart and sand blasted the frame.

Re: 49 chevy 1433
 

I then picked up a good running four bolt main 350 and turbo 350 combo out of an '80 C10.

Re: 49 chevy 1433
 

Got a smokin' deal on a low mile g-body rear end. I know its not the toughest rear out there but it's in great shape and should give me room for the wheels I want with some tubbing. A little cutting and grinding and blasting got it cleaned up.

Re: 49 chevy 1433
 

I sprayed the frame and front suspension parts and bolted some parts together.

Re: 49 chevy 1433
 

Starting to look like something.

Re: 49 chevy 1433
 

I really like how you're doing it with the stock frame.

Re: 49 chevy 1433
 

Looks good, will be watching...Jim

Re: 49 chevy 1433
 

Thanks. I couldn't see any reason not to. Its a nice straight frame. I did consider the s-10 swap thing. My brother even offered me a frame for free but I had this one and seems the s10 swap is becoming so common my truck will be a bit of a rarity.

Re: 49 chevy 1433
 

good lookin project -- keep up the good work !

Re: 49 chevy 1433
 

I cleaned uo the engine, checked it over and gave it a few new gaskets and some black paint.

Re: 49 chevy 1433
 

I also bought some stainless hardware to set off the black. Its a lot of black but I think I like it. I didn't want just another hugger orange sbc. What I really wanted was a 409 but this will suffice.

Re: 49 chevy 1433
 

I really like what you've done so far. Simple but effective and nice looking. May I suggest(?) if you're staying with those chrome valve covers consider putting a chrome timing chain cover on too.

FYI, I bought a Chinese finned aluminum valve cover & air cleaner set for my old 283 on eBay and they fit well, never leaked etc and were very cheap. It's been awhile but I THINK I only paid about $80 something for all three! Just an idea.

PS: What did you spray the frame with?

Re: 49 chevy 1433
 

Thanks for the suggestion but I like the black timing cover. The finned aluminum valve covers is exactly what I want for, I will just spray the low part of the fins black.
The paint on the frame is Tremclad semi gloss, (made by rustoleum) I mix it 4 to 1 with laquer thinner and it sprays awesome. I put down a coat of their primer first then two rounds of black. It's cheap and works great. I had an 86 chevy half ton a few years back that was pretty rough. I scotch brited the whole thing and slpashed it with gloss white Tremclad and it held up great. I drove it like that for two years hear in southern Alberta before getting rid of it. 100 degrees plus in the summer to way below freezing in the winter. Sun, wind, rain, snow, you name it and that stuff stuck on there and held a decent shine.

Re: 49 chevy 1433
 

Sand blasted my Weiand intake. Cleaned up well.:metal: nothing else was really working. I think I will go over it with a brass brush to bring up a bit of a shine.

Re: 49 chevy 1433
 

looking good! glass bead the intake!

Re: 49 chevy 1433
 

When you installed the TCI rear set up, did you use the stock location or move it back some? I wonder how much drop you'll get in the front?

Cool project.

Re: 49 chevy 1433
 

The tci spring hangers bolt on to where the old hangers were mounted. They do move the springs back and the spring perch pin is also centered in the spring.
I ordered my front end with 2 inch dropped spindles so I should get around six inches of drop. It also has two Inch adjusters in the spring pockets.

Re: 49 chevy 1433
 

Here you can see the difference in the spring hangers. You just have to drill an extra hole.

Re: 49 chevy 1433
 

Thanks for the info, great to know because I'm keeping the stock frame too.

Look forward to more updates

Re: 49 chevy 1433
 

My intake cleaned up pretty well. I may clear it just to keep it low maintenance. Cast aluminum is kind of a pain to keep clean.

Re: 49 chevy 1433
 

I've got a nearly new Edelbrock Peformer intake that some rats nested on and screwed up with their urine (I assume). I plan to have it sandblasted but always thought clear - either paint or powder coat - would yellow with the heat of the engine over time. Anyone know?

Re: 49 chevy 1433
 

We used POR 15 Glisten PC on my boss's Boss 351 valve covers that are cast aluminum, and it's been about four years now and they still look great. It's a 2K direct to metal clear that sprays pretty well but I hear they don't sell it anymore. I'll have to look into it.

Re: 49 chevy 1433
 

glass bead it! gives a nice silver finish that is impervious to oil and stains and doesnt require maintenance or clearcoat. just make sure you seal off all the threads and openings, and rinse it about 500 times. dont want glass in your oil.