Project '54 5W Chevy HELP PLEASE!!

[DavesRide]

FOCUS Bro. All in due time. Finish the 54 and trade it for 2 softtails.

[Daniel U]

I already got 1:

The only way to convince the wife on the short bed is it will be a project for my son and I She wants a red 4X4 step.

[solidaxel]

Free up some garage space SELL that donorcycle, finish the 54 and have your family and be around to see your son grow up,
Motorcycles are invisible, cars can't see them!!!

[Daniel U]

Exactly why I have the BIG pipe. When I ride, I pretend I'm invisable. I assume that everyone wants to hit me. Makes me more aware of my surroundings. Thanks for the advice. I think, sense the vehicles are all paid for(except the '54)I'll just take my tax return and start back again. She's not that far from the finish line.

[1-ton of fun]

when i'm on my bike, it seems like everybody is out to get me, lol.

i totally gutted my mufflers, and today the ride wasn't as bad, everybody could hear me now i guess.

[53lochevy]

here's mine its and investment just like the trucks we build this bike was wreck when I bought it for 3200 and put 9k in it when i repair it motor hopped and everything else but today or 10 yrs today it will bring 12k as long as you keep the motor fresh and dont drop it hehehe will be putting 16/18 apes along with a low profile seat next month really looking forward to the ape handle bars heheeh

[Daniel U]

Nice looking bike. I have no plans of selling any of my vehicles including the bike. I hope to have some news on my '54 soon. We just "re-fied" our house and our payment went up $500.00, so the wife and I will need to go over our finances this week and see where we are at. The tax return came in this week! She wants to remodel our kitchen and master bath. All I can think about is finishing the '54 and getting another project, lol. Maybe a comprimise?

[53lochevy]

Here's the updated photo with the new ape's and new seat.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Originally Posted by Daniel U

Nice looking bike. I have no plans of selling any of my vehicles including the bike. I hope to have some news on my '54 soon. We just "re-fied" our house and our payment went up $500.00, so the wife and I will need to go over our finances this week and see where we are at. The tax return came in this week! She wants to remodel our kitchen and master bath. All I can think about is finishing the '54 and getting another project, lol. Maybe a comprimise?

A comprimise sounds like a fair deal to me.

[Daniel U]

Well it's been a while since there's been anything done to the '54. I did, however, just order a TPI stainless bolt set for the Tune Port Injection intake. It should be here on Tues. The guy building my truck (Paul) isn't familiar with TPI, so I get to do it myself. I just need to find some time to do it between the overtime and family life. A buddy of mine has a laptop with all the tunning equipment so that we can burn our own chip and tune the motor while we drive it. I really look FWD to getting you all some pics with the finished(polished)TPI! I may have Paul finish painting the truck and drive it home to finish assembly myself and save some $$$. Thanks for being patient on this build,
Daniel U

[pgf545]

Hey Daniel sounds like you are getting going again on the project. I conpletely understand the hold up on it. My Camaro has been in the works for over 10 years now and will probably be a couple more before it hits the road. My deal is the family comes first and then all the parts have to be paid for before I work on it...so it is everything else and then dad's Camaro...lol. But that way I will be satisfied when I get done with it. You are doing the right thing by slowing down and taking care of the family.

Bernie

[Daniel U]

Here's all I got done the other day. Chrome water neck, valve covers, and powder coated base intake torqued down.

All the rest of the TPI is yet to come. They didn't include the gaskets for it in the kit.

[Daniel U]

Shortly after taking this picture, I began to look for the fuel injectors and fuel rail. I found them right next to the intake valley tin. Yesterday I pulled the intake back off and reinstalled it with the valley tin and new gaskets. On a positive note, my polished alum. runners are back from powdercoat (clear). I should be able to finish the assembly of the TPI next week. If it was still at my house, i'd be working on it today. Happy 4th of July

[Daniel U]

After talking to Paul Smeltzer (the body guy) today about what is left on my '54 and what he thinks it will cost ($12k) to finish it (after recollecting my sanity), I have pulled the plug on the monster, I mean my project '54. It was like taking a family member of life support for me. I have no plans of selling it or canning the entire project. Right now I need to get another daily driver as my '88 IROC has 235k on the odometer and the entire original powertrain is showing it's age. The Harley is great when I'm not car pooling to work(and the weather is good), but I'd like to find another Chevy truck that get's 20ish mpg that I can work on later that runs good now(so that when it's raining and freezing this winter I'm covered). Somthing I can pick up for $3k or less. My wife's always wanted a '73-'75 4X4 step, but we'll see what's out there this weekend. I've always like the 2WD swb '60-'66 and '67-'72. I guess I start looking in the Photo-Ads and what not. There doesn't seem to be anything on here that's in my price range and near my zip. If anyone local has a lead on a good deal for a pre-smog Chevy pick up truck, PM me. I'll post some pictures up when I tow the '54 home on Monday and store it in our garage. I'll try and update the thread as I do work on the '54 myself, but for right now my focus is getting another DD on the road. The Walbro fuel pump I replaced 4 months ago on the IROC went out last weekend and I'm not lookg FWD to crawling under the car again and removing the rear end, exhaust, suspension, and heat shields before getting to the fuel tank out. (Because it's got fuel injection, the fuel pump is in the tank.) Looks like I might be a motivated buyer this weekend. I should get some pictures up next week. There's some chrome on the engine now some will like to see.
Daniel U

[Wootdog]

I know this sounds strange. I know of a guy that cut a hole in the floor of the trunk and bent the metal back down and fiberglassed it back. It would be easier than removing everything. Oh and I had to change out the pump the way you did on my 90 IROC I used to have. Kerry

[Hart_Rod]

Why not put in an inline external pump? That's what my buddy did to his 89 Firebird. He got the pump at AZ or Advanced. Just a suggestion.....

[solidaxel]

Did you change painters!!
Back in Jan you stated that it would be about 2500 to finish the paint and another 2500 to wire and glass, what is up with the BIG price tag!!

[watahyahknow]

he prolly had it blasted or stripped after that quote

[Daniel U]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

Did you change painters!!
Back in Jan you stated that it would be about 2500 to finish the paint and another 2500 to wire and glass, what is up with the BIG price tag!!

??????Ecactly why we decided to pull the plug. I feel like it's growing into something that won't stop. I'll try to do what I can now and learn how to finish the rest. I'm going to continue my mission to learn patience. I will finish the project, but just not this year. I have an older friend who started his 57 back in 1988, so he encouraged me. He has good priorities. He's still happily married too. I would never trade my family for this truck. Let's just say it's been a hot topic lately. So I made the final decision to can it for now. I think I have a few other things we need to do before finishing the truck. Thanks for the understanding statements, Daniel U

[Daniel U]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

Why not put in an inline external pump? That's what my buddy did to his 89 Firebird. He got the pump at AZ or Advanced. Just a suggestion.....

I just want it to look factory. I'm kinda nutty, I know.

[pgf545]

Daniel, you might check into a local Jr college and see if you can take a paint and body class. I know a few guys around here that have done that and the results have been pretty good. It would probably save you lots of money and you could learn some helpful thing that you could use later in life.

Bernie

[Daniel U]

Thanks Bernie. I would like to take the time to go back to school. Right now I work evenings, but the wife and I talked about that very thing last night. I'll continue to be patient for now. Family 1st right now. I need to save for more medical emergencies. They sneek up on you when your not ready for them.

[Kabwe]

Hey man sorry to hear you have to put the project on the back burner, but its completely understandable family should always come first. I know things cost so much that’s why I do everything myself to keep the cost down, but time is another issue. It will get done eventually. Just don't get frustrated and sale it. As long as it’s yours it will get done no matter how long it takes. We all have to put things on hold somethings.

[Daniel U]

Thanks Kawbe. I have never had to sell any of my Chevrolet's as of today, nor do I plan to sell any of them. I get kinda attached to them as I have to this '54. I bought it 16+ years ago just after getting my driver's liscence. I learned how to drive a manual trans. with it's low farm gears. It will get done! As my son get's older he can help me out more. In the mean time I need another running truck to commute to work in the winter. I have a handfull to go look at this weekend. We'll see. The wife has to be behind it 100%.


She's home for now!

[Daniel U]

Well, I'm off work today. I went out to the garage to sort through some of the parts and one thing led to another. I decided it may be better to get the parts out of the bed and put them on the truck so they are out of the way. Here's what I did this morning.....

I guess it was an excuse to get out in the garage and spend some "quality time" with my truck. Happy Labor Day!