1950 GMC project

[smittster]

Bought this truck in the spring of 2007. It is a 1950 GMC 1/2 ton. It was stock with the exception of a conversion to 12volt. I drove it occasionally and then put it in a shop to have work done in Dec. 2007. It is still in the shop today. Have replaced the engine and transmission with a 1985 corvette engine and transmission. The suspension is also from a 1985 corvette.

[smittster]

front suspension on. Frame has been powdercoated black. Firewall prepared for a recessed insert.

gas tank relocated and corvette rear suspension. I used flat out engineering for the kit to convert to corvette suspension.

New steering column and wheel. We put the wiring harness for the truck and for the engine under the seat. Wiring harness is from Ron Francis and computer harness is from The Detail Zone.

[smittster]

Corvette engine intalled. Engine fired up right away. It had been sitting for quite a few years. I bought a wrecked 85 corvette and the engine had only 17000 miles on it.

[pugs]

nice looking project, keep the pics coming

[smittster]

Latest pictures taken. Have not driven the truck yet but was told it handles well. Still needs work on the air intake and speedometer is not working. Fuel gauge is not reading properly either.

[Kid]

very nice project, I bet you cant wait to drive it. Good to see another "GMC"

[sgtusmc]

Very nice GMC.

[smittster]

[smittster]

It has been a long time since any updates, waiting for time and money. Soon to be painted House of Kolor Midnight Pearl.

[SCHRUMGMC]

Awesome

[Katrina/10]

Glad you're still working on it.

[FarmerSid]

really like the corvette drive train and suspension. I see you didn't notch the frame for the rear suspension. Would you mind explaining why you went that route or why you didn't have to? Thanks!

[SCHRUMGMC]

Whats the best tool to use to Cut out rust

[FarmerSid]

Originally Posted by SCHRUMGMC

Whats the best tool to use to Cut out rust

Depends on part you need to cut the rust out on. I would always use a zip disk. Either on a 4 1/2" grinder or a 3" on a die grinder. If you don't have air, you kinda have to use the 4 1/2" grinder. What I do and have is two 4 1/2" grinders with one having a 120 grit Walter flap disk and another with a zip disk. I also have three die grinders. One with a 3" zip disk, a 90 degree with a roloc arbor that takes 3" sanding disks and another 90 degree die grinder that has a Wurth arbor that takes Wurth conditioning disks for removing paint and rust. I use the 4 1/2" grinder with zip disks in areas that I can get the grinder into and the die grinder with 3" zip disk in tighter areas. The the die grinder with 3" zip disk is easier to control as it's much smaller and you can vary the speed. In either event, the cut out is almost ready for for the new patch with minimal prep. All I do is file a little chamfer on the patch and opening and am ready to weld. Just make sure you cut enough out that you are into good metal but not more than is needed to get into good metal.

[SCHRUMGMC]

oh alright Thanks, Whats the best brand ?

[FarmerSid]

That was just my opinion and others may have better suggestions. This is also my opinion. You get what you pay for. I use Ingersol Rand air tools and Walter grinding disks. You can get cheaper grinding disks, flap disks and cut off wheels but they don't last as long. It ends up being cheaper buying the good stuff. There are more expensive air tools made by Snap-on etc but I find IR is pretty darned close. I buy IR stuff from auto supply stores as opposed to big box stores. The IR stuff at the big box stores is the bottom end stuff. The grinding wheels etc I get at local welding stores. You can't get the Walter stuff here at the box stores. Use and spend what you want but that is what I do.

[SCHRUMGMC]

Alright I'll check it out..I appreciate it

[smittster]

I used flat out engineering kit for the corvette suspension. It did not come with the need to notch the rear frame.

[SCHRUMGMC]

I'm looking at them now..I need to get one soon

[Indian113]

Originally Posted by SCHRUMGMC

I'm looking at them now..I need to get one soon

Why? Have you bought the truck or are you still in the planning stage?

[SCHRUMGMC]

Originally Posted by Indian113

Why? Have you bought the truck or are you still in the planning stage?

Thinking ahead, Planning everything out so when I get it here soon..I won't go crazy

[smittster]

[smittster]

Latest pictures of the truck.

[lv2tri2]

How was the experience with Flat OuT, I've read some not too favorable things as well as good. I am on the fence with buying the pieces or making a them myself.

[iowaboynca]

Is that the house of color midnight pearl? it looks great!