55-59 big block trucks - Page 2 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

RODSBYT · 01-09-2007, 11:30 PM

How bad do you think it would be to fit the directsheetmetal firewall
to the stock toe boards. I ordered one today with out the floor kit?
My stock floor is perfect, no rust or problems.

chevyrestoguy · 01-09-2007, 11:39 PM

I called Direct a few days ago, and the guy told me that the pictures on the website were of the old version. He sounded like it wasn't a difficult installation. I'm just curious how you tie the old and new parts together (flange or butt-welded). I'm with you, my toe boards are perfect also. They just have a bunch of factory holes for the assorted factory linkages that I'll probably weld up and redrill as necessary. When you get the firewall, let us know how it looks.
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Highland park ford plant specifications

bondobob · 01-10-2007, 04:23 PM

Chevyrestoguy: Sorry for the delay and thanks for the kind words. I don't think you really lose any leg room. The spot where the toe board and the floor meet is the same as stock, just the toe board angle is different. I'm using bucket style seats that are much lower than stock and all the way back against the back of the cab and my left foot sits flat against the toe board, (I'm 6' tall) which seems very comfortable. My daily driver has a foot rest on the left side of the toe board that feels exactly the same. You don't want your foot just hanging in the breeze. The trans cover is quite narrow so there is plenty of room for your gas pedal. My steering column is going through the toe board higher up than stock so you will be able to swing your feet right under it without banging it. My son in the picture is 6'1" and he was comfy. My floor was perfect too except for the screwed up body mount but I'm very glad I went with the whole deal. Very smooth. I welded a pad with studs on it to mount my Lokar hanging gas pedal so there are no screws showing. Torque IS good.

dwcsr · 01-11-2007, 01:20 AM

very nice.

jds319 · 01-11-2007, 09:12 AM

When we test fit my 454 + camaro clip + muncie 4 speed, everything seemed to fit / clear fine with the stock 1956 firewall. Is this a problem people are having using automatic trannies??

jds319 · 01-19-2007, 10:37 PM

We did our test fit, however, without headers/exhaust manifolds on the engine. Is this the clearance problem that has people modifying their motor mounts? I'm pretty nervous about this, so yalls input would be very much appreciated...

chevyrestoguy · 01-20-2007, 10:25 AM

Jds319_
Were you able to get the distributor installed when you mocked everything up? That, the fit of the headers, and the clearance between the passenger side head to the firewall are my biggest concerns. I work with a guy who clipped his '56 and installed a 454, and he said that it real close between the passenger side valve cover aft flange and the firewall. Other than that, he said everything fit OK. I never saw the truck in person to confirm that, though.
________
BMW M20

jds319 · 01-20-2007, 01:23 PM

Thanks restoguy. We cleared the firewall okay, but i dont remember fitting a distributor. Right now I'm more concerned with the exhaust... Thinking something like this might work, though pricey: http://www.centuryperformance.com/de...uct_ID=SDH-BB2

If need be, can i use a smaller distributor (SBC?) for clearance? Some of those massive HEI jobs might be a little too big...

chevyrestoguy · 01-20-2007, 05:02 PM

Yep, small and big block Chevy distributors are the same, and you can run a smaller diameter (non-HEI) type. That may give you the room you need.
________
Essential Vaaapp Vaporizer

RODSBYT · 01-30-2007, 11:38 PM

I just fitted The Direct Sheet metal Firewall in place on my 57 project,
with the stock original floor.
Nice fit, What a time saver.
will send more pics after its welded in.

prostreet1967 · 01-31-2007, 10:54 PM

how much did that firewall run you who makes it and how much of a pain was it to get it in to that position

RODSBYT · 01-31-2007, 11:15 PM

A Company call Direct Sheetmetal out of California.
www.directsheetmetal.net
They make firewall and floor kits.
It took about 3hrs. to cut out the old and fit in place.
I will have to fab a small section at the trans hump to meet
the new firewall. This one has a 4" set back for big block.

prostreet1967 · 02-02-2007, 02:29 PM

thanks

prostreet1967 · 02-08-2007, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RODSBYT

A Company call Direct Sheetmetal out of California.
www.directsheetmetal.net
They make firewall and floor kits.
It took about 3hrs. to cut out the old and fit in place.
I will have to fab a small section at the trans hump to meet
the new firewall. This one has a 4" set back for big block.

u get it in yet would like to see some pics before starting mine

01-09-2007, 11:30 PM	#26
RODSBYT Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: GRAFTON , OHIO Posts: 58	Re: 55-59 big block trucks How bad do you think it would be to fit the directsheetmetal firewall to the stock toe boards. I ordered one today with out the floor kit? My stock floor is perfect, no rust or problems.

01-09-2007, 11:39 PM	#27
chevyrestoguy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: apple valley, ca Posts: 2,670	Re: 55-59 big block trucks I called Direct a few days ago, and the guy told me that the pictures on the website were of the old version. He sounded like it wasn't a difficult installation. I'm just curious how you tie the old and new parts together (flange or butt-welded). I'm with you, my toe boards are perfect also. They just have a bunch of factory holes for the assorted factory linkages that I'll probably weld up and redrill as necessary. When you get the firewall, let us know how it looks. ________ Highland park ford plant specifications Last edited by chevyrestoguy; 02-18-2011 at 11:03 AM.

01-10-2007, 04:23 PM	#28
bondobob Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Deep River, Ct Posts: 135	Re: 55-59 big block trucks Chevyrestoguy: Sorry for the delay and thanks for the kind words. I don't think you really lose any leg room. The spot where the toe board and the floor meet is the same as stock, just the toe board angle is different. I'm using bucket style seats that are much lower than stock and all the way back against the back of the cab and my left foot sits flat against the toe board, (I'm 6' tall) which seems very comfortable. My daily driver has a foot rest on the left side of the toe board that feels exactly the same. You don't want your foot just hanging in the breeze. The trans cover is quite narrow so there is plenty of room for your gas pedal. My steering column is going through the toe board higher up than stock so you will be able to swing your feet right under it without banging it. My son in the picture is 6'1" and he was comfy. My floor was perfect too except for the screwed up body mount but I'm very glad I went with the whole deal. Very smooth. I welded a pad with studs on it to mount my Lokar hanging gas pedal so there are no screws showing. Torque IS good. Attached Images

01-11-2007, 01:20 AM	#29
dwcsr Hollister Road Co. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 6,131	Re: 55-59 big block trucks very nice.

01-11-2007, 09:12 AM	#30
jds319 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 123	Re: 55-59 big block trucks When we test fit my 454 + camaro clip + muncie 4 speed, everything seemed to fit / clear fine with the stock 1956 firewall. Is this a problem people are having using automatic trannies?? __________________ 1956 Chevrolet 1500 Task Force 2002 Texas Aggie Project Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=212633

01-19-2007, 10:37 PM	#31
jds319 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 123	Re: 55-59 big block trucks We did our test fit, however, without headers/exhaust manifolds on the engine. Is this the clearance problem that has people modifying their motor mounts? I'm pretty nervous about this, so yalls input would be very much appreciated... __________________ 1956 Chevrolet 1500 Task Force 2002 Texas Aggie Project Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=212633

01-20-2007, 10:25 AM	#32
chevyrestoguy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: apple valley, ca Posts: 2,670	Re: 55-59 big block trucks Jds319_ Were you able to get the distributor installed when you mocked everything up? That, the fit of the headers, and the clearance between the passenger side head to the firewall are my biggest concerns. I work with a guy who clipped his '56 and installed a 454, and he said that it real close between the passenger side valve cover aft flange and the firewall. Other than that, he said everything fit OK. I never saw the truck in person to confirm that, though. ________ BMW M20 Last edited by chevyrestoguy; 02-18-2011 at 11:04 AM.

01-20-2007, 01:23 PM	#33
jds319 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 123	Re: 55-59 big block trucks Thanks restoguy. We cleared the firewall okay, but i dont remember fitting a distributor. Right now I'm more concerned with the exhaust... Thinking something like this might work, though pricey: http://www.centuryperformance.com/de...uct_ID=SDH-BB2 If need be, can i use a smaller distributor (SBC?) for clearance? Some of those massive HEI jobs might be a little too big... __________________ 1956 Chevrolet 1500 Task Force 2002 Texas Aggie Project Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=212633 Last edited by jds319; 01-20-2007 at 01:26 PM.

01-20-2007, 05:02 PM	#34
chevyrestoguy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: apple valley, ca Posts: 2,670	Re: 55-59 big block trucks Yep, small and big block Chevy distributors are the same, and you can run a smaller diameter (non-HEI) type. That may give you the room you need. ________ Essential Vaaapp Vaporizer Last edited by chevyrestoguy; 02-18-2011 at 11:04 AM.

01-30-2007, 11:38 PM	#35
RODSBYT Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: GRAFTON , OHIO Posts: 58	Re: 55-59 big block trucks I just fitted The Direct Sheet metal Firewall in place on my 57 project, with the stock original floor. Nice fit, What a time saver. will send more pics after its welded in. Attached Images

01-31-2007, 10:54 PM	#36
prostreet1967 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: fort worth texas Posts: 395	Re: 55-59 big block trucks how much did that firewall run you who makes it and how much of a pain was it to get it in to that position

01-31-2007, 11:15 PM	#37
RODSBYT Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: GRAFTON , OHIO Posts: 58	Re: 55-59 big block trucks A Company call Direct Sheetmetal out of California. www.directsheetmetal.net They make firewall and floor kits. It took about 3hrs. to cut out the old and fit in place. I will have to fab a small section at the trans hump to meet the new firewall. This one has a 4" set back for big block.

02-02-2007, 02:29 PM	#38
prostreet1967 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: fort worth texas Posts: 395	Re: 55-59 big block trucks thanks



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