52 Project

[mylow53]

hey i love that radiatior who did you speak to at prchotrod? i think i need the exact same setup..
Thanks
GT

[cajundragger]

we always deal with the owner at prc but a guy named shawn is who I just ordered my rad. from...

[pgf545]

I talked to John. He was great, I had several requests and he meet everyone of them. Like I wanted the fan mounted as far up as possible because I knew that is was going to be close to the water pump and he said no problem. The cool thing is every thing is separate so you can only order the parts you need. We got everything at once because I had a lot of fitting I needed to do. I am going to go back with them for my Camaro radiator. It comes with the mounting brackets separate so you can move it any where you want to. I actually cut out the X brace and had to do some notching on the core support but had no problems getting it where I wanted to. If you have any questions or need anymore pictures let me know and I will try and help you.


Bernie

[cajundragger]

yea I got the new fan controler and everything because I've heard my LS1 will run much better with it, Im not sure though. I cant wait for it to come in, haha

[pgf545]

Cajun, I am guessing you ordered one? I think you will be pleased. Let me know if you need anything when you get it.

I finally got the motor where I wanted it today but is really tight up against the firewall so I am going to build a notch for the firewall to make sure it doesn't hit while we are driving it. I already have a plan to use some exhaust tubing to make the cutout so I am hoping that will so the job. Her are a couple pictures of the motor and the distributor. Also I got the sub frame on the camaro today so I will throw in a picture of that also...lol.

Bernie

[CAL 58 GMC]

Hey pgf545,

I met your son today at a local car show, what a good kid or I should say young man. He told me about his Grandfather and how he worked at NASA. And your grandson, what a happy little guy he is. You must be one proud Dad and Grandpa! Anyway it was really nice to meet him. If you end up coming back to Lemoore to visit it would be a pleasure to meet you.

[pgf545]

Cal, Thanks for the kind comments. I haven't seen the grandbaby since March but he will be coming for a visit in mid Sept. Daniel said that they had a good time and really enjoyed meeting you and how nice you were. He sent me a couple of pictures of your truck. Hopefully we are coming for Christmas and will be staying a week or so. If I make it I will let you know.

Bernie

[wigadore]

pgf545,

I am restoring a 1949 GMC and I am unsure about where to mount my motor mounts that I have purchased. I was wondering if you had a picture of your frame that shows the IFS Clip and Motor Mount clearly?

This is the type of mount I purchased and of course has no instructions...perhaps I am thinking too much!
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/pl/122...or-Mounts.html

[pgf545]

I will have to look when I get home to see what I have. If I don't have anything I will take some this weekend and post them. I agree with you on the thinking too much, I do the same thing. I actually postition the motor where I wanted it and then tacked the mounts in. There is not a whole lot of wiggle room but it is going to work.

Bernie

[pgf545]

This is the closest thing I could find for you. It is kinda hard to see the motor mounts but I will take a few more this weekend, if we don't get flooded...lol. I have already taken the motor out so the pictures will be clearer of the mounting tabs.

Bernie

[Yukon Jack]

Outstanding project - nothing like a cool project in the hands of a skilled person!

[pgf545]

Originally Posted by Yukon Jack

Outstanding project - nothing like a cool project in the hands of a skilled person!

Ok now that's funny....I'm not a skilled person just a hack...lol. Actually thanks and I am trying hard to make this really nice.

[pgf545]

Here are a couple of pictures for wigadore. Also I got the battery box mounted today and started filling in some of the holes in the frame that are not used. We also started tearing the motor down so that we could get it cleaned up and put the new goodies on. Now I have to hustle on the frame.

Bernie

[pgf545]

Quick update: Nothing happening on the truck...lol. I have been working on my house doing sheet rock and insulating. I should be done this week with that project and then back on the truck. My next task is boxing the frame and getting the new crossmember welded in. I probably won't get anything done this weekend but should be back on it hot and heavy next weekend.

Bernie

[solidaxel]

Do I see a 3 or 4" set back on the engine motor mounts, what about the nice firewall you built, do you have to recess it a little for distributor and valve covers?

[pgf545]

I think the firewall was a 4 set back. I just set the motor in there and made it fit the area. And yes I am going to have to build a recess for the dist...grrrrrrrr. I was hoping that everything would clear without having to do that. I already have a plan for the recess though. Dad changed his mind and wants to run an HEI so that added about an extra inch to the motor. It will be a lot easier with the HEI because of the one wire hookup. Hopefully next weekend I can get back on it and have a few pictures to show, until then back to the sheet rock...lol.

Bernie

[solidaxel]

Do you really need that much weight transfer, I know it will be nice with all that torque, but can't you move those tacked engine mounts 1 - 2" forward, will that give you enough dist. clearence?

[solidaxel]

I am hoping everything clears the firewall with my engine mounts this close to the center line of the front axle!!

[pgf545]

It really has nothing to do with weight transfer but more with making clearence. What I did was put the cab in place then mount the radiator and basically centered the motor in there. There is about 1/2" clearance up front between the radiator and the pulleys and about 1/4" between the dist and the firewall. That is with the MSD dist in there. I did leave the mounts tacked for now just in case though. I think the big block is 2" longer than a small block so your might be ok. I have had the motor in there about 3 times trying to get the way I wanted it...there isn't much room to play with. Hope that explains it better????

Bernie

[solidaxel]

Yes, I went back and looked at the photos of the front pulleys and rad. and you don't have much room too play with.
I thought as a drag racer you wanted the weight on the back of the truck for traction, and engine set back helps alot!!

[pgf545]

Ok I finally went and got something done yesterday. Most of what I did was nothing picture worthy but I did start getting the frame ready to box. I welded nuts in place for the gas tank, welded in some braces so that when I cut out the old crossmember it won't move around and also welded some of the holes in the engine compartment area. I also straightened out a bent running board mount. I did shoot a couple of pictures of the frame before I left because I know how much you guys like pictures. So for what it's worth here they are...lol. Enjoy!!!!!

[pgf545]

Well I finally got some stuff done today....that is picture worthy. I got the drivers side boxed and both sides welded in on the top side. I am going to flip the frame to weld the bottom. Here are a few pictures of stuff I got done today.

Bernie

[paul5663]

This is looking good Bernie, what is the latest? Paul

[CAL 58 GMC]

Nice job on the boxing in Bernie. When will you have paint or powder coating on the frame?

How your son doing, still in Lemoore?

[pgf545]

Paul, I spent most of the day welding and grinding. Not much picture wise but got a lot done. I am planning on installing the crossmember next weekend so I will take a few pictures then. I had a couple issues with the boxing plates and have been fabing repairs for them. I did take a few pictures today but won't bore you guys with them...lol. Mostly the same as last week.

Cal, We are going to paint it I think that is the plan at least. We had talked about powder but if it ever needs fixing then it would be easier with paint. My son is doing really good and is still in Lemoore until the beginning of next year. We are planning a trip to see them at Christmas and I want to try and make a side trip to Fresno. Let me know sometime if that would be ok. Thanks for asking about him, he really enjoyed seeing your truck at the show.

Bernie