Project "Popeye"

[Kabwe]

Looks to be a nice find. Good luck with her.

[LEEVON]

Originally Posted by blackdiesel

alright. i was just wondering. i have a new rebuilt 700r4 in my '57 and a 4l60e in my '38 and the computer controlled tranny is FAR FAR FAR superior. always shifts when it needs to, doesnt hunt between drive and overdrive around 45 mph. dosnt rob as much power. just a great tranny. love them. i have a 5.3 lm7 + 4l60e going into my pickup shortly

That's good information I do like the way the new ones shift and the old TV cable can be a pain for sure. What are you doing for the speedo, electric gauge or cable x box? I guess if I'm gonna change out gauges it really doesn't matter. Got any pics of your rides?

[blackdiesel]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

That's good information I do like the way the new ones shift and the old TV cable can be a pain for sure. What are you doing for the speedo, electric gauge or cable x box? I guess if I'm gonna change out gauges it really doesn't matter. Got any pics of your rides?

Probably going with the gauges like this. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1955-...Q5fAccessories

i have my original rebuilt when i built my truck the first time (03 or 04)
grandpas 57 bel air 2dr hardtop. my 57 3100. dads 56 bel air 2dr sedan

my '38

my '57





dads '57

grandpas '57 (horrible pic, didnt have the keys to pull it outside)

[bensimmons_05]

Congrats on the find! Can't wait to see more of this one!

[LEEVON]

nice rides blackdiesel! I guess as Hank Jr. would say "it's a fam-ly tradition"

I've been following your 2wd swap / build. Looking good.

[blackdiesel]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

nice rides blackdiesel! I guess as Hank Jr. would say "it's a fam-ly tradition"

I've been following your 2wd swap / build. Looking good.

Thanks! yea we have an old peice of steel or two that we like to drive around. Every few months i get a real bad itch to go work on a project. I need to find a less expensive hobby

[LEEVON]

Well for inspiration I picked up this serape from Ebay for the seat:

[LEEVON]

We made time to go retreive the truck today, it is not local but 1.5 hours away so we made a day of it. It was muddy and cold and of course a real pain but above all fun.

Dad and my boy:

Pretty solid overall:

[lolife99]

Looks like a keeper.
What are your plans for it?

[bajabob]

That thing is sweet. Some of the best times I spent with my old man or my son were road trips to look at or drag home some cool treasure.... Very nice...

[LEEVON]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Looks like a keeper.
What are your plans for it?

Chassis build; MII, 4-link, 10 bolt, bags w/ manual valves, 5.3L...5 speed??? As-is exterior with new trim, glass & rubber, freshened up interior, steel wheels, wide whites, strategic metal flake and pinstriping. That's what's in my head right now. The plan could change a bit the challenge is going to be not going overboard.

[1sik52]

Looks like a good solid foundation to start with. Im sure you will have fun building it. I know that I had fun building mine and the reward is driving it

[LEEVON]

Well I guess it's time to turn this into a build thread since I couldn't fight the urge to tear into it. This thread may be painfully slow but hopefully not boring. Since I got the truck I have cleaned it out, scrapped the original drivetrain and started gathering parts. My frame has seen better days and I found one nearby cheap so it now resides in my garage which is a good jump in motivation. So far the plan is:

Suspension/chassis
-Air ride IFS (type TBD) with power rack
-4 link rear end w/ bags over axle, c-notch
-camaro drum brake 10 bolt rear end, 3.42-ish ratio
-under floor power disc/drum booster, all new brake lines
-blast, prime and paint chassis

Drivetrain
-5.3L, 212/218 cam, carbureted, w/ coil pack relocation and finned aluminum valve covers
-NP 833 4 speed manual O/D transmission
-stock fuel tank location

Body/paint
-original black paint
-light rust repair in the floorboards and cab corners
-holes in firewall filled
-painted dash and firewall
-rough hewn bed wood and old beer crate in bed
-tasteful door logos and pinstriping
-new glass and rubber
-steel wheels and whitewall tires

Interior
-functional heater, radio, wipers, and gauges
-blue and black mexican blanket on the original seat
-new wiring

[kalirodding]

Great looking truck. I like the blue serape.

[truckdude239]

nice looking truck dude

[LEEVON]

Thanks everyone.

Just got off the phone with Nathan Porter and it turns out we have the same thing in mind for the rear set-up. Stay tuned...

[67cheby]

PORTERBUILT......for your truck...comeon tell us the secret, i guess it must be a custom set up??? Dropmember for a 50

[LEEVON]

patience grasshoppa!

[67cheby]

Aaaawwwwwwwwwwwwww, i hate suprises

[LEEVON]

I decided to make my frame a little more mobile, so I cut some angle, put some cheap harbor freight casters on the bottom and welded posts to the frame. I can fine tune the level when needed and roll it in, out and around the garage which is *very, very important* since Mama still needs to park in there.

Spent about 2 hours knocking out rivets and removing un-necessary crap. Still have a bunch to go, those rusty rivets are a pain. My method is to cut an X in the head with a grinder/cut-off wheel then knock the heads off with an air hammer and punch them out. Works like a charm!

[ratty 46]

Good idea with the mobile "frame table".

That should let you get that as close to done prior to re-installing all the necessary parts.

I'll keep watching ....

Ratty 46

[LEEVON]

Thanks Ratty!

I know these are pathetic updates, but I need to keep myself accountable on this one! I just finished another project and it's up for sale to fund this one, so cross your fingers that it sells. Then I can give you some real updates

[67cheby]

bike looks killer

[LEEVON]

Well, the bike is sold (again) so it's time to start inviting the Brown man to my doorstep! I think the next order of business is going to be having the frame blasted.

[67cheby]

Watch out Orndorff Leevon headed your way..... lets see some boxes of new parts