1955 12 Valve NAPCO Clone

[thesledhead]

very cool!!!! I love the wheel barrow LOL

[Luther Grimace]

Thanks! Yeah it worked out pretty good. My father gets all the credit though. It was his idea.

[Luther Grimace]

It's always something! I am planning on going to the Redneck Rumble in Lebanon, TN this weekend. It is all cars before 68 and mostly rat rods. I don't neccesarily call me truck a rat rod. I think of it more as a survivor. Anyway I had planned on going to it for a few months. Well a few problems popped on the green truck this week that I need to take care of. Always poor timing.

The front right tire has been going flat very quickly. I knew where it was leaking from because it was a sidewall cut that I had plugged when I got the tires. I put two standard plugs in it with rubber cement to fill the hole and that last for about a year. It was now leaking again and I know that it is not safe to have 3 plugs in a sidewall gash side by side. These tires are bias ply humvee takeoffs. The are old and wore out so I just said I need to get new ones anyway. I ended up looking up the DOT code on the tires and they were made in the 2nd week of 1991! Those tires are almost as old as I am. So I ordered some new to me used Humvee tires hoping they would arrive on time and they are now in town.

Now my problem is with the Dana 70. I had a wheel seal leaking on the back right. I was thinking this will take no time to fix. Boy was I wrong! Dana 70s us a 2-9/16 8 point spindle nut socket. This socket is the equivalent of finding hen's teeth or Bigfoot toe nail clippings. Can't find one and I am having a hard time chiseling it off. Now get this. The spindle nuts on a Dana 70 have a nylon insert to lock them in place. So you have to work hard all the way to get them off AND they are one time use!

I ordered some 14 bolt spindle nuts because they share common threads so I hope to never have to deal with this again. Dad gum Dana 70s. Off my soapbox now.

[mknittle]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

I for one am glad to see these repowered trucks out working. These guys with newer trucks are all about blowing smoke. All smoke and no go.

X2,Exactly! But I would like to see it painted though

[mknittle]

[QUOTE=Luther Grimace;6276835]"It's always something!" Yeap!

[Dieselwrencher]

Luther, I hate those dodge D70 spindle nuts too! Dam dodge engineers at their finest there!!!!

[Luther Grimace]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Luther, I hate those dodge D70 spindle nuts too! Dam dodge engineers at their finest there!!!!

You can say that again! Good luck finding one in a pinch. I ended up getting one from the Ford dealership. They charged me $13. I had to go to the Dodge dealership to get the wedge. It was $11. If you have ever seen the little lock wedge for the nut then you will realize that is a ridiclous price for how small it is. Also the Dodge dealership said that the nut would have been $50 through them. I bought 14bolt spindle nuts to install but they wouldn't fit. They would fit on a stock Dana 70 but some moron beat the end of my spindle and mushroomed it I guess to hold the nut on. I had to grind all the mushroom off and lost alot of length.

[Luther Grimace]

I was gonna post some pictures from this weekend. It was a mad rush to get everything done. The front right bias ply had been leaking from a side gash and the date code was 1991 so I was uncomfortable riding around on tires that old. I have driven all over on those tires and they rode great.

Early Friday morning I got started. Went to the shipping yard to pick up the new tires.


Went home and yanked the wheels and tires off the 55.




I didn't get any pictures of the tires mounted on but they are more Hummer take offs. They are 37x12.5R16.5 Goodyear Wrangler MT/Rs. They have good tread but I can see why the government gets rid of them. They are HARD as a rock. I ended up putting a 10 oz bag of balance beads in it but they ride like crap. I need to break them back down and clean the inside out and hope that they can balance with weights.

Anyway I got the wheel seal and spindle nut replaced and got on the road to Lebanon, TN for the Redneck Rumble at about 2:15. It is about a 2.5 hour drive from where I'm from so I had a long ride on unbalanced tires.

Alot of awesome cars up at this show. I recommend anyone interested in old cars try to make it.

Someone asked me how much I would sell the truck for. I think I need to post a what's it worth thread to gauge what this truck is worth. I would hate to sell it but I enjoy the process of building them. I would like to get a 60 Cadillac Coupe anyway :p

Here are some pics from Saturday. For some reason I never take pictures of my truck when I go to these shows. I get so caught up in all the other cars.















Those are just the tip of the iceberg. Too many awesome cars and trucks to take pictures of.

[Dieselwrencher]

Great pics and glad you made it!!! I've heard the same complaints with those 37s but never had any to say either way. I'm guessing they do ride a ton different from the 36's as the 36's are bias Ply. Those mofo's float compared to any other big tire I've had. And what's your truck worth? Really a tough question. Does it look like much, not to the untrained eye. I know what it takes to build these and I wouldn't sell it for less than $8k because you will probably drop more than that on the next build. I also want to get a mid 40's or early 50's 4 door boat and I want to drop a 5.9 in it and do some show cruising. Haha

[Luther Grimace]

If I had known these tires rode this bad I would have kept my bias plys. I guess you get what you pay for.

I was off guard when they asked me how much I wanted. Everytime someone asks, I tell them to make me an offer. Projects like this are hard to price. They never would make me an offer and kept saying how much I want for it over and over.

If anyone would know how to fit a 6bt in a car it would be you! How would you make it clear the hood. It seems like it would help it you could cut the oil pan short and widen it at the bottom. That way it sits down in there. The corvette that you built had a big hood scoop didn't it?

[Truck Guy99]

Sending PM
Posted via Mobile Device

[Dieselwrencher]

Luther, it has a 6" cowl scoop but really only needed about 4". If I find a reasonable priced car before january we will be finding out.

[Luther Grimace]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Luther, it has a 6" cowl scoop but really only needed about 4". If I find a reasonable priced car before january we will be finding out.

Pre-subscribed! What would you do for a trans?

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by Luther Grimace

Pre-subscribed! What would you do for a trans?

47RH, depending how much room there is in this said jalopy, maybe a NV4500. But I'm leaning towards a RH since it has OD and Lock Up and will yield awesome mileage and it will consume less floor space than a manual.

[Truck Guy99]

Any updates Luther? Are you going to install a gooseneck hitch?

[Luther Grimace]

No new updates. I have yet to take any new pictures of the truck with the big 37" MTR's. I need to get the cab sealed up and get the front driveshaft installed so I will be ready for snow if it comes to Alabama this year.

[6BT 56]

Hi Luther . How's things ? Done anything to the truck lately ? How abt the 3+3 oil burner project ? Hope all is well.

[Luther Grimace]

Originally Posted by 6BT 56

Hi Luther . How's things ? Done anything to the truck lately ? How abt the 3+3 oil burner project ? Hope all is well.

Hey 6BT! They are ok. I actually finally got my front driveshaft built and got my 4wd working. I didn't get to play in snow in it though. How is your truck?

Update on the the Chevelle diesel conversion! I changed my mind on the 6.2 diesel. I actually bought a retired 2006 Chevy G3500 ambulance with a Duramax/4L85E drivetrain. I am going to use this combo instead. I am super excited.

[6BT 56]

All is well up here. This has sure been a long winter . we have abt 4 feet of snow out there . I ho its a slow thaw or I will have a wet farm in the spring . i havent done much to the truck this winter . its stashed away in the barn . I just ordered a borgenson steering box for it . Also considdering swiching it to crossover steering . A local place here TMR makes all the stuff. Be abt $300 . not to sure if its worth it . Also goig to do some front spring work and install the new set of front locking hubs I ordered . I have a boat getting picked up in fl on mon so the truck is going to make a quick stop at summitt in Ga. The 3+3 with the wambulance driveline will be real cool .

Got any more pics sice the new meats installed ? What abt the Smokey Yunick Chevelle ? Boy you have lots going on . Lol.

[Luther Grimace]

This is the only picture I have taken of the truck with the new tires on it. They ride much better since I cleaned the tires out. I'm not sure if I shared the story but the tires were full of grease. I guess where they had lubed the beadlock to remove it. When I got it balanced with the beads they stuck in places. The picture I attached is the amount of grease I removed from one tire.



I have been busy this winter parting out this LS1 Camaro. We are using the drivetrain in a swap for one of my Dad's car. Trying to get it done for him as a retirement present.

[Dieselwrencher]

Very cool, money re on the chevelles please.

[6BT 56]

Crap . When you part a car you really part a car ! You could have a career in that. Altho not a legal one likely . Lol. What was wrong with the SS? Didnt look that bad ? The driveline going in his Pannel truck ? Man thats a ton of grease in the wheels . At least they wont rust ! Truck looks good with the rubber on it . Still love your mirrors . I let out a little sigh every time I see em . I need a set badly . When does construction on the 3+3LBZ start ? Hey that would be a sweet lic plate . Lol.

[6BT 56]

Oh ya . how do you like your crossover steer ? Im trying to decide if I should splurge or not ? I think some work on the front springs and bushings will help , also a proper f/e allignment . I wonder abt the crossover tho. My truck isnt exactly fun to drive , its a 2 hander . Wasnt sure if I showed you this in the fall or not . I'll post it again just cuz it makes me smile .

56 gmc napco clone with cummins - YouTube

[Luther Grimace]

Originally Posted by 6BT 56

Oh ya . how do you like your crossover steer ? Im trying to decide if I should splurge or not ? I think some work on the front springs and bushings will help , also a proper f/e allignment . I wonder abt the crossover tho. My truck isnt exactly fun to drive , its a 2 hander . Wasnt sure if I showed you this in the fall or not . I'll post it again just cuz it makes me smile .


56 gmc napco clone with cummins - YouTube

I like it alot. I had purchased everything to do high steer on my truck but it won't work with my axle moved foward. If I was you I would definetly get crossover. My draglink is straight and does not rub anything. My truck has a really tight feel and a tight turning radius. Folks cannot believe how sharp it can turn. I have driven the truck before at 70 mph with one hand on the wheel. I know alot of my benefit is the newer frame too. I'm sure the bushings in your truck would help out. Plus it feels awesome to be whipping that big steering wheel around. It makes me feel like Cledus Snow.

Smokey and the Bandit (9/10) Movie CLIP - The...

Yeah I remember seeing that video you posted! Your truck has got the power! I think those bigger injectors really put it to it. Did you ever bump the timing and fuel up? Or get the 3200 rpm spring?

[Luther Grimace]

Originally Posted by 6BT 56

Crap . When you part a car you really part a car ! You could have a career in that. Altho not a legal one likely . Lol. What was wrong with the SS? Didnt look that bad ? The driveline going in his Pannel truck ? Man thats a ton of grease in the wheels . At least they wont rust ! Truck looks good with the rubber on it . Still love your mirrors . I let out a little sigh every time I see em . I need a set badly . When does construction on the 3+3LBZ start ? Hey that would be a sweet lic plate . Lol.

I love parting out cars. It makes me wish I owned a junkyard. I don't think I will ever piece mill an engine swap. It just doesn't make financial sense.

The white car had what looks like a small speed crash. It messed up the front nose and hood, cracking most of the fiberglass for the latch and the plastic. We are actually going to be putting the drivetrain in a car this time. Should be fun with the LS1/T56.

The Chevelle LBZ swap is for sure in the future. I still have alot to learn about the Duramax engine, especially the engine management. It will be no where near as easy as the VE 12 valve. There is not alot of information on making them standalone like there are with the LS engines. I will have to get some ECM programming done as the Van Duramax is detuned to allow the survival of the 4L85E. I think it is rated at 260 hp and 450 ft lbs. I want to atleast get it to stock truck tune power of 360 hp and 650 ft lbs. I stumbled across a good donor truck and couldn't pass it up. The 6.2 would be an awesome period type fit but it is just so loud engine wise. You can tell the Duramax has heavy Isuzu leaning because it is much less loud. More of a tick than a clank. I will try to get some pictures up of the donor truck for you and dieselwrencher. Not many people enjoy the diesel swaps.