Ben Jammin's 1955 Chevy/GMC Project

[bensimmons_05]

[bensimmons_05]

Ive got the front end off, and the motor and transmission in place...

I ran into a problem with the way the original tubular crossmember was installed. I'm trying to figure it out with you guys help in the tubular crossmember thread.

This is the first time to get to work on the whole truck indoors!!!

[bensimmons_05]

Does the engine placement look ok to you guys?

[OrrieG]

Looks good to me, have you checked the intake manifold for level? Normally the block sits down about 4 degrees in the back.

[Bigblue29]

Lookin' good, but I am not a TF guy, just diggin' the project!

[54 jimmy]

like OrrieG said check that for the proper angle. the best way to do that is take the carb off and put a level on it. the reading on the carb base should be level. then you know that you are good because the intake has the 4 degrees built into it. also check the frame for sid to side level than the motor at the carb base.

[bensimmons_05]

Thanks a bunch for the comments guys, Ill make sure to check all that out once I get the transmission crossmember bolted up.

[bensimmons_05]

I installed the transmission crossmember and, the radiator, and a couple other things to make sure the fit was going to be ok.

I also went to lowe's a picked up an angle finder... which I was pretty dissapointed with. It got stuck and wouldnt let the needle to move freely for a small measure ment like 4 degrees. Nevertheless I did get it to read 0 on the intake and 4 on the engine. It still looks to me like its tilted a little far back.

What is you guys opinion???

[bensimmons_05]

With the engine and transmission in I'm liking the ride height. It brought it down about what I thought it would.





I also found out that the radiator a got from LMC a couple months ago is damaged at the drain cock. I'm almost certain it came that way cause it has only been out of the box once. So I'm going to see if I can get that worked out.

[OrrieG]

The air cleaner looks level to me compared to the frame and the horizontal body line where the fender meets the upper cowl. A little angle in the engine/trans is good for the drive line universal joints to work properly. I like the stance too.

[bensimmons_05]

Thanks for your input OrrieG. It's just one of those things I never thought about.

This build is a major learning experience for me.

Hopefully someday when someone reads the 5,683 pages of this build thread they will know just about everything they need to know (and lots they don't) in order to build a truck out of a pile of rust.

[OrrieG]

Just stuff I've learned along the way, I'm just passing it on. Actually I got a lot of info from Boyd Coddingtons how to series on building street rods (written when he was younger and actually doing the work). I still would like to build something from scratch but the books have nots of little detail and things to check for that apply to any kind of a build where you are swapping engines, suspensions and needing to do fab work.

[bensimmons_05]

I am extremely impressed with LMC truck. I called their customer service and explained my situation with the radiator. They had me send an email to customer service along with some pictures.

It has been 8months since I purchased the initial radiator and they agreed to send me another, no fuss. So I am really happy about that!

This is the reason I want the GMC dash... With a little tweaking, plexi glass, and a filler piece it should fit nicely

[Caveman49]

Hey Ben, I was just looking at your pictures and project, great job. I noticed you're using the same engine crossmember I'm using in my 59 project. From the looks of what I see in the pics, you angles seem good like OrrieG said, and clearances seem good too, front and rear. Oh yeah, I bought that same POS angle finder, needless to say it went back. Now to buy one that's gonna get it done......

This is my first full frame up build, and I believe I'm experiencing the same growing pains you're going through. Thanks for posting your pics, and keep them coming.

Lee

[BluTooth]

Great effort, have you decided what you are going to do with the gas tank?

[bensimmons_05]

Hey lee, thanks for the comment. If you find a decent angle finder, let me know where you pick one up at. I would imagine harbor frieght would have a decent one, but I haven't gotten around to checking it out yet.

BluTooth, I plan on doing an underbed gas tank. I have also read a great deal about using a blazer gas tank from the late 70's early 80's. This would be major funds for me so I havent fully decided yet. While we are on the subject , depending on which tank I use, I might use an inline fuel pump. Since I will be running TBI it is in the ball park of 12-16 psi.

Its nice to see some fellow Alabamians on here... ROLL TIDE ROLL!

[bensimmons_05]

Finals are over and this semester went well, but it was a hectic one! I have big plans for this semester. I want to try to get the truck disassembled, the welding done on the frame, and take it down to my ucles and sand blast the frame and cab, he has a pretty nice set up.

Today I nearly got done installing the power steering gear with the conversion kit.



This is how it usally looks when Im doing one of my mini projects on the truck. note the scattered tools, pile of rust underneath the truck, and one of the pages of instructions on the engine.



I had to get creative trying to mark the holes for the steering gear. The threads are actually in the steering gear and it is a weird shape. So once I drilled the first hole per the instructions i tried to line up the other spacers the best I could and shoot spray paint in the whole to marke them. It worked fairly well, but I had to come back with a file to adjust the holes just right.



I plan on cutting the old radius arm off and smoothing the end.

[bensimmons_05]

The pictures on the directions confused me because it looked like the steering gear was in a completely different place (more towards the front right underneat the radiator bracket) but I checked and double checked and all my measurements were as the instructions said.



When I was almost done I learned that we hard wired our new air compressor into the old 220 plug so I had no welder to use.

When we get that hooked up I'll weld the bracket on top.

I still have to get a pitman arm to finish the linkage. then on to the steering shaft.

[JML55]

Looking good.

[BluTooth]

Good progress, yes Roll Tide Roll, here's looking forward to Jan 7th.

Where did you get your front disc brakes and power steering?

[bensimmons_05]

I got the conversion kits for both the brakes and the power steering from Classic performance products. The disc brake kit consisted of the brackets for the calipers and adapters for the bearings and the bearings themselves.

I got the rotors, calipers and brake pads over the counter at Autozone. (for a 1975 camaro)

The power steering gear I got off of an 84 chevy truck. My soon to be Grandad in law runs a business fixing salvage vehicles and he had one laying around. That was my christmas present last year. The conversion kit for that was also from CPP.

[av8tr33337]

Very nice project. I'm doing my first build also. I found a magnetic angle finder at Lowe's for just a few dollars. Seems to work as well. I saw an article that said it it best to tip the motor back 3 degrees. You also need to tip the rear differential up the same amount. I think if you google "Drive line Geometry" you might find the article.

[Daniel U]

Progress!

[bensimmons_05]

There is one problem with the install. When I have the wheel locked out all the way to the right I have contact with the tire and gear. I am going to try to get rid of this problem with a smaller tire size and If that does not work I will build up the bump stop for that side with layering welds.

The second picture the truck is still jacked up so it comes close to contact but not all the way.

[bensimmons_05]

Thank all you guys for your comments by the way. It really helps me along to know you guys are interested.

One thing that made me do ALL kinds of head scratching during the install of this gear was pictures provided with the instructions. I checked, rechecked, and tripple checked my measurements but there is a bracket in the pictures that is a different place than mine. The bracket i circled looks like the radiator support bracket but it is in a different place in the instructions. I finally compared the holes that were in the frame to determine that I was drilling the holes in the right place.

Ill post a couple pictures and you guys tell me what you think.