57 GMC truck Regina Special

[Strider]

HI!

I've been part of this board for several years now and have watched and looked at but rarely responded. There is so much amazingly good information and experience here. I want to start by saying thanks to everyone that takes their time to manage and display their pride and joy for all to see and to learn from.

I am currently working on a 57 GMC truck that I acquired from my wife's uncle in Regina, Saskatchewan. I live in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

I have questions as well about how to post pictures on this site and when I learn how I will certainly post pics of my build. My intention is to carry through and document my build as I go.

My first technical question is in regards to swapping in a V8 into a 55-59 Chevy truck.

I used Trans Dapt's bolt in motor mounts and based the position of the sbc off of the bellhousing crossmember. Then I leveled the intake and the side to side and bolted the engine in. I was going to use a camaro 5 speed and that is why I kept the bellhousing crossmember. Due to a lack of good pedal choices for these trucks from the aftermarket, I decided I would use the tried and true Turbo 350 as I had one laying around.

NOw that I have bolted the cab back down, it seems ( from pics that I will post asap, once I figure out how) that there is no room for the trans itself (or it will be tight) and the distributor is hitting the firewall.

Solutions?

Hopefully pics can be posted asap to show what I mean.

[Strider]

motor mount shot

[Strider]

last pic shows Trans Dapt motor mounts



engine with relation to firewall






cab shot



other motor mount and cpp 400 power steering box

[Strider]

The last post shows the transmission and the lack of room.
The trans needs to be raised about 2 inches to meet the engine and move forward about 1 inch.

Basically, I'm wondering if basing the motor mount placement off the of the (now non-existant) bellhousing crossmember, was a mistake or not.

Thoughts anyone?

More to come!

Cheers,

[Kim57]

Welcome.
Sorry I can't help much on your fitment problems.
Some times putting modern running gear in these trucks makes it necessary to perform surgery on them. You may have to modify your trans tunnel or lower the engine.
Kim

[Strider]

Hi Kim,

Thanks for the reply. I like your build and your great comments.

It's been a slow process with this build. My other classic is a 67 C-10 that I've owned since I was 18 where I had lots of time ( and at times, money!) to spend on the build. Nowadays, with 2 small ( but wonderful) children there is little time to tinker. But thanks to my understanding and supportive wife, I find time to make it out to the garage!

Yes you are right. Putting engine in these oldies is hard at times. I figured that since these trucks had V8 engines from the factory, it shouldn't be too hard to figure it out. I've got 5 inches spacing from the rad in the current engine placement. Again, it's all based on the placement of the bellhousing crossmember. I bolted a cast bellhousing to the engine, bolted that down to the crossmember and then leveled the engine intake then drilled and bolted the Trans Dapt mounts to the frame.

Anyone with experience or thoughts, please chime in.

Anyone know if I can keep the engine here and will the trans fit? Have to find time to get out to the garage for a try. What distributor could I use if I maintain this current set-up?

Plans include TH350 auto with Lokar shifter, 69 Camaro rear with 2.73 gearing, stock straight axle with CPP power steering box.


Inspiration (I want it sitting higher but its not a 4wd)


What the front will look like only in the green colour



My 67

Cheers! Enjoy your build.

[FarmerSid]

Good to see another from Ontario.

[Strider]

Hi Farmer Sid,

Yes it's always good to represent the Canadian side.

I'll have to look through your build.

Cheers!

[JML55]

Nice project, i have a 5.3 ls and 4l60e in my truck with camaro front clip and had to modified the engine and tranny mounts until i was happy with the fitment. I also use a floor shift transmission floor cover it has a hump in it and that gives you more room for the tranny.

[Strider]

Keeping this one alive , albeit slowly!

I've solved the engine location issue. Given that I had lots of room to move the engine forward I simply unbolted the mounts and moved them forward. I used the front hole I drilled as the back hole and now just have to drill a hole for the front. I had originally based the engine location off the old bellhousing crossmember as I think I stated above. I bolted a cast GM bellhousing to the engine and bolted that to the bellhousing crossmember then just leveled and plumbed the engine and drilled holes for the side mounts. Clearly this wasn't going to work but now I should be good.

I'll post pics asap but 2 kids keeps me busy and time in the garage is slow and few and far between.

Working on the straight axle rebuild with new kingpins and a disc brake swap.

Redid a 1969 Camaro rear with 2.73 gears and it is currently sitting under the truck. Just need to weld on perches and set the angle once I get some rims/tires for it to sit on.

Pics show front axle rebuild progress, rear axle, my kids testing out the truck so far, and a decal I'm going to put on the door. The decal idea I created on the computer using Publisher and it pays tribute to the origin of the vehicle and its life as a garage truck out in Regina. Now it lives in Northwestern Ontario.

[Strider]

Clearly I need some work on posting pics. I'm learning.

Originally Posted by Strider

Keeping this one alive , albeit slowly!

I've solved the engine location issue. Given that I had lots of room to move the engine forward I simply unbolted the mounts and moved them forward. I used the front hole I drilled as the back hole and now just have to drill a hole for the front. I had originally based the engine location off the old bellhousing crossmember as I think I stated above. I bolted a cast GM bellhousing to the engine and bolted that to the bellhousing crossmember then just leveled and plumbed the engine and drilled holes for the side mounts. Clearly this wasn't going to work but now I should be good.

I'll post pics asap but 2 kids keeps me busy and time in the garage is slow and few and far between.

Working on the straight axle rebuild with new kingpins and a disc brake swap.

Redid a 1969 Camaro rear with 2.73 gears and it is currently sitting under the truck. Just need to weld on perches and set the angle once I get some rims/tires for it to sit on.

Pics show front axle rebuild progress, rear axle, my kids testing out the truck so far, and a decal I'm going to put on the door. The decal idea I created on the computer using Publisher and it pays tribute to the origin of the vehicle and its life as a garage truck out in Regina. Now it lives in Northwestern Ontario.
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[Kim57]

Cute kids.
Slowly but surely you'll get there.
Kim

[Strider]

Originally Posted by Kim57

Cute kids.
Slowly but surely you'll get there.
Kim

Thanks Kim,

Yeah They're great kids. They think I'm building a Thomas the Train truck, or right now that's what they call it.

They love to help so that's always good.

Yes slowly but surely we will keep going a little here and a little there.

Thanks for the words of encouragement!

[Strider]

Yo,

Latest and greatest on this slow build for those that might be tuning in, front end is back together. I put in new u bolts to secure it to the springs and also added a 4 degree shim to set the caster angle around a total of 5 with the stock shim. I've read somewhere on here and on other forums that more caster is better for power steering in order for the steering to self correct around corners and for high speed stability. So I did this. Then added the brackets loosely. Adapters for disc brakes are on and next are rotors and calipers. Then I'll spray it all black and keep going. Test fit the rear chrome steelies that I'll be running. Rims are 8 inches wide. Up front running a 235/75/15 on a 7 inch wide rim. Wanted to run same size tires all around but that size won't fit on an 8 inch rim without really squishing it down and losing sidewall height. Looks crappy. So I'm going to run a 255/70/15.

Still have to set pinion angle on rear end and set side to side distance and then weld on the perches. Slow and steady.

Forgot to mention that I am upgrading the tie rod to the CPP kit that comes with conventional ends. Taking out the old ball studs wasn't too bad. Just drilled out the backside and used a monkey wrench to rotate the ball and soaked it in wd-40. Then drove it out with a punch!

Happy 4th of July. It's also my Dad's birthday today!

Enjoy your build.

[Kim57]

Looks good.
Kim