55.2-59 Ol' Blue

[8man]

Thanks Raven.

[8man]

Finally got the short block together!
IMG_1811 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr
IMG_1810 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Yes, I took a picture of it upside down, just to show it really does have pistons in it.

The heads are still at the machine shop but should be done around 8/7. Then the rest of the assembly will take place.

Taking the cab and the doors to be dipped tomorrow, they should be ready around the 15th of August, and then I can start welding some of the holes in the cab.

[8man]

Ok, I'm not sure what this part is called, it is the radiator support I think. Anyway, the truck had dealer installed AC in 1955, and it appears they cut and bent some of the louvers out of the way, removed the "X" cross bracing and took off the two little horseshoe shaped pieces on the upper corners when doing it.

Here is the louver removal after I've cleaned it up a little.
IMG_1813 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Then I shaped a louvre and welded it to a piece of flat sheet metal.
IMG_1814 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

And, here it is all welded up.
IMG_1815 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

Now for the real questions.
1. What is this piece called?
2. Is the "X" necessary?
3. Are the two straps on either side necessary?
Here is a picture of an old rusty one a buddy gave me so if I need the parts.
IMG_1816 by Robert Moorman, on Flickr

I could use the old rusty one, but it needs some rust repair on the structural supports and there is a bolt broken off that is very difficult to get to.

[dsraven]

-yes, that is called a rad support
-in my opinion you should keep the X even if you modify it to suit your needs. it's only round stock so you could easily fab one up with your skills. if you look at what the whole part does (supports the front end sheet metal on the frame and levels up the fenders to the cab etc) it is a structural part because it has the body mounts for the front end, with shims under the mounts, to level the body lines.
-mine does not have the straps on either side but then mine is a Canadian GMC so it may be different because it is a GMC with a Chevy rad support.
-I built a new rad support for mine after having bought a new one and then decided to change the rad and a/c condenser so they fit through the opening. I thought "why cut up a new part when I could build what I want instead?" a local dude got a smokin deal on the new rad support. what goes around comes around (I hope, lol)

here are a couple pics of my homemade version. it allows the rad to slip through the opening to allow room for a fan etc. if you wanna try this it is pretty easy and cheap to make, I used square tubing and 16ga sheet. no louvers on mine either