Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks so much, Glen!

[G&R's57GMC]

Your welcome Dan.

BTW where did you get the valve cover adapters.

The way you did your engine with the manifold and valve covers over the coil packs make the engine look larger then a small block but still like a small block.

One could say its a super rare 'mid block' if anyone asked

[Dan in Pasadena]

Ha! They're adapters made by Delmo. Here's the link:

https://www.delmospeed.com/product/valve-cover-adapter/

I just went back and he's added adapters for Ford Y blocks and Cadillac valve covers. The guy is pretty tuned into what LS engines are going to be swapped into. Nice.

At some point I may reconsider the Moon valve covers and go for the old fashioned Chevrolet covers paint my paint color with black or white letters. That's the fun of the hobby, once the truck is done we can noodle around with different looks.

[talmadgemoss]

WOW Dan that is nice!!...Great inspiration for me.

[Russell Ashley]

Dan, the beauty of your truck is only outdone by the beauty of your granddaughter, and your daughter.

[Dan in Pasadena]

VERY nice of you to say, Russ. Thank you so much.

My daughter Katie and her daughters Isla, and now Indigo (Indie) are the lights of my life along with my grand daughter by my step son, Charlotte. All such sweet little girls/babies. There's nothing like grandchildren, nothing at all.

[G&R's57GMC]

So Dan where did you put the coil packs ? Pictures ?
Thanks.

[Dan in Pasadena]

They're down on the frame in front of the firewall. I need to wrap the exhaust pipe as the pipes go by the coils a few inches away. I doubt it'll be an issue because they will get lots of air flow. Let me see if I can find a shot.

[G&R's57GMC]

Thanks for the update, I just might use it.

[Dan in Pasadena]

You're welcome.

I still plan to have the exhaust manifolds ceramic coated silver and then wrap the upper portion of the exhaust piping to protect the coils from some heat.

[G&R's57GMC]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

You're welcome.

I still plan to have the exhaust manifolds ceramic coated silver and then wrap the upper portion of the exhaust piping to protect the coils from some heat.

Or you could make a heat shield that slips under the coil packs and comes up in front of the coil packs . Basically a 90* piece of metal .

They say wrapping a coated header is not a good idea. Use one or the other.

Just a thought.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

Or you could make a heat shield that slips under the coil packs and comes up in front of the coil packs . Basically a 90* piece of metal .

They say wrapping a coated header is not a good idea. Use one or the other.

Just a thought.

Yeah, that's an idea but I won't be wrapping the exhaust manifold just the exhaust pipe that connects to it. But I could certainly consider a heat shield along with the wrap on the pipe if I can figure out how to make one that looks decent or doesn't show much.

[Dan in Pasadena]

August 9, 2018

Just back from 2 weeks vacation. Progress was made but I’d call it minimal and I’m frustrated. I’ve noted before that Marcos runs a one man shop with his 17 year old son and does ordinary insurance collision work so stuff like my truck gets fit in between.

Anyway:
1. Rear fenders & side steps are on w/welt. Not sure how much I like the welt between the bottom of the fender and the step but I’ll decide on that later.

2. Fender support braces are in

3. Rear window is in but not the lock strip.

4. The windshield wiper bezels are on but one without the gasket - WTF?

4. He has painted the interior chipping I caused installing the side windows. He’s polishing out the clear coat on that now.

BEEFS:
1. The tailgate isn’t on - it’s such a small job. He has the new trunions and stainless chains for it too.

2. The windshield isn’t in though I left the glass and rubber.

3. There’s a small chip in the passenger side step that’s not been corrected. Why not do ALL the paint repairs at once?

I’m going to tell him to leave all that stuff for me. I risk chipping something then having to pay him to make repairs later but I want to drive my truck!

I’m beginning to worry about his manhours stacking up and frankly, it’s just taking too damn long. As it stands I’ll be lucky if I get to use it before Labor Day so the whole summer may be shot.

[oldman3]

Dan, sorry to hear this, but it happens to often, hope you can get it back soon, and start driving...Jim

[Scottish58chev]

Nightmare, nothing worse than when you have an idea in your head of what should be done and you come back and it’s not even close. I had the same issue with the powder coaters when I got my sandrail frame done, went from “yeah pick it up after you get back from holiday” to excuse after excuse 12 weeks I was behind because of that so I feel your pain. Hopefully you get it back soon and don’t get reamed on the work already been done.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks for commiserating, guys.

I’m gonna stop by Monday and tell him to stop working on the truck as long as the paint work is done. I’ll pick it up to finish myself as soon as possible.

[Daze57]

gorgeous family ------gorgeous truck----- you deserve it sir

[Dan in Pasadena]

Oh, thank you very much. Very nice of you.

Just back from a vacation with two of our now-three little grand daughters. It’s a true blessing to be able to spend time with little ones. They’re as genuine and loving as can be.

The two older ones, Isla & Charlotte went with us and the 8 week old one is with my daughter, Katie - her mother and the mother of the blonde one, Isla.

Sorry for the pics. i just can’t get enough of the little varmits

[Dan in Pasadena]

...Now, back to our regularly scheduled program....

[G&R's57GMC]

Now Dan , Dan, Dan ... Don't do anything rash .
These things take a long time, remember .
Delays happen , things don't always go as planed or hoped for.

Last year I pushed hard to get my Dart ready for Kool April Nights in Redding. Last thing it needed was alignment , I got it into the alignment shop on the day of the Cruise it got a sun bath all day then they rushed it at the end of the day and got it to me just in time for the cruise. Great ! I got to drive it a few miles.

After K.A.N. I took it to the body shop so we could schedule it in for some body work and paint. They said they would call when they had room for it and I should strip off the trim and bumpers in prep for them, so I did that day in April 2017 and then the wait began .... I kept checking with them every week or two . Then finally they were ready two months before 2018 K.A.N.

When I drove it over to the body shop I noticed the steering wheel was no longer centered .

Well the body shop finally got done with it and it looks great but they want it back so they can paint the underside of the hood. They said take it home so the paint can harden .
I drove it home and put on the lift in the garage without even taking pictures of it the day before we left for a month long trip up through Oregon and down the coast.

When it was on the lift I checked the upper control arm cam bolts. The alignment shop didn't tighten the upper control arm cam bolts the year before. Don't ya love it !

I still have to do the trim and make a run to Sacramento to pick up my bumpers at the chrome shop.

Get the hood to the body shop . Order a bunch of parts . Start on the interior redo . And maybe get to drive it before winter sets in.

Also the gas in the new tank is over a year old and has moisture in it. It just never ends ! But I'll get over it .

Cute kiddos G'Pa.

Ok now back to the regular program ....

[oldman3]

Dan, beautiful pictures of the family. Your like most grandparents, proud of your grandbabies...Jim

[Russell Ashley]

Dan, you just have to be proud of those beautiful grand daughters, and that pic of your daughter with the new girl is over the top. That has to be a keeper. I'd have that one blown up and framed, although you probably have plenty of framed pics of the girls already, LOL. On a less important topic, I'm sorry that your truck build is dragging but it will get done, just don't let the delays take away from the excitement.

[Nut Case]

Dan

That picture of your posterity is stunning


Keep on keepin on

NC

[lower50's]

I hear your pain the only 2 times I have ever dealt with a paint shop they screwed me over. I hope it all works out for you.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Hmmm, thought I posted this earlier today but it got lost in the ether I guess

A little update for my own reference later:

I had to rip 1/4”+ off my outer-most bed boards so the new angles strips will lay down flat in the board grooves. It doesnt seem this should be necessary in mass produced wood from an aftermarket supplier, but so it goes.

The polished angle strips will be bolted through the bedsides parallel to the bed strip bolts. Nuts will not be visible except under the fenders.

Marcos pre-fitted the windshield and found a < 1/8” gap between layers of sheet metal at the driver’s upper corner that isn’t there on the passenger side. This possibly explains why the windshield rubber never laid flat up there. He’s going to clamp this shut and use a sealer in the rubber.

I dropped off the door handle actuators and handles too. Once the windshield is in, there will be no way to get in the truck since the back window is in and the side windows up.

All window area and passenger side paint damage is now completed.