My 1955 Chevy 3100 build

[55 Chevy Dave]

I bolted the new mounts to the bumper and frame and then removed the temporary straps.

You can see from the first picture that I needed to cut off the bottom of the frame to clear the bottom of the bumper.

I still need to modify the mounting brackets on the ends of the bumper to fit and I still need to rework the ends of the bumper so they also fit tight and match the contour of the body. I have a couple of ideas on how to do this, but haven't tackled that project yet!

I'm also wondering if I will be able to shave off the heads of the mounting bolts and weld them into the bumper. I'm not sure I will be able to fit the mount onto the bolts if they are permanently welded to the bumper. I think I can "elongate" the holes in the brackets all the way to the ends of the brackets so I will be able to slide them onto the bumper before mounting everything to the frame. I don't think I will lose too much strength in the brackets if I do this. The added strength from the additional end brackets should make the whole mount plenty strong. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[ChuckDriver]

Bumper placement looks spot on!

Slotting the brackets through to the end should still be strong.

[Advanced Design]

Nice work Dave. I agree the brackets should still be strong with the ends slotted.

That bumper does look much better tucked close. Like a Chip Foose move...

[Kim57]

I shaved my bolts on my bumper.
I just welded my mounting brackets to the bumper.
Mine aren't stock as my frame was narrower than the original with my clip.
Should be able to do the same to yours as it looks like the bolt to your frame the same way mine do.
Kim

[crestronwizard]

Looks great. I haven't decided what to do with my bumper yet.

[55 Chevy Dave]

It's been a while since my last update. Time to get caught up...

I reworked the clutch pedal pad. I think there is now enough room between the clutch and brake pedals. The placement feels good.

I also figured out the throttle pedal. I bought a Lokar throttle pedal from Summit Racing. It is designed for a 2nd generation Camaro/Firebird. I liked it because it included a steel mounting shaft that I could cut, heat up and bend to the proper configuration for my application.

Again, the final placement feels good under my right foot. It will feel even better once it actually does something when I push on it!

[55 Chevy Dave]

While dry-fitting the hood, I noticed that it would not line up correctly with the fenders. I finally found that one of the mounting holes in my homemade radiator core support was not in the correct location. I took the whole front clip apart, welded in the bad core support hole and drilled it in the correct location and put the front clip back together.

I picked up a set of billet aluminum hood hinges from Brothers Truck Parts while they were on sale.

I cut a pair of reinforcing back plates and welded in receiving nuts for installation on the back side of the firewall. After drilling holes through the firewall to mount the hood hinge bolts, I temporarily taped the back plates to the back side of the firewall and inserted the bolts. After some adjustments, I welded the back plates to the firewall. These hood hinges are very nice!

[55 Chevy Dave]

I bought a new tailgate from Mar-K. I decided that mine would have taken way too much work to get right and would have never came out as good as a new one. I ordered the tailgate without chain latches which was another reason to buy a new one instead of modifying my old one.

I installed stealth latches into the tailgate and mounted the tailgate and latches to the truck bed. Everything fits great. Mar-K makes a great tailgate!

After I finish redoing the bedsides, I will mount the polished stainless steel band straps to finish off the tailgate work.

I mounted the old tailgate to the ceiling of the shop and makes for a great decoration!

[55 Chevy Dave]

I bought an expansion tank for the radiator from Summit Racing and mounted it on the new radiator core support next to the radiator.

I welded a receiving nut on the front side of the firewall. This nut will be hidden behind the fender. The lower mounting nut would have been visible through the grill, so I welded it to the back side of the firewall behind the expansion tank.

Now, I just need to plumb the radiator to the tank. I will route an overflow line out of the tank on the front side of the core support, again keeping it hidden behind the fender and out of view through the grill.

[55 Chevy Dave]

We finally had a warm day, so I opened up all of the garage doors, sanded down the bare sheet metal and hit everything with some flat black primer.

I was getting tired of looking at the surface rust forming on top of my clean metal work.

[55 Chevy Dave]

I had a local shop build a new chrome alternator. It puts out 160 amps and should be able to keep up with the cooling fans, electric fuel pump and all of the stereo equipment planned for inside the cockpit.

I also installed the thermostat housing, throttle cable and throttle cable bracket and found a spot for the fuel pressure regulator and plumbed it to the carburetor. Since taking this picture, I think I might move the regulator, but haven't decided for certain yet.

[55 Chevy Dave]

I installed the new front sway bar which was included with the CPP Mustang II kit.

I also installed the fuel tank sender which was included with the CPP fuel tank.

[55 Chevy Dave]

I cut out a piece of MDF out of some scrap I had laying around. I drilled 5 mounting holes through the MDF. The MDF was installed on the back side of the firewall on the passenger side. I did not want to see the mounting nuts on my smooth firewall, so I welded them to the back side of the firewall and cut larger holes on the back side of the MDF to clear the receiving nuts.

I mounted the coil and ignition box to the MDF and installed the assembly on the firewall behind the dash on the passenger side.

[55 Chevy Dave]

I mounted the new chrome power steering pump and billet aluminum brackets that I purchased from Summit Racing.

It is starting to look like a real engine bay! I might actually be able to fire that engine up one of these days!

[Kim57]

Nice progress.
Everything is looking real nice.
Kim

[oldman3]

Great update, looks sweet...Jim

[RockinKees]

Nice work!
Great progress Dave!!

[ptc]

Nice Dave!!!! looking good!

[Nut Case]

Dave

Strong Work. I've helped myself to some of you ideas, thank you, thank you very much.

Keep on keepin on

NC

[55 Chevy Dave]

I haven't posted in quite a while, but I have definitely been busy on the truck. Here is the latest update:

I bought some stainless tube on EBay and cut it to length and fit it in the silicone couplers I bought from Summit and tightened down all of the clamps.

The cooling system is done!

[55 Chevy Dave]

I also decided it was time to install the clutch and flywheel.

[55 Chevy Dave]

I installed the bell housing over the clutch and then installed the hydraulic throwout bearing onto the transmission.

[crestronwizard]

Looks great!

[55 Chevy Dave]

I ran 4 gauge wires from the battery under the passenger side door to the starter and the 160-amp alternator.

I drilled holes and treaded them to accept the bolts through the wire separators.

[55 Chevy Dave]

The floor of my "wheelbarrow" firewall depression seemed a bit flimsy, so I cut it out and welded in a piece of 16-gauge sheet metal.

I then cut a hole in the center for the ignition coil wire bulkhead connector. I made a washer for the engine bay side and installed the connector.

I will clean up the engine bay side of the firewall next time I have the engine out.