Yet another GMC build

[joedoh]

god of speed, was that maybe the patron saint of burnouts instead? haha

glad its fixed

[OKGMC4]

Had a huge issue where my 6.0 was eating oil as fast as possible by sucking it into the intake. Made a post about it and also how I fixed it here...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=786311

might be handy info if your LS engine also has an oil consumption problem.

[OKGMC4]

Haven’t really driven the truck in a couple years. The trans I had rebuilt was a joke. Shifted way too hard , smells burnt at full throttle. Started shuttering and stuttering real bad going down the road. Warranty also a joke. Was up there 3 times and it was always “ well performance cars don’t drive like normal cars, it’s your stall converter, it’s your tune, blah blah blah”. I just gave up and parked it. I got a 4l80 to replace the 4l60 and picked up a frame yesterday to replace my cobbled together slightly bent frame. This time I’m going to brace it up properly and try to order the flat out engineering front member to replace the sheet metal corvette cradle that flexes so much. Other plans too but going to work on the frame first.

[6DoF]

just went back thru the thread, nice truck and it'll be awesome to sort out!

[Dieselwrencher]

Sorry to hear about your issues. I built a 67 Nova wagon for a friend a few years ago and he wanted to put a 60e in it because ti would fit easier. I cut a hole in his floor and made him get an 80. He wanted turbos and I knew too many people that fought 60s so I made the choice for him. That 60 never would have lasted. It sounds like you're going to have a stout frame this go around. Will you do that this winter?

[OKGMC4]

Ordered a No Limit x brace kit yesterday and started hacking rivet heads to remove unwanted brackets. Don’t want to wait til next winter. Miss driving it. Thought about using my turbo stuff from my c10 project but my intercooler likely won’t fit. Considering doing more to the 6.0l. I do want to move the engine behind the steering rack like it’s supposed to be on a corvette but I’ll have to absolutely murder the firewall, looks like it would be nearly 6” of setback. If I could pull that off it would really help the weight distribution. I’d ultimately like to have the option to auto cross or even better, run it at Hallet Motorsports. I live near that track and after getting to drive a Nissan GTR there I’m convinced a road track is way more fun than 1/4 mile.

[OKGMC4]

Got a No Limit X brace installed. Top notch quality there. Started transferring the IRS brackets off the old frame. Waiting on my Flat Out engineering crossmember to come in so I can start the front end.

[6DoF]

shoot ... you twist that and you've got other problems!

[Tempest67]

WOW ! ,if plans change, I think you could use that for a Railway bridge.

[dsraven]

Looks good and strong for sure.
Curious if anybody who boxes frames makes allowances for water drain off. I have seen a few stock factory boxed frames with rust issues. Granted, these were trucks used daily in winter climates with salted roads and, judgi g from the restof the trucks, not cleaned regularly.
The X frame support will make exhaust routing fun I suppose. No biggie though.

[Rickysnickers]

Originally Posted by dsraven

The X frame support will make exhaust routing fun I suppose.

I was thinking that as well. I was kind of wondering why the part of the X where the exhaust tubing would be routed through doesn't have oblong cutouts in it.

[OKGMC4]

I don’t know about other 55-59 trucks but my exhaust is totally below the frame rails. Both when I ran manifolds and then when I switched to full length headers. One answer to draining a frame box might be notching the boxing plates every few inches? Wouldn’t look show ready but would be functional.

[Rickysnickers]

In your photo there, what type of front suspension is on the truck? I have an TCI MII style and run full length headers, but they do not stick down below the frame.

[G&R's57GMC]

As long as the headers are not below the steps you’re good .

Besides who needs exhaust heat near the cab floor .

[OKGMC4]

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

In your photo there, what type of front suspension is on the truck? I have an TCI MII style and run full length headers, but they do not stick down below the frame.

I have 96 corvette suspension and Dougs headers d314, ls swap headers for 73-87 c10. They fit really nice, had a better collector flange, and the 1 7/8 primaries I wanted.

[Rickysnickers]

Looks good

[OKGMC4]

Not bolted solid but it rolls. This time I removed the troublesome transverse travesty (rear fiberglass mono spring) and installed coil overs. Took the time to install repair sleeves on the seeping Dana 44 stub axles, they is super hard to get these days. Still working on the front sway bar situation. With the flatout crossmember it has caused fitment issues. Anyhoo, need to build engine and trans mounts now.

[BC Toy chest]

WOW and WOW on both projects. I should be outside instead of here on the computer lookin' at every bodies stuff.

[OKGMC4]

Got a Ridetech musclebar for c4 corvette. 1.25” when stock was under an inch. The original end links hit coil overs and I found my heim joints on the front of the a arm were touching the tie rods at full steering lock. Ridetech has a special bracket that places the links in the middle and clears all of it. To get the bar high enough to fit correctly I had to notch the frame and make 1/4” plates for the bushings, but yep, the bar is actually inside the frame instead of on the bottom of it. Don’t see why it shouldn’t work, though.

[OKGMC4]

Thinking of using the turbo stuff I bought for my c10 project on the 56. It will have the better suspension and brakes so why not? With the distance I moved the engine back I can probably move the radiator back and stick the inter cooler in between. That little line on top of the center of the rack? It used to be between the oil pan and balancer.

[6DoF]

[OKGMC4]

If I do use the turbo I’ll need the ac compressor moved lower. The low mount sd7 looks like it will work. Engine mounts welded, need trans mount now.

[OKGMC4]

Shot the frame with epoxy primer, then rustoleum semi gloss black

[57FleetsideC4]

Coming along nice. Frame looks great. Steve

[OKGMC4]

Old frame out. New one shoved in. Everything I could find said that a 58-59 frame is the same but front frame rails need to be shortened and bumper bracket holes redrilled. I found my core support holes don’t line up by 3/4 to 1 inch. Since they are riveted, removing the frame brackets and relocating them will be super fun. That was sarcasm. I was hoping to have that booger bolted tight today. On a side note, I think you can actually see how warped my front frame rails were in the photo.