1955 12 Valve NAPCO Clone

[Luther Grimace]

I cut the firewall and moved the engine back. Now onto building a new firewall.

[Luther Grimace]

New pics. Working on the core support and bolting the crossmember in.

[Luther Grimace]

I was able to cut out the old pedal support last night and start mocking up the pedals from the dodge into place.


I also was able to drill out all the holes for the crossmembers new location and get them bolted in.




I also think I found my new material to start on the firewall...

[Luther Grimace]

Got alot done over the long holiday weekend. I do have a question that I hope someone can answer. Does any company make a voltmeter to replace my ammeter in my original gauge cluster? I feel like that would be more reliable telling me the status of my battery and easier to wire up. Surely someone has run across this problem in a Task Force.









Also did a CLR bath to the front fenders. Not sure if I had the ratio right. I did 25/75 CLR/water mix.





I got my fuel tank cleaned out and ordered a bunch of parts from Classic Parts of America. Just waiting on the Brown Santa now. Next on the agenda is shortening/lengthening driveshafts, core support, finishing pedals, and wiring. Getting close to seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

[Dieselwrencher]

Holly cow! This is awesome! That's the only way to make a dodge cool! Keep up the good work. It looks awesome!!!!

[Luther Grimace]

Thanks dieselwrencher! I bet that p pumped engine will stroll! I still need to do all the pump tweaks to this ve.
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[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by Luther Grimace

Thanks dieselwrencher! I bet that p pumped engine will stroll! I still need to do all the pump tweaks to this ve.
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Yes it will. I've got a Non IC VE in my 95 F-350. Get a Stage 2 Denny T fuel pin. You won't regret it.

[Luther Grimace]

I was looking thru your thread. I need to get an exhaust manifold like you had early on where the turbo was mounted down low. What is that off of?
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[Dieselwrencher]

Industrial engine or a freightliner.

[OrrieG]

Earlier this year there was a post about converting the stock amp meter to a volt meter in Orge's build thread.

[Luther Grimace]

I checked that out. Looks like it was fairly easy to modify. I would have never thought to do that.

[Luther Grimace]

I modified the new fuel pickup I got from Classic Parts of America to work as my return for the diesel fuel. I drilled some holes in the top of it and cut the strainer off it because I figured the head loss of the strainer being gone and it being able to spill out would not put any pressure on the engines fuel system.

[Luther Grimace]

Installed the fuel tank last night after I tapped the gravity feed out to 1/4"-18 NPT and installed a ball valve and elbow. Also installed the sending unit and filler neck components. I will plumb it up to supply and return tonight. I gotta get to work on a seat mount for this dodge seat.

[Luther Grimace]

Got the hood on this weekend when I was fitting the radiator and intercooler. Made me want to drive it even more.

[lynx5653]

lookin good,glad you saved one from destruction

[Luther Grimace]

Got some work done on the truck yesterday afternoon.

I got the new shifter knob onto the shifter after I used a die to recut the threads to match the threads of the reproduction 55 floor shift knob. All I need to do now is get a jam nut to position the shifter.


I also started to get the pedal supports welded in where it attaches to the dash. They really stiffened up the pedals from moving when you depress the pedals. I am going to add one more to the far right side. They will probably not move much to any at all when the truck is running and the vacuum booster is working.


I got the steering column converted to work by itself. I wanted to see how other people have done this. I have done it once before when I converted a 1950 dually 3800 to power steering. I didn't know they had the lower conversion bearing last time which really helped me get it done quicker this time. Last time I got a delrin bushing machined to specs and installed it.

Here are some pictures of the dually 3800 that I did. I converted it to power steering, power brakes, and did a disc brake conversion.


Here are the pics of the column from the 55.



I used a 3/4" shaft collar to lock the shaft in place and set the preload on the bearings.

I also finished connecting the fuel lines the the tank and engine again.

[6BT 56]

Wow this thing is really starting to take shape. I have been following closely . Im doing a simmilar build on my 56, Using the orriginal frame tho. I will post some pics as soon as I figure out how to make a thread.. looking forward to seeing more on your Gm steering column to dodge box steering shaft etc.

Keep up the great work .

[waybad]

love this!!

[Luther Grimace]

Thanks guys! I want to see a build on that 56 6BT truck. I'm sure we are having some of the same problems. The biggest problem to me is the firewall/radiator situation.

Alright I wanted to get some opinions on my steering situation. I basically have 3 options. Going from cheaper to more expensive.

Option 1: I can use the original steering shaft off the Dodge. It has a block style joint at the box and then it has a rag joint up towards the shaft. I have heard of people on Cummins forums saying that this setup has alot of slack. I haven't really noticed much on mine when it was still a Dodge but I can see how this might happen especially with the block style joint. All it will take to mount this is welding the splined portion onto the original Chevy steering shaft. The shaft will go up inside the splined portion so I could plug weld it and weld the perimter. I might have to take and shorten the main shaft which wouldn't be a problem because I could sleeve it also.

Option 2: I can buy new steering U joints and some 3/4" DD shaft. I would then use a 3/4" -36 spline to 3/4" DD u joint at the box, the 3/4" shaft, and then a 3/4" DD to 3/4" smooth bore u joint and attach it to the original shaft. I would prolly take the top joint apart and weld the smooth portion to the original 55 steering shaft around the perimiter and on the inside perimeter.

Option 3: Same as option 2 but with a collapsable shaft for safety reasons.

I am sure that the last 2 options would tighten the steering up but I am already going to be doing a crossover steering setup anyway so I should gain some tightness in that area. Option 1 is free and option 2 and 3 is prolly gonna be a few Benjamins. I'd like to here some opinions on this.

[6BT 56]

Hi Luther

I think Im going to do like you said in option # 2. I know those joints arnt cheap but they will make for some silky steering when done. Im not too worried abt the collapsable steering shaft. Guys I knew from Stock Car stuff needed them cuz they were directly in line with the shaft. In a crash the shaft was aimed at the chest . no good. on our trucks I feel there are enuf joints that the shaft could never get a good run at us in a crash. Im real nervous abt the fit of the eng. I dont want to cut the firewall up cuz the truck is orriginal paint and I have no plans (or $$) to paint it.

Im going to ditch the intercooler and maby considder electric pusher fans in front of the rad. Im sure you have seen the green 58 napco on you tube? Dosent look like he had to cut his firewall. No way to be sure tho. Also love the Red 55 cummins doin the burn out . He says he didnt cut. no intercooler up front to .

Your truck is comming along nicely. I will likely borrow tour fuel plumbing idea as well.

Hope you dont mind.

[6BT 56]

Oh ya. I got the thread thing figured out . Its in the builds section as well. I think this is how I post the link . Got some ok pics of my junk .



http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=556908

[Luther Grimace]

No I won't mind at all. There will prolly be things I can borrow from you as well. I will be interested to see how yours fits. I'm sure alot of my troubles are coming from the intercooler but it seemed like my radiator wouldn't fit if I just had it by itself. What are you going to do for your pedals? I will probably post pictures later of my pedals complete and painted later.

[OrrieG]

Here is something that might help. I got a shaft out of an Astro Van and modified it to work with the 74 shaft. The middle portion still will collaspe in a wreck and allows for frame flexing off road. The upper joint was the same as the Eldo column I used, but bottom same as the 74 box. I paid $10 for the Astro Van piece. If the Dodge splines are the same it might work, if not a trip to the junk yard might find some that will at much less cost than Borgson joints. The shafts have threaded allen bolts and a spot plug weld. The joints are not as nice looking as Borgson but plenty strong.

[6BT 56]

Orrie you da man. That is super advice. If I recall the bogensen joints are $80 ish ea. I give you full marks . Your thread was a joy to read . Excellent pics and info. Do you recall what power brake booster you used.?

[Luther Grimace]

I think that will suit me much better cause those $300 for steering shaft would not fit my junkyard budget. so what year Astro was that off of? I'm guessing the 74 part you used was just for getting the length you need?
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