1955 12 Valve NAPCO Clone

[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.

[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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[1985-GMC]

Awesome build, I'm glad you saved it from the crusher!

[6BT 56]

Hi Luther

I meant to ask . How do you get the stock steering shaft out of the stock box? looks like Im going to use the stock column as you did and take Orrie's advise on wrecking yard steering shafts. Then mount my Ram box on the frame as Orrie did. If you have any pics o clearence around the front of the eng I'd love to see those as well.

[Luther Grimace]

Originally Posted by 6BT 56

Hi Luther

I meant to ask . How do you get the stock steering shaft out of the stock box? looks like Im going to use the stock column as you did and take Orrie's advise on wrecking yard steering shafts. Then mount my Ram box on the frame as Orrie did. If you have any pics o clearence around the front of the eng I'd love to see those as well.

The stock steering shaft has a roll pin that you have to knock out to pull the shaft off the gear box. If you need me to take a picture I can. I finished the steering on my truck late last night after a late night.

[6BT 56]

A few pics would be super. I got my 5.9 out tonite , the old 235 left sat am. Going t have a bud with a hot watr powerwasher come by and clean the 5.9 up. Then I'll dro the T/C and try a test fit.

Lookig forward to anymore pics you may have .

Merry Christmas to you and your family .

[Luther Grimace]

Here are some pics.










I ended up having to use a Chevy truck 73-87 steering gear box. The dodge box didn't have a flat spot on it. I got two steering sector shafts from a late model Astro van with hydroboost, I used parts off the both of them to sleeve and make one long one. It costs me $20 compared to 2 or 3 hundred for Borgeson joint setup. All props go to OrrieG for telling me about this. I wanted to get yalls opnion on what I did for converting from 3/4" round to 1" DD. I used some parts off the dodge column and plug welded them and welded the perimeter. Does this seem safe enough for yall?


And this is a truck my Dad got. The plan is to get it going and throw a T5 in behind it and get it in the weeds.

[Luther Grimace]

I have some updates. I have been busting it on this truck trying to get it mobile. It has been tying up my shop for too long. I atleast need to get it where it will move on its on power in an out of the shop.

I got the astro steering shaft finished, painted, and installed.


I then got the final mockup for the core support done and painted it.



You can kinda see the feet I made to tie the core support to the frame.

This is one of the bracket I made for it. I welded nuts on so one person could put it on by themselves.


I took the flap wheel to about four spots on the frame to give me just a little extra room for hoses and the petcock.


I installed the brake booster and connected it for what is hopefully the last time. I also got the brakes bled. The clutch master cylinder is installed but I lost the quad ring/o ring for it so I am going to have to find one for it.


Here is the radiator and intercooler installed.


Here are some pics I took the night before for you 6bt56. It shows my room between the engine and radiator. Hopefully enough to fit a slimline electric fan in.




This is what I have left on my "to-do" excel spreadsheet to get it mobile:
Connect radiator and intercooler
Provide electric fan
Install battery
Install crossover steering
Install slave cylinder and connect to clutch master cylinder
Accelerator pedal

I ordered components to do crossover and high steer from Ballastic Fabrication and I ordered some Moog tierods from Rock Auto. Hopefully these will come in soon.

This is just a side note but my daily driver rolled 350K Saturday. I was stoked.