57 Build: Beverly

[LDO]

Yes this is the dakota unit.

I wanna see some installed pics too. LOL
Posted via Mobile Device

[LDO]

Today after work I got the Radiator installed, fan shroud and fan. also got a good idea of where I'm going to install my ext trans cooler too. Nice to start getting some stuff installed.

sorry for the poor quality of pictures but it was late and the light was bad.

[57 Jimmy]

Originally Posted by kaycee

That is a nice looking truck, but in my opinion I would ditch those wheels

Put them back on the hay wagon they came off.

[LDO]

Hidden Tailgate latches. By far one of the most complicated (read scary) mods I've done. Only because of the measuring and round surfaces involved but I will say this for Mar-K, the instructions are spot on. Here are the finished pictures.








Ext Trans Cooler Installation:

B&M, the biggest one they have with an external fan. This thing will pick up small children! Well, prolly not but it's pretty strong and it's hidden well by the front bumper to protect it but not block air flow. I used a steel bed frame and some of that strap material from Lowes for my mounting brackets. I also mounted it on some shock mounts I found at PepBys that are actually for a wiper motor mount.

Disregard the shroud on the pusher fan, it's gone now. It blocked too much airflow!

[LDO]

Bed Wood:

Before:



In work, initial wood mock up:



I ended up using the router on the ends of the boards that slide under the angled bed side pieces. Figured it should be a tight fit but not so tight that it would mess up the finish on the board. I kept adjusting the router until the boards were snug.
I kept the garage closed to try and avoid dust/pollen and little love bugs that seem to love hanging out on my freshly stained wood. Don't worry, I used a respirator & stuff.

I started by sanding each board until it was smooth to the touch. One coat of stain on the boards then 4 coats of laquer on the back, 4 coats on the front, then on the front of the boards, I sanded with 1800 grit before the 5th and final coat. 6 hour drying time between every coat.

Stained:







Shiny:



Then put everything together after it dried completely sitting in the sun for about an afternoon.



Here's my reward:



If you didn't guess, I also installed a 19 gallon aluminum tank under the bed with a bed fill. Pretty much a no brainer on the install. Filling up the tank isn't that bad either.
Diggin the checkerboard reflection though! hahah

[LDO]

Before and after of engine bay. It was a mess, somewhat functional but messy and prolly a fire hazard. The wiring inside the cab looked like a monkey on crack put it together!

[LDO]

New taillights and all new ss hardware for the bed.



New Bumpers front and rear, new turn sigs, headlight buckets, seals and bezels.

I like to use rubberized undercoating inside the bumpers. Gives it a more finished look and it keeps it cleaner longer.





Grille had lots of overspray on it and so did the wheels. I used this stuff called Colonel Brassy from when I worked on choppers. Works good at taking tar off the shiny pipes and it does wonders on cleaning up chrome without scratching it.



I don't have a finished picture of it but believe me, the grille turned out great!

[Rude Dude]

Nice 57 Good Job!

[Kim57]

Looking real nice. The bed looks great.
Kim

[LDO]

Dakota Digital Dash.

this thing is super sweet. Comes with all the sensors and you program it on initial start up so it knows how many cylinders, what type of trans speed sensor you have as well as your fuel gauge sending unit type.

[sgtusmc]

Hey Sir, I don't know how I missed your build. Great friggin job so far!
Semper Fi!!!

[Daze57]

great looking job - wood looks beautiful -
the question i have is ; i see you have the stock heater still - what is the round object on the heater front - you have the delux heater like i do - but i do not have that on it - can you tell me what that is?

[Daze57]

i think i figured it out ; is it a L E D tap on light?

[LDO]

Originally Posted by Daze57

i think i figured it out ; is it a L E D tap on light?

You guessed it Daze. Dome light no workie when I got the truck. Haha
Good guess!
Posted via Mobile Device

[LDO]

Ok folks....
I plan on keeping the 283 in the truck. I know the motor has limitations but I just like it for the nostalgia factor and the things runs good.

I'm looking for advice on what I can do the motor to pep it up a bit.

Thoughts???
Posted via Mobile Device

[Daze57]

a good set of headers will make that 283 breath a whole lot better - -tag some magnaflows on the end - make it sound healthy

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by LDO

Ok folks....
I know the motor has limitations but I just like it for the nostalgia factor and the things runs good.
Posted via Mobile Device

What limitations, I love 283's, grew up running the P*** out of them, they will rev like crazy. Find a set of early single hump (.194) heads to go with the headers. Good aluminum manifold, if you are lucky you might find one out of an early Vette or and older Edlebrock. Retro 292 cam or maybe a little hotter. Get it balanced and blueprinted. Upgrade the ignition. Then go out and have fun, they will rev fast and high, and are great highway engines in lower geared trucks. I also like the look of the cleaner heads without all the accessory holes.

[LDO]

My current headers gotta go. They are in pretty bad shape and someone took a BFH on the rear pipe to get them to fit around/near the steering box.

I'm surprised to hear mixed reviews of flowmasters as I thought they were pretty good and sounded pretty hot!

Orrie,
I love my 283 also. What I meant was that many folks believe that for the money, someone would be better off building a 350 and get more cubic inches.

I am more interested in keeping this motor (although not #s matching) and doing the best I can with it.

I've heard that different heads and a 'beefier' cam would help. I may look into those options as well. There are dbl hump heads on c/l all over the place.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by LDO

I've heard that different heads and a 'beefier' cam would help. I may look into those options as well. There are dbl hump heads on c/l all over the place.

In my opinion the 2.02 are too much for a 283, even bored out .060. The .194 seem better matched to the CI of the engine. My 283 with a 292 cam and 600 holley would run all day at 75 with TH350 and 3.73 gearing. It had plenty of power in 4wd, I ran out of nerve before I ran out of power and climbed some pretty hairy stuff.

[LDO]

so what heads should i be looking out for?

[LDO]

Well after all that planning and parts gathering, dont you know that my battery hold down frame doesnt fit my battery!

Nothing a trip to the hardware store and a turnbuckle wont fix.

A little black paint and this is what I got.


Posted via Mobile Device
Posted via Mobile Device

[LDO]

I picked up a set of -601 casting heads from a 305 and those will go to the shop for rework. Also picked up another 283 fresh from getting all the machine work done to the block and rebuilt. Not sure what cam is in there but it does have 40 over pistons installed. Wife got me some finned valve covers and aircleaner. I'll try to get some pictures posted tonight.

For exhaust, I'm thinking of some mid length headers made by Patriot (from summit). My exhaust exits in front of the rear wheels so there's not too much to it. Thinking of some magna flows or flowmasters and I'm good!

I'm all ears if anyone has any advice.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by LDO

Well after all that planning and parts gathering, dont you know that my battery hold down frame doesnt fit my battery!

Nothing a trip to the hardware store and a turnbuckle wont fix.

A little black paint and this is what I got.


Posted via Mobile Device
Posted via Mobile Device

I think you may have just solved a problem I may have with mine too. Thanks for posting, sometimes the little things make a difference to the rest of us.

[LDO]

Glad my post helped someone out!

[LDO]

Here are a couple of pics.

The new valve covers and aircleaner the wife hoooked me up with and me loading the new 283 onto an engine stand after a 15 hour road trip.