Will's 1955 2nd Series Stepside Project

[ChevroletWT]

Here's a little update:

First bit of news.. It turns out my truck is a '56! Long story there, but now we know.

I installed a full new wiring kit from American Autowire and got my dash put together.


I bought a $30 universal bench seat cover at Autozone. Good enough for a work truck!


I ended up purchasing a crate 327 and painted it up like a '56 265.. complete with an oil bath air cleaner.


I ended up going with a 700R4 from Monster Transmissions.


I dropped it in a couple days ago and added a Lokar shifter. I ended up with Hedman Hedders as well (To soon be installed) This pic was taken before I cut down the air cleaner stud



Anyway I am trying to get the throttle linkage all setup now but am having a but of an issue trying to figure it all out. I posted a separate thread asking for help here.

[Kim57]

The engine looks real sweet in there.
Kim

[arturo7]

Where's the dissy?

[_Ogre]

motor looks real good with that air filter on it
don't cut the air cleaner stud, just put one of these on it



food for thought...
your using front old style mounts on the motor and a new style trans mount.
original would have been the main, heavy duty mount on the bell housing with the front mounts to balance the motor.
new style has the main heavy duty mount mid way on the motor and the lighter mount on the trans.

as you have the motor mounted; you have no heavy main mount.
under heavy acceleration and torque your motor is going to move a lot side to side.
i bought my 58 set up that way from the previous owner, i was replacing exhaust donuts every week.
i had a friend of mine sit in the truck and put it in drive under heavy accel with the brake on and then do the same in reverse
the motor moved 4 inches side to side, you can probably push the motor side to side by hand right now.

buy your self some side motor mounts for a 68 truck (parts store guys need a year), some 4x1/4 plate and some 3/8 thick wall tubing.
bolt the motor mounts on, cut the tube to fit on the main bolt and triangulate the plate from the top and bottom frame rails to the tubing.
this set up will keep the motor in place, i did all the fab work in a finished truck
it will be very easy to do with the front clip off your truck, tack everything in and remove it to do all the welding

you could even leave the front mounts in for the look

[_Ogre]

maybe parkwood can post a picture of a nice set of welded in motor mount
i tried to find his pics to no avail

[_Ogre]

found parkwood's pics
same idea just with a plate to the bottom frame rail

[Russell Ashley]

X2 what Ogre said. Also, if you want to add p/s and other belt driven accessories those mounts interfere with most aftermarket mounting brackets.

[ChevroletWT]

Here's an update as to where I am on the truck right now.

I took you guys advice and installed a CPP side mount crossmember. Should be good to go on the engine torque now!

I ended up using a Lokar pedal and cable setup for the throttle. Works good, so I also used a Lokar TV cable.



I have the engine compartment all together and put the front end sheet metal back on. This picture was taken before I neatened up the underhood wiring. Hoping for a first startup really soon!

[Kim57]

Looks good.
Kim

[boat]

Cool truck man looking good
Posted via Mobile Device

[_Ogre]

that 56 tenn plate rocks, like the shape

with 2 sets of motor mounts, now your wearing suspenders and a belt

[4dranch]

Subscribed, Super work young man

[Palf70Step]

Your truck is looking real good!

[ChevroletWT]

Thanks so much guys!!!

[ChevroletWT]

Here is an update as to where I am:

After working through a lot of ignition system issues, I did finally get a first crank! Pretty happy with the way she ran for the first run.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=pbOQdYr_YBc

My original driveshaft was junk because it had been cut down a few times very poorly, so I had to get a new one. I ended up getting a driveshaft from the local junkyard out of a '96 Blazer. I got it cut down one inch and installed a 3R to 1330 adapter U joint along with a new 1330 pinion yoke for the 12 bolt.

This morning I had to take the rear end out and re-weld new leaf spring mounting pads as the PO did not have the pinion yoke angle even close to right. Once all was set, I decided we were ready for a first drive.

I checked all my fluids and linkages and put her into reverse. The transmission took a load and the truck slowly crept out of the garage as she should. I shifted into drive, and to my dismay, the motor suddenly crept from 650 RPM to about 1500 RPM out of nowhere! In a panic, I shifted it back into neutral.

I tried again, and the same thing happened! Whenever I put the truck into drive, the engine accelerates to about 1500 RPM on it's own!! (Very frightening thing to happen in your driveway)

I am lost for ideas as to what is causing this. The fluid level is good in the transmission, and the Lokar TV cable is setup per instructions. I just can't figure out why this thing wants to rapidly accelerate on its own in drive. Any ideas?

Here is a picture of my linkages if it helps at all

[ChevroletWT]

And here is a pic of her rolled out in the fall leaves

[Kim57]

Your truck looks good.
Kim

[Wheelie]

very cool. Some of the best looking paint jobs are done in driveways lol

[ChuckDriver]

Have you tried it without the trans cable connect just to see what it does when you shift into D? Not suggesting at all that you try and drive it not connected!!

[ChevroletWT]

Originally Posted by ChuckDriver

Have you tried it without the trans cable connect just to see what it does when you shift into D? Not suggesting at all that you try and drive it not connected!!

I have not tried that but am considering it. I have also considered disconnected my throttle linkage to try and isolate where my issue might be. Even though I am not touching the throttle pedal, you never know what might be going on I suppose.

['55Chevylover]

I think you are doing a fantastic job on your truck. You don't see many of these that are going stock looking. Your choice of color is great. You did a great job on the paint work. I really love what you have done so far. Keep up the great work.

[ChevroletWT]

Thank you!!!

My birthday was a few days ago so I couldn't help but ask the folks for some extra goodies for the truck.

Pulled up the junky rubber mat and laid down fresh dynamat, a small subwoofer, and a brand new transmission access cover


After that I laid down some new carpet from LMC truck


Then to put the icing on the cake I ditched the cheap 30 buck universal bench cover and installed a nice genuine leather fitted cover from PrecisionFit.com (along with new seatbelts from AutoLoc)

In addition you will notice the vinyl door panel inserts, armrests, and a new chrome bezel for the instrument cluster.


I plan to remove the big tach once I get my engine all tuned in. I decided that it is one too many things hanging from underneath the dash.

I still haven't worked out my strange throttle issue, but I have ordered new return springs so that I can mount them with a bracket towards the front of the intake more like a stock setup. I am thinking that the Lokar style spring setup is not providing a stiff enough return. I don't know if this will solve my problem or not, but it will be a place to start.

[_Ogre]

truck looks good in that picture
the tv cable can't push your throttle forward
check your trans linkage to see if it's catching on your throttle cable when you go into drive

[Kim57]

Looking good.
Kim

[63split]

nice looking truck !