Newbie with a 65 Chevy

[dwcardfan]

Thanks for the reply. I think I am going to pull the trigger on one while they are on sale.

[dwcardfan]

I have not got a lot done on the truck. I did modify my new v8 mounts. I cut the humps out and welded them back on the bottom to make clearence for the exhaust. I also modified my transmission cross member. I will post some pics later. I forgot to take pics of them. Here is some pics of my last project. My wife has claimed it. I just finished it this summer. This is before.

[dwcardfan]

This is after.

[dwcardfan]

I got some pics of my motor perches that I modified and the transmission crossmember. I got the idea from Matt here on the forum.

[dwcardfan]

The one on the left is the v8 and the right is 6 cylinder. I had already modified the v8 before I took pic. I just cut the hump off and welded it back in underneath. It gives more clearence for the exhaust manifolds.

[dwcardfan]

Here is crossmember. I notched the member and welded angle back in for support. Now I will mock it up and drill hole for trans mount.

[dwcardfan]

Here is pic.

[dwcardfan]

I installed my new lowering kit from CPP. It was not to bad, the front springs were a little tough. Here is some pics.

[Ta2Don]

Lookin' Good!!!

What trans are you going to be running?

[dwcardfan]

Thanks Don. I am using 4l60e. I have been watching your build it's looking good. Maybe before long I can stop by searcy and see it.

[dwcardfan]

I got the motor and transmission mounted. Everything fit like a glove. don't know if I have the correct angle on my drive shaft. Does anybody have a good way of determining the angle?

[dwcardfan]

I thought I would share some pics of my donor truck before I removed any parts. I hate to use it for that because it's in good shape but it does not have a title.

[dwcardfan]

Here is the other side.

[dwcardfan]

I am wanting to use the fleetside instead of the stepside.

[dwcardfan]

Done a little research and found some info on motor and rearend drive angles. Here is what I did to find my angles.

[dwcardfan]

I did the same on pinion to get that angle. Has anyone done it like this? I shimmed up the transmission mount to get same angle as pinion. The transmission is set at 4 degrees down and pinion is at 4 degrees up. Here is a pic.

[dwcardfan]

Started running the fuel lines. I need to get some steel braided hose to finish the run. And some more fittings.

[dwcardfan]

Here is more pics. I know everyone loves pics.

[bj383ss]

Looks good man. I want to do the LS swap someday. I love the LS1 in my Camaro. Not wild about the 4l60E slush box but at least it has the overdrive.

As soon as I get the rockers and floors done on my cab I will be pulling it off and starting on the chassis.


Bret

[dwcardfan]

Thanks BJ. Good luck on that chassis. These trucks are fun to work on. They are very addictive.

[MadRatt]

Looking good, sub'd

[Ta2Don]

Thanks for explaining the pinion angle… I will be doing mine soon and was about to start the research, thanks for saving me some research time...

[NEWFISHER]

3 degrees with 2-3 degree variance between tailshaft and pinion is supposed to be perfect. I think 4 and 4 would work great.

[Lowl!f3]

Ummmm, you skipped the part where you converted it to five lug! What did you use for the front and rear?
Nice work btw.

If you are planning on bagging or lowering the truck. I would set the pinion angle at "ride height".
I know like on a bagged mini we set the pinion as close to zero as we can at ride height.

[dwcardfan]

Thanks for the replies. I have my lowering springs installed with new shocks. It is a 3/5 drop. I think it will be ok when I get the body mounted. I don't think it will change the angles to much.