1957 Chevy truck re-rebuild

[Stepside Jim]

Originally Posted by iowaboynca

Love the paint scheme! Has a Hurst-Olds look to it from the early 80's. Loved those cars back in school.

You nailed it, I knew I've seen the scheme before, Hurst Olds is it.

FarmerSid, so true, my problem is that I might not paint again for a couple of years so it's difficult to commit to making the shop really set up for paint work. So as you mentioned, do the best with what you got.

I have had a set back on progress, I had the sun shine on the hood which exposed some silver sparkles in the black finish. This was unacceptable so I ended up sanding the hood with 1000 grit paper then 2 coats of black and some clear. I did the cut and buff and all is well. There wasn't much sparkle but it was right in the front of the hood. I can only figure it transferred from the tack cloth.

Otherwise I've been checking fits and making sure I have all the screws and pieces to assemble. I did assemble some of the truck the other night and spent a half hour just sitting back enjoying the view.

A couple of pics to see how things are looking together.

[MIKESAD50]

StepsideJim, nice truck.

[oldman3]

Super nice...Jim

[Kim57]

Looks very sharp.
Kim

[tune_1]

Looking great.

Dwight

[Stepside Jim]

Thanks everybody, every time I walk into the shop I get excited seeing the progress. After 3 years of bare metal and body filler, black and silver is soooooo much better to see when I turn on the lights.

I've begun the process of laying down the sound deadening stuff. I can't remember why but I chose to use the Jegs brand. First time I've done this process and find that once I learned it's characteristics, it shapes, cuts and adheres quite cooperatively.

[oldman3]

Nice job, dash is sweet...Jim

[ChuckDriver]

Very nice for sure!!

[Stepside Jim]

Thanks Guys, I to am very excited about how this project is coming along. I've never been much to happy about winter time but if it wasn't becoming winter I'd probably be rushing to get things done right now and perhaps missing some fine details along the way.

Today I got some pictures with both fenders on with the truck outside in the sunlight, I'll get those posted tomorrow.

Right now I'm dealing with replacing all the weather stripping associated with the wing window and painting the exposed areas, then battling the installation of all the door glass. With the rear window being shaded, I'm liking the look so I ordered a light tint shade for the wing window and side glass. I figure it'll be easier to do before I install all the glass.

Thanks for checking in everyone, Jim

[Stepside Jim]

I got a few pics loaded, the outside pics.

The black is just amazing......

I wish I had the grill in place but I need to remove the fenders, those flaps of flat steel that flows inward with the radiator support need to be painted black yet. I don't want anything but black behind the grill when done.


The black had a wonderful reflective quality.


I cropped this picture to focus on the image. I have an old barn in the distance, as I did with the dogs before, I thought I'd capture the image of the barn in the reflection this time.


I know how we all like pictures, enjoy. Jim

[RockinKees]

That is an insane paintjob!!
How many hours of polishing is in it?
That looks really amazing!

[Kim57]

Truck looks great.
The picture with the reflection is very cool.
Kim

[Stepside Jim]

RockinKees, I have an uncountable amount of hours sanding and buffing. Know this, it is a ridiculous boring job to do but now you can see why I block sanded the primer stage over and over.

Although it takes alot of work to get the sanding and buffing stage completed, it is the only time you have to do it, once done, you have it for as long as the paint lasts.

I finished most of the body with 2500 grit paper. I found a 3M brand compound in a purple bottle that works fantastic. It has no grit yet removed the fine sand scratches well. This non-grit compound polished nice and didn't leave as much of the swirl marks usually associated with buffing.

Kim57, I took the picture of the barn yesterday, I forgot about it til I downloaded the pictures today. I had a huge smile when I saw it. If I didn't get some of the shop in the picture it would have a stronger antique look to it.

[RockinKees]

I know there are countless hours in it.
Al I can say is Respect!!!
The last pic is one for in a museum!

[oldman3]

WOW, that is just great...Jim

[Advanced Design]

Absolutely stunning!

[Stepside Jim]

Things have slowed down slightly on the '57, I had to take care of some odds and ends around the house before winter set in.

I have gotten a few things done, let's see where we are.

I can't believe the engine sat on the engine stand for 2 years, finally time to put it back in it's place.


I took this picture because I have seen people deal with the engine height when using a Camaro frame clip. Even with this height I don't think it is high enough to be centered with the radiator but this as all the higher I wanted to go before altering the floor of the truck.


Hmmm, the big block sure squats the front of the truck down.


The engine has radical cam, a high stall converter is installed.


This pic is for the completion of the stainless control arm bushing washers. I went stainless nuts also. I used nylon lock nuts but they were too long as compared to the originals. I used the lathe and cut them back about an 1/8", should do the trick. The original on the right, the cut stainless in the middle and the untouched stainless on the right.


Now installed, no rusting, no chipped paint, just clean and long lasting.

[oldman3]

Everything looking great...Jim

[bowt1ed]

Looks great! Cheers, Jim

[ChuckDriver]

Cant wait to hear that Big Block come to life!

[Kim57]

Looking really nice.
Kim

[Rods57]

That look unbelievable Jim, cant wait to see it done. I hope mine turns out half that nice....

[Russell Ashley]

That pic with the reflection of the barn is awesome, but most everything else about this truck is awesome too. You've set the bar, Jim, we expect awesomeness from you now, LOL.

[papastrk]

Jim, the truck is truly impressive. It showed early on that it was going to be special with all the attention to detail. Just a great build!

[Stepside Jim]

Definitely a huge thanks to everybody.

Ok. some will appreciate this, and some won't, so here goes. I've worked on vehicles for years, over the last 8 years I've watched my abilities and patience of what I will accept of my craftsmanship be raised considerably.

What changed, I accepted Jesus. Long story short, when Moses threw down his staff there was a snake in it, when he picked it up, it was now a tool of God, Moses did miraculous things with his tool of God after that.

When I learned this I threw down my own abilities and pride and took on God's Grace, I accepted that as He granted the Israelites the abilities to physically build a temple to exacting standards, I prayed first for a passion for my projects and then the ability to grow in my abilities. In Jesus name, Amen.

The removal of my pride throughout this build is demonstrated as I show the steps of how I build, create and fabricate with step by step pictures and editorials.

Ok, church is over.

ChuckDriver, I am beside my self to fire up the engine again. I rebuilt it, then started it in the truck about 2 years ago, at idle it has a very bad attitude, just the way I built it.

I don't have a digital camera, but once finished, I will have to get one and do some action shots and sounds.

I'm sure we all know the rewarding feeling we get when our peers take the time to check out our work and comment on it.

As I go down the list of comments posted, I give out a big Thanks to all. Jim