My 50 roadster pickup build

[oldman3]

Sorry I forget to show the pic.

[oldman3]

Forget to mention that I had removed the original crossmember at the rear of the frame and installed two new 2" X 3" rectangular tubes. I welded in the two tubes before removing the old crossmember.

[oldman3]

On with todays upload
Tilt column from a 79 Chevy Caprice that I picked up at a salvage yard. I wanted the dimmer switch on the column, this time.

[oldman3]

The day my crate engine came in. Engine came from Jon Barrett in Oklahoma. It was called their Challenger engine. 320 HP is a 350 bored 30 over, blue printed, balanced, ported, polished, 2.02/1.60 stainless valves, etc. It had been run on the dyno and was ready to go. (This was my first time buying an engine. Normally do my own. I am very pleased with the performance and everything about this engine.)

[oldman3]

Pic 1 Lifting the 52 cab off the 52 frame, which has had all the new stuff done to it.
Pic 2 The 50 roadster cab is now sitting on the 52 frame (it new home).

[oldman3]

Here I have dropped the engine, trans in place. Put the radiator (Walker Z Cool mate series with their 17" 6 blade fan and shroud) in place. Start setting up the mounts. Headers are HPC (High Performance Coating) in Oklahoma City (very nice product and great service).

[oldman3]

Got the engine where I wanted it, cut and welded in the engine mounts.

[oldman3]

This is the new Heidt's dropped spindles(left) compared to stock (right).

[oldman3]

Pic 1. I couldn't wait, so I installed the drivers side. You can see the difference compared to the passenger side. I'm very happy with this setup.
Pic 2 Put on my new tires and wheels, and mocked up the front fender, not bad at all. Wheels are Mehelich's 14X6 front with 215/70/14 with 2-3/4"B.S..
Rears are 15X7 with 235/70/15 with 3-1/4" B.S. (Note: I will run this set up for about 4 and a half years before going to larger wheels)

[oldman3]

At this point I removed the body from the frame and started taking care of items I had purchased that needed to be mounted.

Pic 1 This is the new stainless steel battery box that I mounted to the frame, this is in the down position.

Pic 2 In the up position. (Battery Box was purchased from KC Street Rods) I had seen this in a article in one of the mags.

[oldman3]

Pic of the new gas tank from Rock Valley, was very pleased with speed of building the tank and the workmanship.

[oldman3]

The crossmember I made for mounting shocks. This picture makes them look like their on different angles, but their not. Don't have pics, but I also installed the new brake bracket, booster and MC to the frame. (Brake stuff from ECI, I have used their stuff for years and am always happy)

[oldman3]

Everything off the frame and I finished installing my boxing plates. Inside of frame painted with encapsulator paint.

Pic 1 Front half
Pic 2 Rear half. Here you can see that I removed the original crossmember at the rear and installed my own. This was for mounting the new gas tank.

[oldman3]

Well that's it for now. If I get a chance, I may post some more later today.
Any questions or comments (good or bad) are welcomed. Jim

[62ChevyII]

Looks great so far, thanks for posting. The part I am waiting for is how you reinforced the cab after removing the top. Did you add additional structure to the cab to keep the door opening from closing up?

[Indian113]

HaHaHa I'm not the only one waiting on THAT, told ya didn't I

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by 62ChevyII

Looks great so far, thanks for posting. The part I am waiting for is how you reinforced the cab after removing the top. Did you add additional structure to the cab to keep the door opening from closing up?

Oh yeah, there is plenty of reinforcing that was done to the cab. It will be explained in great detail. We are at pic 69 right now and the part you want starts at pic 111. (Aren't I a horses ass for making you wait that long.)

All kidding aside, if you need it before that let me know. Jim

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Indian113

HaHaHa I'm not the only one waiting on THAT, told ya didn't I

Same for you Indian, let me know. Jim

[Indian113]

I kinda like the tease,something to look forward to everyday! I don't think I'll get to mine until next winter. Maybe I can get you to come up and stay in my Motorhome nad do it for me

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Indian113

Maybe I can get you to come up and stay in my Motorhome nad do it for me

Jim

[oldman3]

Hey guys, I know it's Easter weekend and that is family time to many. Thought I would post up a few today, tomorrow I may not get a chance.

At this point I'm about 7 months into my build. I have reinstalled everything on the frame, put the body back on for further mock-up.

Here I have the inner fender panels, radiator, front bumper, etc. mounted.

[oldman3]

I had received my new seat from Tea's, had to install and see how it looked. Fit just the way I was hoping, back of seats even with the back of cab.

[oldman3]

A better side view and put column in for checking, etc.

[oldman3]

The original dash and the column held in place with cord.

[oldman3]

After checking everything I deceided to move the column over and down from the original hole (would not clear the headers). Made up a tube to set column into and hooked up a temp (wood dowel) to check alignment.