What did you do with your truck today, take 2

[spectral]

Fitted a straight exhaust extension to get rid of the side exit that was blowing soot all over my (unpainted at present) wall when warming up!

Using this photo to get creative in Paint.Net on a design for a custom rollpan / bumper setup as my truck had a tow hitch setup that was removed by the previous owner, so now looks a bit.. incomplete!

[heavy_chevy]

Originally Posted by dsraven

looks pretty sweet there heavy. would it have been a stretch to just fab a whole new custom frame? it seems like the only stock part is the middle, and it is pretty flat, so fairly easy to replace with fresh, right?
keep the pics coming, we are all junkies for the build that is moving forward.

I originally went in to get the back half done. After we talked about what I was running for the heartbeat and with the air ride he took me to look at 55 belair they were doing a front clip on with rack and pinion and they talked me into with a ton of reason why it would be better than keeping the clip that was done on it. I was already on the fence because the clip was solid as a rock but looked like crap. After I looked at it the other day they said the same thing that the only stock part of the frame is the center and I should have just went with a new frame but they are going to box in the center also for strength.

[mygirlz55]

I had some spare time to bolt together the bed.... slowly but surely

[mygirlz55]

Once I got the bed bolted together, slapped the signs in there temporarily to get the look I'm going for. ...
OPINIONS?

[heavy_chevy]

Pretty cool

[mphudak]

I finished up all my welding today and the chassis is nearly done.. At the point of mockup then it's finally sanding then paint. A small set back today as I lost my instructions to the leaf spring conversion. Small detail but it is an older chassis engineering kit and is complicated being it's a 54-55.1 kit I'm putting on a 53 chassis. I'll get it figured out but I blew it apart 4 yrs ago and a movery so it's frustrating.

[heavy_chevy]

Looking good

[crossfire84]

Truck is back from paint a week ago,been installing parts every day. Lots of pics in build thread.

[crossfire84]

Installed weather stripping on doors Saturday.

[tsmith8]

Took my truck out for its first public showing. it was very well received. Parked it beside the stage for a Rockabilly event promotion and had a few Pinup's doing some poses. This is a quick pic my wife took. Should get the photographers pictures soon.

[01spirit750]

I spent Saturday morning finishing the install of my EZ EFI fuel injection setup. Go it running and put some miles on the setup so it could learn.

Happy with it so far. Just need to go back and do some clean up on the wiring.

I really like the cold start and idle.

[Coupeguy2001]

Removed the original heater. made a bracket for my receiver dryer, and had it powdercoated. Then I had a friend make the pressure line from the compressor, and swedge the ends on the liquid line and the retun. Waiting for the evaporator to arrive, got to mount that and then finish the last two hoses.

Got to wire it up, evacuate the system, fill it, and see how it works. I'm hoping the compressor is good. It has been riding around on the engine as a placeholder for about 4 years nnow
Decided that my Ron Davis radiator can't keep up, (after all, it is 25 years old)
put in a new aluminum radiator. The temps are pretty much the same as the Ron Davis unit, except it doesn't leak.
Now, when I filled it, I added an extra gallon of water to fill it up. Guess the new radiator holds more water?
Hoping that the thing will cool to ambient and suck the water into the block and fill up all the little crevices.
It's 108 today, and it ran about 165 degrees except when I stopped in traffic.

Tried the fan in traffic. stop and go , it ran about 170, maybe 180, We will see what it does when the ac is finished.
So bow I have aluminum heads, aluminum manifold, aluminum radiator with aluminum shroud, the compressor, condenser, dryer and lines are in, just need liquid and return hoses and the evaporator.

Crap, now I have to get rid of another original part.....a working heater.

I will post pics later.

[Rude Dude]

Began to make some mini tubs bought off egay for $49 shipped included. I took 4 inches out with cut off wheel they were 7 3/4 now 3 3/4. Still working on them will post more after I am done.

[Rude Dude]

I could have welded them directly in but I decided to keep the edge cause I want them to bolt in.

[ChuckDriver]

Picked up a set of Black Widow Venom mufflers to replace my Flowmaster Super 40's!

[Rude Dude]

Finished grinding fenders

Originally Posted by Rude Dude

I could have welded them directly in but I decided to keep the edge cause I want them to bolt in.

[cyclonewade]

Mocked up the bullet lugs and cap.

[MiraclePieCo]

Originally Posted by Rude Dude

I could have welded them directly in but I decided to keep the edge cause I want them to bolt in.

That answers my question.

Today I took out my auxiliary trans cooler. My truck (350/350) has been running warmer on the freeway than in town, so I know it has an airflow problem. The trans cooler was out in front of the radiator and I suspected it was blocking the breeze. I mail-ordered another unit and will tuck it under the truck.

[OrrieG]

Replaced the trans pan (bad drain plug machining caused leak) with one with better design. No more leak.

[MiraclePieCo]

Got the trans cooler mounted underneath. Here is the view of the now unobstructed radiator. Hopefully it will run a little cooler on the freeway now.

[crossfire84]

Started the wiring job to day.

[spectral]

Bought my donor vehicle for my LS1 conversion in my 56. Plan is to drive it as a daily for 6 months to sort out any mech issues (none so far!). Then do the conversion, as well as IFS.

In case anyone is confused the vehicle is an Australian Commodore SS sedan. It has the all alloy LS1 from 1999-2004, with a 4L60E.

[b-mac]

Originally Posted by spectral

Bought my donor vehicle for my LS1 conversion in my 56. Plan is to drive it as a daily for 6 months to sort out any mech issues (none so far!). Then do the conversion, as well as IFS.

In case anyone is confused the vehicle is an Australian Commodore SS sedan. It has the all alloy LS1 from 1999-2004, with a 4L60E.

My first thought was, "how the hell did you get ahold of that!" but then I realized you're in Australia. America was very confused about muscle cars around this time...

[mygirlz55]

Got some work in on the bench seat. Luckily I had a spare donor that I picked up for FREE because there were some broken springs. They were being supported by a 2x4.

[Russell Ashley]

Originally Posted by b-mac

My first thought was, "how the hell did you get ahold of that!" but then I realized you're in Australia. America was very confused about muscle cars around this time...

You can get one here in the states, just find one of the Pontiac G8s that were made in the last year or two before Pontiac was discontinued.