55 in NH build

[Kevin_C]

thanks Dsraven, it took no time to remove the zinc from all sides with my flap disc. the only challenging one was the one on the formed edge. I had to bend a Z on the plug to contour it to the body line. I received my Ididit column and Bergeson drop mount this week. Looks like my rack will be another couple weeks out.

[my56chevytruck]

Originally Posted by Kevin_C

Just got the two trans-tunnel holes to fill and some pin holes before I start prepping the firewall for paint. Overall im happy with how it came out.

Like my friend Slammed 57 said, all that work on the filling the firewall holes looks great.

[Kevin_C]

Thanks Guys I'm hoping to finish the firewall this week and then start into the engine. I got most of the passenger side done. I'm going to move the section of wiring down into the recess behind the motor. On the drivers side I think I'm going to fill a couple more of the larger holes but I don't know where to run the 3 bundles on the far upper right. they are the headlight harness along with the highbeam/lowbeam switch.

For the people that have cleaned up your firewall where did you run the wires? The tough thing about looking at pictures of clean firewalls is that all the wiring is hidden LOL. I didn't know if people run them outside the wheel well or along the frame rail? Let me know

[svr]

Heres what i did, headlights, turn signals, electric fan stuff are all in 1 loom going through the core support so its all out of site after core support. Rear wireing all comes out below brake reservoir. All engine wireing comes out behind the head, splitting between alt and starter ign.

[Kevin_C]

I finally finished welding all the holes in the firewall. Tomorrow I should be able to prep it for primer and start smoothing. I think I'm going to finish it in a satin black for now. My flat-out steering rack has shipped so I should get it next week. Progress!

[Kevin_C]

it actually took me a lot longer than I thought to weld all the holes and flatten the sheet metal but it was worth it. its amazing how much waviness there is from the factory pressing. some sections had tiger stripes from the shrinking metal but I'm glad I spent the time. moving on to the engine next before re-assembling.

[oldman3]

Looks good...Jim

[Kevin_C]

got the front suspension installed today. I got new boots for the tie rod ends but I think im going to install some zerk fitting first. Hoping to install the new timing cover, seal and one piece oil pan seal on Sunday along with the new mini torque starter.

[Kevin_C]

I know its a long shot and wont know for sure until I get the engine back in but seeing im running a small block with block huggers I think there's a chance that the factory Corvette steering linkage may (may) actually work. the length is perfect for my Ididit column. Man if that works out I will be stoked and will save me about $500 in flaming river universals and shafts

[Rickysnickers]

If you are running block huggers, that set up should work. I recently had to redo my steering shaft due to an engine and header swap. I ended up using a support bearing in the middle. Mine had a straight shaft like yours and it was ok.

[Kevin_C]

Well I got the engine back together. Decided to try the silicone one piece oil pan gasket. When I got the truck it had a freshly build 305 but it was spaying oil everywhere. It had looked like it was happening for a while. I knew he had swapped the cam so I figured it was the front seal. After receiving all the parts I pulled all the front of the motor off. Everything was coated in oil and I couldn't tell where it was coming from. After some research I think I figured it out. The PO had put a block off plate and was running an electric fuel pump. On the front of the block there was a bolt missing that goes straight into the block into the fuel pump. I believe it was squirting oil onto the belts and flinging it everywhere. Took advantage of a sale and ordered a Billet Specialties wheel for the truck.

[Kevin_C]

I got the engine and transmission back in. Doesn't look like stock corvette steering linkage with workout. the rag joint is too close to the header so I ordered some stainless Borgeson u-joint and a stainless 3/4DD shaft. I also wasn't happy with the 3" borgeson column drop. With the tilt full down it still wasn't at a great angle so I went with a Borgeson 4" open style which will arrive tomorrow. The new Door and fenders arrived today! starting to look like a truck again.

[Jason 56]

I just found your thread. Awesome looking build. You do excellent work. I wish I would of went with the corvette setup. I’ll be following

[Kevin_C]

Thanks Jason, Im just trying to sponge up as much info from this site like everyone else. I pretty much borrowed everything I did from someones build. I'll have some pics up of the steering in a couple days. The new column mount looks great and I may polish the stainless u-joints and shaft.

[my56chevytruck]

Originally Posted by Kevin_C

Thanks Guys I'm hoping to finish the firewall this week and then start into the engine. I got most of the passenger side done. I'm going to move the section of wiring down into the recess behind the motor. On the drivers side I think I'm going to fill a couple more of the larger holes but I don't know where to run the 3 bundles on the far upper right. they are the headlight harness along with the highbeam/lowbeam switch.

For the people that have cleaned up your firewall where did you run the wires? The tough thing about looking at pictures of clean firewalls is that all the wiring is hidden LOL. I didn't know if people run them outside the wheel well or along the frame rail? Let me know

Kevin,
I wanted to hide the wiring as much as I could, so if you look at the inner fender on the psgr. side you'll see the 2 recessed grooves in it. At the top of the inner fender (on the driver's side) on the lower recessed groove you can see how it is open connecting at the firewall. On the drivers side, I ran my headlight, turn signal and horn wiring out thru the firewall, and I ran the wiring thru the inside of the groove and put sheet metal over the top of it, welded in and painted it.

[Kevin_C]

I finished the steering today. I spent 5 minutes on the buffing wheel and the joints and shaft polished up well. Steering is nice and smooth. The 4" column drop worked out well.
I bought some c5 Z06 stainless brake lines which are a bit longer than the C4 stuff so that will be my next task.

[my56chevytruck]

Originally Posted by Kevin_C

I finished the steering today. I spent 5 minutes on the buffing wheel and the joints and shaft polished up well. Steering is nice and smooth. The 4" column drop worked out well.
I bought some c5 Z06 stainless brake lines which are a bit longer than the C4 stuff so that will be my next task.

looks great, good job. what are you using to keep that shine??

[Kevin_C]

Thanks 56. I decided to go with stainless because it was only $15 per joint higher than the regular steel one. They wanted $30 per joint more just for polished so I figured I would give it a shot on the buffing wheel. Polishing them was probably over kill but I figured why not for how easy it was. I do a lot of polished aluminum on my cafe racers and seems to hold up well over the years but haven't done much with stainless so we will see.

My house is under contract so I only about 5 weeks to get as much of the truck back together before putting it in storage. Got my fender extensions powder coated last week so if I can get my wheel wells cut and painted this week I may be able to mock up the front fenders

[jwhotrod]

Sharkhide works well to protect polished aluminum and such.

[Kevin_C]

One step forward two back these days. Only two more weeks before the truck goes to storage. I found a reputable drive line shop to shorten my drive shaft. I measured as they asked. took photos of how I measured. Had to take all my info in the parking lot. No one allowed inside with the state of things. its an hour away so after two trips I found out that they cut my drive shaft too long. I'm hoping I can dive it up there Monday and re-weld it while I wait otherwise I'll have 8hrs into this thing.

I plumbed my front brake lines tonight and upgraded the rubber lines to Russel stainless for a C5 Corvette Z06 which are a little longer.

I found some Fake rivets/bolts on ebay for my fender extensions. they seem like they will work well but the holes from the factory extensions to the aftermarket fenders are way off. Like 1/2" off. looks like my only optional are to drill new holes.

[Kevin_C]

I was able to get the truck slapped together in order to move it in time for my house closing. I haven't shimmed or adjusted anything yet but it looks more like a truck at least. I was probably a day away from being able to fire the truck up but ran out of time

[Rickysnickers]

How long is it going to have to be stored?

[Jason 56]

Looking good!

[Kevin_C]

Rickysnickers it all depends with everything going on in the world. I just sold my place Tuesday and my fiance is waiting to list hers seeing there are no open houses. The new house just has a two car under. The plan a month ago was to build a 3-4 garage out back this year but then the world changed... My work cut my pay by $2,100 a month and I just dodged getting furloughed yesterday so I'm just praying I can just get through the next couple of months. Once the dust settles I'll spend a day getting it running. just need to do some more electrical and hook up the fuel line. it will make it a lot easier if I can move it around under its own power. Stay safe fella's

[Kevin_C]

Not much new to report but I finally got her home to the new house. My current plan is to build a 24x42 garage. Trying to get some pricing on the site work which may cost as much as the structure.