My project 55 begins

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by Cyrus

I'm assuming (my mistake if I'm wrong) that he has a "mild" 327. If it had a huge cam, or was super hi-po, I figured he would've said something about it.

If your cam specifies a certain stall speed, I would use that. I wouldn't bother asking my machinist or my other motorhead friends about it. Good luck with your truck.
Joel, you've got a great truck going! Keep up the excellent work!!!

"you can run as nasty of a cam as you want and won't hurt a thing" - referring to a stock converter.

You said that. I was just asking... I didnt want to run a higher stall on mine but everyone said i had to. So it doesnt matter how big the cam is?, just the weight of the vehicle? Im new to this stuff to and trust you guys on this board. Im all ears.... Half those people i talked to i was paying to do something on the motor, so who knows if they were telling the truth...

Im not arguing, dont get me wrong. Im digging for information. I shoulda added more smilies. LOL.

[B17CRX]

Originally Posted by dobajara

I assume by your signature that you drive a 1.7L powered CRX, correct?

I had one about 8 years ago, I just used the same handle on other forums and I got used to seeing it.

-Joel

[B17CRX]

Originally Posted by nickp51chevy

You have a nice lookin' project. If you ever need a hand let me know, I'm just up in Arlington.

Cool Thanks!

Originally Posted by Cyrus

I'm assuming (my mistake if I'm wrong) that he has a "mild" 327. If it had a huge cam, or was super hi-po, I figured he would've said something about it.
Joel, you've got a great truck going! Keep up the excellent work!!!

Yeah its just a 327 out of a 68 Impala SS with an edelbrock manifold/carb settup. I am still not sure if I am gonna run the stock ram horns or some headers. I just don't have a torque converter at all. The truck was a 4spd MT and the TH350 I'm putting in didn't have a converter with it so I am starting from scratch. Should I just pick up a stock replacement unit from NAPA or should I spend a little more and get something from summit racing?

-Joel

[Cyrus]

You can do the NAPA thing if you like, but I bought my last one from a local tranny shop (NOT AAMCO!!!) For about $40 cheaper than the parts store. A stock replacement should work excellent for what you have.

Lyrikz,
I tried to answer your PM last night, but my stupid blackberry won't let me, so I'll fill you in on "Everything you wanted to know about stall coverters 101" on Sunday when I get home.

BTW. More smileys wouldve helped! Hahahahahaha

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by Cyrus

You can do the NAPA thing if you like, but I bought my last one from a local tranny shop (NOT AAMCO!!!) For about $40 cheaper than the parts store. A stock replacement should work excellent for what you have.

Lyrikz,
I tried to answer your PM last night, but my stupid blackberry won't let me, so I'll fill you in on "Everything you wanted to know about stall coverters 101" on Sunday when I get home.

BTW. More smileys wouldve helped! Hahahahahaha

I reread it and just not meaning to come off like that... I just want to know EVERYTHING. ahaha...

I recommended him to a place that will take care of him on the torque converter...

[B17CRX]

Originally Posted by Cyrus

You can do the NAPA thing if you like, but I bought my last one from a local tranny shop (NOT AAMCO!!!) For about $40 cheaper than the parts store. A stock replacement should work excellent for what you have

Ok, so what do I need? 10" or 12", small bolt pattern or dual bolt pattern?? Thought this was gonna be simple.. lol

-Joel

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by B17CRX

Ok, so what do I need? 10" or 12", small bolt pattern or dual bolt pattern?? Thought this was gonna be simple.. lol

-Joel

Did you not get my email....

Call those dudes and let them know what you have...

[B17CRX]

Originally Posted by lyrikz

Did you not get my email....

Call those dudes and let them know what you have...

NO, I did, and I will call. But I would like to get more information so I can shop around a bit. I don't like calling up a shop and saying "here's my cc number sell me what I need." I wan't to know what I need 1st.

-Joel

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by B17CRX

NO, I did, and I will call. But I would like to get more information so I can shop around a bit. I don't like calling up a shop and saying "here's my cc number sell me what I need." I wan't to know what I need 1st.

-Joel

HAHA. Thats where trust comes in. Im not just recommending some random dude ya know. I have used ALOT of tranny guys and these guys are the best, honest, VERY honest and fair priced. They will tell you what you need then you can price match or whatever...

Ask for Perry. I had that same issue in what size converter to use. I dont remember what he said but he can answer all your questions, FOR FREE!

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by B17CRX

NO, I did, and I will call. But I would like to get more information so I can shop around a bit. I don't like calling up a shop and saying "here's my cc number sell me what I need." I wan't to know what I need 1st.

-Joel

Ok, need some info. I called him for you. What did that transmission come out of??? I need to know if the splines on teh tranny go all the way to the end or if there is a hub with a o ring on the end???

Needs to verify if its a lockup or something like that.... He said it should be very easy. Probaably just a standard C9 torque converter. The splines will give the info we need.

[B17CRX]

I have been going back and forth about the best way to fix up my cab and I made the mistake of adding up the cost of the replacement panels. While its not terrible I started leaning in the direction of finding a cab from a drier climate. As luck would have it I made a good score on CL and found a really clean cab that will be making its way onto my frame shortly. It only needs a little work on the front cab corners, the floors are solid, and its really straight. Pics soon!

-Joel

[B17CRX]

Test fit the engine and trans combo and installed the new transmission x-member. The front mounts were looking pretty sad so I ordered up a bushing kit and hit them with a little chevy orange to match the block.




Looks like I'll have plenty of room for headers after all....

-Joel

[B17CRX]

I promised myself I wouldn't touch the truck until after the holidays, but I did snap a pic of the cab I picked up. This is going to save me a lot of time. After the 1st I should be able to start picking up some more parts and then I can start making this thing look like a truck again!


-Joel

[TINKERDUKE]

Hi, This thread makes some good reading and your making a real cool Truck

If your using the stock steering box, you may want to bolt that on before changing headers as the stock steering box may be in the way.

[B17CRX]

Well its been months since I have been able to work on my 55. I was able to trade the 283 that came with the truck to one of our Master techs at work for a freshly rebuilt TH350 with a shift kit. Once I got it home I decided to match it to the block with a little chevy orange. I got a little flack for that decision, but this isnt a numbers matching resto and I like it! So this afternoon was productive I got the transmission cross member welded up and finished, my new transmission is finally installed, and I added a little shine in the form of a new chrome dip stick tube. Next up is headers and exhaust.



-Joel

[ChuckDriver]

Chevy orange always looks great to me!

[57ToyBox]

No flack here... I would have done the same if I was given the opportunity.
LOOKS GREAT

[B17CRX]

Thanks! I am thinking about doing the valve cover recesses in the same color, and then call the engine/trans done.

[OrrieG]

All my sbc's are orange. I don't mind the trans being the same color either. Also like the generator look. I have two I've been trying to get rid of locally but everyone whats an altenator.

[B17CRX]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

All my sbc's are orange. I don't mind the trans being the same color either. Also like the generator look. I have two I've been trying to get rid of locally but everyone whats an altenator.

The generator is going bye bye, I planned on running it and then decided to plan ahead in case I decide to run a decent stereo once its all together. So a one wire alternator will be taking its place.

-Joel

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by B17CRX

The generator is going bye bye, I planned on running it and then decided to plan ahead in case I decide to run a decent stereo once its all together. So a one wire alternator will be taking its place.

-Joel

Joel, call pete at Alstar when you go for the alternator.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Looking good, nice job!

[B17CRX]

Del, Where did you get that mini starter? Do you remember what he charged you for the alternator, and was there a core charge??

Cal58GMC, Thankyou! Your truck is some good motivation.

-Joel

[B17CRX]

Where once there were ramhorn manifolds now there are headers! The right side was a 2 minute job. The left side was not so easy.


So I bolted up the steering box and test fit the left side header. I had measured the steering box off the truck and determined I had room for the particular headers I ended up buying. Well I should have measured it with the box bolted up to the truck because I was off by about 1/4 inch! After looking at it for a while I decided there would be enough room if I ground a little material off of the steering box. So began the process of griding material off the steering box, bolting it back up, and testing the header. Removing it all and repeating. After what seemed like forever I had it fitting.




-Joel

[B17CRX]

I couldn't resist adding a little chrome to the transmission...


Also I dropped my radiator off at a local radiator shop and had them boil it out and do a presure check on it to make sure it was worth reusing. Well it turns out it was in great shape so they cleaned it up and repainted it for me. So for $65.00 I can confidently check that off the list of parts I am gonna need to get this truck back up and running.


-Joel