(1959) fifty niner gmc all orginal survivor first time mods

[jonny..2008]

started engine tear down.
i knew the truck had been sitting a while.
it did a burn out.
but it looks like it still had the original oil in it.
and most cylinders had rust.
so off to the machinist with the block, new bearings, cam bearings,new pistons and a small cam.
should be back to reassemble this week.
we'll do the heads and valve job in house.

[jonny..2008]

got left side head all cleaned up, and valve job.
reassemble today and start the right side.
on the way to the machinists now to drop off the block.

truck sat and with a few valves open, so the rest of the motor looks like a lower mileage rebuild, but the cylinders.....

[Kim57]

The head cleaned up real nice.
Hope the cylinders clean up.
Kim

[jonny..2008]

they will when the machinist is done.

[jonny..2008]

a lot going on.
and even some truck progress too.
almost done with head work.
and i have half the pistons pressed off the con rods.
still expecting block back from machinist on monday with new cam, pistons and bearings.

[jonny..2008]

lots of progress and a few set backs.
machine shop is now +1 day over estimated delivery.
now hope for sometime this week.

cleaning and painting. (including the firewall)
installing booster /mc and got front brakes plumbed from the "T" put to the calipers.
painted and cooked heads to cure the paint.
also painted the remaining two pedals.
and more than i canlist.
14 hours in the shop last night.......


[IMG] [/IMG]

[Kim57]

Looking real nice.
Kim

[jonny..2008]

did some little stuff last night.
mounted brake tee by drill tap the hole in the frame.
also did final fit for steering column.
and painted the frame behind the master cylinder mounting area.







.

[OrrieG]

Looks good, I see someone else likes the button head bolts, I use them for my exposed fasteners, but man are they expensive...

[jonny..2008]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Looks good, I see someone else likes the button head bolts, I use them for my exposed fasteners, but man are they expensive...

hello orrie.
you are right about them buggers being pricey.
and in stainle$$.
thanks for looking in.

and hello kim.

[Kim57]

Looks good.
I will be using button heads on final assembly also.
Kim

[jonny..2008]

wrapped up brake work last night.
still need to bleed them.
but they are plumbed and installed from the pads to the pedal.
three more button heads for line clamps then done.

video tour.
http://youtu.be/Ypk1l6mvaKI

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Ypk1l6mvaKI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Kim57]

Nice video.
The tight fit is why I moved my master cylinder back behind the cab.
Kim

[jonny..2008]

Originally Posted by Kim57

Nice video.
The tight fit is why I moved my master cylinder back behind the cab.
Kim

im going to epoxy a mirror to the bottom of the cab above the m/c.
wire a small courtesy light and make a squeeze bottle with tube.
simple and cheap. and better than cutting another hole the truck can do without.

[jonny..2008]

bolted in brake lines.
painted cowl and reinstalled gas pedal lever.
no pics today
sorry kim

[jonny..2008]

engine finally done.
should get picked up today.
will update as i goes.......

[jonny..2008]

also some pics of my semi french dent repair for tailgate license plate.
retrieved engine last night.
installed crank. was too late to get freeze plugs/ cam plug that i wasn't prepared for.
a series bearings.
nothing special here. basic stuff.
one weird thing though, being my first stick to turbo400 swap, i wasn't prepared for crankshaft pilot bearing that was for manual trans. obviously the tq conv doesnt need this and i can not get any air to pass through the cavity. So, i think ill just pull the bearing and leave the hole as it is.

[Kim57]

Looking good.
Kim

[jonny..2008]

thank you kim.

[jonny..2008]

you all can see what going on here.
brass freeze plugs and a series con rod bearings.
even number pistons and heads go on next.

[Kim57]

Sweet.
Kim

[jonny..2008]

just moving along a few hours a night on the motor.
nothing special.
basic 350 with shiny.

[Kim57]

Engine looks good.
Kim

[jonny..2008]

here is where we are today.
marrying new parts is a ***** sometimes.
trick steering pump didnt quite fit with trick belt drive.
modified and moved on.
next hold up is too much space between flexplate and tqc.
working on that today.
also made 6 hour road trip for oem door with a good skin.

[Kim57]

Nice work.
Kim