Longbike 57 chevy truck build.

[Green 1959]

Hang it there, its looking good. I have my passanger door and fender lining up pretty good, thanks to some advice from Orrie. How are you making your patch panels for your small repairs like the top of the fender? They look right on.

[BC Toy chest]

gr8 work keep the pictures coming , love it.

[bajabob]

longbike
Nice progress since the last time I checked in. Very nice... Wish I could weld like you and Kabwe, I'd be golden !!!!! Keep at it, before long she'll be back on the road. Which brake line company did you go with ???

[longbike]

Thanks guys,

Hey green, I been making those patches out of left over patches panels that I didnt use the all of. I had to cut and shape them with bending before welding in place.

Bajabob, I went with one of those stainless brake line kits you can get from here:
http://www.classicparts.com/1957-Bra...tinfo/71-813A/

[bajabob]

longbike
thanks for info, I will look into that kit. Dig your rebuild, I love the custom stuff here cuz I am not that talented but I love the stocker stuff too..... bezides the custom guys got have someone to park next to......

[OrrieG]

I do the same as longbike, I keep all the old patch panels, sometimes the curves match pretty close. Then its cut, bend, bang, grind to fit. I don't have fancy tools, just a 5" bench vice, old railroad rail for an anvil, duck bill pliers and an assortment of body hammers, dollies and other stuff picked up over the years. I start with a card board template. I use variety of steel pipe for making curves, you can use racket straps and gradually bend, relieving the stress in the metal at the bend point as you go (I got that idea from another member here). Compound curves require a bead bag, complex shapes get pie cuts and welded.

[longbike]

I had my little helpers helping me get the cab blasted today he was shaking the strainer while I dump in sand. Great help!

Almost done with the blasting It sure does eat up the time blasting!

[oldman3]

Looking good....Jim

[Kim57]

Looks good. It's great having the kids help.
Kim

[Green 1959]

A month with no new pictures? For shame.

[longbike]

Thanks guys.

I know! I know!

I got the wheels painted and tires mounted and beauty rings on and OEM hub caps wont fit, realized I need the wheels with the clips in center so I order clips to install my self and still the hub caps wont go down low enough to catch the clips,
So now I have to find a set of 15inch rims 6 lugs with the OEM clips and start over with the wheels.
And the cab & doors are in the body shop getting straighten out.

But thanks for asking I see your doing pretty good with yours!

[longbike]

Any body got any 15x5 6lug wheels with the center clips for hubcaps? "need 4"

[Green 1959]

No, sorry. How's the truck coming? No postings in soooooo long!

[longbike]

Hey Green,

Still looking for a body man to do the body, cant find anybody around here that will do it or have the time to do it.

I bought some new wheels while back so dont need those anymore. Just wish I could find a body guy, got the money for it but no one to do it!

Thanks for asking!

[_Ogre]

just went thru your build, nice work on all the rustoration

i'm just sitting here looking at your pics, saying; what body work???
looks like you've done all the heavy work that most shops suck at.
all you lack is a heavy coat of primer, a dab of filler and some block sanding.
never to later to teach your little helpers to block sand

[longbike]

Thanks Ogre,

If I did do it I would spend more money on supplies having to redo everything for being so critical on my own work. so I figure I would be money ahead to have a professional to do it right the first time!

[papastrk]

After looking at your patch panel repairs, I think you can easily do the plastic filler work. You are basically applying a skim coat of plastic over the damaged areas and are sanding to get the original panel shape back. Just takes time. There are just a few basic things you have to do to get a good, lasting job. You have to be critical of your work to become good at it.

[Green 1959]

I agree with everyone else YOU CAN DO IT!! What's the worst that can happen? Plus I don't want to get too far ahead of you!

[longbike]

Thanks guys,

Green your already way ahead of me Ill never catch up to ya now!

[Green 1959]

Originally Posted by longbike

Thanks guys,

Green your already way ahead of me Ill never catch up to ya now!

I took a four month break so you can catch up, so where are you now?

[yossarian19]

Great looking work on this. With what you've already gotten done being as nice as it is, i say, go for it with the rest. If you someday decide you can't live with the imperfections hey, fine - but I'd be surprised.

[longbike]

The front clip and cab is in the body shop now as we speak, finally found some one to take it on. should have some update photos soon.

[made2drag]

great job!

[longbike]

Well guys its been along time but finally getting some where on getting the body painted, cab and doors primed and ready for paint.

[Kim57]

Glad to see your still at it. Looks good.
Kim