Our barn find

[Advanced Design]

Congrat's....are you going to throw a lot or just a bit of blood, sweat and money at the wagon now?

[Daddy'O]

A bit and a lot of all Doug.

The power tour is going to be real close to us this year. We've talked it over and decided on a budget. We hope to at least cruise from here to OKC and back. My goal is to do as much of my own work on the wagon as possible but with self imposed deadlines I know I will need to farm somethings out. Right now we plan on keeping the wagon as stock as possible. A full resto mod will be much later down the road.

Funny, I really wanted to start on Greenie. However I think this will be more of a husband/wife team oriented project which will be really fun. I really like it when it's more than just me being excited about a project and Dee is excited and on board. Man, I am a lucky guy.

We'll see how it goes.

Might even need to move this thread to the Alternate Tinkerings forum?

[davischevy]

What ever you do to it, we will be watching.

[Daddy'O]

Got some questions for Advance Design, davischevy, flashed and anyone else that has had their hands in trifive restorations.

I got a chance to do some inspecting on the wagon Monday. I discovered the upper ball joints are most likely original to the car as they are riveted in. So these could be 61 year old joints. No big deal as I am going to replace them but that brings me to my first question.

Knowing that we will eventually improve the suspension at some point, do I rebuild these or upgrade to control arms with positive caster now? If yes, what are your recommendations?

Also,

I will need to upgrade the wiring especially the external wiring in the engine bay and back to the tail lights as the wiring coating is very brittle. No evidence of rodents though which is a very good thing. So on to my next question, if you have updated your wiring in your past projects what are your recommendations.

By the way, I found a little more rust through in the other floor pans but not bad at all. The frame, body mounts, fenders, rockers, door bottoms are in really good shape. The wagon has good bones. I am thankful it was in a dry location for the last 20 years.

Many thanks for any advice and recommendations you have to offer.

[flashed]

Wayne , I replaced the control arms to tubular ,all the suspension front and rear was replaced .I dont remember whose parts we used and it had an aftermarket wiring harness installed as well .I also added a tilt wheel and smaller stock style steering wheel .

[davischevy]

I definitely would replace the upper control arms for improved caster. My 55 has tubular control arms. I'm not sure what brand. I would consider disc brakes while I was in there. They are all over Ebay. There has been a lot of discussion on trifive.com in the steering forum.

You didn't mention steering, but my 55 has a Borgeson/Delphi and I don't have the steering sorted out yet but I am not happy with the way mine drives. I am going to get the front end aligned when I get my wheels on it and if that doesn't work I will probably change to a CPP 500.

Wiring harness are a cheap investment and relatively easy to change.

When I had my Nomad, the front floors and cargo area were borderline rusty. Lots of pinholes. After dreading it for a long time I finally ordered the pans from CARS and once I got started, I actually enjoyed changing them. The cargo floor was interesting in that is adds so much structurally to the car.

Go to http://www.trifive.com and it's just like this forum. Lots of info over there.

[davischevy]

You didn't ask about this either, but, for years I had a completely rebuilt 265 long block, date coded 1955, around here, complete with remote oil filter and a factory rebuilt carb still in the box. I sold it for $500 to a guy in Washington County to put in a vintage sports car (MG or something) to race.

I had a new rebuilt 55 date coded powerglide I gave away.

You should have bought this car sooner.

[Advanced Design]

Wayne, some years ago I had an old timer align the 56. To gain more caster, he suggested off set upper control arm shafts. He had been around when these cars were fairly new and they had the issue way back when. So I went with the off set upper shaft. The alignment is in spec and while the car handles / steers ok at highway speed, it could use more caster for a more stable feel. It's not bad though it isn't like a newer car. To make it really nice I need more caster and to get there I need the tubular control arms.

I agree with disc brakes too. There are numerous kits and I used MP brakes with their drop spindle on this one. In the 90's I had a 55 and used a kit from Classic Chevy International. All the parts were Napa, GM, Timken so I wrote all the part numbers down and kept them in my CCI tech manuals. The 56 doesn't have a booster and uses a 1970's Corvette master I bought from Napa. Rear discs are a kit that uses the Cadillac calipers.

The power steering is the Borgeson modified Delphi unit and I am really pleased with it. They bought out Mullens maybe 10 years ago. Mullens specialized in this conversion.

I didn't do the wiring though it was upgraded with a harness from a 1992 Buick. Guys are really liking American Autowire. Friend who does a lot of body wiring and LS swaps was impressed with the AAW he just used in a 65 Suburban.

Sorry so long and hope it helps. Throw a build week end and wouldn't it be cool for a bunch of us to come down and help. Dibs on Ogre's window seat.

[Daddy'O]

Thanks for the responses guys.

I wanted to double check about the control arms. I figured an updated design would be best. I will likely go with a tubular design and also go with new lowers since they have provisions for a future sway bar. I’ve been looking at the Wilwood manual disk brake systems. I like it because it is upgradable to be a power system. We haven’t decided on ride height but am figuring in new springs and spindles too as I want to do it right the first time. Being on a budget I haven’t addressed the steering system but appreciated the suggestions.

I’ve been looking at the American Auto Wire Classic Update system for the 55-56 Chevys. It’s pricy but I do like all the provisions for future upgrades already built into the system.

You’re right Larry, I should have bought the car sooner. We are trying to stick to a realistic budget but if we have major engine or transmissions issues the budget will be out the window. Your old engine/trans would have been real handy. Oh well, a day late and a dollar short should be my middle name sometimes. Oh, I’ve been lurking over on the tri-five forum and will join it soon. You are right, it’s like this forum with a ton of good information.

Our plan is to order parts this month and be ready to start work on the wagon in March. I have a small project to do on Nancy the 1971 Super and some work to do on a friends truck. I let him know last Sunday my plans and asked him to get his parts so we can get him done before the end of the month because I think the lift is going to be tied up for a while.

Doug, Ogre’s window seat is yours. My wife and I like the idea of a build weekend. Fire up the smoker and have a Texas style BB-Q with ice cold beverages and new friends.

John, I know you don’t have your ’55 anymore but do you have any pictures? If so, post some here. I would love to see it.

Thanks again guys!

[Advanced Design]

Wayne, a build week end in Whitesboro TX would be a blast and you are only an 11 hour drive away!

If you decide to do a drop with springs I may have mentioned the problem with the Ecklers CCI leaf springs I encountered. The rate was too low and the car squated to full extension on the shackles. St. Louis Spring company whipped some up for me and they were spot on. They really know what they are doing with leaf springs.
http://www.saintlouisspring.com

For the front I used Eaton Detroit spring. They are experts and make them right in Detroit. Plus they can help you pick the exact spring you need. I believe they are a little pricier than some places and for the quality, fit, plus their knowledge it is worth it.

https://www.eatondetroitspring.com

[flashed]

Wayne ,if you go to the forums section on here to :Our Stuff ... In Scale and look under Flashed Man Cave ,you can see a pic of my old 55 ,its the only one I know of .

[davischevy]

Doug, schedule the work day around Power Tour and we could follow it north.

I am not much help on front end except mine has 2" dropped spindles.

[Advanced Design]

Wow Davis, really nice 55!

[flashed]

That is a beauty .

[davischevy]

Thanks,

Like you said about your 56, It's a blast to drive.

[BigMike]

Wow, killer find Wayne. I just found this thread after going through the Barnasaurus thread for a second time. Love your shop & the 55!

[Daddy'O]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

Wayne, a build week end in Whitesboro TX would be a blast and you are only an 11 hour drive away!

If you decide to do a drop with springs I may have mentioned the problem with the Ecklers CCI leaf springs I encountered. The rate was too low and the car squated to full extension on the shackles. St. Louis Spring company whipped some up for me and they were spot on. They really know what they are doing with leaf springs.
http://www.saintlouisspring.com

For the front I used Eaton Detroit spring. They are experts and make them right in Detroit. Plus they can help you pick the exact spring you need. I believe they are a little pricier than some places and for the quality, fit, plus their knowledge it is worth it.

https://www.eatondetroitspring.com

Hey Doug -

I'm thinking 2 inch drop spindles with new stock height springs for the front and new leafs in the back. I know it's old school but I like the rake and after seeing davischevy's new 55's stance I think it will look great.

Whether you guys are serious or not about coming south to Texas, let me make this clear, you are all welcome anytime...." Nuestra casa es su casa".

There has been a new development with the wagon. We've decided to go full out with a LS swap. This is what Dee wanted to do all along. It was me trying to go the cheaper route. So the initial budget is out the window as is the power tour (most likely/realistically anyway). But we've got a new goal to do cruizin the coast in October.

[Daddy'O]

Originally Posted by flashed

Wayne ,if you go to the forums section on here to :Our Stuff ... In Scale and look under Flashed Man Cave ,you can see a pic of my old 55 ,its the only one I know of .

John - I checked out your thread - really nice looking '55 you had. Do you miss it any?

[Daddy'O]

Originally Posted by davischevy

Doug, schedule the work day around Power Tour and we could follow it north.

I am not much help on front end except mine has 2" dropped spindles.

Larry you are wrong - that is exactly what I needed to see.

Your new '55 is beautiful. You should start a thread and show and tell us more about it.

[Daddy'O]

Originally Posted by BigMike

Wow, killer find Wayne. I just found this thread after going through the Barnasaurus thread for a second time. Love your shop & the 55!

Thanks Mike! I appreciate it!

[flashed]

Wayne ,you will really enjoy Cruisin The Coast ,just dont do burnouts ,they will burn you bad for that but it is a good time ,been many times .I dont miss my 55 really as it just went a couple of streets away so I still see it around and it got to where I just never drove it anymore .

[davischevy]

Originally Posted by Daddy'O

Hey Doug -

I'm thinking 2 inch drop spindles with new stock height springs for the front and new leafs in the back. I know it's old school but I like the rake and after seeing davischevy's new 55's stance I think it will look great.

Whether you guys are serious or not about coming south to Texas, let me make this clear, you are all welcome anytime...." Nuestra casa es su casa".

There has been a new development with the wagon. We've decided to go full out with a LS swap. This is what Dee wanted to do all along. It was me trying to go the cheaper route. So the initial budget is out the window as is the power tour (most likely/realistically anyway). But we've got a new goal to do cruizin the coast in October.

My wife is the same way when I start trying to go cheap. She says "If your going to spend money on it anyway, and I'm going to ride in it, don't half a$$ it".

BTW, I personally hope you don't do anything to the outside of that car, except change the stance, right now anyway. I love the look.

Of course that's my opinion, which seems to have little value around here.

[Daddy'O]

Originally Posted by davischevy

My wife is the same way when I start trying to go cheap. She says "If your going to spend money on it anyway, and I'm going to ride in it, don't half a$$ it".

BTW, I personally hope you don't do anything to the outside of that car, except change the stance, right now anyway. I love the look.

Of course that's my opinion, which seems to have little value around here.

Sounds like our wives think alike. I’m glad she’s full committed to the project. Makes things much easier to justify.

All along we’ve wanted to keep the wagon a sleeper. Our only problem are wheels. I would like gray spoke ARW torque thrust D’s, she would like classic Cragar SS’s. But we both agree stock steelies and the full wheel covers with white walls would be more in line with the sleeper style. Input is appreciated.

We have no plans to do anything with the outside of the wagon (other than buff/wax). The wheel/tire is the only dilemma at this point. Thankfully it’s a minor one.

[flashed]

Are all your hubcaps in good condition ,if not I have some ?

[Daddy'O]

I think they are John. I have not pulled them from the wheels so the jury is still out on overall condition. I'll find out soon and let you know if we will be needing replacements. Of course this all depends on what we decide to do with the wheel/tire combo conundrum.