My long term 57 project

[ChuckDriver]

Thanks BC! I'm liking your GMC also!

[ChuckDriver]

Well Gents, it's been a while since I did anything to my 57. I been thinking of replacing the engine and trans for the past few months. The engine hasn't been holding much oil pressure at idle and has been bunring oil also. The trans has a slip in it if you get on it in drive.

So I pulled the trigger and I'm going to replace them both! I was torn on which way to go, 383, LS3 or Ramjet, but I deceided to go with the ZZ4!

I'll be backing it up with a 700R4 from Phoenix Transmission, that they tune especially for the ZZ4. It want be here for at least 10 days to 2 weeks!

In the mean time I'll be painting the engine and getting ready for the swap!

Enjoy the pics! And I'll do my best to keep you updated!

[Kabwe]

A crate engine is a beautiful thing. Thats great man and do keep us posted.

[David67]

WOW. very nice truck!!!

[ChuckDriver]

Thanks David67, I'm liking your C-10 a lot!

[troy54gmc]

man that is sweet!! i wish i had the bucks for that setup......

[1956chevtruck]

Love those rims and next one I do, I'm going to put that dash, or one very similar to it, in my next truck. Nice clean engine compartment. Are you going to leave it rat rod or keep on keeping on!
Byron

[ChuckDriver]

After I install the ZZ4 and trans my next upgradee will be the seat and carpet. I don't see it getting painted fo a long time!

Thanks!!

[ChuckDriver]

Well, I finally got some work done on the transplant. I had the ZZ4 painted Chevy Orange of course and bolted up the trans. I must say that the Phoenix Trans has to be the cleanest remanufactured part that I have ever seen. I mean to tell there was not one spot of dirt or finger print on this thing. You could eat off it! You can see how shiny the case is in the photo's! So far I have been extremely pleased with the service and quality of their workmanship!

Pulled the front clip to get better access to everything and make it easy to remove and replace the motor/trans.

Besides the aluminum heads on the new motor it will look as if nothing was changed, that is until till I stand on it and smoke the tires!

Hope to have it wrapped up late on Monday, but I think I'll have to wait a day or two for the driveshaft to be shortened.

Here's the shot's!

[JML55]

Really nice, it sure is a lot easier to work with clean stuff.

[56ClassicTruck]

You are a lucky man getting to play with all that new stuff !!!!!! Lol buy the way thanks for posting pic, s of your inner finders....... Keep pics coming .........
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[Kim57]

That does look sweet.
Kim

[ejn74]

Nice Truck! I like how the dash came out!

[ChuckDriver]

Well Gents as of yesterday she's up and running! I have to give a huge THANKS to my friend Jim who helped me with the install. Without him it would have taken me weeks to get it done.

The ZZ4 runs awesome and has a very nice sound to it and feels very strong. But I want get on it for a few hundred miles or so. The Phoenix Trans 700R4 is sweet! It shifts great and pulls hard and it dropped the RPM at 65 MPH by nearly a 1000!! Should help with the gas mileage, if I can keep my foot out of it!!

Beside having to modify the trans crossmember and shortening the driveshaft it was a very easy remove and replace.

While I was at it we replaced the worn out steering box with a CPP 500 series box with a 14:1 ratio. It's nice and tight and quick makes the truck drive so much better!

Hope to put a lot of miles on her this year. My next project has to be the seat if I plan to enjoy her more!!

Thanks!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hi Chuck,
I got just got through re-reading your entire thread and a few thoughts occured to me: Did you ever remember where you got the rear leaf spring mono leaf kit? Does anyone else know? Since you mention that the rearend housing is only 3" from the cross member, would you recommend using this kit to others?

How much did you narrow the Suburban tubs? I don't THINK you ever posted pic's of that mod, would you mind...if you have them?

Whose brake relocation kit, frame mount battery box and wiring harness are you using? Did you do all those installs yourself? Sorry to be such a pest but I'm contemplating all this stuff myself right now with my potential pruchase of a '57...Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery!

[99 to Life]

I love the truck inside and out.

Can you please tell me where you got those nice motor mounts?
are they poly bushings I see? I never seen that set up and I like it
and would like to maybe run that on my next project.

thanks

[oldman3]

First time I have been able to read you entire post. Very nice workmanship, nice truck.
Continue to enjoy.

[57picupnewbie]

Had some downtime read thru your thread where I left off. Man you are really making progress. Really looks nice. Dash is a nice bonus. Love the engine. Keep us updated. I am finally making some headway. It gets fun and expensive when one gets on a roll.

[Jtrux]

I spend too much time over on the 67-72 side of things, maybe I need to come over here more often. You've done a very good job soo far. You've done some very tasteful mods...looking forward to seeing the finished product someday, if there's such a thing.

[yukon ratrod]

your truck is looking wonderful! I can tell you sure enjoy your time with that truck! one things for sure, you guys over here are really making me miss my 57 project! its still covered in by a snow bank so another week and she should be easy to get at! just wanting to get my 72 finished before summer hits. got a few new ideas in my head for the 57 for sure. come and check out my 72 and let me know what you think!

[ChuckDriver]

Thank guys for the comments and glad you like the truck!

Dan: I wish I could remember who made the rear sping kit, I have not seen it for sale anywhere since I bought it. Maybe I should try to reproduce it? It gives the truck a nice stance and a good ride. But I do need to swap out the shocks, I think they are to stiff. Maybe get some QA1 adjustable ones. I have thought about swapping it for a Fatbar setup from No-Limit, but would like to hear what other people think of it first.

I have not done anything with the suburban tubs, need to so I can cover up the frame.

Brake booster came from Master Power Brales in Mooresville, NC. Works great with the large rear drum kit and disc's on the front.

I made the battery box myself after seeing one on a truck at the shop that installed the clip.

Wiring harness from Ron Francis.

I would have to say that I've done 95% of the work myself, basically everything except install the clip.

It's been a learning experience that I'll never forget!

99 to life: The motor mounst are poly made by Energy Suspension, bought from Summit. I think the are pretty universal, seem to remember asking for ones for a 78 corvette maybe?

oldman3: Thanks!!

57pickupnewbie: Thanks! "ROSA" is looking nice too, just keep at it and you'll be riding in no time!

Jtrux: Thanks, I don't think it will ever be "finished", I like working on it to much.

Yukon: Thanks for the comments, I really like what you've done to both your 57 and 72, hope you are driving one soon!

[bartsim]

Nice truck! Time spent on details. What did you use to paint the frame?

[ChuckDriver]

Thansk Bartsim! I primed the frame by brushing on Rustolem red primer followed by spraying it with Duplicolor/Krylon Met Grey. Looking back I wish I had used a better top coat.

[ChuckDriver]

Well guys I found a 55 Sedan I couldn't pass up!

[oldman3]

Super nice, I've always liked the sedans over the hardtops. What's the engine, trans setup?