New member, old 57 3100

[mud.man.rj]

Ya the 75's are taller than the 60 series so would actully lift it a bit and fill the wheel wells out a bit more.

[sqrlnts]

Its good to be on vacation! Too bad its so damn hot, tough to even step outside let alone work in the garage.

After searching for over a year, I managed to finally locate a complete 55-56 front GMC grill setup. After seeing Chuck Drivers conversion I knew this was a go. Found the parts out in Texas, east of Dallas, owner was one very cool dude. His original ad did not include or show the middle "100" logo but after talking for a while he decided to include it in the deal. SCORE!!!!!!





I did also manage to mount my AC ducts into the dash. Makes the whole AC system feel much cooler, cooler? yeah cooler.







Also decided to Plasti Dip my V8 and Fleetside emblems black. I got a little carried away with sanding behind them....oh well, still love the murdered out look.

[Roadkill58]

Nice score on the gmc parts

I'm looking for some for my 58 gmc.



.

[dug224]

The bumper will look great! Remind us where you got the AC vents (or what they came out of). thx dug

[ricott]

I do love your truck. It looks like you are about to raise the "cool" factor by several points with your new acquisition. Are you planning to "go all the way?" - GMC hood and Tailgate?

[sqrlnts]

Originally Posted by Roadkill58

Nice score on the gmc parts

I'm looking for some for my 58 gmc.

Thanks and good luck with your hunt.

Originally Posted by dug224

The bumper will look great! Remind us where you got the AC vents (or what they came out of). thx dug

Thanks Dug, the AC vents were included in the Vintage Air kit. They were originally mounted in some cheap plastic covers designed to bolt under the dash. I simply cut them out of the plastic.

Originally Posted by ricott

I do love your truck. It looks like you are about to raise the "cool" factor by several points with your new acquisition. Are you planning to "go all the way?" - GMC hood and Tailgate?

Thanks Ricott, not doing a full conversion, I may change hoods, not sure just yet. Parts should be here tomorrow by Greyhound, can't wait to get my hands on them.

rear tail light bezels are now black.

[Kim57]

Looking good.
The emblems came out real nice.
Kim

[Russell Ashley]

The a/c vents in the dash look good. I'm glad you decided to move them from the right side of the bed, LOL.

[sqrlnts]

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

I'm glad you decided to move them from the right side of the bed, LOL.

This went over my head, what you talking about Willis?

[ricott]

Originally Posted by sqrlnts

This went over my head, what you talking about Willis?

I think he was referring to the two holes that looked like someone had CB aerials attached at one time. I wanted to suggest you get some old CB Aerials to complete "the look", but thought the better of it!!! Love the emblems and the taillights.

[sqrlnts]

Ok, you mean the two round holes in the right rear bedside. I always thought the PO had ran his filler neck through them since it was on a big 4x4 but, CB aerials make more sense.

[Russell Ashley]

Originally Posted by ricott

I think he was referring to the two holes that looked like someone had CB aerials attached at one time. I wanted to suggest you get some old CB Aerials to complete "the look", but thought the better of it!!! Love the emblems and the taillights.

I saw those two holes in the same post where you said you decided to put you a/c outlets in the dash and I couldn't help myself, LOL.

Not a slam on your truck, your truck is cool.

[sqrlnts]

No worries Russ and thanks.

[79azc10]

Trucks kick ass

[sqrlnts]

Yes they do 79azc10, yes they do.

Greyhound did not receive my new grill parts today. Maybe tomorrow. ROLL ON GREYHOUND!!!!!

Finally installed my reworked steering arms that I received from Sid about a year ago. Also welded up a new tie rod tube and used new Ford 11/16 tie rod ends. Wish I would have installed them a year ago! Bump steer is completely gone, eliminated all together. I think the new tie rod ends made a big improvement as well. Little less steering slop. Hell, I am thinking with a steering box tune up and better front springs this thing would drive pretty tight.

Been wanting a train horn as well. Decided to install the $18 HF three trumpet boat air horn. It is pretty cool. Much louder than a standard car horn but not over the top obnoxious like real train horns. Should work great for stoplight snoozers and driving texters.

[sqrlnts]

Installed new front brake drums, hoping they will help with the slight front end shimmy. Ordered new front leaf spring shackles and bushings from LMC, not here yet.

Received the 55 GMC chrome, man is it in great shape. Only damage is on the bullets and that is even very slight. There is some surface rust spots on the chrome but its still very, very bright, maybe too bright for my dark truck. Need to think this through before I scotchbrite it down. I do believe even if the chrome was to be re-plated the first step would be to strip it down.

The real kicker was the GMC 100 logo. I had never seen a complete one. First two pictures are before. Last two pictures are after 24 hour soak in Evapo Rust. They could still use another days soak IMHO.

[ChuckDriver]

Awesome! We might get a trend started here with the GMC grill conversion!

[sqrlnts]

Originally Posted by ChuckDriver

Awesome! We might get a trend started here with the GMC grill conversion!

I was mostly just dreaming about this, never thought I would find a complete set for good money. You actually made it happen so thanks for blazing the trail!


I can happily report the new front drums have eliminated all front end shimmy. Now that things are not shaking going down the road I think I can hear a rear end howl.....

If its not one thing its another right?

[cadman89]

Nice score on the GMC grill!
Years ago when I was looking for a truck to rebuild I walked around the side of a GMC and saw that grill ... I was hooked..

Frances my 56 GMC





Scott (AKA: Cadman)

[Kim57]

Originally Posted by cadman89

Nice score on the GMC grill!
Years ago when I was looking for a truck to rebuild I walked around the side of a GMC and saw that grill ... I was hooked..

Frances my 56 GMC





Scott (AKA: Cadman)

Nice looking truck.
Kim

[ChuckDriver]

Very nice!

[sqrlnts]

Alright, I get the suspension almost sorted and my Quadrajet starts acting up. During low idle RPM's it sounds like its cutting out and most times it stumbles on acceleration. I wafted carb cleaner all around looking for vacuum leaks but found none. Still not sold on using a wooden carb spacer.......Decided to open it up.

Found the internal filter was dirty so it was replaced, nothing else looked out of wack. Checked float height and blew out all circuits with air, still acting stupid.

Once I get above 2500-2800 RPM it starts running good, mostly crap below that.

I always think, well what did I do last. I replaced the old 2 port fuel pump with 3 port return style to fix my vapor lock issue. I did replace the inline filter and added insulation but nothing else stands out.

Where are my Quadrajet brethren?

I have also decided my next project will be a 1965 Riviera, maybe I already said?? Anyway, Please enjoy this video, and know my best efforts will fall well short of this mans perfectly executed Satan's Sled!!!

[Daze57]

sqrints
Yep them quads can be a real pain sometimes but they do haul ya once ya get them dialed in .
there was a story on them from the program ''trucks' from power block tv.
they went into some good detail on things to fix and some shortcuts to help make them work better , i have an older one that i used some of those ideas on . but i am running an edelbrock now and it seems to be running well.
you may want to try and find that story from powerblock tv website .
i think it was -''curing quadrajet woes'' --- not sure
good luck with it !
ALso you mentioned gettin a 65 Riviera to do?
wow..............one of my alltime favorite cars i may also make that my next project
wonderful lines and just a beautiful ride imho !
and to find a 'nailhead' to put in it ? perfect !!!!
good luck on finding a good one - i am lookin for one also.
hopefully being out here in the desert we can find a decent one with not to much rust -desert rust i can handle - water rust and panel replacement ? well we;ll see.

[Daze57]

cadman89

beautiful truck !!!

[apache200]

Sqrints cant wait to see your gmc frontend with the fleetside bed! I also have a gmc front end for my 55 fleetside.