53 3100 - complete rebuild and upgrade . . . .

[youngrodder]

I wouldn't call that a "small" side project..Ha ha

Looks good
Marc

[dsraven]

I wish I had room for a lathe, mill, bandsaw, lateral belt sander, english wheel, nice big bead roller, planisher.....need I go on?
nice work.

[big_dan]

Thanks, fellas. It keeps me sane these days. This latest lathe is a 13x36, alot smaller than my other, so not sure what my intentions are for it yet. It was a right place / right time / right price deal so I had to grab it! Dsraven, I agree on the tools - I'd still like to build a good 72in belt sander . . . .

As for the stick swap, I'm keeping my eyes open for donors right now. Other than Camaros, Firebirds and GTOs (thinking T56, TKO. etc) are there any I'm not thinking of?

Thanks for looking -

Dan

[dsraven]

here is a quick google on the vehicles that used the T56 . maybe helpful.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borg-W...6_transmission

[dsraven]

personally I would rather drive an auto but that just me. no cartilage left in my knees so bone on bone at a stop light or stop and go driving kinda sucks. an auto thats tuned to not shift into 6th gear before you get across an intersection.....more my style. I live in a city though so a country truck or a highway cruiser would be different maybe, less stops and starts.

[big_dan]

Ok - time for an update. Finished the small Clausing-Colchester side project, decided to put it up for sale and it was gone in a few hours. Unfortunately, while helping the buyer load it I took a little spill and landed on my back, so that put me down a bit. But, back at it. Working on finishing up the firewall. I think I've decided on a TKX behind the LS, so trying to get time to go pick that up (American Powertrain is just up the road a bit). Any input on powder coat wheel colors? More later - thanks for looking -

Dan

[8man]

Hope you are doing ok. That Clausen is nice! Truck is looking good too.

[big_dan]

Thank you. I'm still a young 45 so I still bounce back a little 😆.

Firewall is coming along. Picked up a quick time bellhousing, flywheel and clutch kit this weekend, so moving along.

Dan

Originally Posted by 8man

Hope you are doing ok. That Clausen is nice! Truck is looking good too.

[6DoF]

Originally Posted by big_dan

Any input on powder coat wheel colors?

Dan

is the truck staying that orange? chrome, black, or gunmetal for trim color? honestly, i say match the trim color ... black, chrome, or gunmetal. then pinstripe a nice body color line.

[big_dan]

Orange!? It's supposed to be red 😆. Currently I'm not planning too much of a change. I'd like a dark interior, but the exterior will probably stay as is. I was thinking a gloss charcoal/ dark gray with a red pin stripe personally. Thanks for the input -

Dan

Originally Posted by 6DoF

is the truck staying that orange? chrome, black, or gunmetal for trim color? honestly, i say match the trim color ... black, chrome, or gunmetal. then pinstripe a nice body color line.

[6DoF]

Originally Posted by big_dan

Orange!? It's supposed to be red 😆.

in that case, i vote yellow wheels!

[6DoF]

i was thinking more ketchup n mustard ... but the burnt bronze should have a sexy contrast.

funny story, my sister used to have a wrangler that was fire engine red and a previous owner had put yellow pin striping on it

[big_dan]

Continuing on with the firewall and starting pedal / booster mockup. Still more "details" in the works for the firewall, but that'll be later on. Should have transmission and clutch master cylinder in place before long. Moving forward - thanks for looking -

Dan

[Chris(NJ)]

One heck of a build! Very nice, sir!

[big_dan]

Thank you sir. Went up to American Powertrain and picked up the TKX this morning, so as soon as the firewall is done trans is next. More later -

Dan

Originally Posted by Chris(NJ)

One heck of a build! Very nice, sir!

[e015475]

Contemplating a Tremec upgrade for my '49. (Have a Camaro WC T5 I'll probably end up selling to the in-liner guys)

Why did you choose the TKX over the TKO or the T56? What are you going to do for a bellhousing?

Very interested to see how this comes together for you. Lots of photos and details please!

[big_dan]

The TKX had a more stream lined case that should help with fitment. The TKO500/600 are almost square in cross- section. The T56 is huge! I just don't want much, if any, of a tunnel. Using a steel quick time bell. Thanks -

Dan

Originally Posted by e015475

Contemplating a Tremec upgrade for my '49. (Have a Camaro WC T5 I'll probably end up selling to the in-liner guys)

Why did you choose the TKX over the TKO or the T56? What are you going to do for a bellhousing?

Very interested to see how this comes together for you. Lots of photos and details please!

[e015475]

Yea, they said that the TKX gearset loads from the back making for a slimmer case. I have a custom tunnel for the T5 and hoping it won't need to be modified.

Pics as you do the install please!

[big_dan]

Finished the initial welding on the firewall so the cab could come off. Now I can work on pedals/ master cylinder and the transmission all at once to keep moving forward. Ordered some material to play around with lug nut ideas also.

Slowly but surely -

Dan

[big_dan]

Enlisted the help of my oldest son and one of his buds to get the TKX mocked up. The trans mount centerline is about 2-1/4" closer to the engine and elevated a bit, so I'll get that adjusted and move on. Headers, etc all clear fine.

More later - thanks for looking -

Dan

[8man]

That looks really good Dan.

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by 8man

That looks really good Dan.

Thank you sir! So still getting the TKX situated. The difference between the trans mount with the 4L60E and TKX is about 3/4" in elevation and 2-7/16" between bolt centers. Drawing up an adapter plate/ bracket thingy in my head so I can swap back to an auto again if I ever want. Not sure if I'll just cantilever a plate forward or add a little more substance to it, but we'll figure it out. More later-

Dan

[dsraven]

you could build a new cross member with a dog leg in it i suppose.

[big_dan]

dsraven- it would appear we think alike.

Started with 5×3/4 bar stock, "dog legs" and final machining should be done soon. The odd shape will explain itself when I'm finished. This way it all bolts in and I can run an auto when I get old ��. Headers are about an inch away. Thanks for looking -

Dan

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by big_dan

dsraven- it would appear we think alike.

Started with 5×3/4 bar stock, "dog legs" and final machining should be done soon. The odd shape will explain itself when I'm finished. This way it all bolts in and I can run an auto when I get old ��. Headers are about an inch away. Thanks for looking -



Dan

jeezealou that would dock a battleship


beautiful work!