My long term 57 project

[jimig1]

Very nice '55 I like the color

[Kim57]

Nice looking 55.
Kim

[ChuckDriver]

Originally Posted by oldman3

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

It's got a newly rebuilt 350 with Edelbrock heads, airgap intake and a big Holley carb, a Comp Thumper cam and roller rockers. The trans is a 350Th with a B&M Holeshoot 2500 stall converter.

The exhaust is all stainless, except the 40 series flowmasters. And it's LOUD!

The cam is to much for my taste, already thinking of swapping it out, and probably changing the Flows to 50's.

Already put 100+ miles on it this past weekend and it ran perfectly!

[Rods57]

Its crazy how many of us have the sedan and the truck, just like the chips you cant just have one...

Nice looking pair.

[ChuckDriver]

Thanks Rod! I'm loving the '55. Driving it a couple a times a week, always puts a big smile on my face!

[solidaxel]

Great jobyou have done on your 57!!

It has been 34 years since I had a 57 but it was the orginal "custom delux" you sure put the "CUSTOM" back into your Chevy.
You will LOVE that ZZ-4 and AOD, it is the perfect combination for these trucks.
Looks like you have enough rubber on the ground.
What gear do you have in the rear, I may have missed that.

Tell me how the mono spring does under acceleration with that size rear tire?

I am thinking I need something wider than a 255.

[JML55]

Nice 55 like the color too.

[Kabwe]

I see you finally join the club and got that truck a sibling.lol It looks great and it as belaire trim is it a true belaire post? Because they did have belaire sedans. Any congrats to you I sure your smiling ear to ear.

[kustombrad]

Yo Chuck! I just finished up looking at your build and all I can say is very nice! You did stuff right, kept it clean and didn't rush anything! You've made lots of cool comments on my build but after seeing yours, I have to tip my hat to you! Very, very nice!
Posted via Mobile Device

[candyx]

Nice 55 ,you have the perfect set now!!!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by 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....

Hey JJ,
I THINK I found a kit to do what you did with your rearend:

http://www.jamcosuspension.com/produ...productID/1045

Obviously this is for a car (you didn't use it, did you?) but I thought I'd post it here since I just happened upon it last night.

[ChuckDriver]

Dan, No this is not what I used for my truck. Like you said its designed for the car frame, not our trucks but with some creative engineering it might work?!

[ChuckDriver]

Originally Posted by Kim57

Nice looking 55.
Kim

Thanks!

[ChuckDriver]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

Great jobyou have done on your 57!!

It has been 34 years since I had a 57 but it was the orginal "custom delux" you sure put the "CUSTOM" back into your Chevy.
You will LOVE that ZZ-4 and AOD, it is the perfect combination for these trucks.
Looks like you have enough rubber on the ground.
What gear do you have in the rear, I may have missed that.

Tell me how the mono spring does under acceleration with that size rear tire?

I am thinking I need something wider than a 255.

I've got a 373 gears with a TruTrack posi. It works perfect. I have no problem with the mono leafs under acceleration. The ZZ4 has so much power and the way the trans is setup it will spin, not just chirp, but spin the tires when it shifts into 2nd if you have your foot in it!!

The rear tires are 285/60x16.

It now criuses great at 70 mph pulling only 2100 rpm!

[ChuckDriver]

Originally Posted by kustombrad

Yo Chuck! I just finished up looking at your build and all I can say is very nice! You did stuff right, kept it clean and didn't rush anything! You've made lots of cool comments on my build but after seeing yours, I have to tip my hat to you! Very, very nice!
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks! I love how cool your truck has turned out also! You've done some great work, thanks for sharing it with us all!!

[ChuckDriver]

Originally Posted by candyx

Nice 55 ,you have the perfect set now!!!

Thanks, may have to paint the truck Blue someday!

[Coupeguy2001]

okay I did basically the same front frame mod as you, except I used a G body frame, and mine is 2" lower than yours. I would like to raise mine up a bit. Did you use big block front springs or small block springs?

[ChuckDriver]

Originally Posted by Coupeguy2001

okay I did basically the same front frame mod as you, except I used a G body frame, and mine is 2" lower than yours. I would like to raise mine up a bit. Did you use big block front springs or small block springs?

I used the springs from a 77 Trans Am, with one full coil cut from them. I guess you might call them "big block" springs as the T/A had the 6.6 in it.

Did you cut your springs?

Thanks!

[Coupeguy2001]

I did not cut the springs. I ordered a subframe from Kimbridge, and bought new springs for a 86 Buick Regal with a olds 305..... The truck settles down about 4 inches, and I would like it to go 2 inches. I have 5 1/2 inches total suspension travel. I know it would look better up just a little. Alignment would be a little better as well.
Adjustments, adjustments, adjustments.
My plan at this point is to install a different engine (1989 corvette) that has a lightened flywheel, 10 inch clutch, aluminum bell housing, aluminum heads, and aluminum water pump, mini starter, with an aluminum radiator. That should take about 140 pounds off the nose. Since I have the engine and everything that goes with it, I will try that first.
I am using the corvette 4+3 stick overdrive trans and my original long bed driveshaft fits perfectly as the engine is at the original height, but forward 3 inches. It currently has a '78 4 bolt 350 with the 92 firebird cast iron heads and firebird cast iron water pump. I'm using a 92 firebird serpentine setup.

I will finish these mods before I start messing with the springs. The last resort is to install 3 inch lift S-10 spindles.

[ChuckDriver]

Dan, these pics might help show how I installed the tank.

[Rods57]

Looks great, what did you use for mufflers? trying to decide what to get, anyone use cherry bombs?

[ChuckDriver]

Originally Posted by Rods57

Looks great, what did you use for mufflers? trying to decide what to get, anyone use cherry bombs?

Howdy Rod, they are Flowmaster Super 40's. They have a nice sound to them. They have a drone to them around 2800 RPM, but now that I have the overdrive trans they are much more quiet at highways speeds.

[Shanehenrymusic]

I'm super impressed with how great the camaro clip looks.. Can you tell me what year camaro the clip came off of? I wonder if there is a tutorial showing how this was installed to look so factory... awesome truck! Thanks - Shane

[ChuckDriver]

Originally Posted by Shanehenrymusic

I'm super impressed with how great the camaro clip looks.. Can you tell me what year camaro the clip came off of? I wonder if there is a tutorial showing how this was installed to look so factory... awesome truck! Thanks - Shane

It's from a 77 Camaro and I had it done for me. I think No-Limit Engineering has a video showing how they do it. Some have said it has helped them. There is also a very long thread on the HAMB that details it also. Best of luck with your project!

[1959Chev]

Chuck guess I never noticed at first but why did you put stand-offs on the engine mounts?