New to the site! Looking for 55-59 Chevy advice

[NW Task Force]

I have lurked around the website for a while and have decided to join in. I own a 1957 Chevy 1/2T stepside pickup. The truck currently has a 77' Camaro front clip under it. My project has only made it this far in the last 13yrs of owning it. I have all the other pieces (small block chevy, TH350 automatic, and 3rd gen Firebird rearend. I need to put all these items together to get this ol' gal back on the road. I am looking for folks who have put the same combo under their 55-59 Chevy/GMC trucks. Any advice/tips/tricks would be greatly appreciated.

[Kim57]

Welcome to the board.
You do know we need to see pics of your truck.
Kim

[NW Task Force]

This picture is when the truck was purchased back in the mid 90's. All original with the 235 six banger and 3spd manual. Sadly the truck has not been on the road in over 10 years!!!! I pulled it apart to install a subframe and also go to a V8 with automatic. I hope to get it going by this Summer.

[Maximus]

Welcome! I am new to the forums also, and also installed a subframe in my truck.
I'm just getting my truck on the road now to finally see how it handles! regestered it last week.

[Russell Ashley]

Welcome to the forum. That truck looks too nice to hide away for ten years, LOL. How could have you stood to look at it for that long without being able to drive it? Post up some more pics when you can.

[JML55]

Welcome, more pics.

[Kabwe]

Welcome and there are a lot of guys on here with your combo. There is a wealth of knowledge and info and guys who love to share it.

[1955 Eddie]

Welcome to the forum NW and Max. I have the same setup as you guys, it works pretty well. I dont think that you will run into any issues getting the engine and transmission in, my biggest challenge was getting the radiator support mounted to the newer subframe. I agree with Kabwe. Everyone on the forum is very helpful. If you run into any roadblocks just post them and I'm sure the answers will pour in.

[NW Task Force]

Originally Posted by 1955 Eddie

biggest challenge was getting the radiator support mounted to the newer subframe.

I was wondering how you did this? I have seen guys graft the original frame onto the Camaro subframe "horns". I was thinking about taking an easier approach and using "L" brackets welded onto the Camaro subframe. Any pics would be really great!!!

[1955 Eddie]

I'm no expert but I'm always willing to share my homebuilt solutions. here is a link to alot of my build. The short version is that you are correct. My truck and most I have seen with this setup have some sort of "L" support welded to the frame.


http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m.../1955%20truck/

[tmoble]

I cut the sub off about even with the front of the steering box and plated it. It's a 2nd gen Firebird WS-6 stub. The core support mount came down right on top of the end of the steering box. Welded a tab on the plate, cut the mount off the back of the core support, made a tab/mount on the front of the core support to sit on the tab on the plate on the end of the frame. We made the deal worse by stretching the wheelbase, moving the front wheels forward because I had seen so many trucks that looked like they were short, wheels back in the fenderwells. If I had it to do over I wouldn't do that again. Made the whole thing worse. It was only an inch, but it made everything harder.

OTOH, that was in 1994 and it's been a trouble free setup since then. 2 turns lock to lock, drives like a go kart.

I'll try to get a couple pix tomorrow afternoon.

[Kim57]

Here's a pic of what I did to mine. I have a 67 chevelle clip but the camaros should be about the same.
You can see more pics in my build thread starting on page #2.
Kim
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283107

[ChuckDriver]

Welcome and nice truck! I'm running the same setup that you have. There are many trucsk on here with it as well, so have a look around and see what works best for you. I have a few shots in my build thread that may help.

Let's see more pics of your's soon!!

[mixermike]

welcome from Renton

[Rods57]

I am running the same thing. I used the pieces left over from the original frame and the radiator supports as well.

[Indian113]

This help any?

[NW Task Force]

Thanks for the pictures guys! This definitely gives me some ideas. I guess I will have to re-assemble the entire frontend and temporary attach it to the cab to see where the radiator crossmember mounts will be. I did not take any measurements before disassembling the front end.