Lost and Forgotten 51

[PurdueSD]

I bought this truck when i was 13. It was going to be my first car....hah! I abandoned it about 2 years later when i found my 54 which is in much better shape. Well i am 29 now with a 3 month old so, lets try this again!

Ive had the itch lately start turning this one into a crusty driver since the 54 is a much more involved build that i haven't touched for years. So i dug this out of my dads barn today after its 16 year hibernation.

I still trying to nail down a direction for this project. So far this is what i have come up with...

- Paint- The truck has an awesome natural patina. So despite some rust here and there, I want to leave the paint as is and actually enjoy part of the hot rod hobby i have never gotten too... driving a hot rod! I know, sad isn't it. It will start with a patch panel here, patch panel there and hopefully not turn into too much disassembly at once. (My 54 already has that covered!)

-The bed is a basket case. It flops all over the place. No rear valence, side angles shot, the only thing holding it halfway together is some 2x4s and lag bolts. Didn't have a tailgate and the front bed panel is bowed a good 5 inches from abuse.


-Trim- repop chrome and cream grille and some bumpers. The rest stays as is.

-Wheels/Tires - Thinking Black oe style wheels with spider caps or hubcaps with some Wide whites

-Suspension- Dropped front axle with a couple leafs removed. Blocks- rear.

-Drivetrain- hopefully revive and rock the 1954 full pressure 235. My dad and I got it free and swapped it in running 15 years ago. If the 235 is strong i would someday like to throw a t-5 and camaro 10 bolt in. The point here is not tear apart to much and actually be able to drive the thing.

What do you guys think? Ideas? Input?

I have been at the truck now for a couple weeks so ill post up a couple updates here real soon and then it will slow down a bit.

Here's what she looks like coming out of hibernation....

[PurdueSD]

Here's a couple picks after a quick bath before the fun begins...

[pinecrest]

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! I can't see any pics!!!!!!!! I demand pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;-)

[PurdueSD]

they are all there bud, not sure what you mean...?
Posted via Mobile Device

[pinecrest]

IDK.... wouldn't be the first time my computer proved itself to be a POS. Someone else will chime in, I'm sure. I do want to see it, though! Sounds cool.

[GRIMSS]

No pics for me also.

[71swb4x4]

No pics here either.

[PurdueSD]

Sorry bout that... i moved the pics over to a different host. Let me know if you still cant see em.

Also let me know what you think!

[pinecrest]

I see um...... I see um!!!!!!!!!!!

Have I seen these pics on this site before? I've seen them somewhere before.

Nice, solid truck!

[GRIMSS]

Looks to be a good starting point.

[Bishops Trucks]

I wish I would have never gotten rid of the '50 I had. Kick myself everytime I see this body style. Nice truck, keep us posted.

[PurdueSD]

Small update:

Found some spare hours to work on the engine and bed:

Engine update: Engine turns over with the starter pretty easily. Cleaned and gaped the points/ New coil/ spark plugs/ ballast resistor, some gas dumped down the carb... nope... nothing yet. I guess ill replace the plug wires, condenser and points and try again. The spark at the plugs seems awful weak. I'm no engine mechanic and it shows.

Bed: Little bigger updates here. Spent some time replacing some sheet metal in the rear stake pockets. This was badly needed so i have something to bolt the new tailgate and rear valance to.

Here are what i started with:



Little patch here and one there...









And mocking up the tailgate so i can try to get the spacing right to drill the holes for the rear valance:

[Russell Ashley]

A normal 12V points type ignition with a resister should have some means to apply the full 12V to the coil for cranking. Could this be why you have weak spark? On most cars I've had, the ignition switch had a "start" post that applied the 12V to the coil side of the the resister.

I like your idea about what to do with the truck. A few chrome goodies, some whitewalls, (and some new windshield glass) and drive it.

[PurdueSD]

double post...

[PurdueSD]

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

A normal 12V points type ignition with a resister should have some means to apply the full 12V to the coil for cranking. Could this be why you have weak spark? On most cars I've had, the ignition switch had a "start" post that applied the 12V to the coil side of the the resister.

I like your idea about what to do with the truck. A few chrome goodies, some whitewalls, (and some new windshield glass) and drive it.

Thanks, i only have one wire going from the ballast resistor to the coil, so its only getting 9 volts or whatever. I think you are on to something. Can anybody comment on how 12 Volts should gets to the coil during cranking? I believe this is where the ballast resistor comes in... Ive still got the foot starter.

[bobinbc]

Shouldn't there be a wire coming from the starter that makes its way to the coil? This wire is hot only while the starter is engaged, then when you release the key the wire from the ballast resistor takes over. This is how it's done on the chev's that I'm familiar with, mostly from the late 50's/60's.

[PurdueSD]

This little update brings me it to current. Front bed panel replaced. Tailgate, rear valence in. Threw a 54 bumper i had laying around on.

[skip99]

Originally Posted by bobinbc

Shouldn't there be a wire coming from the starter that makes its way to the coil? This wire is hot only while the starter is engaged, then when you release the key the wire from the ballast resistor takes over. This is how it's done on the chev's that I'm familiar with, mostly from the late 50's/60's.

what he said !!

you could convert to HEI.. really simple, one wire, no coil..

[RCbowtie69]

looking good & keep pictures coming,the bed is taking shape

[PurdueSD]

Well, after a 1 year hiatus... I'm back with a new direction.

88 Suburban gunna donate its guts...

350tbi/700r4
Driving home I was pretty pleased. Starts right up, but has a little pinging on mid to heavy throttle. Motor ran pretty strong for the 25 mile trip home, stayed cool and had great oil pressure as far as the crappy stock gauges could tell. Did get a check engine light about 20 miles down the road, so ill have to pull the codes after i learn more about the paperclip trick. That was kind of a bummer.

TBI is totally new to me. At first it kinda scared me but after a couple hours of internet hopping, sounds like i will be able to figure it out with ample head scratching along the way. Transmission- on the other hand- shifted flawlessly, even when i tried to confuse it. For the $800 bucks i gave, I don't think i can get hurt to badly. 57k on GM crate longblock, tranny rebuilt by reputable local shop 20k ago...Blah, blah, hope its true...Plan for the worst, hope for the best.

Other little tidbits:
-Anybody ever adapt squarebody firewall mount breaks/ pedal assembly?
-Looks like the huge gas tank may fit in the rear of the AD if i turn it sideways. This would be awesome considering i need a electric full pump for the tbi. Also plan to scavenge the fuel lines.
-Rear axle measures 63.5" WMS so i think its just barely too wide. Some skinny bias might still fit...hmmm

Any other ideas or suggestions to scavenge?

On to the pics..."She's a beaut, Clark!"

[54 jimmy]

i use a square body brake pedal in my 54 gmc. youked out good. i did a lotof modifying the the pedal it's self to get it to not hit the floor.

[PurdueSD]

In case anyone is wondering what ive been up too...I bet i have removed a hundred frame rivets. Thank god for my air hammer. Just about done stripping down. Start building back up this week!

Ive decided to go with ifs, so now i just need to decide which one/type. Saw Scotts Hotrods at a local rod run this weekend, WOW, by far nicest ive seen. A little outta my budget unfortunately. I'm currently leading towards a tci mustang 2 setup balancing cost/ performance.

Waiting anxiously for the brown truck. Tci rear leaf kit on its way! Hope to go axle shopping tomorrow if i can sneak away.


Posted via Mobile Device

[mknittle]

Looks good! I gave up on the air hammer I drill them now days.

[PurdueSD]

Last week i my leaf spring kit from tci came in so i ran out and picked up an 8.8 out of a 99 explorer. Its 3.73, limited slip and has disc brakes. Spent a couple hours all three days this weekend. Got the old perches stripped off the axle, put, the springs, hangers and shackles and mocked up the entire rear. I still need to mount the spring cross member, but I'm waiting to check how the axle center-line looks in the fenders. I'm obviously gonna replace the wood blocks with solid steel, so i can offset the centering pin a little if i need to. Here's a couple pics...






Posted via Mobile Device

[PurdueSD]

Couple shots after spending a little time with mock up last night. I am pretty happy with the wheel position in the fender opening.