1957 Chevy 3100 build. "Clem"

[57kansastruck]

I decided to start a build thread for my 57 truck project. It started life in Kansas as a county utility truck and remained with the county until a Co worker went after it. $4000 got me the truck, a 1996 LT1 with 4L60E. Already had a rack and pinion disc brake front end with tilt wheel installed. Disc brake posi Camaro rear, and two truck loads of parts. I've installed the rear. Coil over shocks. Full brake system and new master. Lowered the rear. Installed the engine, tranny, exhaust, and countless other stuff. I'm waiting on the engine harness. But it's about ready to fire up.

[57kansastruck]

More pics. ...

I know this isn't the wanted section. But if someone could help me out. I need a few small parts. Glove box door. Both door panels. RD door release mechanism. And dash garnish moldings. Thanks. Jason

[57kansastruck]

Last pics for now. More to follow.

I just picked up a full Chrome grille for $500. I'm happy about that deal.

The truck has 83,000 original miles. The Vin tag has 2 s.ets of numbers. I've never seen that before. Anyone ever seen "spec" on the pain code before? It has OD green paint it appears.

[Kim57]

Welcome.
Looks like a real nice truck.
Kim

[1958Warrior]

Very good looking truck to start with, Paint code probably has to do with it being a county truck, or may have been a Gov. truck and sold to the county later, those usually had a brass tag on the glove box ? Not really sure on that or the vin#s. There was a thread with that same issue I believe by an Aussi a while back, have to research it.
Looks like you got some good insurance(12ga. semi) to keep your tools/beer from running off.

[57kansastruck]

An update. I removed the old smoky and the bandit trans am steering column and installed a new chrome shift column and linkage for the 4L60E. I had to order a new universal joint and modify the shift linkage. I'm ordering the pictured steering wheel with a billet Chevy bow tie center. Nothing has been easy on this truck! My fuel injection wiring came finally. So, it's about time to see if it runs. I'm excited to start it. Wish me luck. Stay tuned and thanks for watching. J

[Kim57]

The new column and wheel look real nice.
Kim

[OneOffStroker]

I may have a glovebox door that will be going spare real soon. PM me.

[57kansastruck]

An update. I have gotten a lot done on the truck project. I have been tying up the loose ends of the LT1 install. I wired up the park/neutral switch, the brake switch/torque convertor lockup switch. The alternator is working. I fiddled with tiny brass fittings and plumbed in the oil pressure switch and gauge. The engine nearly pegs the 60psi gauge. My new wheels and tires arrived. I really like them. I stripped the inner fenders and put the front clip back on. The gaps came out pretty well. I need to install the radiator, hoses, transmission cooler, electric fan, power steering reservoir and tidy up the wires. Then it's time for preparing for paint.

[Kim57]

It's looking good.
Tires and wheels are real nice.
Kim

[1958Warrior]

Looks real good with the new rims and tires, I wish I had a garage I could work in .
Paint? your truck looks real good as is , has more paint on it than my truck and 5 others combined
Has it had any upgrades in the brake system? make sure it has the 2psi residual valves front and back for the 4 wheel disc.
Looks like it 'll have plenty of git up and go, be sure it has enough whoa.

[57kansastruck]

The paint just has chips, scratches and such. For the most part it looks good. I'm hoping to just touch it up rather than a complete repaint. If the paint matches well. I have a new CPP master cylinder with proportioning valve for the 4 wheel discs. Jason

[57kansastruck]

Well, the weather was nice today so I got a lot accomplished. I went to install the radiator and it was not the original radiator that I thought it was. So, off to the junk yard. I searched a lot of vehicles before I found a suitable donor. A 1993 dodge Dakota radiator will go in great in case anyone out there wants a close fit. I had to fabricate a bottom rubber mount. Little bit of welding, cutting and cussing. The biggest problem was the Frankenstein hoses. Three sets of hoses chopped up and 8 clamps later, it's in. I hooked up the transmission cooler lines into the radiator, the heater hoses, and the power steering lines. Time to quit for today.

[dubie]

Damn, that's looking good!

[Kim57]

Looks real good.
Kim

[57kansastruck]

A few build updates. I installed a cold air intake, Dodge Dakota radiator, and cleaned up the wiring. The power steering gave me fits. I finally discovered that the coil front end came from a pacer. I would never have guessed that. Well pacer rack and pinion power steering cores are rare. I ended up having mine rebuilt and paid a lot for it. But it steers like a brand new car. I installed my electric fan and electric controller. The engine purrs like a kitten. You can barely hear it running. But mash the gas and it comes alive. I love it. It holds temp perfectly. I installed a new tailgate. I put the hood back on. I stained and put urethane on the bed wood. I have 1 more coat of urethane to put on. The paint has minor imperfections. We will sand and paint the truck next. I just ordered a bunch of parts. Not many left to get. Another month and I should be finished with the truck. More updates after paint. Jason

[_Ogre]

pacer clips were common in the day, but as you found they are getting hard to get parts for
more pics and info for the dakota radiator install needed

[57kansastruck]

I'll get some, but it may be tomorrow. It was pretty easy. It was a junkyard pull for $40. It fit really well. I bolted the top to the factory radiator core support and welded a bracket underneath to hold it up, mounted on rubber. I think the Dakota was a 1993, and after looking at several, I'm pretty sure the v6 and v8 Dakota radiators are the same. And it had an internal transmission cooler, which was a bonus. It had the older style larger hoses and my LT1 has small hoses. That made it tricky to hook up. I made Frankenstein hoses with large and small ends. I used 4 hoses cut and mended together. The transmission cooler lines threaded right in. And I used the Dakota coolant over flow bottle.

[Kim57]

Looking real nice.
Kim

[57kansastruck]

I forgot to get the radiator install pics. Sorry. I'll be back on the truck tomorrow. I'll try to remember to get some. Anyway, this is today's update. I changed the spark plugs. I cleaned up and installed the hood latch. It's been off since at least 1994 that I know of. It works well. I put the final coat of urethane on the bed wood. I laid the boards in the truck be just to get an idea of the final look. It looks sharp in my opinion. I'll smooth out the final coat and wax the boards. Then they week be stored til the truck is in paint. I used a spot weld cutter and removed the bed angle strips. Tomorrow I'll begin sanding and prepping for paint.

[ChuckDriver]

Those boards look nice!

[57kansastruck]

Originally Posted by ChuckDriver

Those boards look nice!

Thanks! I appreciate it. Jason

[Kim57]

Bed wood came out real nice.
Kim

[87Lowrider]

Very Nice Project!! /Ken

[57kansastruck]

Ogre asked for my 1993 Dodge Dakota radiator install pics. I apologize I haven't taken them sooner. My dad and I have been sanding and prepping for a repaint. Although the paint looks nice in pictures it had many small flaws. I wanted to keep from a complete paint job but it needed to be done. I hate bodywork. We are making a lot of progress though. It will be 80 degrees with no humidity on Friday. We would like to shoot primer then if we can make it. For a 1957 truck there is very little filler and no rust. We flattened some dents in the bed. And one tiny hood dent. That's it for the repairs. I'll take some more photos after primer. Right now it isn't very flattering. But here are the radiator install pics. Sorry about the sanding dust.The radiator is mounted to the factory support with bolts and rubber bushings. Underneath I made a bracket that the rubber plugs on the radiator bottom go into, and the bracket is bolted to the boxed in frame rails. In case I ever need to remove it. The radiator had an internal transmission cooler which is a bonus and cost $40 at the local junkyard. It was about the perfect size. More updates soon. Jason