'57 2Dr Sedan

[Ironhorse]

In the past I have posted about my '57 2Dr. sedan I used to 1/4 mile several years ago. Have been wanting to get back to work on it to finish the re-build and for one reason or another it has just not happened. Got down in the back really severe late April and on into June. Could not hardly stand for long periods let alone bend over a fender. Finally got that situation taken care of and then along comes summer heat and Kansas humidity. Being almost 70 years young I don't do either one near as well as I used to. Bit cooler now, in the 90's instead of the triple digits. Now having issues with my right hand thumb. Stiff, painful and "locks" up til really have to work at it to get it to bend around a wrench. Taking Aleve tablets but don't see much relief. Going to see a specialist first part of August, looks like a hand surgery is in the future. Can't seem to catch a break in the wrenching department.

Okay, enough whining.

Yesterday got started on digging the '57 out of the garage and all the stuff and treasures stacked around it. NOT on top of it but around it, LOL.

Just thought would post up a couple pics of it to prove I really do have a '57 2Dr, LOL. '64 Chevelle 283 .030 over bore, Melling Super Street hydraulic cam, stock '57 GM dual four intake with Carter WCFB carbs, reproduction linkage, Muncie M-21 4 spd, Mr. Gasket shifter, headers and 3:55 pegleg rear gears. Converted to front disc brakes some years ago. Dusty and badly needs a good bath after get it out of the garage. Retired mechanic friend of mine with two "good" hands is going to help me get it back up and running. Then goes to another friend of mine who did the body and paint on my '71 Chevelle. Really keyed up about at last being able to get it on the road again. Sorry for the rambling and long post but sure has been a long road to getting even this far.

Will post up more pics as the progress goes along, but at least am working toward that end again.

[mongocanfly]

Nice.....really nice....looks like it's in great shape....would this be considered "a garage find"?

[Clyde65]

Awesome! I love the tri-5’s!

[Ironhorse]

Ha, not sure I would classify it as a "garage find". I always knew it was there, just lots of stuff and treasures packed around it. Decided that I was not getting any younger, pushing 70 years young right now. Time doesn't drag on as you get older, seems to be on a dead run sometimes. The track I used to run on locally is headed for a re-birth! See the post in General Discussion if interested. Will post more on that as I hear of news and information.

[JimKshortstep4x4]

Looks like a nice 57! Glad to see that you are getting back into it. Good luck with your project.

Jim

[franken]

55 and 57 are my favorites. I hope you keep the pics coming.

[Ironhorse]

Will add some more pics after get new shoes on and get the ol gal outside for a bath and some sun shine. Hasn't seen the light of day for quite some time.

[Ol Blue K20]

Subbed to tag along and watch

[Ironhorse]

Got the '57 out of the garage today and moved to a friend's house/shop. He is going to do some work on it that my hand's won't allow me to do right now. Had two steroid shots by a harpoon about 26-28 inches long in thumb joint and wrist. I was a big boy and didn't cry but it hurt like hell,

Long way to go but really getting pumped up, ready to bang gears again in my street rod. First time it has seen day light in quite some time.

[Ironhorse]

A few more pics.

[Ol Blue K20]

Nice!! Its gonna be fun to "putt" around in.....

[flashed]

Im in to see this .

[Ironhorse]

Had to order a new gas tank and figured would get a new sending unit also. Ordered a Spectra tank which is made in Canada. According to most of the posts I read on a tri-five board I belong to, the Spectra tanks are the tank of choice for replacement of an original.

Think this will be a long process but I'm sure ready to hear that little mouse motor roar again. Nothing sounds as good as a sbc with open headers when building some Rs on the tach.

[Nut Case]

Not harpoons, just the house keeping, the square needle brigade.

I got two interns with electrodes in the big muscles on all fingers and thumbs, till I pulled all the needles out and ask for a real doctor.

I feel your pain.

Great car, brings back good memories. Strong work

Nut Case

[Advanced Design]

Cool project, have fun! Tagging along for the rest.

[Russell Ashley]

Looks like it is solid and straight. That's going to be a sweet driver when you get it back going. Do you have all of the side trim?

[Ironhorse]

Actually it is VERY solid, also one of the reasons I decided not to beat it to death on the 1/4 mile track. Some bubbled rust on both front fenders, low, just in front of the doors and as can be seen the wrinkle on the driver's door mid way up aft. Ordered a new set of rubber body bushings and associated hardware. Figure what is there being 60 years old can't be as good as it was in 1957, LOL.

Also plan on taking the car to a body/frame shop before get any body/panel work done to have the frame "squared" prior to anything being done. Had that done with the truck and Chevelle both, no sense in not having it done here. Far as I know I have ALL the stainless side trim along with the front bumper and turn signal bar.

Got the new Spectra tank and sending unit yesterday and got it to my mechanic buddy. Going in the car within a couple days. Making some good progress, wish it was my hands doing the wrenching right now.

Seeing the specialist on my hand Monday. Hope the exam goes well. Still having some problems with grip and strength in it. NOT looking forward to surgery on it at all !

[hooverfish]

Hello Gary, I'm subscribed and look forward to following your progress.
The 57 is nice, makes me want one. Larry

[Ol Blue K20]

I've worked on a lot of tri fives but the 57 is my favorite by far!

[Ironhorse]

Visited the 57 and my mechanic buddy Saturday. He is making really good progress with new tank installed and up and running. Just had to take it for a short run down the street. Man, it was great to open up those twin 4 BBL carbs again and listen to the headers and Thrush mufflers growling. Just a quick 1st and 2nd gear run but sure made me feel great!

Just wish it was my hands working on it but for the time being that's not possible. Going to see the hand specialist tomorrow, hope he gives me some good news! Wish me luck on his exam.

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

Visited the 57 and my mechanic buddy Saturday. He is making really good progress with new tank installed and up and running. Just had to take it for a short run down the street. Man, it was great to open up those twin 4 BBL carbs again and listen to the headers and Thrush mufflers growling. Just a quick 1st and 2nd gear run but sure made me feel great!

Just wish it was my hands working on it but for the time being that's not possible. Going to see the hand specialist tomorrow, hope he gives me some good news! Wish me luck on his exam.

Great that it's running!!! Best of luck on your exam buddy.....

[mongocanfly]

Man...I hope it all works out for you at the dr....

[flashed]

Hope your Dr visit goes well .

[Ironhorse]

Well the Dr. visit was kinda like the movie, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. The Good is the pain has diminished and flexibility has returned quite a bit in the thumb joint and base of the thumb. The Bad is the thumb joint still locks up and pops and snaps when I flex the joint. The Ugly is the Dr. said when the steroid shot completely wears off and it's effects go away the pain will return just as much as before the shot was given. He said only a matter of time before I will be back to where I was. Could be month or several months but he was definite that it will return along with the stiffness.

Rats, looks like surgery for sure is some where in the future. Said the surgery is rather uncomplicated and quick with scraping bone and calcium build up within the joint. Said recovery is normally pretty quick being 3-4 weeks before have full use again of the thumb. My thoughts are now to put it off as long as I can when the pain returns and probably have the surgery during the winter months when stuck in the house and just throwing a log on the FP and drinking another cup of coffee is a big part of the day. Not what I wanted to hear but it is what it is. Tough on the old bod getting older but sure beats the alternative!

[Clyde65]

I had a similar issue several years ago....surgery helped but I still don’t have full range of motion or the grip I used to have.

I wish you good luck and second opinions. Just because!