Projects In Over My Head

IN OVER MY HEAD!
Discussion in 'New to the H.A.M.B.? Introduce yourself here!' started by 59 Chev Apache, Nov 2, 2017.

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1. 
   59 Chev Apache
   Member
   from Mesa, Arizona
   First, I signed up some years ago and while this is my first thread, I want to say how impressed I've been at the knowledge, expertise, creativity and sense of community there is here. So glad there's a place like this for me to turn to for advice and help.
   
   Briefly, here's my story. My first car was a '55 Chevy. Cool, huh? Not really. It was 1965 in Massachusetts and was just a $150 rust-bucket:
   
   The '55 was followed by a slew of weird, interesting stuff. Ever heard of a "Humber Super Snipe?" I had one. (Wish I had a pic!)
   
   Anyway, whatever I had over the years I just tried to keep running - not much fun - and so developed a hankerin' to find something interesting and do a ground up project ... all by myself! Here's what I found:
   
   
   
   Sure was fun taking it all apart! The plan was to create a "stealth" factory hot-rod truck. No chop, all the badges and fender mounted spare, bench seat with '59 upholstery (or as close as I could get to that) and a '59 factory paint color, but with a triple deuce 348 under the hood (and upgraded suspension.) But, as is always the case I guess, the more you get into the body restoration, the more hidden problems you find. Not so much fun, especially if you ignored the advice of experts who say, "Go to a junk yard and pick up some hoods and fenders to practice on first!"
   
   Here's what things look like today:
   
   
   
   Like the high-tech stands?
   
   My "ask" today is for a recommendation of a shop or person in the Phoenix Arizona area who would be willing to take on the task of fixing my mistakes and finishing restoration of the cab. And after that, I promise whatever challenges come up with mechanical part of the project, I'll be here asking advice from people who know what they're doing!
   
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2. 
   59 Chev Apache
   Member
   from Mesa, Arizona
   Oh, well. Guess page 2 of this thread ended up in the electronic great beyond somewhere during the crash. I think the only important thing I lost was video of Squirrel and his Hot Rod cover Chevy II pulling away from MY house! So, here it is again:
   
   
   
   
   
   
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3. 
   59 Chev Apache
   Member
   from Mesa, Arizona
   BTW, to get to my thread when I logged in today, I searched for "In Over My Head." Glad I did! I learned I wasn't the only one!
   
   Anyway, plan to be in the garage tomorrow, picking up where I left off maybe two years ago - replacing the driver's side floorboard. Before I go any further, I think I should weld the trans access hole shut:
   
   Right decision? The original drive train is long gone, so there's no need for it, right? (I'll also get rid of all the dust!)
   
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4. 
   59 Chev Apache
   Member
   from Mesa, Arizona
   Also lost in the Great Crash of '17, my thank you to Squirrel. He's probably forgotten more about cars than I'll ever know and it was a real inspiration to have him check out the work so far and decide it wasn't a lost cause. Thanks, Squirrel! Someday I hope to get a picture of my Apache next to yours!
   
   So I got back at it today and patched that access hole in the driver's side floorboard. Turns out I remembered how to weld. Next, grinding down the weld and hammering the floorboard back to some semblance of flat.
   
   
   
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OK. I'm really messing up this thread business. I started out in the "Introduce Yourself" section of the site. Not many users go there, I guess, so I moved to the "Projects" section. But ... looks like I got bounced back to "Introduce Yourself" in The Great Crash. So here I am back in "Projects" but with some lost posts and many lost replies. Let's just move on, OK?
So I did decide to close up that access hole in the driver's side floorboard and was happy to discover that I can still weld!



Next, we'll see if I can get the floorboard back to flat.

 

That's a nice looking truck. Keep picking away at it and pretty soon you will look up and find that you've gotten somewhere!

An old analogy but it works - this stuff is kind of like eating an elephant. The only way to do it is one bite at a time.

 

Thanks for the great advice and encouragement! I'm growing more confident that yes, I will get somewhere - hopefully behind the wheel of a nice looking '59 Chevy Apache!

 

great to see you're working on it!

 

Today's post is called "Plan Ahead." The floorboard isn't PERFECTLY flat, but hey ... it'll be covered by DynaMat and carpet so I think we're good:

However, when I cut out the original floorboard, a piece of the lip that supports the trans cover went with it. So now I've got to re-attach that piece of the lip, either to what's left of the existing floorboard or to the new section:

(Would have been nice if the replacement floorboard section included the lip.)

 

Thanks! As I told you, it was my son who gave me the initial kick in the butt to get back at it. Which gives me the opportunity to brag on him and his magazine cover-

And the opportunity to restore to the thread the video of your awesome magazine cover car in front of my house!'=

 

looks like you may be introducing a thread - anyway skip "work" part of a build and get over the sense of accomplishment, pride in your ride, dream of being on the road with it side

 

I'm now really enjoying the work and DO look forward to being on the road. One of the first trips will be to Squirrel's down south for a picture with his '59 Apache!

 

Why 2 threads? HRP

 

Because I got confused. Got a suggestion that the original thread on "Introduce Yourself" should be moved to "Projects" Copied and pasted so I guess the Introduce Yourself thread is still there. I'll see if I can figure out how to get rid of it.

 

Couldn't find a way to delete it. I noticed it does say in the "Last Message" column "N/A"

 

Also noticed there's a little blue arrow. When you float the mouse over it, it says "redirect."

 

Cool shot of Jim pulling away and the little one coming up on the bike!

I'm sure you were told the cover you welded up was for the master cylinder fill, assume you'll run something firewall mounted or remote fill?

If firewall mounted plan ahead while the cab is bare, first one I did flexed like heck, engine was in and was a PIA to plate up to stiffen it. Since then, I looked a bit harder at newer trucks and braced differently for a cleaner look when the hood is up.

Holler if you're looking for little odds and ends, I still have some stuff in jugs and cans I'll never get around to using, my last TF I die with will be the first one I had

 

Isn't the kid an awesome touch! Had no idea he was coming. As far as "the hole" goes ... too late! It's been so long since I pulled the thing apart, I didn't remember the master cylinder was under the cab! No worries though. What was filled can easily be cut out if it comes to that. And if it turns out to be a firewall mount, I WILL remember to back it with a sturdy brace. As far as odds and ends go, would love to find an original radio. Wouldn't have to be in working condition. I have a brother who's an electrical engineer and I could get him to refurbish it for a six pack!

 

After that response above I Googled "59 Chevy master cylinder" and among the photos that popped up was this:



Crazy or cool?

 

Your doing good....just keep plugging along.....oh and looks like you were busy raising a son....that cover picture didn't come easy....sure you helped along the way - in some way !

 

He's a really good guy and did give me a little shout out in the story.

 

Up thread, I noted that the repro floorboard did not include the lip that supports the tranny cover and hadn't decided whether to stick the lip to the new floorboard or back on to the old one. (Realized that was the obvious choice.) But either way, there was a problem - the old lip didn't extend all the way to the new floorboard:

Which meant I had to fab a small piece to get it to reach:

Worked out OK. Not perfect, but it'll be under the DynaMat and the carpet!

Next, finish weld the extension and trim the new floorboard to fill the hole.

 

One of the best shops in your area is here

http://www.industrialchassisinc.com/
if you get stuck keep him in mind.

keep at it, things are looking good.

 

Thanks for the tip! Looks like if I need it, they'll have it, or fab it. I'll pay them a visit. About a half hour from my house.

 

You're right! He helped quite a bit. We cut the entire back of the car off and welded in new rear valance, trunk floor, etc. He really gave me the car bug.

 

And man, did he run with it! He's got one proud Dad.

 

Let me just say, far out man.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Can't argue with that!

 

Almost ready to weld in the new floorboard piece:


The gap is a little fat at the inside edge:

But with a copper backing, I think it'll work. We'll see!

 

Another day, a little more progress. The floorboard patch is almost ready to tack in place:

Tacked and ready for final welding:

The patch sags a little at the seam. I'll figure out a way to support it before the final weld. Stay tuned!

 

Eating the elephant one bite at a time. Good work.

 

Thank you kind sir! The encouragement really does help!

 

It's a marathon, not a sprint. Been working on this for two years.