Projects "Sylvester" Another 55 Chevy Hot Rod Build

It turned out beautiful! I just love 55 Chevies.

It would seem that, properly tuned, a pair of 500cfm Edelbrocks would work just fine on a mild 350sbc.

 

Wow, it looks great. Have a blast with it.

 

It is really cold in Oklahoma these days...but I am doing what I can. I got lucky and sold the sprint car engine and 2x4 set up to one guy. Looking over the instructions that came with the crate engine I decided to follow their recommendations down the line. I have a performer intake with a 760 Holley on it. This thing should be a real pussy cat.
I took my Muncie to the only builder I could find in town (and all my buddies could recommend). Long story but they turned out to be a company I knew many years ago at a different location and they were crooked. Well, things have not changed. Get this, they could not build my trans unless I brought in my shifter. Then, they called and said that they were going to have to drill 2 holes in the shifter to make it work (it already has for close to 100 miles). They wanted $80 dollars for that. I told them that I had just borrowed the shifter from a friend and that not that they had drilled holes in it I would have to buy it. Well they said that they could reverse what they had done and not charge me...but they wanted me to bring in my clutch assembly and throw out brg. I just said no can do. I am going to pick it up like it is. Well, it looks like they put new seals and gaskets in it...but did they put a master kit in it...we shall see.
I think I have the 500 power steering about completed. Nothing wanted to line up on the front of the engine...then the pump was in the way of the alternator. It is almost laughable what a hassle it was to get everything on the front of the engine. Just don't ask how much I had to grind off the pump (a lot).
While I have the column out to shorten it I am going to rebuild my speedo...better known as the howling banshee. I'll kill that with a little special lube I used to make back in the day.
Like I said it is really cold these days. I do what I can, like install a hidden deadman's switch on the main battery cable and the speedo I mentioned. I will update you and post some picks when I get a little "real" progress made. Zilla

 

Finally can report the car is back together. I had huge overheating problems with the new engine before I found that the lower radiator hose did not have a spring in it and it kept collapsing. The tranny NOW has a chatter in first gear coming from the trans - thanks to my builder. I have decided to drive it till it either stops making noise or blows up.
Next Winter I am thinking that I will slide a couple small turbos on that 8 1/2:1 compression 350. Might give it a little more wiggle with those 3.89 gears.
I am loving the 500 power steering set up and I can't imagine ever using a stock box. Maybe with a purpose built race car. I can drive with one finger and there is little to no hunting the road. I have lots of little projects left to do to Sylvester. I will update this thread as I get to them. Thanks to you guys who and followed the build - feel free to ask any questions and I will do my best to tell you what I did. Zilla

 

Sometimes it is the small things that are easily overlooked that will drive you crazy. Stick with it, this is a very nice car that is well worth it in the end.