Projects 1954 GMC Series 1

Here is the new to me heart. It ran good when pulled but I have heard that before. June 15 of 68 block if I decode it right. Sadly it thing I don't know till I pull the pan if it's a 2 bolt or 4 bolt. Why GM Why!?! Digging it out of its corner this weekend will be pulling plugs and borescoping it tbouroughly before I spend the money on getting it home and on the stand.

Some of the casting and stamps I'm clueless about. I know the one is a partial vin of the original car but the one above it ending in TDS I'm curious about.

So as far as I can tell the T8 is a 1968 Truck motor and the only 68 motor with 3970010 is a 327. So Big Journal 2 Bolt?

 

So it's a 350 from a 78. Not a 68. Has heads that will work if not cracked. But the good news is it's most likely a 4 Bolt Main. And it's a slim chance it's a Iron crank. It is out of a GMC truck according to the serial, so it's destined to keep living in a GMC. Have a low mileage TH400 now as well. Just need to get an adapter to convert the QuadraPuke (sorry I hate the things) to a Holley. I have a old Demon Road Demon ijna box someplace but I think it's a 750 cfm guessing I need a 600-700.

Another buddy is giving me a tilt column from a 70s Monte Carlo.

Get the correct yoke for the 400 and get my drive line done

Putting the order into Tuckers this weekend for the unmentionables.

I actually might be able to make this thing move this summer. Depending on my weekend work load.
One big jon turned into 2 working on a 55 and a 56 Chevy 2 tonners doing some wiring updates and some mechanical work that should cover everything i need. This winter pull the cab and dive into that disaster.

 

Playing with AI last night making where I want to go. And worked the Monroe Swap meet today and came home with a vintage Weiand Dual plane and a 650 vacuum secondary baby double pumper for $200.

*and yes I know it’s a square bore intake and a spread bore carb. He tossed in the adapter as well.

 

After some research and lack there of, this intake is intriguing me. Ever since I saw my first supercharger in the bay of an old T Bucket I saw Weiand on the intake and went one day. While it isn’t a supercharger setup, it’s going to be better than slapping an Eddy on it and following the rest of the sheep.
Anyway I see the newer with the W wrapped around the Weiand which is newer. But it’s a toss up what I am reading about Block Lettering vs the Say Why And I takes. I’m guessing the Say Why And is early or is the block letters earlier? Either way from the few pics I can find the intake is late 60s early 70s? A bit earlier than i thought it would be. I can even see the recess for machining out an intake fill 327 style filler.

Also noting they are called a Stealth intake today. Motors just getting an RV roller cam and a shade tree balancing. Long as the heads check out.

 

Got the Holley 4011 rebuilt today, had to make my own choke blade but it turned out good. But I found the choke assembly was broken so that's why it was missing the choke blade. Posted a WTB in the classifieds for a part. Or if the newer manual choke kit work on it.




Plugging away, feels good actually doing something to it. I'm years from seeing the thing on the road. But maybe see if this SBC is good or not in the next week or so.

Still playing with AI and came up with another good one. Still can't get it do a 5 window, it just puts the words 5 window on it someplace. lol or get the 54 Grill and windshield right. But it's just an idea

 

Well while the brakes have been firmly applied on the 54. I get to finally live up to my Screen Name and build a 32 this winter. Busy building others cars while mine sits in the barn.


It's a 1980s typical build with some updates. We have built this customer a 32 in the past but kept it gentlemanly. He regretted selling it and picked this one up. Pretty much blank check build. Full chassis, 347 Stroker , 2-2.5" chop, fill the roof. And more. I'll post a few updates occasionally. .

But I'm still kicking. Just been insanely busy.

 

Pretty nice. I could live with it just like that.

 

I found out I hardly fit inside. Lol part of me wants to just fox what needs fixed. Maybe some updates. But the kid on me sees the potential. And the owner has complete faith in my boss. And my boss has complete faith I will deliver. This will be my first complete.

And honestly I'm a bit scared.

Building a car to the level this car is going, is a dream for me. I'd never be able to do it myself. Maybe now I will. I hate neglecting the 54. But Things are coming together for it. 350 HP, 350 and a Turbo 350 sitting next to it. Just need the time to stuff it in the frame. And it will be something breally nice as well.

Only thing I can hope is my body is up for the task. Last few months have been a struggle pain wise. Docs can't do much about it. All i can do is keep busy and my mind occupied.

 

I can see a few things I'd change but they would probably put it at a lower level.

 

On a personal front. After a long summer waiting. All my parts for my Harley are back from machine work. Upping compression, big cam and some head work to make everything work well together are finally back in time for the snow to fly

Found the cause of my excessive oil consumption and it was due to someone else that should never touch another bike. Apparently there was an issue so they just ball honed the jugs like a man slapped the stock pistons with new rings back in and sent it. And me fed a bill of goods when I bought the bike 3 years ago. So now it should be done right. Have about 20-30 more HP and Tq. And project Hot Rod Harley will be finished.

 

Sadly this looks to be the end of the road. Have someone coming up next week super interested in the project. Between life and health and a mash of other things. The 54 just isnt happening the way I’d like to proceed with it. It will be going to a person that has the time and space to build it.

but on a good note. The second project The Road King is done. Sounds great and can’t wait for a dry day to hop on for some break in miles.

 

Doors close & doors open, projects come and go. If we can snag a few we may be able to to finish one or two. Not many finish them all. Getting unfinished ones to someone else finish is not a bad thing.

 

Thanks SixBall. Its been rough. Too many ideas. Backing up after realizing costs. We decided to look at the S10 swap again but now that they are a popular swap and some really nice kits for the swap I'd be in over my head just on a frame and kit, then rebuilding the frame. $2500-3k

Then finding more work on the cab. Far more shotty work. Needing serious rework.

So we Found a 3 window cab in decent shape talked to the guy and even figured we could make the 3 window a 5 window. After some pic sharing he was interested in mine as a project. Came up and saw the stuff made a deal and it's gone tomorrow. Taking everything he wants minus the motors which will be hauled off for scap in spring. No parts available. Blocks and heads are worthless.

I don't even want to be here when he comes for it. The old man is taking care of it. Don't want any lasting last minute change of heart. But I honestly made a few grand in the end so it's not terrible.

Lots of dreams and too many other people's ideas kinda ruied it. Telling me how I need to build it. (nobody here. Local car guys) I had a vision and when the 270 was cooked it was over. SBC swaps and LS swaps are too abundant. Heck I found a 300 Ford Six with a 5 speed. 20k on a rebuild I just about went well Ford rear end why not a Ford 6 and really PO purists. But it was snagged it from under me. One of those I want it gone by Friday. Made the deal, showed up with a trailer Wednesday and said he sold it to another guy, and realized that guy wasn't me. Scammers. Lost $175 in that for fuel and rental. I even called the guy saying I'd be there in 3-4 hours.

I even had an oh heck with it and stopped at chatted with Art Morrisons Shop in Kent for what a full on crazy custom frame would cost but that's not a HAMB friendly discussion nor was it a cheap venture. You could buy 2 TCI full Touring Frames for one AM.



Anyway spent the ladder of summer and all of Fall on the Harley Rebuild and got to ride it once. And she's definitely way better now. It's the only project I need for now. Spent way too much on it's rebuild because I was using it to ignore the GMC and honestly enjoying it more.

She should be about 90HP now and 95-100tq but up at 5k rpm. Went thru everything. Replaced anything that was remotely inaccessible when back together. About the only thing left to upgrade will be the clutch. I'm sure the factory clutch won't be happy with 25 more HP and 30 Tq. Lol




A little sound bite of the thumper cam it's got in it now. And I tossed a full S&S Exhaust on it. Need to get a finished video of it done outside and upload.

 

Well heck, I seem to recall you were selling some accumulated parts off, and was going to sell the project and move on, then got re-energized on it? And now you have a solid deal set up.
I don’t recall (and not going back through 8 pages) pics of the truck.
But do start a new thread with pics of what’s coming in, plans, etc.

Best of progress luck!!

 

I sold off l the 248/270 hot rod parts then landed one v8 which was junk then I got a low mile sbc and trans from a friend to keep it going and then I hit total burnout.

Sadly I am done for now. No projects other than what I do for my main gig, building cars for other people. No place to build one properly at my home. And no personal project space at the shop. Maybe I will find a running and driving project eventually. Something that doesn't need total resto.

 

Realized I still have a handful of parts he didn’t take and I didn’t offer with it. The 1/4 windows the guy I got them from will buy them back for what I paid. And I have that 60s Weiand Intake and the rebuilt Holley Carb. The Block Hugger Headers, good swap meet parts.

Then haul off all the six bangers to scrap.

And try and find a home for that SM425 Truck transmission if it has any value.

It was a tough day yesterday. But I just had to face reality. Don’t think I’ll be doing any large scale restos or builds when I don’t even have my own space to do it with the proper equipment.

 

Hate to see any of the six stuff scrapped. A lot of internal parts are still of use. Probably why I have a pile of them someone else will have to scrap.

 

Well, means you have the 3 window now, post a few pics of what you have to start with.

 

@Budget36 we went to look at the 3 window as a cab donor and it turned into him buying everything I had to complete his 3 window. :/ so no project for me for now other than building the 32 for my client.

 

The vintage off road vehicle crowd will be interested in the SM425.

 

I see, I’d thought a trade was in the works. Must have read it wrong.
Best of it moving forward!