Customs Finally starting on the wife’s 56

Wrapping up some loose ends
using the stock auto column. The aftermarket end bearings will fit but not for keeping the stock column shifter. Not the ones I found anyway. But a cheap bronze bushing 1x3/4 fits the shift tube perfect

precision ground to work with the OE shift tube bushing

this supports the steering shaft and allows the shift tube to move up and down.

 

Turn and shift. There’s an idea.

 

Front edge of the rocket didn’t fit the door well. Kinda messed up the fender flushness as well

relief cut Weld

 

Found some skirts. But the guy that has em says he thinks there’s a difference between sedan and wagon skirts.
Truth?

 

Well, when you look em up new, one supplier said “not for station wagons” the other supplier listed wagon, sedan, belair with the same part number.

 

Picked up a set the guy didn’t know if they were 56 or 57. But for $30 why not just buy em anyway.
They must be 57. They almost sorta kinda fit.

 

I just looked at a lot of '56 pics. The wheel openings don't change from a wagon to the other cars. Bet you can fit 'em up if anyone can.

 

I’m considering modifying the 57 ones. They’re not far off
Found a nice set of 56 skirts that are really close in color. Great price as well.
Guys gonna be at bowling green this weekend.
Trying to talk the wife in going

 

Picked these up yesterday

55s but I like em better. We ain’t restoring
Wife likes the white insert
I’ll make up a story like “it’s an early 56” if anyone asks.
Still not 100% on using a full cap but it’s nice to have options.
Still trying to sell her on the spider caps.

 

Anthony, how's the Boss Lady's wagon coming along? HRP

 

Slow.
I keep getting sidetracked.
And lazy at times.
I got to learn 2 things.
Say no
And stay focused

 

i wish i only had to learn 2 --i'm way behind!

 

And NO NEW PROJECTS

That’s the biggest.

PADD is real
Project Attention Distraction Disorder

 

I cannot disagree more with those two statements. While I cannot go into descriptions here of what I got myself into some have asked in a PM and found out. I have stagnated for the last three years and am not anticipating getting back into the shop for at least four more years. If you are curious ask and I will let you know but I still manage to get around here. Just not as much as I would like.

 

Life happens
Camping trips with the family
Funerals
Weddings
Water main break
Flame out mentally.
Took the teaching job to spend time with the family and finally work on my own stuff. Pay was crappy starting out so I did side jobs. Kinda defeated the purpose of taking the teaching job. Stopped doing side work unless it’s small.
Had body aches before teaching, but the teaching gig gets ya mentally. So the back feels better but the brain hurts more
Both can slow ya down.
I’m in no hurry to fix anything. This is how I relax.
Dang 283 for my Merc has been waiting on my engine stand for over a year. Machine work done, parts bought. Just gotta get on it. Focus better.
wife says I need medication for that. Start on one project, a part another project needs shows up and bam. What was I doing?

Students can take weeks to do things I can do in a couple days. But thats part of learning. So that project drags on. Built a floor patch last year, tacked it in place and havent found time to get back on it. The few kids ya trust doing it leaves, goes to work or graduates. So we get another group ready.
I’m behind at school and at the house.
We were officially out for Christmas break yesterday for teachers, Tuesday for students but I’ve got to finish up a project we got behind on. Product failure cost us a week. The cool part is I’ve had students show up to help. So a few will get 3 -4 full days of extra experience. A student from the mechanics class has came in the help the past 2 days along with a diesel class student for a few hours one day. I’ll be there tomorrow and students have already asked if I’ll be in the shop tomorrow.
A couple students that exempted their tests for Monday stayed all day with me for 3 classes. Never asked any of them to do this.
So there’s the silver lining.

 

Anthony, it takes a special kind of person to get a kid to show up at school during Christmas Vacation to help their teacher. You must be doing something right!!!

 

Forgot the most important one "Yes, dear"

 

you ARE getting what you give---what aa great story between the lines of 'life in the way'--huge pat on the back---anthony... we would ALL drive ..YOU!

 

I too suffer from the dreaded PADD. The struggle is real.
Those students will remember you and benefit from their acquired skills the rest of their days. Merry Christmas and carry on.

 

Just tuning in on this thread. Nice work so far. Can’t wait to see it completed.

 

I really don't mind adding another hero-life coach into my mix! Hang in there Anthony!

 

Doing some cleaning up in the shop. Sorta.
Gotta get the shop in order to get back on this thing.
Sidetracked kinda. The plan is to do this 56 chassis along with my 49. Both need blasted. I’d really like to epoxy them at the same time.
I’m close to start removing the 56. The 49 is removed and ready to tear down. So, the 49 (gm truck) retains its late 235. I picked up a a dropped axle with car drums. The truck has a 6 lug Dana 44 with 3:55 gears and posi. So I do believe that stays. I’ll swap over the 6 lug drums to the dropped axle. Just picked up a bendix setup.
The 56 has 3:36 gears. Just did the math. I was hoping for 3:55s or 3:70s. Got an OD auto trans for it.
So, is it worth swappimg a 3:70 pumpkin in the 56.
I ran across one but it’s 3 hours from the house.
the price is good
I’ve got new control arm bushing, the car has new ball joints now. Want ti have it all ready to do when it comes out.

 

I’ve got 2. One with a lock up converter.
Hmmm

 

What overdrive trans do you have?

Just guessing 700R4, 4L60. First gear in either is 3.06, vs 2.52 for the TH350, so off the line faster, and overdrive is .70, which with a 26" tire and lockup converter put you at 2100 rpm at 70, whereas with a lockup TH350 you'd be at 3040 rpm. All calculations are with your 3.36 rear gear. I believe you have or are planning a cruiser motor for this, no reason it can't run 2100 rpm down the highway.

Just my thoughts

Devin

 

Guessed correctly.
26/27 inch tire is probably the target size.
Not worried about off the line.
Just cruising down the road.
2100 don’t sound as bad as I thought it would at 70.
thanks

 

Fenton steel blocks

has these homemade shackles on it

lift?
Car need to go down 2-3 more in the back. I’ve seen 5 leaf sedan drop springs but not 7.
I could reverse the main leaf. That kinda lengthens the leaf. This one is close to binding on the rear hanger now.
Considering raising the spring mount in front. Would be super simple to fab a new front spring mount. Even make it with a couple different spring mounting positions.
Wondering about flipping and swapping sides with the rear hanger and could use lift shackles as adjustable drop shackles.
Just out loud thinking.
Plan on dialing in the ride height now with all the weight other than seats.
Plans in front are 2 inch drop spindles, cut a coil, add the increased caster upper shafts.
Front with stock suspension set with spindle at 12.5 or close to a 26inch tire height.
Rear with the 2 inch blocks.
This wagon also has helper spring shocks, unbolted from the rear end.

Almost looks like a gasser