56 chevy truck question

I bought a 56 chevy truck a while back, complete minus front fenders. found some fenders and mounted them, mount fine to the cab but are off a few inches from where they mount to the radiator support. the radiator support is in the right spot so i really dont know what the problem is...

 

its as if the radiator support needs to move forward a few inches for everything to fit.....but its mounted to the factory spot on the frame...???

 

check all the body mounts, most have plenty of slop

 

are you referring to the upper piece that mounts to the grill or no, because i have that, imagine that piece being an inch forward of the radiator support

 

The frames were made differently for V8 and 6 cyl trucks. The brackets that are riveted to the frame, that hold the radiator support, are in different places. Also the radiator support is in a different place depending on engine, with the V8 it is mounted back about 4 inches, with the 6 it is mounted forward.

Also if you have a 58-59 frame the frame is different from 55-57 (longer on the late models), and the radiator support mounts are different also.

You can tell if the frame or cab is from a V8 or 6 by the VIN, it will start with V on a V8 truck. The VIN tag on the cab (on the driver door hinge pillar) also has the year in it, and there is a partial VIN stamped on the frame, with the year.

 

thanks alot squirrel that clears up alot of confusion! i was going crazy! thanks again man

 

so im ***uming there are after market reproduction fenders available that accomadate for the V8 and straight 6

 

The fenders are the same for both. I'll see if I can find the drawings in the ***embly manual that show the differences in how they're put together.

 

Post a photo of the problem area if possible...that will help to diagnose the problem.

 

Here's the "forward" radiator location for the 6 cylinder




and here's the "rear" radiator location for the V8. Notice the filler panel across the top, and the radiator support sits further back, plus there's a filler across the bottom, and an extra angle piece across the at the front of the filler.

 

here's a 56 with the front end taken partway apart. This is a V8 truck. Notice that you could move the radiator support forward a few inches. Also check to make sure you have a 55-57 frame....you never know...

 

oh man thanks so much for posting that, problem solved

 

thanks for the help man! im about 80% done with the truck and the fender mystery has been holding me back, now i can finally finish it