'58 Chevy Pickup Build Pics

Top notch work....REALLY nice

 

Thanks, even with the tight time frame I'm working under I don't want to compromise the build quality because this truck is going to be around for a long time. Sometime in the not too distant future I'd like to do the '58 p***enger car front bumper too. I understand that the bumper ends extend into the wheel openings a little bit, if possible can you get a pic of yours so I can get a better idea of how far the ends protrude into the wheel opening and if the ends can be sectioned to correct the mismatch?

I forgot to post the pic of my battery tray, it will be converted to mount on the frame behind the p***enger side doorstep and drop down for access...

 

Looking good. Starter truck looks better than what I"ve seen as far as farm trucks down here.

 

My brother in law Ron and I put the seat in the '58 tonight, the interior is officially good to go...







tomorrow I'll finish up the fuel system...

 

Nice, nice job man. Looks great...

 

A package from Eckler's showed up today and I couldn't wait to mock up my "custom" tail light idea. The '61 Chevy p***enger car lens only needed minor t******* to fit the '58 bezel.



Look OK?

I better finish dinner and get back out in the garage...

 

ya think........lookin' good

 

With help from a couple of friends the 454 is back where it belongs, now it's just a matter of hooking things up...

pic #1 speaks for itself
pic #2: me mugging with the motor
pic #3: brother in-law Ronny watching me try to install the carb studs without dropping a nut down the intake manifold
pic #4 Uncle F*#%er clowning around during a break in the action

 

Great thread, can i ask where you guys would recommend for the head panel piece...

 

head panel piece?

 

The headliner, I believe he means. I was gonna use a white Cameo piece on my 55 but after seeing yours I'm sold.

 

After dropping the engine in on Friday night work has been pretty routine.

• Installed the radiator, catch can, electric fan and finished wiring the fan relay.
• Install motor mount bolts, torque converter to flexplate bolts, starter and connect the exhaust system. Rework shift linkage.
• Test (and repair) all new dash, body and engine compartment wiring. I also wired up the tach and front speakers.

I still have to finish the battery box, battery cables, fuel system plumbing and figure out what to use for cooling system hoses. The truck should be ready to fire up next weekend...

 

The guys at the parts store let me browse their inventory of hoses and I was able to find what I needed to wrap up the cooling system. The upper hose needed a little t******* to fit, to make the lower hose I cut a couple of 90 degree bends from a preformed lower hose and used a sleeve to join the halfs back together. When I find the box of heater hose clamps the cooling system is ready to fill.



The fuel line is finished and the sending unit is installed in the tank. While it was out of the truck the back side got a shot of satin black to make it less noticable from the rear.


Before the tank goes back in I have to cut a hole in the bed for the filler neck. It should take less than an hour to get it all back together tomorrow evening...

 

Measure twice, cut once. After measuring and remeasuring I chucked up the hole saw and bored a hole through the bed wood for the filler neck. I was very relieved when I bolted the tank back in place and everything lined up.



The filler is a retro looking marine piece...



Painting the tank had the desired effect, compare the before and after photos...