Projects 1946 GMC Bonneville build

Thanks to Greenie-reddy for sending my this piece I needed for my Bonneville truck build. It goes above the pedals. I've already taken the felt out and sand blasted it. I'll replace the felt with rubber.

 

I think we can be ready!

 

The drive shaft hoop sticks up through the floor. So we made a box to cover it up.

 

A new toy for removing the dreaded hinge screws!

 

Earplugs!!! Is that a 2x maybe a 1x? That's rivet gun lingo...

 

No idea. Its a #3 bit with 60 lbs of air. Worked like a charm. Removed 3 screws without breaking a bit. Its a CP muffler gun.

 

The gun itself has a rating...GG, Chicago Pneumatic...I'd suspect the impact power to be that of a 1x...yes they do help loosening up seized screws...glad they came out...

 

Last year I was using a Harley driver, manual hammer, Snap On, broke every bit.

 

Those type of guns they have different barrel sizes the longer the barrel the bigger the impact and also the number increases 1x 2x 3x 4x 5x and so on I used up to 9x very powerful and hugely noisy...

 

Yes it's a balancing act of impact and turning...to much impact or turning can work against you...glad this panned out.

 

As you continue remember the driver needs to be able to reach all controls when belted in tight with limb restraints on. In our 40 I mounted a small panel on the right side of the seat about 12-15” from the floor board. It been removed. Everything could be operated with our right hand without looking down. We also used a bolt on Hurst on shifter to raise it up and factory bent more to the center. The photo shows how high. When we streeted the car we moved the engine back but you get the idea. Made driving the car much easier. Especially at El Mirage and Bonneville.
I’m sure your are planning on a side door restraint. When we ran this car rules were different but we had an aluminum panel almost to seat level. A removable bar or swinging bar is used by many. Good luck.

 

Here's a picture from the roof showing the bar we put in for the switches and gauges. And another picture with the shifter.
There will be a piece of sheet metal below the door bar.
Thanks for the input, JD. Keep checking up on me.

 

Great. When you get near the end I saw something on another competitors car interior. They slipped a 1/2” copper pipe insulator tube over the shifter, I believe it was gray. Caught my eye and put one on mine.
I followed all the correct rules for required padding but had that inexpensive off-road padding everywhere else I could put it. To eliminate scrutiny. I zip-tyed it on after inspection. If we were ever thrown around in an incident I wanted every padded especially around my legs.
If you lived closer maybe could team up. I’m pretty sure we could surpass 131. This one's been 145 in our coupe.

 

Thank you, I'm honored. We've been following your work for years and respect your accomplishments.
I got our XO 302 up to 136.5 in a 57 Chevy at Loring. The truck won't be ready for Speedweek but we'll definitely have to get together and talk.

 

Days of sanding, filling and priming. Nothing to see here.

 

Primer, paint, and Bondo today. Did I mention that I hate working with Bondo?
Don't look closely at the under side of the hood, I know it's not perfect. Ill try to make the top side perfect.

 

Put some paint in the truck hood and cut out some tin. That panel should keep my legs inside if the door comes off in a crash.

 

Looking good Marcia. Keep up the good work schedule and you will
Be at Bonneville before you know it.
Dave

 

So much little stuff to do. And big stuff. We're at Frank's house in NJ now. Maybe we can get some GMC blocks on the trailer.

 

Frank welded on the dzuis tabs and rolled the top of the panel over the bar.
I put Bondo on the truck cab. Getting it ready for primer.

 

Do you have more pictures of the finished cab?

 

Sanding done in the outside. I started putting primer on.

 

I put on more primer and paint. This part of the cab is almost done.
The master cylinder has been giving us trouble, it wouldn't stop leaking.
Gas Pumper, Frank, drilled and reamed a piece of brass to sleeve the cylinder.

 

Got a lot done on the truck today. Gas Pumper made a drive shaft! I installed the windshield hinges, cut out one of the kick panels and did more sanding on the cowl.
The Moon discs arrived, wait til you see how I paint them.

 

When I look at that cowl I'm finding it hard to believe it's a 46...looks more like a 36...love the moons and the tires look Battle hardened...

 

They probably didn't change the design between 36 and then.
I used those tires in the 57. They have a few miles on them. Going down the track at Loring.

 

Marcia, looks like ya’ll are on a mission. Can’t wait to see the finished project! Hope to bump into you and Frank again at some point this summer.
Gene had a blast in Utah.

 

Are you coming to the Jalopy Showdown?
You should have seen the look on Gene's face when that first car came down the track at Bonneville!

 

But who's counting!

 

We should be able to make it. I’ve been busy doing some home projects and need a break!