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Projects 1957 Chevy Pickup

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by TaylorCrawford, Jul 6, 2010.

  1. TaylorCrawford
    Joined: Jul 28, 2009
    Posts: 792

    TaylorCrawford
    Member

    Its definetly a project, but she runs like champ! Well actual more like a tractor. The previous owner said it tops out at about 65 on the freeway. So far Im working on getting the interior done and getting all the gauges working. There is VERY little rust, because shes been in Tucson since she was new. Desert truck! This is gonna be fun!

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  2. Nice start!!
     
  3. Mr. Jean
    Joined: Dec 13, 2007
    Posts: 603

    Mr. Jean
    Member

    Looks good, I'll enjoy watching the progress. Have fun.:cool:
     
  4. TaylorCrawford
    Joined: Jul 28, 2009
    Posts: 792

    TaylorCrawford
    Member

    Thanks! Hopefully today I'll get the seat belt mounting plates drilled and the seat bolted back in...
     
  5. Hdonlybob
    Joined: Feb 1, 2005
    Posts: 4,142

    Hdonlybob
    Member

    Great find. And the wheels cleaned up good too !! :D
     
  6. TurboHaddix
    Joined: Jan 10, 2009
    Posts: 184

    TurboHaddix
    Member

    That truck is done! I say drive it.
     
  7. TaylorCrawford
    Joined: Jul 28, 2009
    Posts: 792

    TaylorCrawford
    Member

    I can drive it! I think Im gonna put an automatic transmission in it though. The one in it now is pretty beat up. I already have the trans, flex plate, drive shaft, and tourque converter...
     
  8. 63FalconFutura
    Joined: Feb 18, 2010
    Posts: 308

    63FalconFutura
    Member
    from Socal

    hurry up and get it done so we can race :p
     
  9. that's a nice solid truck !
     
  10. TaylorCrawford
    Joined: Jul 28, 2009
    Posts: 792

    TaylorCrawford
    Member


    Ever heard of "low and slow?"
     
  11. TaylorCrawford
    Joined: Jul 28, 2009
    Posts: 792

    TaylorCrawford
    Member

    Okay...so I think the first major step is gonna be to take out the 4 speed and put an automatic trans in it. I have a Turbo 350 trans, the flexplate, a torque converter, and a drive shaft out of an El Camino. Do I need anything else? Is there any major modification that needs to be done? Or does it pretty much just fit in? Im worried it wont fit with the cross member, firewall, etc. Has anyone done this before?

    Thanks!

    -CRawford
     
  12. 1959apache
    Joined: Nov 22, 2009
    Posts: 2,635

    1959apache
    Member

    I wish my truck looked like this... (in 1 piece)

    And to answer your question I had to take my crossmember out for my 700-r4 and had to put a tubular crossmember in... (painless really) and I was good to go. I actually had to lower my engine mounts by using a tubular cross member as well just so I would have the proper angle for the engine. Make sure the linkage kit will be compatible. I got one off of ebay that was pretty slick. Very easy to use. If you want me to find you where I got it off of there I can do that. Let me know

    To be honest if it were my truck I'd keep the 4 speed. It is too cool not to.

    If you are looking to get rid of those wheels I will take them.
     
  13. TaylorCrawford
    Joined: Jul 28, 2009
    Posts: 792

    TaylorCrawford
    Member

    Eh the 4 speed is in pretty bad shape. The automatic 350 is in good shape, so it makes sense.
     
  14. Torkwrench
    Joined: Jan 28, 2005
    Posts: 2,739

    Torkwrench
    Member

    Looks like a good solid truck. Have you checked the area inside the cab and above the windshield? Mice like to get up in there, build nests, and rust the roof, and windshield posts out.
     
  15. magiccoolbus
    Joined: Jul 4, 2009
    Posts: 8

    magiccoolbus
    Member

    If you decide to rebuild the stock bench seat, and find some broken springs (which you will), let me know. I have a bunch I can send you. I also have a deluxe heater if your interested.
     
  16. el Scotto
    Joined: Mar 3, 2004
    Posts: 4,722

    el Scotto
    Member
    from Tracy, CA

    Very cool!! I love my '57. Gonna keep the side mounted spare?
     
  17. 1946chevytruck
    Joined: Feb 9, 2008
    Posts: 717

    1946chevytruck
    BANNED
    from london ,ky

  18. Super04duty
    Joined: Mar 11, 2010
    Posts: 58

    Super04duty
    Member
    from Fresno, CA

    I wish my '57 were in one piece too. *sigh*

    My truck had a 350/350 in it when I got it. But the cross member was very close to it. the only way to drop the pan on the tranny to service it, would be to pull the whole tranny out, as I couldnt get to the front bolts, and it didnt have a converter dust cover. When putting my chassis back together, I got also got a tubular tranny cross member and took the original one out. It was really easy, drill a couple holes, and bolt it in. Harder to get the original crossmember out in one peice (not neccisary, but I wanted to keep it intact)

    And those are some pretty knarly looking headers, more pictors please.
     
  19. TaylorCrawford
    Joined: Jul 28, 2009
    Posts: 792

    TaylorCrawford
    Member

    Crap....I was trying to get the glass out of the door and the pices that connects the glass and the windshield crank fell down to the bottem, Ive been trying to figure out and find a way to get it out.
     
  20. TaylorCrawford
    Joined: Jul 28, 2009
    Posts: 792

    TaylorCrawford
    Member


    They sound gnarly too! I'll take some more pics and maybe a video if I can get this stupid piece out from in between the door....:mad:
     
  21. TaylorCrawford
    Joined: Jul 28, 2009
    Posts: 792

    TaylorCrawford
    Member


    No, if you look in some of the pictures theres some fenders in the bed with no tire mount. Those are gonna go on a little further down the road....
     
  22. Super04duty
    Joined: Mar 11, 2010
    Posts: 58

    Super04duty
    Member
    from Fresno, CA

    Bailing wire.... Used it many times to get crap out of the doors on mine.
     
  23. TaylorCrawford
    Joined: Jul 28, 2009
    Posts: 792

    TaylorCrawford
    Member

    Im trying to find one of those flexibal claw things.
     
  24. Super04duty
    Joined: Mar 11, 2010
    Posts: 58

    Super04duty
    Member
    from Fresno, CA

    If nothing else, its just a few bolts to take the whole door off and turn it upside down. Did that the last time I took the truck apart. They really arent that heavy, even with glass/guts in them.
     
  25. S.Sutherland
    Joined: Dec 27, 2007
    Posts: 134

    S.Sutherland
    Member
    from Fontana,CA

    To get the parts out of the door the quickest and easiest way for me has been to take the door off the hinges and flip it upside down. To make it lighter and easier to take off pull the glass out of the top of the door.Remove the 3 bolts on the top hinge plate, that mounts the hinge to the door on top, and on the bottom. You should be able to slide the door off and pull it out. It's better (and easier) if you have someone to help you do this . If your doors fit okay drill a small hole to insert a drill bit before unbolting the doors and sliding the door off. You also might be able to remove the glass and fish the parts out... though I'm to the point where its easier for me to take the door off. Don't forget to spray some Kroil or other penetrating oil on the bolts and let 'em soak a day or two before trying to remove 'em.
    Good Luck,
    Seth
     
  26. S.Sutherland
    Joined: Dec 27, 2007
    Posts: 134

    S.Sutherland
    Member
    from Fontana,CA

    The TH350 should be fairly easy to install. You will need to fabricate or purchase some sort of crossmember to afix the tailshaft to and probably will have to remove the orignal bellhousing mount crossmember due to the filters bolts and it interfering with your ability to run the trans. dust shield. In any event you can remove it by first drilling pilot holes through the 4 rivets on each side, and removing the heads with an air chisel. Poke out the remaing studs and remove the crossmember...then do what you wish as far as cleaning it up. I blocked my clutch pedal off I can use it as a foot rest. As far as linkage goes you can b a cheapy shifter from the auto parts store, get a Gennie or Lokar from pretty much anywhere, or modify an old three speed column shift set up. I'm in Bloomington, So.Cal. so p.m. me if you any questions or needs.
    Seth
     
  27. TaylorCrawford
    Joined: Jul 28, 2009
    Posts: 792

    TaylorCrawford
    Member


    I just got someone with smaller hands to get it, haha.
     
  28. TaylorCrawford
    Joined: Jul 28, 2009
    Posts: 792

    TaylorCrawford
    Member


    Cool, thanks for the info! I'll let ya know how its going once I get started on it.
     
  29. Unless you are going to install side mounts on the engine and change the rear end to a faster ratio one. you wont like the automatic. you Think the engine is overwound at speed now wait until you gret a auto trans in front of those stick shift rear gears:eek:. granny four speeds are plentiful and cheap. One from a 2 ton truck or school bus will work. Its your truck do as you wish though. OldWolf
     
  30. TaylorCrawford
    Joined: Jul 28, 2009
    Posts: 792

    TaylorCrawford
    Member


    I wanna put a different rearend in it eventually.
     

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