1957 Chevy Step Van build or do you want to see my Gerstenslager

Hey A,

For all of the hard work you do in your cl***es, you are not alone, despite the closure of tons of high school Auto Mechanics shops and cl***es. Now that the new school year has started in somewhat odd cir***stances, I was looking around for high schools that still had the Auto Mechanics courses. I am not sure how they will do projects online this year.

But, at least before the whole pandemic was shoved in our faces, my old LB Poly H.S. still had a listing for not only Auto Mechanics 1-2, but offered a 3-4 plus 5-6 as 2nd and 3rd year courses. When they graduate, from high school, they are automatically accepted into LBCC community for advanced courses.



Jnaki

In recent times, the LBUSD, LBCC, and Cal State University LB all have automatic enrollment acceptance with a LB high school diploma. So, one could take three years of Auto Mechanics in high school and two years of Automotive Technology at LBCC earning a degree or certificate in a wide area of automotive repairs and subjects. Then if necessary, automatic enrollment for other cl***es at Cal State University LB.

Long Beach City College Automotive Technology Program:

“The Automotive Technology Program at Long Beach City College is committed to preparing students for employment in the automotive industry. LBCC Automotive Cl***es provide students with a strong background in automotive technology, hands-on experience, and an understanding of the automotive industry’s requirements for employment. The program offers automotive industry certifications NC3/Snap-On Tools and prepare students to p*** the ASE Certification Exam. Enroll in Automotive cl***es and start learning new skills and quick service auto repair techniques.”

 

Sorry for taking so long.
Here is some pics and measurements

 

Found some Packard bumper at the s**** yard

 

Bumpers will be a nice touch!

 

We had a cool frame bench donated. Students centered the ch***is and leveled it to the bench. Check for square and tack welded to fixtures they made

then some math. Students figured ride height, wheel backspace…….
At first they wanted it to lay flat out. After doing the math the cargo area would basically be useless to do that so they agreed to not “lay body”
A more modest frame notch will be preformed over doing this. Ride height in the back will still be low. But only a slight raise in the floor over the rear axle is needed. Not the huge floor loss indicated by this plywood template.

a 60s thru early 70s gm truck graft to the existing 57 frame. EZ to modify and both are 34 inches wide. (This one had discs) The graft was made just forward the 57 serial number stamping.
The front frame was slightly out of square.
It’s nice to have this set up to cure problems.
Students learned length, width, height measuring. And the 3 box concept of a ch***is. Start with the center then check each end.

 

Your students are lucky to have you and all the cool equipment.
Will the frame be cleaned and painted?

 

Yep. Well paint it.
The graft is a stagared cut. Once the outside rail is welded a sleeve will be fabricated to fit inside the graft area. Kinda like a big truck.

 

Very impressive! Your projects are great for getting a new young group of people involved in the sport. And the practical application of all of the required courses in hs.

 

These projects are slow.
I use them when it fits what we’re teaching. This year one cl*** was welding and cutting. Another cl*** concepts like length - width - height was covered.
Using a tram gauge, measuring, basic suspension geometry terms, wheel base, center line, datum, zero plane plus a lot more has been covered

 

Keep up the good work! We need new young people who are not afraid of getting a little dirty. My generation, late 60s hs, we were pushed into college by the guidance councillors, and look how that worked out. I barely graduated from high school, and became a millwright for 10 years. Then got some engineering degrees. It worked for me, but I don't really recommend that path.

 

2 female students prepped the front suspension for the graft. Removed the old brake and gas lines, removed riveted body mounts and a crossmember. They took the rear leafs apart to remove unnecessary helpers and flipped the center pin and front hanger to drop it more.

 

57 ch***is/63-72 suspension graft