I got the springs in place and the spring rate is much better, the trailer springs had no give which i figured would be bad for wheelys. She has a little bounce now, next up is redoing the steering and getting the motor back in and making front motor mounts.
It had this steering box when I got it, I am mounting it in a less sketchy manner. Also instead of the short steering arm to the driver side I am making one that goes over to the p***enger. It originally was a big block not recessed so I ***ume the motor was in the way so that is why they did what they did, but I want to prevent bump steer as much as I can especially coming down from wheelies Beauty of having a press break means being able to bend 1/4 plate. Broke a piece lined it up and drilled, gave it some shape, tacked in place. Then bolted tight, lined up box and transfer punched the lower 2 holes. I ordered some DOM with 7/16 id which will let me sleeve the holes i drill through the frame.
Don't know how I miised this thread. Not much of a fan of g***ers (respect them though) personally, but this one I really like, maybe it's the name, or because it is a '55 Chevy, I don't know. Damn, I'm really looking forward to seeing this run, maybe a video will be in order! Nice job so far.
Thanks man, not a huge fan of the stereotypical high rise "g***er" myself. But I love race cars and this thing had a good stance and so much character I couldn't p*** it up.
i was a friend of Thomas when he built this car. lots of Austin history in that car. he also built a 56 before he built. he had a little metal building wth a dirt floor for yrs and modernised to concrete floos when he was building this one. his wife still lives in the same house they lived in in the 60's. glad to see the car get some love. good work.
I always like the re-build threads.. Or the recovery threads.. However you want to coin them.. You're doing a good job--I like the simple fab-engineering... Keep it up!
Wow... just found this thread. It's going to be cool to see it come to life again. I checked the car out in person quite a while ago when I was visiting Austin. Luke sold me the Hurst Autostick that was in it. Those pipes make the car. This has to be a question somebody already asked, but I couldn't find it anywhere. Do you know how long the lettering has been on the car? Was it actually named that in the 60s, or were the wheels, tires, and lettering added when "Mad Max" came out?
Thanks. I've been wondering that since I first saw the car. Since it's such an obscure name, it makes for a strange coincidence. I'll be following this rebuild. Keep up the good work.
I posted last week some updates but I guess I messed up since it is nowhere to be found. I have about 2 weeks.... and a **** ton of work to do, luckily some friends have volunteered to knock some things out this upcoming week and I am very appreciative. My life is very busy right now and I also shouldn't have procrastinated this long. ___________________ For many nights I made templates for front motor mounts and never came up with anything I liked. I even thought about making a new front motor plate but I finally came to the conclusion that I just needed to get that damn motor in the car and move on, if I don't like it I can change it later. So I just made a top piece and figured it would take shape from there... I don't love them... but I don't hate them either. There just ****ing motor mounts so whatever. So hopefully more of the local guys will pity me and come get some of Master Blaster.
Damn nice fab work on the engine mounts, steering box, and frame rails. The 55 is just killer. Hope to see it at LSR. BOutlaw
I kinda dig those front motor mounts with the "Hurst" style front plate. Tell me, are you using the stock belhousing mounts and letting the ****** hang, or are you using a crossmember at the rear with out the side belhousing mounts??? Oh and do you know what the front axle is from???
I have a mounts that use the bell housing mid mounts and are solid like the front, then the trans has a crossmember with a rubber mount. Front axle I am pretty sure is Chevy truck I have been told 1954, springs are 2 model a
Here is the to do list: Make shift linkage for vertigate shifter Mount radiator Setup clutch either manual or hydraulic Make front nose structure/hinge Make sure reared is mounted correctly Change third member and axles Buy and install ignition ( might use old Petronix that I have) Wire Make seats Find plastic for side gl*** cut and install Make interior engine cover Make trans cover Mount dash components Buff Purchase new tires and install Brakes:master, plumb, new or rebuild calipers and drums Plumb fuel ****... Haha, and I have have a fairly large parts list, might need to sell something to fund this.
*****in' 55! I hope you make the date. That's a big list. Get some help/call-in a few favors. Maybe you can trim it down to save you some time? Prioritize, then if there's room at the end, do things like buff paint, etc.;
I have a reg hurst shifter I can run if need be, and I think I have enough to make gl*** templates, the seats will be the time consumer, and your right I can drive it without a buff but I think I can recruit the wife for that... She did it the same time last year for my truck. Focus now is drive safely under its own power
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