Projects Project 55' Chevy B Coupe Gasser

I am a fan of repairing the dash back to stock as well, as much as possible anyway. I believe your next issue though will be the flexing of the firewall. Are you installing a hydraulic clutch, or using a stock style z bar and linkage? You will definitely have some flex with a stock style z bar, I ran into this before on another project that had a stainless firewall installed. Most likely why the previous owner installed the floor mounted pedals is my guess.

 

Also, if your going to try to section your dash at the seams, remember there is a brace at the bottom on the inside that runs the length of the dash, and that's the strength of the whole thing, if it was me, I would try to peel off the sheet metal by drilling out the spot welds leaving your brace in one piece. You can scab in an entirely new piece, you just need to leave a spot to access the brace so you can weld it back together. I had to replace the section under my glove box due to a rust issue, but the rest of the dash was perfect. That's my two cents, here's a couple pictures of what I did, this is not finished, but you get the idea.

 

Mutant55, thanks for advice and pictures. At the moment I was able to cut out the center section so as to mock the pedal assembly up. I too like the look of a stock or semi stock dash but I'll have to see if it will clear the pedals. Or At least I have to make a way to make the center section removable. The dash bracing on the driver side was pretty beat up where the crude column mount was.

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Got it cut out just before the real rain started!

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Mocked the pedals up just for fun. Probably going to mount them a little lower. I wasn't to worried about drilling extra holes in the firewall since there is already a ton.

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My plan is to make a reinforcement backing plate with an integrated simple column mount. Kinda like what the tri 5 guys use when they convert to a power steering box and rag joint. As always always interested to see what others have done.

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Little by little I'm getting there.....or at least taking things apart. Removing the old cage is NOT the highlight of this build but it will be worth it when I can sit in the car.

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Removed the old plexi glass rear window today.

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We removed the sheet metal from the package tray and the fwd trunk area. Now it will be possible to get to the rear cage supports that pass into the trunk and connect to the frame rails. Not glamorous or even interesting to look at IMO but needs to be done.

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One of those reality shows would have had this car done in a week. Yeah right.

 

And then had to start it up and drive it cross country to its new owner or something like that.

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Once again proving my ability to take shit apart with power tools! . Removed both wheel tubs and surrounding sheet metal so as to get to the tubing.

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Although I had a hunch I really wasnt sure just how much the 55 had been lightened until I started removing pop rivets and sheet metal. Turns out the 55 had been on a pretty good diet in the past.

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Traded some 57' Chevy parts for a set of Stahl headers. I know, technically they are better suited for a Jr stock car rather than for a gasser but...... i mean common, they are a nice pair of Stahls.

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Good trade .

 

Been following along on your build! I really can't see the diff between the 56 and 55 dash. I vote for the 56 dash swap and move on.
BTW.........my" butt is crav'in stove wood" I'm so jealous of those So Cal parts. Do you know what the same 55/56 parts would look like if left out in the weather here in the deep south east coast?!!
Gotta love the old "shoe box gassers"!

 

Although true our stuff out west has held up a little better over the years than other parts of the country but it is not perfect. My current driver a 57 2dr sedan has never left sunny southern California has the front floors gone along with a few other things. My planned future tow vehicle a 57 9 passenger wagon was getting it's cowl worked on last week because when we took out the windshield there was no metal underneath! And it too is a .CA car! So it does happen. Just not as bad.

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Hey Butch M, I'm was going back and looking at your 56 build pictues for inspiration. Your dash looked pretty nice to start with. I'm jealous! Lol

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Was able to get an original rear window. The price was right! Not sure if I'm crazy about the factory tint. But like I said the price is right.

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Everyone of you would think im crazy but i would fix any rust, drop a motor in and tranny all the proper stuff to make her legal and hit the road as is. Rough look and lean and mean sound. But thats just my two cents ( which ask any of my brothers my two cents dont mean sqaut. )

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Totally not crazy! But I have my daily driver for that. Beside, it gets complicated. The roll cage has slowed me down. The steering is slowing me down. I have an engine I could through in just to drive it but I don't want to waste my clutch set up on that. The rear end is low, like 6:17 low plus a spool. Etc etc. Oh it will be licenced for the street but I don't want to lose focus on it being a race car. If your pocket book is big enough you can build a race/street car but it does get more pricey as you go.

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Could always build a gasser and compete in the SEGA circuit!! I mean...how far is Bakersfield from Greer or Ware Shoals anyway?! (;
6sally6

 

And that is why I should just move to Texas! Ha. Sadly (for me) the SEGA guys are straight axle only and I'm still running the stock front end.

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We interupt this build because the author has adult ADHD and is currently working on flathead stuff! .

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I would call you crazy if you thought differently.

 

So are you working on this car anymore?

 

I haven't done much this summer due to the heat, birth of child, death of a grandpa and 2 out of state trips. Excuses excuses, I know. Plus it would appear that I have adult ADHD. My "hotrod" money this season went to my 31 roadster and the 4dr 57 I just bought. I'm certainly not done here but it might be a few months before I get back to it.

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Got to do a little bit of tinkering before dark.


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The end result was I got my home made mid plate mocked up with the scatter shield in place. Not earth shattering but it’s one less thing I have to try and figure out.


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I just saw this thread for the first time. Otherwise I would have made this comment back away. Might be too late here but I've seen this on several first time builds. First thing you might want to do is remove the items that you don't need now, and file them away in a dry place. You don't want to be cutting and grinding around any glass or any electrical components. You'll spot the glass in any gauges , plus add a bunch of grit that may get inside them and end up ruining them . Plus all the extra stuff will be in your way while you are working.
Summarily, take the car completely apart. File the parts in the appropriate place. Power wash or Purple Clean the car down good so you can see what your working with, and start from there.
Strictly my opinion here, but I didn't just make it up last night.