Engine And Car Almost Ready??

[desapience]

Guys,

Here are the most recent pics of my 2nd 55 Chevy. Last update I showed the body mounted on rotisserie and in epoxy primer after having been blasted... At that time I decided to also change the outter quarters for the new repops that are out for the sedans now.

These pictures show the body now with the new outter quarters in place. It is now in sealer, and the final body-work is ongoing. It will be left at this stage for trial-fit assembly and final fabrication requirements for the steering gear, brake system, etc. Everything will be assembled, then, disassembled befor final prep and paint.

Once again, this entire body, except for the top, cowl, and door pillars is brand new steel. The entire firewall, toe-boards, entire passenger compartment, trunk floor, brace, and tail-pan are new -- as are both doors, hood, decklid and fenders -- this includes the full inner quarter panels, AND the inner and outer rocker panels! All latches, strikers, handles, seat frames (Glyde), everything -- is new.

I am now waiting for the manufacturer to release the new top skin for the sedans.. should be soon, I hope!!

For all practical purposes, this is a brand new 55 Chevy 2-dr post sedan! We are now finishing up the fitting of the doors, hood, trunk-lid, etc... everything -- every seam is going to be exactly the same size, throughout.

The engine LIKELY going in it is also pictured here. 409/446 stroker... you've all seen it before, well, here it is again getting closer to being installed into its new home -- the 55.. Transmission with this engine will be a built 4L60E, with paddle shifters.

Enjoy!

 

[JimKwiatkowski]

Denis, the body is looking very smooth. Will you be using a heater?

 

[Tom Kochtanek]

Looking good!

Denis, that '55 is looking just right!

Don't you just love the satin finish on that sealer, makes it look like "all business" .

Good luck with the mock up and the final install.

Cheers!
TomK

 

[desapience]

The Dilemma Of What To Do?

Jim & Tom,

You know, I've been really tossing around a couple of ways to go with this 2nd 55..

IF I dress it all out in two-tone Belair trim (and every piece of stainless for a Belair is mint original, and show polished, ready to install), then, my thought was to put the 409/446 stoker pictured above, with the 4L60E, with a gorgeous leather interior, etc., I mean throwing the works at it -- billet wheels, A/C (a heater too, Jim) -- all glitz, but, tastefully done, not overdone, but a full-blown master-piece for show.

OR.., and this is still a possibility, doing it up somewhat like what the 57 "Black Widow" cars were done like, except, with "my other stroker" 409/482..., and made to look all business, no chromed out stuff -- chevy orange painted engine, and intake -- silver painted stock-style valve covers (with necessary spacers for the roller rockers, etc), stock painted Edelbrock 2x4, with regular (non-endurashine 650 AVS carbs), black painted brass radiator -- BUT, all with an ultra-clean, freshly painted as new, under-hood first impression with the smoothie firewall, and only the billet master cylinder poking out -- stock flat-black inner fenders, horns, etc... but, every nut, bolt, and washer brand new! Same for the trunk, all stock, right down to the jack instruction stickers.

Bumpers: stock Nomad rear bumper with Nomad bumper guards, single piece California on the front (no bumper guards on the front at all).

Keeping it looking like a 210 -- single tone paint -- the blackest black made -- JET BLACK-- looking like it is always wet -- but, minimum stainless trim, black tires and rims, stainless dog-dish hubcaps, black paint (and this car will be laser straight for a JET black paint job), interior made up to look original stock -- minimum stuff -- stock speedo, stock dash trim, radio & heater delete..

Underneath: leaf springs moved into the frame rails -- 10" wide rear rubber, 9" FxxD, 3.73 posi -- and, get this -- nice Glyde-framed bucket seats to accomodate a 6-speed Richmond (the stick-shift rear-ward position on a 6-speed Richmond foils the use of a bench seat)! I already have the richmond and clutch, so, I see no sense not using it, no?

The clutch would be activated by a hydraulic TOB, with the master cylinder for it hidden. Tubular A-arms, traction bars (not too big), nothing polished or stainless, just all painted for business, again... ALL ON A MINT 56 "DAYTONA" ONE-PIECE FRAME!

A nice tach mounted to the steering column, and again, no radio, no heater.. just a nice big thumper 55, 409-482 style, with, oh, some nice Edelbrock headers (BTW, it took 3 months to get them -- sure hope I can install them with the stock-style steering gear (no R&P in this Black Widow version, nor do I plan on R&P on a Belair version)).

BTW, the 482 is a solid-cammed roller motor, built 583 heads, with a 7 qt STEF's pan, etc, etc... It should pull a nice strong 565 h.p.

What do you think of that combo?

Denis

 

[JimKwiatkowski]

Gee Denis, they both sound good

 

[RCE1962]

Hey Denis

Both sound good...but I like scenario #2 the best.

Ron

 

[bobs409]

Decisions...decisions. I'd say you better start building the trophy shelf too. Gonna be a head turner in black!

 

[JimKwiatkowski]

Denis, seems this is turning into a vote, I vote for #2 option

 

[boxerdog]

Denis, I really like the #2 option. Not to demean the first option, but it is not nearly as original and unique as the second, IMO.
Dave

 

[61belairbubbletop]

#2 for sure! The "bad" look.

Hey, you've already got a 2-tone 55.

I say go for the "bad boy" look.

 

[desapience]

Option #2, With A Twist

Guys,

I'm giving option #2 a real study..., and the more I go over the details of it, the more I'm leaning towards it...

First, the twist..
http://www.hilborninjection.com/product.asp?Id=446&CatId=255

I think a nice Hilborn set-up -- nothing polished, not chromed-out or fancy, would almost be true 409 porn, ala carte, with a set-up like this under Option #2's hood, no?

There are many reasons to lean towards #2... not the least of which is, as has been duely noted, I already have a nice two-tone Belair (which I plan on freshening up next year, too).

Now, you all know I've been planning this 2nd 55 Chevy for two years+ now, and over that time I've bought just about every single trick item you could have for a 55, and I have filled shelves of the parts in my shop, office, and home, with them!

Thousands of dollars devoted just to have the parts for a true, "gennie" Belair, with a hopping mill (409/446), 4L60E, show-car-flash, polished billet, chrome, etc etc...

I wouldn't want to waste the stuff -- so, I'm thinking, why not use those parts on my 1st 55 when the time comes to take her up a notch or two?!!

I'll be making a decision later this week on this...

Even as a 210, I want to have stainless windshield trim, front and back -- not only black rubber seals... and, of course, some crossed-flags, AND 409 SCRIPT, critically placed, subtle as the factory might have done -- after all, this would be a mythical factory race-car, that was made to be purely 100% all business -- a "business 55"...

Also, if you research the 57 Black Widows, they were fuel injected...,sooooooooooo, it seems appropriate to plop a nice, "business oriented" Hilborn EFI set-up on top of the 482, no?

And, the 57's also were two tone -- black & white... but, they also looked pretty damned ugly in that scheme, especially with the white-painted wheels, agree? So, I'm thinking of mixing it up -- make a one-tone Belair -- JET Black as Black gets -- looking dripping wet, with the trim just enough to set it off, without taking over the "business look" of the car.

For the wheels -- black, with dog-dish hubcaps, with subtle pin-stripping or some small trim rings to "Balance" the wheels with the side-trim -- still not enough to over-take the "look".

Still all business...

Inside -- buckets in the front, stock apholstery scheme -- black or dark gray carpeting, and white vinyl style headliner -- keeping it looking like the 210 55-year scheme...
Bucket seats -- as I said the Richmond 6-speed's stick position foils the use of a bench seat -- but, think of it -- a tuff as rocks 6-speed behind a Hilborn injected 482!!!!

No radio (and if I do have one, all hidden with a hidden antenna -- looking like a "delete" car. No A/C, no heater -- so, no heater hoses or A/C hoses, evaporator, condensor, etc to contend with -- and keeping the engine compartment, "all business". Slim and trim, yet VERY mean to the bone!

Ten inch wide rear stockish looking rubber on the rear (leaf springs in the frame rails)-- but 16", not 15, not 17, or the 18, 19" BS we see running around now.

Yeah, I'm starting to be able to visualize it in my mind's eye now -- and when that starts to happen, things materialize, FAST!

The bucks I save playing down from a show-car Belair -- and down to purely a "business look", will pay for the Hilborn setup! Saves on buying mags, and so much more... and yet, the result will actually potentially be something truly unique and unmatched, almost anywhere!

What do you'all think about that, huh?

Cast ALL your votes now!!!

Denis

 

[64impalass]

I like!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JimKwiatkowski]

Yes do it, sounds like one mean looking 55

 

[fastfreds]

Yep...sounds like the only correct way to build a Bad A$$ 55!

 

[boxerdog]

Denis, I think you are on the plan. Just try to stop short of going completely over the top! Stealth converted Hilborns are OK, the M/T would be fine also. Maybe Jardine fenderwells? Did I miss something? NOTHING under the hood, no battery, no wipers, hide the ignition, NADA. Maybe a mechanical tach??

I better stop.

Dave

 

[Skip FIx]

Denis sounds like hard decisions I'm kind of partial to black since my TA(first new car) is black, and just a little chrome trim-clean but some contrast-my TA NEVER had the Bird or all the gold stripes. I also like the idea of FI and those 55s can fit alot under the hood. I'd do a Chevy orange with chrome valve covers and natural aluminum myself-always liked that scheme for a Chevy motor.

16s have less tire size than 17s maybe a 255-50 the largest.

 

[desapience]

I Decided On Option #2

Guys,

Well, this is it -- I will do option #2...

Some things I have and like the improvements of, are as follows.

IDIDIT Steering -- bought the tilt-wheel, automatic shifter version column a long time ago -- but, with the car now going to be a "standard", I will still go with a tilt-wheel, floor-shift model -- but, not SS, not chromed, etc. IT will be the paintable version -- dripping JET black. The technology will still be there, but, masked.

Brakes: still the same -- 4-wheel disks -- drilled and slotted -- it's moronic to build a big horse-power car with inadequate brakes -- so, the brakes stay this way -- but, again, will be somewhat hidden by the steelie wheels (no mags, remember)?

Interior flooring -- the 57 Widows had an all rubber floor-mat. I just can't see going downhill quite that much. Black carpeting will do just fine.

Gauges: I already have a complete in-the-cluster Autometer set-up, in Silver, same style as in my first 55, and it is perfect -- all new bezels, already wired, ready to install..., but, it would take away from the "Factory" look on the interior. So, it stays on the shelf.
I will likely build only two gauges into the dash -- ammeter and oil-pressure. Why?
Well, an ammeter would be more period correct (versus a voltmeter), and the oil pressure, both together, replace the two "idiot lights"...

A nice tach will be mounted -- nicely -- to the column.. something vintage.. Some vintage style tachs I think are back out now. give me some ideas here, please!

Under the hood: clean is the word here... only one main thing to capture the oohhh's and ahhh's -- the stoker 482. Yes, it is already in Chevy orange, but, I was going to go with the silver painted "stock-style" valve covers (with spacers, prn).

IF I do a Hilborn setup, it will stay natural aluminum, brushed stacks... The battery will be in the trunk where it should always have been. No ignition boxes, no coil to see.
I'll be using a Mallory Max-Fire, all digital, distributor. And, since Mallory does not actually make the Max-Fire for a "w", I already have an adapter. These Mallory Max-Fires are the best! Complete digital control, easy to change anything, dependable, and do not need any boxes. The coil wire will pass-through" into the interior, the coil will be very neatly mounted on the inside of the firewall -- no bolts anywhere on the firewall (except for the Billet Master cylinder).

As with my other 55, the braking system will be the www.abspowerbrake.com system: namely electro-hydaulic powered. These brake systems are awesome! I already have it ready -- and the motor will be hidden behind the driver's side fender, against the firewall -- out of sight, clean, bad.. to the bone!

Radiator: a super clean, original core support, painted JET-WET black, with a flat-black BRASS radiator, mounted in the 6 cylinder position. A mechanical fan will be used, along with a black ABS radiator shroud. Alternator: SI one-wire, in glossy black (already have one), mounted -- and I'm going to need help here from you guys, in a stock manner -- no billet brackets,no chome -- stock looking stuff. But, also remember, it will have power steering (non-R&P), a black saginaw pump, black rubber power steering lines -- may need to get a brake master cyinder, in black powder coating. Edelbrock headers. ceramic coated (I want to use them)!

Inner fenders: stock -- painted a flat black.

Hood: yes, it will have a new stock hood bird, and the badging -- new. Grill will be a chromed steel version, not SS like my 1st 55. California front bumper.
Halogen headlights, amber colored parking/signal lights - and yes, all lights stay on when the headlights are on... signal/parking/tail/backup/braking will all be LEDs.

No 3rd brake light in the rear windshield -- but, I may do a third brake light on the deck-lid.. built into the badging bezel.. but, I need to be careful with how I deal with the decklid.

You see, I am using a Nomad rear bumper, wherein the licesne plate is actually mounted in the middle of the bumper, and lit by the lights housed in the smaller bumper-rettes. Leaving the entire decklid bare, would look like it was missing something. Having only a trunk key-lock staring at you in the face would look odd too. So, I'm thinking that the key-lock can be hidden under a modified badging bezel (that flips upward to reveal the keyhole). I'm going to play with this a bit..

Exhaust tips. I've not ever liked the straight-back dual exhausts on a 55. I made my 1st 55 to look like the later 57's -- the pipes are bent downward and outward towards the rear corners of the quarter panels -- unseen, but definitely heard (FLOWMASTER TIME)!

Gas tank -- stock, but possibly built with a return fuel line for an electric fuel pump system. IF I go to a Hilborn EFI, they'll provide the system to use with their EXPENSIVE KIT!!!

Trunk: stock inside, with a spare, jack, stickers...no big radio amps, just a nice clean battery box...

Winshield wiper system. A good hidden system, nothing showing on the firewall side.

I'm really hoping the hood will clear Hilborn stacks....???

Anyway, the bottom line is -- building Option #2 is my decision. I'll be meeting with the painter tomorrow.
Denis

 

[Skip FIx]

I think Sun has some tachs out with new electronics and period faces.

Sounds neat. Stack length was for tuning. The Pontiac Hilborn I had for awhile had maybe 3" stacks, I think some of the Algon has pretty short stacks.

 

[k9hotrodder409]

Hi Dennis, I used a "RAINGEAR" kit for my wipers on my '57. Everything fits under the dash behind the speedo cluster and uses a GM window motor for power. The hole kit was a bolt in job. No cutting and everything bolted in place including the 2 speed switch in the dash. About 4 hours to do the install( removing all the old pieces included).Worked well for me.

 

[desapience]

There's a dfference!

Hi Dennis, I used a "RAINGEAR" kit for my wipers on my '57. Everything fits under the dash behind the speedo cluster and uses a GM window motor for power. The hole kit was a bolt in job. No cutting and everything bolted in place including the 2 speed switch in the dash. About 4 hours to do the install( removing all the old pieces included).Worked well for me.

I'm aware of the raingear setup -- been there, done that. But, for this 55, there is a difference -- the firewall is a smoothie, and markedly recessed. But, the company that manufactures this firewall also makes their own under-dash wiper system -- very much like the raingear set-up, but distinct in that it will work on this firewall.

It's not a big issue... there are other things destined to be made a new home under the dash... clutch master cylinder, coil, hidden radio, beer cooler, etc.

Denis