finally building
 

Well I finally got to start the final build on my 56.

Was able to spray final coat on the frame when we got back from Arizona and started to put parts on!

Frame is Eastwood 2k ceramic satin black with the gloss parts being POR 15 Top Coat.

What I like about both is you can get them in aerosol 2k and regular 2k paint you mix with catalyst. Really helps now with me having to touch up scratches and bumps that seem to be inevitable - for me anyway!!!

Both paints seem to be adhering really good. No flaking when it gets bumped and no flaking when removing masking tap.

Re: finally building
 

Frame looks real nice.
Kim

Re: finally building
 

obviously, I'm a lover of the 56, also having one, and have gotten to the stage of driving. Looks great what you've done so far, keep at it and keep sending the pictures.

Re: finally building
 

looks good. just wondering though, if there is a crossmember somewhere between the front end and the rear to keep the frame rails parallel and not too flexxie. not just the trans cross but something that ties the top rail to the bottom rail and also ties both sides together? I understand the pic is of the frame not completely assembled so just curious.

Re: finally building
 

so sorry i posted this in wrong place. i have also inserted pictures into build threads.

thanks so much for kind words.

Re: finally building
 

All the 1980 frame had in there was the transmission crossmember! Someone please correct me if I am wrong!!!

I did not pull anything out of there!

There is of course the cab that would stiffen that up.

I wonder if anyone else can help out here as it does look like a big open area...

Re: finally building
 

i think the crossmember for the trans has also a bracket that connects the upper and lower frame rails. if you use that yuo wil prolly be ok. like yousaid, it looks like a big open area.
it also seems to me that they had a crossmember for the park brake cables etc just ahead of the diff somewhere. maybe not, I have seen waaaay too many trucks in my day, haha.

Re: finally building
 

I was in the shop looking around at piles of stuff and particularly the after market and original transmission cross members.

The OEM transmission cross member does tie the outer frame rails much better than what the after market one will. The after market one simply bolts to the bottom lip of the frame with two bolts on each side. Tha OEM one bolts onto sides of the frame.

I am really going to gave to look at both closely before I commit to using one!

Re: finally building
 

if you have the original cross member parts, and they fit with your driveline, i would really consider using them because they will help keep the frame as rigid as it was designed for. if not you could always box the frame in that area I guess.

Re: finally building
 

I do still have the original cross member. As far as it working with my driveline maybe you can tell me if it would still work.

A 283 and turbo 400 came out of the chassis and I am hoping to install a gm ramjet 350 and 700r4 transmission.

At this point I am not sure if I am going to have to move the motor forward at all but if I have to move it I am hoping that I could also move the cross member and drill new holes if necessary.

Re: finally building
 

it should still work thenbecause the 283 and the 350 have the same outside block dimensions and motor mouting locations/bolt patterns. the turbo 400 trans mount is probably the same as well. some had longer or shorter tailshaft housings and the same for the 700r4, but the mounts are probably in the same location. a trans guy would probably know or you could easily find that out on a google search. this is from the pirate 4x4 site. it shows the gear ratios.

TH400, 3 speed 1st 2.48, 2nd 1.48, 3rd 1.00
TH350, 3 speed 1st 2.52, 2nd 1.52, 3rd 1.00
4L80, 4 speed, 1st 2.48, 2nd 1.48, 3rd 1.00, 4th .75
700r4, 4 speed, 1st 3.06, 2nd 1.63, 3rd 1.00, 4th .70

The 700r4 is the 4speed version of the TH350
The 4L80 is the 4speed version of the TH400

this is from jalopy journal, just scroll down to the diagram in post 16

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t...-700r4.500280/

this is from the corvette forum and has some tips and dimensions etc

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...rans-swap.html


anyway, that should get you going. a used crossmember set up shouldbe relatively cheap at pick n pull if you can find one, or craigslist or just post an ad in classifieds on this site. they are pretty strong and tie the two rails together but unbolt if you need to. I think.
just some thoughts

Re: finally building
 

sorry, forgot you have the original.

Re: finally building
 

These are the Reasons - Information like this Should be Sticke'd in the Build Area
or Library of Tech. Notes ..

Good Info .. Nice Chassis .

Re: finally building
 

Did you start with an epoxy primer?

Re: finally building
 

Yes I did!

Re: finally building
 

the 4l60E is the electric version of the 700R4 with a lot of the factory upgrades the 700R4 didn't come with.
You can buy a shifting module for the 4L60 if you don't use an engine computer.