57 GMC, frame swap, 4wd, 454 big block, 4 speed

[BobaFett]

I might have missed it in the thread but what are your plans for bumpers? If you’re going stock, are you using EZ chassis swap brackets too?

[Old57]

Originally Posted by BobaFett

I might have missed it in the thread but what are your plans for bumpers? If you’re going stock, are you using EZ chassis swap brackets too?

I'm going to use a stock bumper. I sold the complete GMC front clip with the bumper, so I still need to get a Chevy bumper. I'm planning to use a non-chrome one that will be powder coated the same as the wheels and grill. I'll make brackets for it to mount how I want it to fit.

[Old57]

I got the brake master cylinder, booster, proportioning valve, and clutch master cylinder today. I got the Kugel Komponents pedal assembly mounted on the firewall, and installed the brake and clutch master cylinders, booster, and proportioning valve. I had to remake the lines that came with the proportioning valve because they didn't line up with the master cylinder. Now I can start making brake lines, fuel lines, and run all of the engine bay wiring while I have the front clip off.

[dug224]

Not sure how I missed your thread. I like everything about your build especially the quality of work!!! I'm signed up and following along. By the way, I have a set of those hub caps if you need more. They came on my truck and are stacked up in the garage taking up space. Keep up the good (and FAST) work.

[Old57]

Originally Posted by dug224

Not sure how I missed your thread. I like everything about your build especially the quality of work!!! I'm signed up and following along. By the way, I have a set of those hub caps if you need more. They came on my truck and are stacked up in the garage taking up space. Keep up the good (and FAST) work.

Thanks! It's not nearly as fast as I'd like. I'm not able to spend a lot of time on it because I'm always working on other people's stuff. Are your caps 2wd or 4wd with the hole for the hubs?

[Old57]

I got a few more parts delivered, and got a little more done on the truck this weekend. I got my Vintage air heater/defroster mounted, the Newport Engineering wiper motor installed, and mounted the new power steering pump with brackets, and alternator brackets. I got my gauges and senders too. I need to get my harmonic balancer pulled in another 1/4" to line up the new pulleys.

[joedoh]

goodies in the mail is an excitement I will never grow out of.


can I see the water valve on your VA system? it LOOKS like you have 3 connections, mine has TWO and it seems like the truck wants to creep up in temp because water isnt flowing through the heater.

[Nut Case]

old57

Dude it's great to be neck deep in parts, fun, fun, fun. Great progress, strong work.

Keep on keepin on


Nutty

[Dieselwrencher]

Those pedal brackets are very nice. It looks like you have had a nice bit of goodies showing up. Very cool.

[Old57]

Thanks guys, yes, It is always good to get parts! I've almost got all of the big things that I need to finish out the truck to get it running and driving without paint. I'm pretty happy with the pedal brackets and how they fit/work. I still need to make a triangulated brace to tie together the pedals/firewall, the column mount, and the dash.

Joedoh, here are some pics of the VA heater valve.

[Old57]

I got one more part delivered today... the gauge panel to fit in my GMC dash. I fit the new gauges in it, and they looked nice. I didn't think to get a pic of that. Now I need to decide if I want to polish the panel, or paint it the dash color when I paint the interior. I'm leaning towards painting it.

[joedoh]

thanks for the picture, just looks like an electric version of mine. you will have to see if your truck creeps in temps with the valve shut. being as its just heat though you could likely leave it on forever.

[OutlawDrifter]

+1 for painting the gauge panel.

[Old57]

Originally Posted by joedoh

thanks for the picture, just looks like an electric version of mine. you will have to see if your truck creeps in temps with the valve shut. being as its just heat though you could likely leave it on forever.

No problem. Hopefully I don't have cooling issues... I've invested a lot of money on good parts, expecting this big block to be tough to keep cool. I haven't skimped on anything with the cooling system parts. Also, it has a bypass hose, so I wouldn't think that the heater flow would restrict anything.

[Old57]

Originally Posted by OutlawDrifter

+1 for painting the gauge panel.

That's what I'm thinking. I think the panel being painted will look less "aftermarket" in the interior. I'm trying to keep a clean and simple look.

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by Old57

No problem. Hopefully I don't have cooling issues... I've invested a lot of money on good parts, expecting this big block to be tough to keep cool. I haven't skimped on anything with the cooling system parts. Also, it has a bypass hose, so I wouldn't think that the heater flow would restrict anything.

I had someone tell me to drill a 1/4 hole in the thermostat to keep coolant flowing when the thermostat is closed, I am going to give it a shot because aside from the heat creep these VA units are amazing.

[Old57]

Yes, I've heard of people doing that, but I've always heard to drill two 1/8" holes across from each other. They say it allows the air to escape when filling the cooling system too.

[Black_Sheep]

Originally Posted by Old57

I got one more part delivered today... the gauge panel to fit in my GMC dash. I fit the new gauges in it, and they looked nice. I didn't think to get a pic of that. Now I need to decide if I want to polish the panel, or paint it the dash color when I paint the interior. I'm leaning towards painting it.

Don't overlook vinyl wrap materials, there's an endless variety of colors and textures from subtle to wild. A colored brushed aluminum or one of the matte metallic films can provide more interesting detail than paint alone. There's also carbon fiber, camo and woodgrains if that's your thing.


https://www.rvinyl.com/Gunmetal-Brus...Film-Wrap.html

https://www.rvinyl.com/Matte-Metallic-Vinyl-Wraps

[Old57]

Originally Posted by Black_Sheep

Don't overlook vinyl wrap materials, there's an endless variety of colors and textures from subtle to wild. A colored brushed aluminum or one of the matte metallic films can provide more interesting detail than paint alone. There's also carbon fiber, camo and woodgrains if that's your thing.


https://www.rvinyl.com/Gunmetal-Brus...Film-Wrap.html

https://www.rvinyl.com/Matte-Metallic-Vinyl-Wraps

Good call... I hadn't thought about doing anything like a wrap or coating on it. Thanks for the idea.

[Old57]

Not any progress to report... been busy working on other peoples projects, so no time for mine. I did get the new cowl cover without the vents, and a 3 speed metal transmission cover. I wanted to use the flat 3 speed cover, and I'll make the shifter slots and boots where they need to be for both levers. I also got the Dakota Digital fan controller with a 2nd 70 amp relay to program and control both of my Spal fans.

[Purcell69]

Very nice progress! Have you tried fitting the blank cowl panel yet? I had a minor issue with mine around the wiper shaft. The panel did not sit flat on both sides. I could install the wiper bezel and nut on one side but not the other, as the panel held the bezel out just far enough that the bezel nut couldn't catch a thread.

In the end, I cheated. I used a dab of super glue to stick the cowl panel to the cowl and then pulled the panel tight with a 1/2" nut and bolt along with two big washers. The bolt pulled the cowl panel flush to the cowl and held it in place until the glue set. Then I removed the nut and bolt and installed the wiper spindle, bezel and nut with no problem.

-Joe

[Old57]

Originally Posted by Purcell69

Very nice progress! Have you tried fitting the blank cowl panel yet? I had a minor issue with mine around the wiper shaft. The panel did not sit flat on both sides. I could install the wiper bezel and nut on one side but not the other, as the panel held the bezel out just far enough that the bezel nut couldn't catch a thread.

In the end, I cheated. I used a dab of super glue to stick the cowl panel to the cowl and then pulled the panel tight with a 1/2" nut and bolt along with two big washers. The bolt pulled the cowl panel flush to the cowl and held it in place until the glue set. Then I removed the nut and bolt and installed the wiper spindle, bezel and nut with no problem.

-Joe

I haven't tried to yet. I opened it up and just sat it up there and took the pic. I'm expecting it to need some work though... I've never had an aftermarket panel that just fit. The box it came in said it was made by Dynacorn.

I'm hoping to take some time this weekend to get the 32 gallon Suburban gas tank mounted, and build my exhaust system. At least that's a goal I'm shooting for, if something else doesn't take away my weekend again.

[joedoh]

sure is pretty! I get buried in other peoples stuff too. my adopted son (not really, just a fond affection for the kid) always knows how to turn "hey I am coming to help!" into "my car has been making a noise"...


if you need any extra hands I can... recommend some guys. no just kidding.



I dont have any guys to recommend.


KIDDING! give a holler!

[Old57]

Originally Posted by joedoh

sure is pretty! I get buried in other peoples stuff too. my adopted son (not really, just a fond affection for the kid) always knows how to turn "hey I am coming to help!" into "my car has been making a noise"...


if you need any extra hands I can... recommend some guys. no just kidding.



I dont have any guys to recommend.


KIDDING! give a holler!

Haha, thanks joedoh! My problem is that I build motorcycles and cars, and fab work for customers, and I'm always swamped busy. Time for my truck is few and far between. I really need to make it a priority to work on it during the weekends. I've been working the last 3 months with only 3 days off, so I need to chill out on that and do something for myself.

I did play hooky from work yesterday afternoon and got the 32 gallon square body Suburban tank mounted. I'm hoping to get 300 miles per tank out of the big block...

I removed the rivets and moved the rear cross member back 8", then made a simple front cross member with flat bar spanning between them. I put some rubber strips where the top of the tank touches, then mounted it up using new tank straps for the Suburban tank.

[OutlawDrifter]

Nice clean install.