GM 1956 GMC gets an upgrade or two! (2 Viewers)

[BILT4ME]

Another piece of the puzzle arrived today. This is what I sent off. View attachment 2652780View attachment 2652781View attachment 2652782
This is what I received back!

OK, I need details for where and what was done.

I have a Studebaker I need to do something similar.

 

[Michael B]

I don’t know if my guy can help you. All he does is middle 50’s GMC. He re-chromes everything. I’m not sure what he does for the machine turned inserts. I would think he has a supplier for those. I could send you his contact information if you want to speak to him about your setup.

 

[BILT4ME]

I don’t know if my guy can help you. All he does is middle 50’s GMC. He re-chromes everything. I’m not sure what he does for the machine turned inserts. I would think he has a supplier for those. I could send you his contact information if you want to speak to him about your setup.

I would appreciate the contact info.

What you started with and what you ended with look like two VERY different parts.

I have pot metal chrome trim around my windows that are pitting like what your cluster pieces were and I'm looking to get them redone, but finding the RIGHT company is tough.

 

[cult45]

Lookin good mate! We'll have to take it for a spin one day

 

[Michael B]

@cult45 Indeed! Anytime mate. When are you heading this way!

 

[cult45]

@cult45 Indeed! Anytime mate. When are you heading this way!

As soon as I have the money and as soon as you have it built!

 

[Michael B]

Hmmmmm.......

 

[Michael B]

A little more progress to report. I pressure washed most of the big chunks off the engine yesterday afternoon.

 

[Michael B]

I also moved the chassis into the driveway to start test fitting the engine. Today I installed the new cross member.

 

[Michael B]

I added a few more pieces to the puzzle tonight. Friday the motor mount frame brackets arrived in the mail but I had an out of town trip scheduled for the weekend. Now I’m ready to start getting the engine located in the chassis.

 

[Michael B]

I performed a test fit of the new motor mounts. Then I bolted them to the engine. I also cut a couple of extra welds loose from the t case cross member I picked up last weekend. Then I checked the engine bay one last time for space to drop that engine into. I hope to drop the engine into the chassis tomorrow after church

 

[PAToyota]

I hope to drop the engine into the chassis tomorrow after church

Book of Mechanics, Chapter IX, Verses 2 - 8:
"And thou shall lower thy engine into the frame and move it back and forth until such point as to achieve both clearance and balance. Measure thy location twice and only then may thou cut as required for clearance. Rememberest to tacketh they mounts only until such time as thou art sure of their location before burning them in fully. And whenst thou art finished, thy shall stepeth back and see that it is good."

 

[Michael B]

Well somebody has read his King James Bible!

 

[Michael B]

At 7’1” Tetanus is a tight fit through the garage door. I meant to get a picture after the install but I forgot. I was able to get the engine setting in the frame. Not an awful fit. There is more clearance at the firewall than I was expecting. I have an issue with the drivers side motor mount not sitting square on the pad. I believe that is due to my load leveling rig not holding the engine squarely. I will try lifting it again and using a jack under the oil pan to square it in the mounts. I will also need to source a transmission cross member and install it before I can make any determination on cab clearance. Right now I’m using an early America pine cross member and it has the transmission sitting a little high right now. I did have to clearance the front frame member as expected and the AC compressor really doesn’t clear the frame when mounted in the stock location.

 

[Michael B]

I have been a little preoccupied lately. I’m trying to get a contract in place to build the shop I need. I have been also looking for a transmission cross member that has been more difficult to acquire than I would have ever imagined. I’m looking for a 85-91 k20 cross member from a truck with a 700r4. Apparently they are all still on the road!

 

[Michael B]

It’s been a while since I’ve posted here. A lot of water has gone under the bridge, so to speak. The building shell was completed in December and I have been working ever since to finish the inside.

This was December.

This was yesterday.

I finally found the transmission cross member I was looking for and today the bumper I have waited for since April arrived. I have been spending all of my time on the shop before I start working on the GMC again.

 

[Michael B]

A slight change of plans for the GMC. I have decided to forego the 6bt. There is just too much engineering work and with price of diesel continually out pricing gas these days I have decided to go with an LS motor.

I have already sold the 6bt. So no turning back.

 

[Michael B]

We’re goin’ old school! I found these mags on Craigslist and picked them up Sunday afternoon for the GMC build.

 

[cruiserdan]

Looks like Rocket 16.5x9.75. I have a set of those for my Dodge truck.

 

[Michael B]

Looks like Rocket 16.5x9.75. I have a set of those for my Dodge truck.

Spot on Dan! I need to find one more since the truck has a side mount spare. Do you have much trouble finding tires for the 16.5 rims?