38 GMC Part 2

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I thought I would start my build thread again as it was missing quite a bit.

As I am going through photo's I realize I am missing quite a few steps but I will post the photo's I have in chronological order as much as possible.

Truck was purchased in March 2008 in Northwest Kansas.

1st pic is the truck on the trailer about 10 miles from where I loaded it.

The rest are the beginning of the saga within a week or so of getting home to Texas.

 

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1st pic shows the first idea for the chassis using the original frame. I changed this several times later on.

2nd pick shows the 2nd iteration, current frame is similar.

The others just show various stages of the build.

One is a shot of me welding, my wife's favorite picture.

Thanks to Mrs, Goose-em for the photo's

 

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Moving along with the chop, this is the layout stage

 

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I should mention the undocumented steps prior to the chop:

1. Channel job, front 4 inches rear 3.5 inches

2. Straighten front frame horns, cut pie wedge out of frame and raise horns to match the rest of frame. This was important for ground clearance and looks.

3. build sub floor frame

4. brace cab for chop

 

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Skipping backward a bit as I found some pics. We will get back to chop later.

pic 1. Front end removed showing the Pontiac flathead 6 I plan to run

pic 2. Interior floor prior to channel

pic 3. Another floor shot after cleaning up a bit

pic 4. Firewall before pic, I will get back to this later

 

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1. putting in the temporary subfloor prior to the channel job

2. same as one

3. Temporary suspension for the move to Louisiana

4. straightening the frame horns

5. Channel complete

6. New stance ( I am not mentioning the framework as it was temporary)

7. new front stance after the channel

 

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Action Shots

I had the truck at the shop and had to get it back to the house as we were starting a job and would not have room for the truck.

In my haste I hurried and threw the rear suspension under the truck so I could get it on a trailer. (I used an overhead crane to load it for the move from Texas and then the overhead in the shop to get it off the trailer. No overhead at the house so it had to roll)

1 thru 3, action shots

4. finding the center line

5. Installing a cheap coilover

6. Semi finished roller

 

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Back to the chop

A little bracing, planning, measuring and layout. I took 3.5 inches off the top. This is the low cab so the back window was already small. I left it stock height as I liked the way it looked and didn't want a window with "arrows" on either side.

 

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I wish I had photos of how I did this but I don't.

I wanted to give this truck some attitude so instead of cutting the roof and welding a strip to make the roof fit I opted to lay the A pillars back.

Doing the top was no sweat, the doors on the other had were a real bear. Because I move the A pillar forward and back it made the top of the door way too short and have the wrong curve.

To fix this I had to cut pie wedge from the door post, bottom area, and bend it backward toward the B pillar. I had to then lengthen and bend the top of the door post forward. I opted to make slices with the cut off wheel, (note to self, next time use a hack saw) which allowed me to change the curvature and extend the length without cutting the top piece apart and adding sheet metal back in.

Last couple of pictures show the finished item after I leaded in all the areas that needed it. I know not rat roddy but I wanted a clean look, at least on the roof[ddd

 

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Onto the bed

Pic's are not in order so

2. contemplating the next move (pay no attention to the fat guy)

3. making the cuts (why is that fat guy in all my photo's)?

1. after cutting

4. rear pan. the rear pan is made from a 55 gallon drum that I found laying around.

 

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A couple of misc pic's

1. new stance although the front suspension is still temporary

2. firewall before

3. firewall after filling all those countless holes. Cut most out and layed in some new sheet metal.

 

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Working on the grill

1st pic is to give an idea of the size of this thing before I started cutting on it. I removed around 14 inches altogether. Thats my shop helper in that pic. He was only 6 months old then. Today he wighs in at 130 lean pounds and his head is a little higher than my waist.

Front shot after some minor surgery

Got a problem here, needs to be curved

No sweat just cut some slots and tack back together

Little welding

Big hole, needs to be filled

Hole is filled

 

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Grill almost finished. Final will have to wait on the engine.

Looks a little crooked but I promise it is not. Just the angle and the grill not being mounted properly.

 

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At that point I rolled her outside for a photo shoot. October 2009

As you can see the suspension is still temporary, floors are not done. Bed needs some work, etc.

 

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A little floor work was in order at this point

1. adding in some rusty old sheet metal I had lying around

2. Weld photo

3. A little fab work to make up for the channel job, this was fun, had to put a curve in it, rebuild the rockers, etc

4. Triangle tunnel did it this way cause it looked cool

5. Yay! I have a floor to sit on!!!

 

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Now that the floor is done, time to do something about those seats. Hmmmmm[S What to do???? Bombers? Custom? Original?

How bout custom with original frames.

Now How do I get that pesky old canvas off there[S

Hmmm, I have a gallon of gas and a match..........

 

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Thats about it for the seats. I cut and welded them up and added some plywood but I think I am changing my mind. We shall see......eventually

 

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In the midst of all this chaos I needed to get my motor done. And because I am a glutton for punishment I decided to use the original 85 hp Pontiac flatty.

After some research, and buying the only two remaining copies of "Hot Rod You Car" the only book with info for hotrodding the Pontiac, I took the engine to the "best" engine builder on the Gulf Coast, in Feb, 2009.

After 1.5 years he finally tore it down and gave me my parts list.

Parts were ordered and delivered to the engine builder 4 weeks ago, supposed to have it done two weeks ago, hahahahahaha.

Oh well, it will get done eventually.

Parts list:

.060 over pistons custom made by EGGE machine (I love these guys) $451.00

Regrind the original camshaft to ye olde 3/4 grind (EGGE again, $126.00)

New bearings, etc.

Found and original Edmunds custom Intake on Ebay, $450.00 YIKES!!!!!

2 used but rebuilt Stromberg 97's $200.00 each

Engine will be ported and relieved, head milled .125 inches, yes I said .125 inches,

Anywho when done it should make some real hp, we think about 200 - 250 , really crazy compared to 85hp.

So here the engine is before being built. I will get some photo's up once it is done.

 

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So now for a little suspension work.

I should mention that before working on the front suspension the king pins were replaced, new brakes, drums, rebuilt the wheel cylinders, etc.

I wish I had work in progress pics but these will have to do.

Thanks to Bonhead for the pic of the 27 Buick rear suspension. I liked it so much I redesigned it to work for the front and have a patent pending.

I had to machine the spring mount blocks. I did this on a WWII vintage Bridgeport mill. I designed the mounts with pivot points which ride on a large diameter TGP shaft with Polygon bushings. There are no fasteners attaching the spring mounts to the shaft. The springs themselves act as fasteners and keep the look clean, I still have a little finish work to do but just for looks.

Last photo gives an idea of the stance, taking into account the engine is not in and will compress the suspension a bit.

 

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Last post for the day, at least on this build thread.

Couple of shots to give an idea of where she is at now.

The cab is not mounted and the engine is not in so it makes it look a little flat. It is supposed to have a 5 degree rake, which it will when done.

That is my silly 11 year old in the cab, should give an idea of scale.

Enjoy!!!