55 Gasser is finally home!!!!!

After almost 2 years of waiting, the 55 is home. She's still on the trailer (hoping to get her off there tomorrow) but at least she's here. Yes i know the rear is to low, haven't removed the 2" blocks yet, and I know the rims don't match the build style. (Saving up the money for a set of skinny slots for the front, gona be steelies out back) Now all I have to do is clear space in the car port, and I can get started!
(sorry for the blurry cellphone pics.)

KOOOL, my favorite year Tri-Five.....

That is awesome,gassers are my favorite!

That is awesome, Chris! Where has it been and what's the backstory? And what is the drivetrain set-up?

Later,

Lee

Looks pretty good I've always had a soft spot for the 55's. The tri 5's IMO are the best style chevy made.What are your plans?

Nice 55! Can't wait to start on pops!

Nanook wrote:That is awesome, Chris! Where has it been and what's the backstory? And what is the drivetrain set-up?

Later,

Lee

I've owned her for over 14 years, when I bought her she had a wasted 305 and a saganaw 4 speed. All the wiring had been cut out, except what was needed to start her. The whole left quarter from the tailight housing to about 2 feet forward, was screwed on with wood screws and doughed over. But it was luv at first sight.
Brought her home and pull the motor and trans, in favor of a fresh .030 over 350 lumpy cam and a gear drive, backed by a 350 trans. with a 2500 stall. While under the car I noticed that 2 of the body mount bolts were broked off, and thought it would be a good idea to pull the body off the frame to make them easyer to drill out.(ended up with all but 2 bolts breaking) Since the frame was out, I decided to wire wheel it and paint. Moved the rear springs into pockets in the frame rails, installed 2" drop spindles, disk bracks, and new springs front and rear, and painted it gloss black. Installed a new wiring harness, got the tank boiled and painted it, new radiator. Hooker headers with 3" exhaust and 40 series flow master. New Rallies 15x4s front and 15x8s rear with new skins, and was ready to hit the street!

The motor sounded great, and I was off on my first ride. A few miles down the road, the motor spun free, the trans was cooked. The trans had come from a guy (who owed me money) who asured me it was fresh. The only thing fresh about the trans was the paint jop on the out side. Got her back to the shop and was so pissed after all the work, I kind of turned my back on her. Fast forward a few year later, and I get bit by the gasser bug. So out come the drop spindles and springs, in goes the stock spindles with ball jont spacers and 409 Impala springs. Found some fender well headers, built my own moon tank, lader bars, and carb scoop, installed a tunnel ram, and then life got in the way.(read that G.M. said goodbye) So she has been sitting in the corner of the shop for the last 7 years or so.

She's home now though, and I've got a renewed determination to get her on the road. Gona install the old saganaw(yes I know they suck, but an M22 is not in the cards right now) the fender well headers, some diferent rims and tires, and go do some big smokie burnouts.

Looking forward to doing some runs with you in that 55! So if you need a hand with something just give me a holler. Tampa is in October.....

Good story there and nice that you are dedicating to getting her back on the street! Love that you are putting the Saginaw back in her too. Thanks for filling me in and keep us posted.

Later,

Lee

Saganaw is no Rock Crusher but they will hold up if you don't over do it. I had one in the Fire Chicken for years and figured it would take a dump but I beat on it for a long time, years. I took it out to put an auto in it and still have the sag. I'll shove it into something else one of these days.

Reb Stew wrote:Saganaw is no Rock Crusher but they will hold up if you don't over do it. I had one in the Fire Chicken for years and figured it would take a dump but I beat on it for a long time, years. I took it out to put an auto in it and still have the sag. I'll shove it into something else one of these days.

Guess we'll find out, got her off the trailer tonight. Pulled the drive shaft, and cross member, and got all but 2 of the bellhousing bolts out. Gona try to drop the trans tomorrow. Anyone have a part number for the pilot bushing for a sbc?

Before it got to dark, had to try out the tank. Not real sure if it's a keeper.

After a long sleep she wakes up.

SWEET!!!

Very Nice!

Awesome

I may have a set of headlight rings Chris if you don't already have them.

I've got a set Steve, just have to get um re-chromed. Thanks for the offer though. I still have that extra 55 fender in the shop in Dayton if anyone needs it, it's gona need some work though.

Chris what does this need to get the rubber rolling this summer? Maybe a trip down to do some wrenching this summer may be in order?

Need the trans changed, some front brake work, and a few small odds and ends. Would also like to put the fenderwell headers on, but have to reroute a bunch of brake lines first. Just trying to find the time is the problem, that and I'm still not back to a 100%, I run outa steam kinda quick.  

That's the good thing about working on your own stuff. If you run out of steam you take a break. Get back on it when you are ready. If people seen my work area you would wonder how I can get anything done. TV, radio and a few chairs. Feeling bad? No biggie watch some tv for a while. lol.

Got the pass side fenderwell header test fit, I have to reroute the drivers side brake lines before the header will fit that side. Also got the trans ready to come out, now just have to get up the A** to pull it. Getting ready to go out and wire brush and paint the bell housing.

 

Chris if you want a hand let me know when your going to do the swap.

Brownie wrote:Chris if you want a hand let me know when your going to do the swap.

Thanks Mike, only trouble is I never know, when I'm gona find a minute to work on her.....