1958 bel air (formely know as clara bel

I fiqured i would create a new build thread. First i need to get it moved from cold springs to newport. Then i'll drop my small block in it. I need to find a tranny if the one i have isnt any count. It will need driver and passenger front door glass. I will also need a drive shaft.






step 1. get the car moved to the garage.
step 2. get my sbc dropped down in the engine bay.
step 3. search for a tranny.
step 4. replace the shocks with the new ones that came with it. also thinking about cutting the springs to lower it. cant really afford new springs right now.

the look i'm going after:





I'm really liking the scallops on these cars.....

Step 1. complete. thanks Rebstew, Corey, Benjamin, Jimmy and Butch.

Starting putting the top end back together today. Got the lifters back in, pushrods, and rocker arms on the motor.

Moving day.

No reason to push a 2 ton car when you have a Bobcat to do it.

It was hot but a nice day.

Never had any experiences with those X frame GMs but would it be easier to drop the motor and trans in at the same time and I think they originally came with a 2 piece drive shaft so would it be best to find the longest tailshaft made and go with a one piece shaft. I think there area few 58s in Modoc if any parts are needed,unfortunately they are in the most heavily weeded area of the yard.

eventually i'll need front fenders, front door glass for driver and passenger side. Most important thing i need is a driveshaft though.

Other things wanted but on the back burner is peep mirrors and lake pipes

that looks like a clean white t how do u get them to stay so white

I'm not touching that one.

look at the pics man, have everyone else do all the work....lol

loks like riggs is ready too crewl in the bus lol

dropped the motor in looks nice, pulled the motor back out to drop the tranny in along with it. came into a small problem i need a flexplate for a newer sbc with a one piece rear main seal.

got the tranny back together i needed to get a filter for it.

i got one i think

would a drive shaft from a 55 be of equal length?

Any new pics Riggs???

i've done a little research and the fly wheel i have is correct. bolting up the fly wheel, torque converter and transmission this weekend

went after flex plate bolts, bought a pack and some torque convertor bolts, 2 hot out to do anything

Riggs how's the 58 coming?

man its been so hot the pass couple days i havent been out there. i was just out there a few minutes ago and i had to come in. u know us fat irish people cant stand the heat. i was feeling sick.

on another note, any good pointers on installing the torque convertor with out loosing all the fluid out of it. i couldnt find all the bolts needed out of the bazillion bolts i had so kenny ran down to falmouth and got what i needed. he had them all bagged up and labeled. man i was impressed. not having a job i cant go out and buy new.

flex plate is on and bolted up, torque convertor is next after i get a few pointers, this will be the first time installing one alone. i thought u pushed it in and turned a few times then the same thing all over again. i'm thinking that the shaft on the outside of the convertor needs to be sanded just a little then repeat the steps again?

Toss it on the snout, level it out slightly push it in while you are turning it. You will feel it drop in one time then spin it the other way. When it drops another time then turn the other way again and it will drop for the third time. It will go in 3 clicks. You will spin it right, left then right again. Hope that helps. If not come over and get me.

cool thanks for the advice stewart if i cant get it ill yell. thanks john howard for calling

well i had the flex plate on wrong lol. so i had to take it off, then reverse it, torque convertor bolts was a pain in the butt. motor is back down in the car with tranny bolted to it. just now have to bolt it up.

still no pics my digital camera took the dumps and my phone camera isnt ne better

motor is bolted up, i had a block off plate that came off the motor bolted it back on. now just working on the small stuff, next is water pump, then alternator, and work on the electric fuel pump. never done that either... i have some rubber fuel hose, can i cut the line put the fuel pump in place and use the rubber hose to splice it together the hose i have is for fuel?