I got a free car today- now have questions about it

[Ayers Garage]

Okay, everyone has probably read on the classifieds about me trading my 54 Chevy off because I needed a car with a back seat. Well, today, my father-in-law stepped up to the plate and gave me one of his cars, that has plenty of room. Free, no strings attached.

I was thinking that I should be able to slick this thing up fairly quickly and have a real cheap, decent driver that will haul the whole family and baggage while I work on other more long term projects.

Anyway, me and the wifey figured we’d totally freshen up the interior (she does trim work as a sideline business), lower it, Cragar SS wheels, and of course brakes, suspension, fresh SBC and any other mechanicals to keep the family safe and sound on road trips. I imagine I’ll leave the car looking as it does now, other than the wheels, lowering, and fresh insides. I know, the patina thing is getting tiring now days, but it’s cheap and the car does have character.

Now, for the questions:

1) This car has a stock V8 and auto trans. What kind of trans is easy to swap with the cast iron glide that’s in it now?

2) Engine mounts- it has the stock front mounts still in it. Do I need to go to side mounts and a normal rear trans crossmember and mount?

3) It has treddle-vac power brakes. Should I do away with all of that and go normal power booster? Seems like everybody sells a kit to do this.

4) Any recommendations on brake kits and stuff to get a decent set of discs up front?

5) What rear end ratio did these things typically have?

6) Is there any reason I can’t run a normal 350 in this thing?

7) What kind of power steering should I do? The stock ram assisted stuff looks wasted.

8) Can I run a Vega engine or 2.8 V6 in it?

Sorry for all of the questions, but I’m new to Tri-5 Chevys.

Thanks for your input guys. And, photoshopping is encouraged

[Ayers Garage]

inside

[Ayers Garage]

the wasteland

[Upchuck]

a free 56 chevy! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

you really don't need power steering in them rigs they steer pretty decent with a manual box

pretty much any small block should slip in there at least pre 88 ones

if you use a newer t350 tranny or such you'll either have to get side motor mounts or mount it at the "bell housing" otherwise you'll get some severe twisting/flexing

[ABone312]

Don't know about the other stuff, but if you want a good running 283 that is out of a '57 Chevy with the front mounts, contact BIG RIC. He is in Trinity and has one that can be had for REAL CHEAP, it just got taken out of a '40 pickup. Shoot him a PM if your interested, he'll make ya a deal.

[ABone312]

Oh yeah, it also comes with a pair of 'Vette valve covers and a 4 barrel intake.

[cosmo]

Best bet on the engine trans is to fab a new crossmember for the trans, and use side mounts on the engine. The thought is that the front mounts cause too much strain on the trans bellhousing.
Brake upgrades should be a matter of checking a catalog and asking questions, looking for intelligent answers before buying. But an upgrade IS necessary for driver status, the stock brakes are just scary.
Rear end ratio should be in the 3:50 range.
A 350 is the same block size as you have now, so no problem.
There is a kit to change over to a later Saginaw PS setup, but those boxes have a rep for being wasted before their time, tread carefully.
Both the Vega and 2.8 V6 have bad reputations, try a Buick V6 instead, maybe even the 4.1 if you think you need cubic inches. As an aside, the technology available now means that you can run a much smaller, more economical engine and get the same performance as was available originally in the tri-5 Chevys.
Cosmo

[Fat Hack]

1) Any Chevy trans your little heart desires!

2) Engine mounts- it would be better to switch to side mounts if you're gonna swap trannys...but you could make do with the stock mounts in a cruiser.

3) Use a ready-made kit, or sawp in a more conventional brake pedal/booster/master cylinder out of a newer donor vehicle.

4) ECI makes bolt-on disc brake conversion kits...they use OEM applications like Camaro, Chevelle and Monte Carlo calipers, pads and rotors to make things simple and affordable. Buy the whole kit, or just their brackets and adapters along with a list of common OEM parts to buy locally.

5) 3.23 to 4.10 or so! (Closer to 3.23 in a Glide car I reckon!)

6) Only that it'd be BORING! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

7) Power steering????

8) You surely COULD...but that's just plain STUPID! Don't submit yourself to endless ridicule, torment, setbacks and roadblocks building something that will never run, much less DRIVE. Don't stray to far from the beaten path...trust me!!!!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[manyolcars]

The restorers might like to buy your treadle brake parts

[cosmo]

FatHack sayeth:
"Don't submit yourself to endless ridicule, torment, setbacks and roadblocks building something that will never run, much less DRIVE. Don't stray to far from the beaten path...trust me!!!!"

And he is right!! (That didn't hurt - really:) )
Taking the beaten path might be boring, might seem unimaginative, but it will certainly have you a running car in less time than any other way.
Cosmo

[crewcutkid]

I'm no expert, but mebbe with some ez cleaning, you could sell the engine, tranny off to a restorer, who knows? I am a Ford guy, but I kinda like yellow on those things, makes me think of Tom Daniel models. If you have kids, I would reccommend seatbelt upgrades, safety upgrades, etc. If you put chrome reverses on the back two, and some Cragars on the front two, mebbe a big and little setup is possible, but either/or.
Ok, I'm inspired now, how bout a nonfunctional scoop? Keep all the original trim, I think a six is cool if it's gonna haul groceries.
Nice freebie, though.
-Crew

[Ayers Garage]

Hey fellows, I appreciate the input so far.

Cosmo, you're taking me too seriously, I as jabbing at Hack about the Vega or V6 idea.

Basically, I know that any trans that uses the typical tailshaft mount and crossmember will require a swap to side engine mounts to keep from breaking mounts and trans cases. Is that my only alternative? Would I be stupid to try and freshen up the cast iron glide and use it?

It looks like if I use those little stock exhaust manifolds, any old small block will be right at home.

POWER STEERING- if I take that ram assist stuff off, am I just left with a normal non power steering car then? I mean, I haven't looked under it too much yet, but isn't the box the same, it's just that ram and hoses that makes it power right?

[Slag Kustom]

any thing you could wish for is a phone call away for any tri 5 look on ebay there are tons of upgrade parts there too

[Ayers Garage]

Crewcutkid, on a deal like this, anything I take off of this car, I give back to the father-in-law. He is a dead serious restorer of 57 Nomads. His life's work is bringing 57 Nomads back to life. I would have to divorce his daughter if I sold a 265 engine off.

He's totally cool with me rodding this car, but the stock parts are to be hoarded like a 10 year old does a Playboy magazine.

[ABone312]

It wouldn't be stupid to have the original 'glide freshened up. Most of the time, the power steering and manual steering cars had different ratio steering boxes. I'm not sure about the ratio on the tri-fives, you'll have to look it up to find out for sure. Either way, it will steer without the power assist.

[crewcutkid]

Could you wrangle a six from the godfaddah? I would consider a six if this is just an a2b driver. I think keeping this thing pretty close to stock would be the best course of action, just make sure it's safe for the little 'uns.
-Crew

[mr57]

Here's a couple cheap tricks:
The least expensive way to drop discs on that is to buy a bracket kit for less than a hundred $$. Watch though as some of them move the discs outboard an inch or so. McGaughy's or Williams Coachcraft (I think) has the bracket kits. Use a NONpower master cylinder for a 72 Chevy halfton - it bolts in and add an adjustable proportioning valve ($40-60) and you have discs. Cheaper yet is a power master cylinder off a 62-4 Chevy - you need the bracket and the rod off the pedal. You then rebuild your stock drums and away you go. The stock treadlevac will disappoint you. It fades out quick and has a funny feel to it. Hard to explain. I am in the middle of doing both swaps. One in a delivery, the other in my hardtop.

If you want to lower it, Use blocks in the back - wagon springs are different than regular 5-6-7's - remember that if you order lowered leafs, you need ones made for a wagon or delivery. If your front coils are good, every 8" of outside diameter cut off lowers the car 3/4" But I wouldn't cut the coils for more than 2" or so.

[radical56chevy]

dang.wish my father inlaw would give me a 56 wagon..would look good next to my 2dr wagon.lol
i would keep the power steering set up..mines a manuel steer , works good but power would be nice sometimes..
convert to disk up front..i used a bracket kit from danchuck ..gives you a list of all parts needed to finish..used a 71 chevelle mauel brake master and valve..
good luck...nice ride..

[radical56chevy]

just a fast question..ya gonna run the wheels on the front?
looking for a set of those for my gasser i'm trying to build..

[willowbilly3]

I would snag that 283 over a 350 any day. Forget goofy shit like vega engines and V6s. There are plenty of ways/kits for doing disc brakes. Cheapo way is to use junkyard parts and buy or fab the caliper bracket. You can buy anything you need for that car, even the stuff to bolt in later style mounts. Try to use the captive mounts like the 70s pickups had. They can never rip apart and let the engine jump around. If it is just going to be a cruiser then maybe a good later aluminum powerglide so all the original shift quadrant would still work.

[Levis Classic]

No vega or V6 - man Fathack has spme sort of sick voodoo on people!

[4t64rd]

If you ever sell that thing, I'm first in line.

[Ayers Garage]

You guys are killing me. The crack about Vegas and V6s was in reference to our resident Disco crackpot dude. I was poking a little humor at him. He caught it at least. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Everything I own or have owned uses a small block Chevy or big block Chevy.

[Fat Hack]

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

(But really, people...stick to the beaten path...if I teach you NOTHING else...learn this! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif)

[cosmo]

OK, I gotcha on the Vega V6...
As to the power steering, there IS a normal box under the steering wheel, BUT, the control box (part of center link) for the PS is the change, you need a manual steer center link, all else is the same, including the ratio.
And, IMHO, the manual steer is loads better than the no-feel PS. With PS, you get the feeling you are somewhat disconnected from the actual driving, sorta like the steering wheel is attached to the road wheels only by radio control.
And I stick by what I said about technology and engines: you really don't need the same cubes to achieve the same performance, but a Buick V6 WOULD look lost in that engine compartment. BTW, a 265 is 4.2 litres.
Kudos to the guy who talked about seat belts. And if you have little ones, belts are mandatory by state law, no matter WHAT year car you have, if you have a child in it, it MUST have seat belts. AFAIK, this is for every state but N.H.
Cosmo

[burndup]

Most excellent score....


But i gotta interject my two cents on what that kid said...

A "non-functional hood scoop" is about as much fun as a severly padded bra...

[Brother Bob]

Nice score HH . Whats wrong with rebuilding whats there and replacing the bad bits ? Father in law is happy, helps with parts, car gets done faster and you slowly begin to convert her from restro rod to traditional? You still need and early 50's pick up parts ?

[bustingear]

If you want great information you need to log on to Chevytalk.com. They are the best. I use the classic and modified column. The classic boys are old timers and really know their stuff. You will like it.

[whitewallslick]

I believe the pitman arm is different also. Manual pitman arms have a ball stud, power pitman arms have a tapered hole.
I'd recommend the manual steer swap, internal regulated alternator conversion, rebuild the stock rear drums, drop front spindles that accept '78-up gm disc brakes (also upgrades you to roller bearings instead of the ball bearings & keeps your track width stock unlike the adapter plate kits), manual dual reservoir m/c (70's corvette), side engine mounts (stock mounts twist all over the place with any power applied), trans crossmember, seat belts, repop gas tanks are now available for 6-pass wags but not 9-pass, should be a real nice driver at that point. Other wallet biters in your future are wiring harnesses & front end rebuild. There are also kits for roller bearing idlers, poor man's power steering. If you replace any chassis rubber, step up to black urethane. It'll look stock & tighten the car up a bunch.

http://williamsclassicchassisworks.com/images/trans1.jpg
This trans crossmember from Williams Chassis Works (http://williamsclassicchassisworks.com/) is bitchin, check out the integrated driveshaft loop.

Good luck! WWS

[Bluesfella]

I just recently did a lot of these things to my '55 4-door. Swapped in a 350 trans in place of the Powerglide, went to side motor mounts and tranny tailshaft mount. I'm just now learning to weld, so I bought kits for everything instead of fabricating.

Bought a front end rebuild kit from PST (http://www.p-s-t.com/), and motor and tranny mounts from CPP (http://classicperform.com/).

Bought the 2" drop spindles and other disc brake components from Heidt's (http://www.heidts.com/) - I highly recommend these spindles. With some of the other company's spindles, you lose turning radius, so be careful.

There's not much wrong with the original Power Steering systems except the control valve. You can restore what you have with parts from here (http://chevyps.com/index.shtml), this guy knows his stuff.

Also, I second the earlier post about ChevyTalk.com. Anything you would care to know about Tri-5's can be found here with a little searching.

Good luck!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[1oldtimer]

They make everything for these cars, everything is bolt-on.try
danchuk (http://www.danchuk.com/)

[crewcutkid]

As far as the nonfunctional hoodscoop goes->
I'm under the impression that this is to be a daily driver, not his primary project. It sounds like a six may be in the works. A scoop w/a six is dumb in the first place, but just to give it the look without losing the mileage, a nonfunctional scoop is just a nice idea-fer looks.
So, I hope my assumption that this is to be driven everywhere everyday is correct- go w/ a six, and some yeller paint [must stress modern seat belts], Cragars on the front, chrome reverses on the back.
Good luck.
-Crew

[Ayers Garage]

You're under the wrong impression here.

I get core 350 engines all the time from my local GM dealer. I have more 350s than any one man should ever have. This car will get a small block.

The purpose of this car is to go to fun places with my now bigger family. My wife and I used to go everywhere in the 54 Chevy, like all over the country. Now, we have a baby and the 54 had only 2 seats, so I needed another old driver that would carry us all, with baby stuff too.

That's where this car fits in. It's not meant to be a daily, my wife drives a new Cummins diesel pickup everyday. This car is for things like HAMB drags and Bonneville events.

Using the links that folks provided, I've found pretty much everything I should need to get the car safe and fun.

[Bluesfella]

[ QUOTE ]
Using the links that folks provided, I've found pretty much everything I should need to get the car safe and fun.

[/ QUOTE ]

Let me know if you need any more "links" to Tri-5 stuff, I've been hoarding website links for the last two years since buying and fixing up mine. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[haring]

[ QUOTE ]
how bout a nonfunctional scoop? -Crew

[/ QUOTE ]

Non-functional scoop?

Might as well slap some magnetic flames on there while you're at it. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

[voodoo]

Dropped spindles and a new set of lowering springs. Anti-sway bar. T-5 tranny. Cruises at 80 and rides like it's on rails.