58 Panel
05-05-2009, 10:33 AM
I'm working on a special project and thought I'd join your group.
My late son, Ben, and I bought a 58 Chevy Panel that was a basket case. The only redeeming quality to it was the 67 Camero 327 that was in it. We replaced the firewall and floor section due to the amount of rust and rot. We installed the battery on the frame rail behind the drivers seat. We flattened out the firewall. The engine got an Edlebrock 650 4 barrel with an air gap manifold. The tranny was replaced with a 4 speed Muncy with a Hurst shifter.
Ben worked for DC Racing Engines in Denver while he was in high school. When DC became the head engine builder for Furniture Row Racing, Ben was able to work for a Nascar engine shop.
After Ben graduated from high school he raised his hand and entered the US Army. On 27 May 2007, my world ended when Ben paid the ultimate sacrifice. He was buried with full military honors.
After dealing with the ex(Ben's mother) for over a year, his estate was finally settled and I got the 58.
Which brings me to my project. I'm restoring the 58 in Ben's honor. The engine is getting rebuilt by DC to handle the twin turbos that I'm frenching into the rear quarter panels. Strange Engineering is building a 9" Ford rearend with the original drum brakes. When they said that everybody was putting on disks, I told them I'm not doing what everybody else is doing. The front clip is getting painted with the color changing paint from Alsa so when it's cold it will be black and when it warms up the flame job will show. The rest of the truck is getting a vinyl wrap honoring my son and everyone else who has served in the Military. There will be a US Flag on the roof.
There will be times that i'm going to ask some strange questions. So at least you'll know where I'm coming from and what I'm doing.
Mike
My late son, Ben, and I bought a 58 Chevy Panel that was a basket case. The only redeeming quality to it was the 67 Camero 327 that was in it. We replaced the firewall and floor section due to the amount of rust and rot. We installed the battery on the frame rail behind the drivers seat. We flattened out the firewall. The engine got an Edlebrock 650 4 barrel with an air gap manifold. The tranny was replaced with a 4 speed Muncy with a Hurst shifter.
Ben worked for DC Racing Engines in Denver while he was in high school. When DC became the head engine builder for Furniture Row Racing, Ben was able to work for a Nascar engine shop.
After Ben graduated from high school he raised his hand and entered the US Army. On 27 May 2007, my world ended when Ben paid the ultimate sacrifice. He was buried with full military honors.
After dealing with the ex(Ben's mother) for over a year, his estate was finally settled and I got the 58.
Which brings me to my project. I'm restoring the 58 in Ben's honor. The engine is getting rebuilt by DC to handle the twin turbos that I'm frenching into the rear quarter panels. Strange Engineering is building a 9" Ford rearend with the original drum brakes. When they said that everybody was putting on disks, I told them I'm not doing what everybody else is doing. The front clip is getting painted with the color changing paint from Alsa so when it's cold it will be black and when it warms up the flame job will show. The rest of the truck is getting a vinyl wrap honoring my son and everyone else who has served in the Military. There will be a US Flag on the roof.
There will be times that i'm going to ask some strange questions. So at least you'll know where I'm coming from and what I'm doing.
Mike