haven't had my wife's 55 Safari out for a few of years cause the engine went sour a couple of years ago coming home from the GG Des Moines, & I was working on other stuff. She has been very patience, but finally said it's time to fix it. I wasn't putting anymore $ in the 287" or stock driveline. Thought I could get it ready for this years Back to the 50's(Minnesota) event. We bought a rebuilt 4oo" Pontiac & had a 2oo4r trans(bop) done for it. Pulled the old stuff out, had to make new side mounts & a trans x-member for it cause the old stuff had 1 front mt. & bellhousing side mts. Decided to fill the holes in firewall & upgrade the steering as well. Last week after doing those things I thought I'd better sandblast the front area & repaint those parts. I'll post pics. Not going to drive it to BTT50's.(Damn!)
Nice job on the side mounts, the driver side can be a little tough with the offset around the gearbox. I had mine back far enough to run rear outlet on that side but didn't have to worry about master cylinder I moved it to the firewall.
both my slightly younger brother and i had safaris... 1956s.....a long time ago. shudda kept one (or both).
I modified the frame to accept a g-body (not a 605) steering box. The stock one was HUGE! The new one is 1/2 the size, hope it drives great. Removed old crappy heater too.
Looking great!! I love the look of new/sand blasted metal!! I hope HRP is wrong but I'm betting he's right...... Get this thing done & move onto something thats fun - Oh wait, its all fun because it's the "JOY OF BUILDING"
I'm not sure when he'll be on here again so I'll try to update ya, He ended up sandblasting the entire bottom of the car and of course found rust so he made new floors for it and has the drivers side in and done and now has cut out the passenger side and starting on it. I'll tell him to post up some updated pics
John [No Plan] was on the HAMB a little after 7 this morning...maybe he'll update this progress thread.
The Jalopy Journal
