Customs Finally starting on the wife’s 56

When you get to the 283, the h.o. 305 heads are supposed to be good.

 

I like the 283. I had a set of those 305 heads and gave em to a student.
But we bought a small camper so the 350 I have with the 462s might go in it.

 

Nice work, Tony!

 

Had a 61 Chevy hardtop in high school with a 3 speed/283 and a Crane Fireball solid lifter cam. Consistently failed to kill it.

 

Ok for a floor brace

 

Removed the rotted x-member and repaired it on the bench. Should have done it this way to begin with.

a little detail left but it’ll fly.

 

Pattern for a floor panel.
Magnets work well to hold in place.
The pattern is the overall shape. The bent detail will be referenced and additional metal will added for the bent lip.

 

Transfer pattern to metal. Start drawing. Transfer reference marks.

Use pattern to locate bends

trim panel

 

I’ll fine tune the butt weld cuts, clean and rust treat the x-members then tack. Move to the next piece. Weld the two pieces at the same time.

 

More patterns



Roughing out the intentions and some bead work

Need to fine tune the indentations.
All hammered in. Will planish them out better before welding.
Will finish those off after it’s final trimmed and fit.

 

After banging on this 18 gauge I know why most patches you buy are 20 gauge.

 

Great work and “how to”.

 

A simple lower A post part

I use this to shape details

the dimples were just and old push rod and a hammer

 

With ALL THAT KINDA WORK go'in on.......it ain't to late to lose the more-door and make it a two door....
is it?!
Alabama got 'lectricity now??...........WOW!
6sally6

 

Nope. The wife wanted a 4 door wagon.
And we don’t have electricity yet.
Got a pig poop moonshine still thingy running a gen.
Just like on mad max

 

…no shit??

 

I dig the little smiley faces on the patterns. But why not on the panels themselves? Don’t they make you happy?
Seriously though Anthony you do great work! And on top of it use such simple methods and tools to achieve fantastic results.

 

anthony was hoping to catch up with you at the nauvoo show. we had a masonic funeral that morning so we didn't make it.

 

No.
Shit.

 

Very nice progress. I like your engine choice as well. I had a spare 283 one time and waffled several times about building it. Finally did it and was so glad I did.

 

Looking good so far. 283 Power Pac please ......... lucky wife.

 

The smiley face indicates what side of the part is the side you see.
Learned that from a crazy talented metal guy.
Simple tools? Yep. I finally bought a real sheet metal brake. But I still could have made em with a work bench, hammer and piece of angle iron like I have before.

 

Lower A post had some damage. Probably a blown tire. This piece was crushed and had rust as a result.

 

A little fine tuning and it’s ready to weld.
Beat the shape with a plastic mallet over a shot bag. Then planished over an acetylene bottle cap and piece of rail.

 

Yeah but you'll be so buff you won't be hiding behind that dress form. ( maybe )

 

Got the inner A-post handled. Working on rocker fitment Ive read that some of the replacement rockers have issues on the profile so I checked mine. Not bad for aftermarket.

bought 2 front floor braces.
Had to do a little welding on em but they look ok

Rocker fitting ok now I should be good on welding the inner rocker now.

 

Inner rocker welded, cleaned and primed.

set the car on its suspension on some tall stands. Lift is not holding the car. Getting decent gaps. Plan to tackle the last of the A-post next.

 

All this resurgence in the wife’s car. Admit it, she’s “holding back” until she drives it, right? .
Doing some fine work, I’ve had to fab some odd sheet metal shapes, seems it takes me 2 square feet of material at times for a 3x 2 inch patch. You make it seem easy.

 

Not yet.
Actually I plan to drive this thing until my truck is on the road.
She can use it on the weekends