Even though this is a 59-60 thread, I think 57's fit! And I've been wanting to post on this thread for awhile now! So, here is my beater 57 shop truck that I just got on the road.
I posted my '59 last spring when I first got it. My goal was to de-streetrod it as much as possible. Been working hard, but most of it has been in engine and suspension work. Also the interior has been updated. Before After Before After
Thanks! I'm thinking I may do an axle flip and a "C" notch in the rear to get it down just a little more.
Pulled the valve covers today and they were pretty gunked up. Two pushrods had fallen down into the intake valley. I had turned the engine over a few times and a few valves were stuck from sitting 3 years. The last time this truck was driven was in 2009. It was a one owner 292 farm truck. I worked the stuck valves with oil and a rubber mallet, they seem to be working for now. The pushrods looked fine so I put them back in and adjusted them. My question is, do you think this engine can be saved? It's gunked up pretty bad under the valve covers. Is there anything you can run to clean it out some until I rebuild it? I read about adding ATF to the crankcase or diesel mixture, just never tried it so I wasn't sure. Here is what I'm dealing with.
Oh ... that looks like the oil was ... never changed. Should be a smoker when you get it going IMO. Possible to change oil, remove large scale solid oil & blow out as much of those chunks as possible. Late 70's & early 80's sbc used to look this way when the oil was never changed. Just "baked" onto heads. Use to clog rear drain holes & cause oil drainage onto exh. & intake valves. Then ... lots of smoke. Try it ...
Yeah, my thoughts as well or the old man never drove it long distances on the farm. They will get gunked up like this as well if you never get them up to operating temps. Either way I'm going to try to salvage it till I get around to the rebuild.
You need to drop the pan and give that top end a pressure wash with kerosene. Clear oil galleries with thin welding rod. Buy a cheap hand pump sprayer and spray, soak, repeat. Change oil and add one quart kerosene fluid in place of one quart of oil. Let it circulate for a good 20 minutes, drain, change oil again.
I just couldnt wait, i had to post. I can't get my pics to load but there is some in my album. I just finished the front suspension. Sids 3 in drop axle, I reversed the eyes on the main leafs with a jig I made (works great btw) then pulled 2 leafs. Starting on the back ASAP.
Make sure and take off the rocker arms and flush out any crude that's insides the shafts too, lot of people forget that.
I know a lot of you guys are looking for the lower bed end caps for the 57-63 style side beds. After almost 2 years of R&D they are finally available....
Man, that's awesome. Matt, could you please send me the info for ordering via the HAMB or FB? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
The crew cab is coming along nicely. Just got one myself, should be here on Friday, if you can trust a shippers word...
How much up travel do you straight axle guys have, and does it ride? What kind of shocks are you running? Ive got right at 2.5 inched to my tiny bump stops. I only have an inch or so to the oil pan, so I guess im moving the engine up a bit too.
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