Blown 56 chevy gasser build for 2017 meltdown or bust

I'm bored on the airplane gone to San Jose so I figured I would create a build thread of my 56 Chevy gasser. I know you guys have been missing a good gasser build since bean got kicked off. So, here we go.

After the 2013 meltdown I was blown away. I have always been in to cars and have been building a model a coupe that is more of a life project. In August 2013 I came across this 56 Chevy.


It was in pretty good shape and I instantly knew I needed the car. My plan at first was simple to get it going throw a motor in, jack up the front end, roll bar, ladder bars....


Then that plan went completely out the window. I came across a 55 Chevy straight axle for cheap not to far from me. This was the first step in the project getting completely out of hand.


No going back

Mocking up the 2x4

Welded in

 

Cool
Need more details on the planned running gear. I've always been a sucker for that stuff

 

I wanted a smooth transition

I had a place water jet out some templates I made for the front

I plan on the wheels coming off the ground so I wanted it to be strong also

 

I mounted the steering box in the stock location usin some 1" sleeves I made on the lathe



Now it was time to mount the front axle
After mocking it up I wanted to put the crank shaft center line just shy of 24"
Making shackle mounts




In true gasser fashion I had to drill the beam


I used the 55 Chevy truck steering arms on the bottom then for steering I used the 56 Chevy steering arm on the top

The springs are model a I think 31"

Just tacked in to let the springs settle
Next I put the motor in this is just for mock up
I will have a blown 355 fully roller all forged internals with hilborn 4 port when it's all said and done

 

Next I did the rear suspention

I got the springs rearched to get the stance I want but it was never right shackle angles were always wrong and after getting the rearched a second time I was tiered of messing around. I put in spring pockets and made my owns shackles and rear spring mounts





Months later I put on the ladder bars but I'll include that here to keep things together

Frame mounts 3/8 steel



Lots of welding and time sorry for the lack of pictures rear shocks are lake wood 50/50

 

I knew the car needed a glass front end. I waited until I found the right one. I was on Craig's list and this fiberglass a&a nos one came up. I drove to Milwaukee to get it. It's been in the rafters of an old mans garage for at least 25 years.

I built an inter structure out of 1" tube




The bends are jegs drive shaft loops cut accordingly
The milled square blocks are locks I made to lock the front end in place. You put a quick release pin through the slot

 

Head lights in

Here are some random parts that I picked up during parts of the build
Real dr.j's fenderwell headers. These were in an old mans rafters for 40 years


Hilborn angle drive I bought it because it was cheap.....

It came with a pump
Then later I got this the car needed a 4 port to be right

Hilborn fuel filter

 

Moon tank mount I later had to redo this because of a bigger radiator but you get the idea

Made a radiator mount stole the design from Vic Young and Kiwi kev, but made it removable for easy motor swaps. Four bolts and its out.




Next I did the firewall. I spent hours surfing the web until I found something I liked, there will be another recess for the angle drive and fuel pump.


Then I got crazy and after talking to rat nasty I bought the jerico out of his gasser. I had an m-21 but was worried about it holding up. Tad set me up with everything. Thanks again.




I will have to redo my trans mount but That's no big deal. He also gave me a mid plate.

This is what I've been working on lately
Front shocks.
I got these nos ansen shock mounts

I had to square the backs because someone get crazy with the belt sander

Mounted them just like the steering one inch sleeves
Also added Bilstein shock 90/10

Also made some custom spacers fit the bearing end shocks to have travel.

I still have to do the other side.

Next the car will get a full 12 pt roll cage.

 

Looks bad ass. What is the front axle out of?

 

Thanks it's out of a 55 chevy truck second series this keeps the leafs parallel to each other. I think it has some caroming in its future too, but we will see.

 

Saxxon love the scout. Have you seen the articles in the hot rod year book? I forget the year. If you haven't I can send them to you.
It will be a blown 355 full roller all forged internals. The trans is a jerico 4 speed. The rearend is a mopar 8.75 and will have a 4.30 gear.

 

Thanks is the 48 truck axle the same or narrower

 

This is from Kail on his 55 chevy road farmer build that's where I got the info.
So for reference on Chevy axles
1st series goes up to mid 55
2nd is mid 55 to 59 I think

"I did some rough measurements, I didn't break out the micrometer on this one so I apologize if these are not dead on.

1st Series
King pin top center to center 50"
Spring perch center to center 26.75"

2nd Series
King pin top center to center 53 5/8"
Spring perch center to center 32"

Also you will notice in the picture that 2nd series has a lump that acts as a steering stop and the 1st series does not.. just in case you are on craigslist or at a swap meet."

I choose the second series because it fits right under. And the first series has a taper so things can be complicated more, but it can be done kiwi kev did it on Vic youngs 55 chevy. You can look at that as a good reference. Just looks like a lot more work to me.

 

subscribed super nice work. Should be a killer piece when done.

 

WOW!! This is my kind of build. Looks great, and should be a blast with the blower motor and that trans. Love it!!

 

looks great. looks mean. is that a aluminium flywheel?

 

Thanks. Yes it is I would like a steel one to help it off the line but the al one goes with the setup so I'll go with it.


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Looking good, nice build and clean workmanship, great to see your progress! Just a caution on aluminum flywheels on the street (if you're running car on the street) is it don't store a lot of inertia and hell to drive because you're not giving it a lot of RPM at the starts. Example: I installed a 13# flywheel in my Willys with a blown & injected 355" SBC (less than 3,000#) and didn't think I was going to make it around the block with normal driving. So I installed a 23# and that made world of a difference. Let's see some pics of your latest progress. Vic

 

Back at ya man... love 56 Gassers - especially ones with Hilborn injected blown small blocks and 4 speeds.

If you are refering to the 1973 issue - I have a couple of copies of it including the one I recieved as a young lad of 11 - the one that started it all for me. It's cool that folks remember.

Can't wait to see this monster at Meltdown.

 

Thanks for the tip Vic I'll keep that in mind. Do you still live in California. I'll be in San Jose this week I wish you and kiwi kev lived closer. I would come check out the cars

 

It was a hot rod year book. I know it was earlier thank 73. I'll look this weekend when I get home.

 

Yep, still here! If you can make it down this way, be sure to stop by! Vic

 

I redid my radiator support so it's now removable - pix attached.

 

the reason i asked about the flywheel is they suck for a heavier drag car. i put one in my car two years ago. it was horrible driving on the street and worse on the track. it took a extra 1500 rpm to launch the car. by the time i was passing the tree the car was falling on its face unloading the chassis. the engine did sound very responsive and cool with it in the car. with out the inertia the engine wants to stop rotating. thats why they work so well in a stock car. they are able to slow the car down going into a turn. the steel flywheel will also make the car faster between gear changes due to less rpm drop. remember as fast as it helps the engine go up in rpm it also brings the rpm down a like amount when you are off the gas for any reason. others i have talked to have said the same thing. last year i put the steel one back in and all is good again.

 

man,the car looks great

 

That's the same axle that's under my 56. It worked great in the 60s and today to. Great build can't wait to see it done

 

To fit that blower motor is it running yet?


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Thanks for the tip I may have to reconsider


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i like your project. I'm just trying to pass on some thing i learned the hard way from personal experience. it seemed like a good idea at the time.

 

Looks like ya got something there, nice build and I'm digging the drive train too.