Customs Finally starting on the wife’s 56

These inner and outers are supposed to be correct full replacements. We shall see

 

I feel like I just discovered something or like I have been missing out. These things are super easy to work on. I’m way late to this game

 

Feel like I hit the lottery with this rear floor

Here is the worst part. The inside of the rear gate is bad

 

Nice solid car

 

A 283 would be perfect. Saves a little on gas too. Every 283 car I owned, I kept the 283 in it. I am a big fan of hydro boost! It really works well.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

never had a car with a 283 but I sure do hear a lot of good about them. I have a project I can use the 350 I have in. Going to have to build one sooner or later for either project. I also have access to a good 327. So that’s a possibility.
Going to run an OD auto either way.

 

Not my business, but I would urge you to provide the things the wife asks for, and not impose things you like.....typical of men to do that.

However.......the 283 sounds like a great choice and will be plenty for a nice mild street cruiser....and very traditional.

That tailgate is kinda rough....might want to look for a better gate......

Whatever you decide, best wishes and I look forward to following your build.

 

Thanks. I can fix the gate but I have to decide if the time it will take is worth buying one.
As for the engine, I have a fresh set of 462s. 194 valve heads. Thought about these on the 283 but I know it will drop the compression a little. I want to avoid running late heads on this. I may hide some more modern things but want what’s visible to fit the style build

 

"...A hamber suggested that would help the car drive better since it will have PS. Any thoughts on that will be appreciated."

Many GM car's specs back in the day specified around 2 degrees MORE positive caster if the car had P/S. In general more positive caster makes the car more stable, especially at speed. Look at later Benz's, Chrysler 300s etc to see how much positive caster they call for. P/S covers up the extra steering effort.

As far as the 283, if the car is really for her, that engine, stock would no doubt make her the happiest.

 

Definitely do this. The caster will make the car "want" to go straight and it will feel more secure when driving with PS. I did this to my Tri 5 plus added a 605 steering box. Huge improvement.

 

Got the rest of the sheet metal parts today

That should finish the floor, rear gate and dog leg

 

I guess the first thing is to rebuild this inner dog keg and floor pieces.

 

Easier to work on than a bus, imagine.

 

Here is my 56 that I've been building for a few years. Like you, my wife likes old vehicles too, you can see her 40 Willys pickup behind the 56.

 

Wow...makes me feel like a slouch for not having finished the little bit of rust repair on my son’s C10. It isn’t near as much work as you have in front of you on that wagon.

 

If you guys don’t own one of these thin Dent Fix weld busters, ya need one
Center post came apart super clean.

 

I’m way behind.
But hopefully I can push through these rockers.
At least I dont have to make em.

 

Just a test fit. still got to clean up the floor braces and repair the one under the rear seat.
the plan is to build the floor once the rockers and doors are fit.

 

Thanks for sharing. I got a 210 2dr 57. I intend put my wife into. She is starting to make references.
Mine looks to be easier but I ain't dissected it yet.

 

I've seen these on a couple of Youtube videos I've watched to help me with the floor and rocker install on my Nomad. NOW, I know what they are called, and looked them up. Next on my list!

 

Messing with the dog leg.

 

The inner dog leg. Gone.
it won today. But I’ll be back tomorrow

 

Spent 1/2 the day cleaning off my work bench. I haven’t bent much metal at home for a while.
Either at a friends shop or school. I rounded up my tools from other shops and school as well.
so after lunch I picked a part and tackled it.
The floor piece between the seat frame and rocker was gone. So I made a simple profile pattern and overall shape pattern from the other side.

Scribble marks figuring out the bend then made a practice piece.

figured out the bend sequence.
the radius doesn’t follow out to the end and hammered that shape after bending.

the folded the flange down.

Pic looks a little funny. I usually DA sheet metal before I bend it.

 

My planishing set up

 

Fits ok.
The circled area is a small piece I’ll make separate.

 

Rotted floor x’ember end.

make a pattern

then start banging

sorry for the porous tack weld or two. Fan is on. It’s hot.

 

It’s a little crude at this point but should look better after final fitting and welding.
But for 100% hammer work, I’ll take it.

 

Its like doing archeology. I’m digging through the pile of crap that fell out the rocker and inner dog leg looking for man made shapes. Straight lines and angles. Then recreating with what’s there. Luckily, enough of the other side is there to help.
I knew the inner and outer rockers were gone. The inner dog leg was thick seam sealer and undercoating. That was more than I expected. But it is what it is. I still would have bought the car. The last 2 wagons I looked at needed roofs.