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Projects Warsocki's 54 Belair

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by xderelict, Mar 30, 2012.

  1. xderelict
    Joined: Jul 30, 2006
    Posts: 2,475

    xderelict
    Member Emeritus

    [​IMG]

    I've got this 54 Belair,nice car,could'nt leave it alone. We enjoyed driving it with the 235 powerglide last year. Sweet ride, ran great. I took it apart, sold the engine and drive train and set about putting a retired U.S. Army 302 GMC in it.

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    We opened the pan to put in a new rear main seal to find cylinders you can still see cross hatch in.

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    Sealed it up and on a test fire, it showed 125 lbs of pressure a cylinder.Time to fit it in it's new home

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    Used the stock location on the cross member and made a sadle for the stock GMC motor mount. Some cutting and cussing and it fit's like a glove. Well sort of like O.J.'s glove

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    Last edited: Sep 4, 2013
    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  2. Officialy jealous. Baddest 54 on the board!
     
  3. 48 Chubby
    Joined: Apr 29, 2008
    Posts: 1,014

    48 Chubby
    Member Emeritus

    Looks like the South Omaha Turds will no longer be waiting for xderelect to catch up.
    That's a way cool setup. The T-5 ought to be a perfect match as long as you don't get too silly about smokey burn outs and do-nuts.
     
  4. xderelict
    Joined: Jul 30, 2006
    Posts: 2,475

    xderelict
    Member Emeritus

    I'll leave the smokey burnouts to Rob Lee. I should be able to keep up once we get her rolling. 302GMC on the board here has been a real help. He let me buy this Nicson intake and came up with a 6 bolt flywheel for me. I do appreciate the help.

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    I put a set of split chevy headers on.Takes a little carving but they work. I welded a heat plate to the rear header to transfer heat to the riser on the intake.Then I fabed up some linkage to ride under the intake. It will be a clean set up.

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    kidcampbell71 likes this.

  5. rob lee
    Joined: Jul 30, 2006
    Posts: 1,331

    rob lee
    Member
    from omaha,ne

    Burnout,hey I resemble that remark! The car is coming together,I've had a sneak peak....
     
    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  6. hiboy32
    Joined: Nov 7, 2001
    Posts: 2,796

    hiboy32
    Member
    from Omaha, NE

    this is such a cool project .. cant wait to see the 302...
     
  7. GaryB
    Joined: Dec 19, 2008
    Posts: 3,529

    GaryB
    Member
    from Reno,nv

    nice job ,sweet ride
     
  8. billys54
    Joined: Apr 16, 2006
    Posts: 1,295

    billys54
    Member

  9. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 31,178

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    Cool - nice fab work. changing rearend or gears?
     
  10. xderelict
    Joined: Jul 30, 2006
    Posts: 2,475

    xderelict
    Member Emeritus

    I've put a 55 Chevy rear with 3 inch blocks on the stock springs. I've been collecting bits and pieces for a Chevy custom before the 54 showed up. Like these T bird seats I got for $10.00 at a Lincoln swap meet 4 or 5 years ago.

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    Or this Olds rear roof section.
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    Last edited: Apr 20, 2012
  11. 49ratfink
    Joined: Feb 8, 2004
    Posts: 18,828

    49ratfink
    Member
    from California

    how come we can see the motor and trans from inside the car?

    are those GMC's bigger than the Chevys?
     
  12. xderelict
    Joined: Jul 30, 2006
    Posts: 2,475

    xderelict
    Member Emeritus

    It's a bigger engine than the 235 buy about 2 inches in length,taller and wider also. The 302 is a 4 inch square engine. 4 inch bore on a 4 inch stroke. Going to extend the drive shaft tunnel to accomodate the engine placement. I'd rather build a set back in the firewall than deal with radiator saddle and hood latch placement with it more forward. That and the weight behind the front axel instead of on top.
     
    Last edited: May 3, 2012
    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  13. Onemansjunk
    Joined: Nov 30, 2008
    Posts: 318

    Onemansjunk
    Member
    from Modesto,CA

    Happy to see your windshield wiper assembly is un-effected by the motor set-back!
     
  14. No_Respect
    Joined: Jul 27, 2005
    Posts: 1,172

    No_Respect
    Member
    from So-Cal

    I was confused at first why you would ditch a good 235, but what a great decision! GMC's rock torque monsters.... Should be cool!
     
  15. afaulk
    Joined: Jul 20, 2011
    Posts: 1,194

    afaulk
    Member

    I know the tri-fives are icons but I still love the 54s. Cool ride/good engine choice.
     
    1953naegle likes this.
  16. sololobo
    Joined: Aug 23, 2006
    Posts: 8,378

    sololobo
    Member

    Burn outs?? We wouldn't do no stinkin burn outs! Liar liar, pants on fire! Rob Lee is being considered for the Guiness book of Records for burnouts and dirt slingin donuts. The Bel Air is looking so cool man, we Turds seem to be on a 302 romp, as Rob and Bill nestled the little 302 v/8 into Rusty the Ranch wagon yesterday, fit in like a factory job with the great help from the H.A.M.B. thread giving us some tips and motor mounts that worked like a charm. The tranny mount looks real workable also. Wish my 302 was the tourque monster the "Sargent" that I am dubbing Dick's 302. The Nixson intake and the headers are sweet, and the mount he fabbed for the front and back are really great. The balance of weight in the 54 will be outstanding and make it drive excellent. Rock on bro!! ~sololobo~btt please
     
    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  17. yetiskustoms
    Joined: May 22, 2009
    Posts: 1,932

    yetiskustoms
    Member

    nice thread, like where its going....
     
  18. mrconcdid
    Joined: Aug 31, 2010
    Posts: 1,156

    mrconcdid
    Member
    from Florida

    Looks very nice. Keep at it.

    You might have to notch the front seat to clear that tail shaft.

    Godspeed
    MrC.
     

    Attached Files:

    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  19. 73super
    Joined: Dec 14, 2007
    Posts: 778

    73super
    Member

    Pro job! Love it.
     
  20. poorboy
    Joined: Feb 8, 2003
    Posts: 1,467

    poorboy
    Member

    Good work! Keep us updated please
     
  21. xderelict
    Joined: Jul 30, 2006
    Posts: 2,475

    xderelict
    Member Emeritus

    Got the firewall and drive shaft tunnel welded up. That's a lot of welding.

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    Did some work to fit the rear T-Bird seats.

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    Time to work out some brake and clutch linkage while the engine is out. I want a two pot master cylinder for the brakes and a hydraulic clutch. Going to use a stock master for the cluth and add a two pot behind it for the brake.

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    The cylinders should line up like this, the brake pedal pushing the two pot and the clutch pedal pushing the other.
     
    Last edited: May 2, 2012
    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  22. mrconcdid
    Joined: Aug 31, 2010
    Posts: 1,156

    mrconcdid
    Member
    from Florida

    Nice work, yes those firewalls are alot more work than you would think.

    Godspeed
    MrC.
     

    Attached Files:

    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  23. tjmercury
    Joined: Oct 22, 2010
    Posts: 589

    tjmercury
    Member

    Man that's looking sharp Dick! Looks like the car is well on its way! As for Rob doing burnouts, my wife still talks about her and Rob "cutting cookies" in Joplin after the H.A.M.B. drags!
     
  24. Malcolm
    Joined: Feb 9, 2006
    Posts: 8,032

    Malcolm
    Member
    from Nebraska

    Great progress, Dick! Should be fun to drive, for sure... Good to see you and Rob at the Wahoo Swap Meet yesterday!


    Malcolm
     
  25. Hot Rod Chris
    Joined: Mar 31, 2011
    Posts: 464

    Hot Rod Chris
    Member

    You aint kidding! I just finished welding up mine this weekend, now its time for bodywork...
    [​IMG]
     
    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  26. xderelict
    Joined: Jul 30, 2006
    Posts: 2,475

    xderelict
    Member Emeritus

    I got the master cylinders and pedal arms switched. There is a Chevy two pot for the brake and a OEM 54 Chevy pushing a slave for the clutch.I can drop the 302 in tomorrow. :)

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  27. 57 3100
    Joined: Apr 9, 2010
    Posts: 344

    57 3100
    Member

    beautiful build you have going..... are you the tattooist "warsocki" ?
    if so, you tattooed a couple of my buddies in palm beach florida at louie lombies tattoo paradise back in the early 90's.... i wish i would have gotten tattooed by you, if this is you.... and if this is you, do you still visit south florida to tattoo ?
    thanks.....
     
  28. xderelict
    Joined: Jul 30, 2006
    Posts: 2,475

    xderelict
    Member Emeritus

    That's me. I hope their arms didn't fall off ....:confused::D I liked coming to Florida but I've pretty much packed up my machines. About all my hands are good for is beating on things.
    I've not forgotten you Ryno.

     
    Last edited: May 3, 2012
    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  29. rob lee
    Joined: Jul 30, 2006
    Posts: 1,331

    rob lee
    Member
    from omaha,ne

    Workin mofo,looks pro....
     
  30. GaryB
    Joined: Dec 19, 2008
    Posts: 3,529

    GaryB
    Member
    from Reno,nv

    what a killer build,can't wait to see the Olds rear window section.
     

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