SJP, welcome to FTE!

You should start your own thread with those pics, because we love to see pics. They feed our addiction!

Again, welcome aboard. You'll find this is a great place for opinions, answers and laughs. There are lots of folks hanging out here with loads of experience and a willingness to share.

 

Good story and nice truck!!

 

Here's some pictures of the motor I got. It's from the other '56 that is being restored alongside mine. It is a stock 272 that had never been rebuilt. First three pics are before it was torn down. Then one of the fresh block from the machine shop. Then one of it re-assembled and two of it ready for paint. Painted it today, but have to put the pics in the next post.

 

The first pic here is of the manifolds and the crossover pipe. I painted those with a POR-15 high temp product. I thought they came out pretty nice, all the brush marks seemed to vanish as it dried. Next are a couple of pics of the motor after it had been treated with the POR-15 Marine Clean and Metal Ready that came with the engine painting kit. The 'primer' is a small can of POR-15 paint. It went on the same as the high temp product, the brush marks disappeared. I thought it odd to use black as a primer for yellow, but hey, I'm not an authority on paint. So I waited per instructions and painted the yellow. Suddenly things weren't going so well. The paint wasn't flowing as nicely and definitely not covering. I couldn't stop as I was told it had to go on while the black was still tacky. I can't re-coat until tomorrow, hopefully the second coat will go on smooth and cover.

 

Brakes are 90% complete. One of the non-stock upgrades was a CPP front disc kit. It actually installed quite nicely and easily. My new wheels from Wheels Vintique are still at the powder coaters, so I couldn't check them for clearance with the calipers. We should have read the instructions before replacing the king pins as you have to move the top zerk fittings and the bottom ones need to be 45 or 90. The local parts store was kind enough to lend the tool to flare the brake lines, so we bought a 25' coil of brake line and Mark replaced all the lines. Unfortunately spring has sprung and I was farming that day so I missed out on the fun. Anyway, now it can almost stop, now we just have to make it go.

 

I'm confused by the last pic of the rear axle. What is the rubber line running to the T on the axle? If it is the rear brake flex line, why does it run towards the back of the truck and is it as tight as it looks?

 

That is the rear brake flex line, which came from Mid-Fifties and was the same length as the one that was on the truck prior to dis-assembly. The reason it looks taut is because of the camera angle and that the truck is suspended. I've added a couple more pics from other angles. So I guess if I ever put the truck airborne, that's the most the line will stretch.

 

Yep, camera angle. Just concerned, sorry.

 

Hey, no apologies necessary! I'd rather someone express concern and it be nothing than to keep quiet and I have a problem down the road. Thanks for looking out and caring.

 

Signing on, waiting for the first drive after so many years. How's your Dad doing?

Great Truck and even greater story and family history.

 

MAn, I'm really impressed with how quickly this project is going! Congrats!

Glad to see another Y block going in these trucks. That's what i decided to do. I've got a 292 coming out of a club sedan to go in mine.

 

When you get the rear shocks installed the axle drop will be limited, will it not? Absolutely beautiful job you're doing.

 

The shocks should NEVER be the limiting factor in the suspension movement. A sure way to damage them.

 

South of BC- Great build and story! Definitely watching this one. So many great builds going on this year!!! Had my dad taken a federal job offered to him up in Colville rather than a job here in Vancouver many years ago, we'd be close neighbors. He's told me he wishes he took the job in Colville now... he's not the big-city type.

Ax, I can't think of a single car rolling off the assembly line that doesn't have the shocks holding up the suspension a bit, when off the ground. Once on the ground I doubt the correct shocks will ever bind in either direction unless he tries to re-create a "Dukes of Hazzard" moment.

 

I've changed a lot of late model shocks, and can't remember one where the suspension hung from the shocks. If that was the case you would slam the pistons and/or valves into the upper end of the shock when the suspension drops, damaging it for sure. The rear wheels leave the ground more often than just doing a DOH jump. Some shocks are gas charged with a chamber or bag filled with nitrogen in the upper part of the shock. I'd be really upset if the suspension ever allowed the piston to hit the extended limits of my 3500.00 racing shocks!