Hey all,

I made a thread to post my 56' updates. I purchased this truck from my dad 3 years ago. He previously purchased it from some random person on eBay. While it looks pretty nice, there's much to perfect. Seems as if the previous owner ran out of money to finish it, or didn't completely know what they were doing with with all the modifications.



For starters, known modifications:

• 70's camaro front subframe graft
• Chevy 350 engine
• Saginaw 4-speed manual trans
• Original truck bed with custom welded rear section
• 50's Buick rear tailllights
• Fiberglass one-piece tilt hood, grill, and front fenders
• Mallory electric fan
• Mallory distributor
• Edelbrock street performer carb and intake manifold
• High flow tubular headers with flowmaster Super 40 mufflers

Modifications my dad had done:

• Two-tone leather reupholstered bench seat and roof, with black carpet
• Mid-fifty oak wood bed kit

My modifications so far:

• Dashman's 22" gasser shifter handle
• EZ-Wiring 21 circuit wiring harness (in-progress)
• Big Al's larger underdash switch panel with vintage street rod switches
• Mid-fifty door latches
• Mid-fifty lock set
• Mid-fifty cowl vent seal
• Mid-fifty door handles
• Mid-fifty cowl vent brace
• Millstone Automotive power cowl vent
• Guide R40 50's Buick taillight lenses
• Custom electric fan relay

More updates to come!

 

That is an interesting, eye catching truck. Thanks for the pictures. Interesting, the Florida antique tag with mountains or hills in the background.

 

Very Nice!!!

 

that is a beautiful truck.what part of florida do you live in ?

 

My dad lives in Florida. Those are pics when I had just shipped the truck up from Spring Hill, Florida to NH. The mountains are from NH.

 

Sure is a pretty truck, I have always loved leather seats, but have only had one vehicle with them, a Vett. I sold to fit an old girlfriend kids. (should have kept the car and well you know LOL) Anyway good choice by your Dad, very nicely done, keep it going and the pics of your additions coming.

 

Put in a new starter today, and finally got the truck to start with the new EZ wiring harness.


Also got the Millstone power cowl vent installed.

 

Looking good! What color is that?

 

I'm not sure what the color is. It was painted by the previous owner. Thanks for the complements.

 

Nice Truck!

 

Wiring is nearly done! Put the carpet and bench seat back in.

Things left to do to finish wiring project:

Install split firewall grommet
Replace windshield wiper motor
Replace shifter trim boot

A progress pic for now:

 

Fall 2018 update:

Haven't done too much this past year, but here are a couple items I addressed:

Since owning the truck, I have noticed the idle is a little run and the truck vibrates on idle. I pulled the valve covers to see if the valves needed adjustment. To my surprise, one of the rockers wasn't straight on with on with one of the valves.






So I pulled the head off and found the valve was bent and broken. Luckily no damage to the cylinder walls and piston! I bought a new valve and resassembled the engine with fresh gaskets. All is good!

Shortly after fixing this, I developed quite the power steering leak, so I'm in the process of buying new parts for that.

 

This winter I'm working on the gauge cluster. The unit in the dash right now is an unknown digital cluster with a non-working fuel gauge and non-existent odometer. I purchased a Mid-Fifty cast dash insert and a Dolphin 5 gauge pack.





Here's the test fitting of the cast insert:



I sent the insert off to powdercoat. Then I'll install the gauges and wire it all up.

 

Got the gauge insert back from powdercoat. Thought about matching the insert to the dash, but it would be hard to match. Went with a classic color for the powder to complement the gauges. Installed the Dolphin gauges and started on the wiring.

 

Worked on more of the gauge cluster wiring and installed a new fuel sending unit. The fuel gauge never worked since I've owned the truck. Took the old one out, come to find it was too corroded to work.