[Tuske427]

Hey everyone,

Since selling my Triassic-Five my father mentioned to me that I could build him a car, and after some back n forth it was narrowed down to a '56 Chevy gasser. He really liked my Triassic-Five, and while I briefly considered giving it to him, it would have been a bit much for him and never would have passed a NY state safety inspection (where he lives), so the plan is to make a tamer, more streetable one that he can enjoy and wouldn't need as much maintenance as I'm 2800 miles away and won't have the ability to help. Also, since his summer driving months are a bit shorter and he's 73 now, I want to get him driving sooner than later- ideally this spring, so a total ground build is out of the question. I located a dated street rod '56 on FB marketplace up in Paso Robles that has a decent enough driver paint/ chrome, has been rewired, working wipers/ vintage air HVAC and really only needs a good makeover to look the part. I brought this home on Friday and will start taking it apart this week. It has a 350 now which is eating oil and I'll take it out to have it rebuilt into a 391 stroker for a bit more torque, install a manual transmission, as well as a proper exhaust, a more traditional interior, and an appropriate stance. Anyway, that's the general plan. More to come.

 

[Jimbo8v92]

Ill tell you what thats a beautiful 56. Looks like a great cruzer. Cant wait to see what you do to it

 

[1937Austin]

That's a very nice car to be able to start off with!

 

[dsb]

Oh boy! Here we go! Can't wait!

 

[mmhotrod]

56 is my favorite trifive. Nice shape. Curious what makes a 391? Is it possibly a .030 more than a 383?

 

[Tuske427]

56 is my favorite trifive. Nice shape. Curious what makes a 391? Is it possibly a .030 more than a 383?

If I recall correctly- my engine builder (Mark Millhollin of Hot Rod Performance) told me it's a 3.875" stroke (versus 3.75) he listed a few reasons he likes it better.

 

[Tuske427]

Today I started taking the engine apart. front bumper & hood off, and a slow teardown. I need to work around the AC system and am taking pics as I take things apart. I will be using different pulleys as this is loaded with billet and chrome ones, and maybe brackets, too, if I can get the alternator down lower space permitting. On the plus side I know this ste up works, it's just not as pretty as I'd like. I also want to get some fenderwell headers in here so I may need to re do some things.

Also, the core support was, well, a hack job at best so I need to re do that, too. And relocate the battery to the trunk. But I'll be tripping over parts if I tear the entire car apart now so I'm gonna restrict myself to engine bay/ suspension first, then interior, then trunk. then exterior. I already have a disassembled 67 firebird in my garage and am at capacity for space in my tiny 2 car garage, lol

 

[Tuske427]

Over the weekend I've done more tearing down, and the more I take apart the more I don't like what I see. Example: a previous owner added a disc brake kit, but failed to properly assemble it. one of the caliper brackets wasn't even sitting flush on the spindle, so the pads were wearing at an angle. another- the aluminum radiator was hard mounted into the core support, so now I'll be revising that, too. other parts were really loose, etc. also, the control arm bushings were shot so off came the arms. incidentally, he had another set of control arms he gave me (his son delivered them to me on saturday) which have good bushings so I'm going to just use those instead. so the car is all apart now.

 

[Tuske427]

more pics of teardown. I have a solve for the radiator, which involves making a new core support bracket, and a lower mount in the middle to I don't have to bolt the sides together.

 

[sbauman2]

From your above post mentioning the control arms, if you use them, are you going to use those altered spindles available that give a tri-5 the raised front end but keep the front end geometry intact for alignment.

Find 1955 CHEVY,1956CHEVY,1957 CHEVY GASSER RAISED EXTENDED SPINDLES in Hurst, Texas, US, for US $495.00

Find 1955 CHEVY,1956CHEVY,1957 CHEVY GASSER RAISED EXTENDED SPINDLES in Hurst, Texas, US, for US $495.00

www.2040-parts.com

 

[Tuske427]

From your above post mentioning the control arms, if you use them, are you going to use those altered spindles available that give a tri-5 the raised front end but keep the front end geometry intact for alignment.

Find 1955 CHEVY,1956CHEVY,1957 CHEVY GASSER RAISED EXTENDED SPINDLES in Hurst, Texas, US, for US $495.00

Find 1955 CHEVY,1956CHEVY,1957 CHEVY GASSER RAISED EXTENDED SPINDLES in Hurst, Texas, US, for US $495.00

www.2040-parts.com

this car came with aftermarket 2" dropped spindles. My plan was to revert to stock spindles and use a ball joint spacer (same formula as another guy out here I know that drives all over socal with his '56). I'm not aware of these altered spindles, if this is a better route I'm all ears and now is the time for me to course correct.

 

[mmhotrod]

Sounds like a good idea. raising the height with spindles instead of spacers is a great idea. Keeps the geometry right.

 

[PureOil]

I like the photo with the front bumper removed - gives it a cleaner look & a hint of attitude - have fun!

 

[1937Austin]

this car came with aftermarket 2" dropped spindles. My plan was to revert to stock spindles and use a ball joint spacer (same formula as another guy out here I know that drives all over socal with his '56). I'm not aware of these altered spindles, if this is a better route I'm all ears and now is the time for me to course correct.

I think the ball joint spacers have proven themselves over many decades to be a very wise choice. Might not get the height of the welded spindles, but certainly a solid way to go.

 

[Tuske427]

Thanks, everyone, and somehow I missed the link to those welded raised spindles above. Again, this car is for my 73 year old father and he's 2800 miles from me, so the priority is really a reliable driver as I won't be readily available to service it for him, and I'm OK with sacrificing a bit of height in the interest of proven reliability and ease of operation. I also sourced some airframe grade fasteners for them, too, as well as airframe grade hi temp lock nuts (all metal, no nylon inserts) The front suspension recipe I'm following is from Jon's "Crimson Ghost" btw.

 

[vht]

I was thinking about ball joint spacers on my 57, they are proud of them on price. Car is going to look great! Now if I can talk my 2 daughters into building my 57.

 

[Tuske427]

A few more updates. I have the front end back together, and so I pulled the rear axle out to be freshened up. Since this will be a cruiser for my dad there's no need to go crazy with a rear axle. I've also painted most of the engine bay (only the front most area remaining which will be dependant on me finding an oem grille for a reasonable price) and picked up a few parts for the car including some old torq thrusts and oem pulleys (replacing the billet specials that came on this)

 

[sbauman2]

You can never go wrong with the classic Torque Thrust wheel. A classic wheel for a classic car.

 

[mmhotrod]

Love the wheel choice. I blew that rear up with my small block years ago. I would love to see the two tone either black or white with the existing red.

 

[1937Austin]

The Cragars were as classic as anything, but Torq Thrust equally classic.