1955 12 Valve NAPCO Clone

[6BT 56]

Well seems like things are coming together. I have signals on mine. Got the turn signal / 4 way swich from the local old truck guy. It is important to get the rite swich . If you just try to wire them in with any old swich the brakelights will backfeed into the front signals .

What cable did you end up with for the speedo? I just got a 87 dodge 3/4 4x4 gas for around the farm. Its rusty junk but i hope to take the mechanical pickup out of the t/c. It's not a 205 but if it works that will be a bonus.

I noticed Orrie G used a extension off a old blazer on his factory cable. I want to look into that some time too when I have a moment

[Luther Grimace]

The cable I got was from classic truck parts. It is too long. I will get the part number off the box cause you can prolly get it from Advance.
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[496bb]

Hey Luther, interesting build I like it. And good to know it's a Bama truck! For future reference, in case you don't know - you can get a form for VIN verification and have any law enforcement officer come to you. They can verify VIN and sign off on the form, then you don't need to take the vehicle to the courthouse. And, we can use vintage tags - the year shown on the tag has to match the year of the vehicle (which is really wrong, cause the expiration year stamped on the tag really would've been a year later that if the vehicle were new).

[Luther Grimace]

Originally Posted by 496bb

Hey Luther, interesting build I like it. And good to know it's a Bama truck! For future reference, in case you don't know - you can get a form for VIN verification and have any law enforcement officer come to you. They can verify VIN and sign off on the form, then you don't need to take the vehicle to the courthouse. And, we can use vintage tags - the year shown on the tag has to match the year of the vehicle (which is really wrong, cause the expiration year stamped on the tag really would've been a year later that if the vehicle were new).

Thanks. I checked on the Alabama Vin Verification form. I printed it out and filled it out. My city police department referred me to the county dispatch who referred me back to the city again. The city then told me that I have to bring it to the department to let a certified cop inspect it. They said that they don't come to people's houses anymore because not all cops are qualified to perform vin verifications. I figured if I have to take it to the courthouse I might as well drive it straight to the DMV because I know they perform vin verifications. That is a good point about the tag also! The vintage tag would only work under the antique car category right? Where you can't drive it but on weekends?
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[cAlvis165]

Originally Posted by Luther Grimace

Thanks. I checked on the Alabama Vin Verification form. I printed it out and filled it out. My city police department referred me to the county dispatch who referred me back to the city again. The city then told me that I have to bring it to the department to let a certified cop inspect it. They said that they don't come to people's houses anymore because not all cops are qualified to perform vin verifications. I figured if I have to take it to the courthouse I might as well drive it straight to the DMV because I know they perform vin verifications. That is a good point about the tag also! The vintage tag would only work under the antique car category right? Where you can't drive it but on weekends?
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In Ohio, vintage plates are the same as historical plates. Can only drive certain times...But I don't know about Alabama...

[Luther Grimace]

As promised here are some pictures!



Here are some shots of the bard parts in the turbo. The diffuser was scarred up. All of the problems stemmed from the thrust bearing being completely shot. It is supposed to be flat but you can see it has a deep groove in the picture.



Can't say that I'm happy with where my genuine Holset replacement diffuser was made. The original was Great Britain.




Intercooler piping cut and welded to new lengths and angle. Luckily I was able to move origianl bends around and not have to buy any new piping.











I got the truck tagged and have driven it a little bit in the past few days. It has been raining so much that I can't take it out since my wipers aren't working yet. Are they vacuum operated? I still need to put the side glass in and get them working. I lack the trans panel, exhaust, bed, and getting the hood back on. I must say the truck is no slouch. I remember it being pretty quick in the Dodge but I guess since this cab is lighter I notice it more. 3rd gear is so much fun when the turbo starts building good boost. I drove it to town last night with the streets wet. I was cruising at about 30 in 3rd and layed into it and the back end got swirly. Prolly has alot to do with no weight on the back and old bias plys but still fun!

[Dieselwrencher]

I'm glad to hear you got him running good now! Piping looks great too!

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by cAlvis165

In Ohio, vintage plates are the same as historical plates. Can only drive certain times...But I don't know about Alabama...

Idaho and other states have a year of manufacture plate law that allows running a plate from the same year without any of the vintage or antique restrictions. bonus here is on trucks you only have to run the rear plate! Additional cost is the same as for a vanity plate.

[1985-GMC]

Here in Texas you can run YOM plates on classics and now its no extra charge.
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[Truck Guy99]

Any new updates?

[Luther Grimace]

I have just been driving it around lately! It's been hard to focus on repairs when you can drive it. Me and my Dad mounted the hood last night and stuck the bed on. I hope to get it bolted down soon. I think we might drive away from our wedding in it so I need to get busy!

All I really lack is the bed mounting, bed floor, trans cover install, bumpers, and then a few odds and ends. It has been a long journey and I am glad it is almost over. This truck has been kicking and screaming with me ever since I started.




I have a question for anyone that can measure an actual truck. I need to know the distance between the cab and the bed. Like in this picture?


Also on a side note my Dad has got his truck looking right. He got some Tahoe wheels from a wrecking yard and it has really helped the look. We are going to install a flip kit and some springs here soon to get it down a couple more inches. I have to give him props for a good looking truck. Hoping to do an LS/T56 swap to it soon.

[Truck Guy99]

Congratulations on the wedding! Sounds like you got plenty to do. Keep us updated! Is a paint job in the future?
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[Luther Grimace]

No I don't see painting it in the future. I will prolly just CLR it all again and go over it with a fine sandpaper. Then possibly do a clear over it.

[6BT 56]

Hi Luther . How's it going . Truck is looken great. Its nice once they actually act like trucks. Whats left on the hit list now? Time to get to work on the 6.2 crew cab soon ?

[Luther Grimace]

Not too much left. I'm trying to get the floor pan installed but it isn't turning out too great. Most of the floor that i'm trying to weld to has weird angles and the rust isn't helping much either. The hood latch receiver in the hood broke so I have to get that welded back together or make some sort of patch. Then it will be time to mount the bed and lay down the wood. Then windows, dimmer switch, speedometer, locking doors? That's about it. I am so burnt out on this project. I'm sure you know how it feels. I am excited to get to looking into the 6.2 to see what sort of shape it is in. I would love to bolt a T56 behind it if I could find one out of an LT1. I think a 6.2/T56 should get good fuel economy.

[6BT 56]

The car is so light and the 6.2 will be torquie but slow to build power. Have you thought of a T5. I had one in my malibu and pounded that thing hard . Didnt like high rpm shifts but never broke. Cheap too.

[Russell Ashley]

" I need to know the distance between the cab and the bed. Like in this picture?"

Mine is exactly 2" from front edge of the bed rail to the flat area inside the recess on the cab.

Nice work on the truck. It might seem like a long time to you but you've done a lot of work in a relatively short time.

[Luther Grimace]

Originally Posted by 6BT 56

The car is so light and the 6.2 will be torquie but slow to build power. Have you thought of a T5. I had one in my malibu and pounded that thing hard . Didnt like high rpm shifts but never broke. Cheap too.

I actually just thought about this a few days ago. Funny you should mention it. I got to thinking that a T5 would prolly hold up fine to a 6.2. The ratings I found for a 6.2 Military version were 165 hp and 330 lbft. I bet there are stouter 350's running in front of T5s. I have a 700R4 to build for it if need be but the novelty of a white ball shifter just eats me up!

[Luther Grimace]

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

" I need to know the distance between the cab and the bed. Like in this picture?"

Mine is exactly 2" from front edge of the bed rail to the flat area inside the recess on the cab.

Nice work on the truck. It might seem like a long time to you but you've done a lot of work in a relatively short time.

Thank you Russell. This helps alot. I wanted to make sure I got the gap close to original to not throw off the eye.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by Luther Grimace

It has been raining so much that I can't take it out since my wipers aren't working yet.

truk has wipers but i've never used them, even driving 4 hrs in the rain from indy to muskegon mi
rainX is your friend

[Dieselwrencher]

RainX is the bomb!

I know what you mean on losing steam on a project. It's the last 2/3 of a build that seem to be the hardest. There is always something to finish everywhere you look.

[Luther Grimace]

I equate the last part of a project to being a lost dog that has been running all day to get home and the when he finally gets there his owner takes him for a walk.
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[AllenMC10]

im diggin the lawn mower hood covering up the bell housing!!
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[1985-GMC]

Wheelbarrow*
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[Luther Grimace]

I went to a car show with the truck the other night. It got alot of strange looks for sure!



I saw alot of other cool rides too.








Here is my buddy's VW. He has alot of work in this thing and it is a blast to ride in!