1956 Chevy Pro-Street Build

[ptc]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

I hope I'm not hijacking by askingthis questionbut my truck will shortly be fully rewired and i have a question about the use of relays.

I am about as dumb when it comes to electrical wiring in a car as one can be but by understanding is that a relay is basically, "switching a switch" electronically so the swit itself doesnt carry the full electrical load of the item being powered. Is this about right?

I have asked the guy about to do my wiring to use relays in wiring my headlights. He says I don't need to do that and doesnt really recommend it. This puzzles me because it seems i read about using relays on headlight wiring as the ONLY way to do it. What gives?

Mind you, I intend to use ordinary conventional incandescent headlights. I had something called Sylvania Silver Stars (or some such name) on y truck before. Why DON'T I want to use ordinary headlights again?

I'd like to hear the arguments in favor of using other types of lights but I don't understand the new technologies. I know LED's are light emitting diodes, use less power, but why do I want these? H4's - I know nothing really about this term. Need it explained and i get all wrapped around the axle reading online about this subject.

Since ptc appears to be using an arm load of relays i thought this might be a good place to ask. If ptc objects to my questions, I understand and ignore them. Any help appreciated though. PS: I'm not having power windows, air suspension or actuators of any kind.

Dan - I dont ever mind answering questions on my build stuff, thats what this is all about.... so ask away. Ill check out your page to see what you have going on over there and try to answer your questions above.

I used the relays for all my motor loads #1 - then I used the others for "heavy sucking loads" like headlamps, door poppers, power windows, etc #2.... I purchased the relay mounts and had 14 spaces avail so I just used them all... All the input side wiring is 18 gauge and all my output side wiring is 12 gauge except for my main power switch which I ran in 10 ga. Because I ran all of it into the kick panel I wont gain too much in wire savings cost but it is organized and I can find all my wiring in two places close to each other. Most people will put a relay right next to load, but then they can be all over your whole vehicle, but that saves cost in wire.

[ptc]

Got my headers all done!!!!! Ready to get this thing together and running NOW!









And my exhaust cutouts came in too and will be installed

[II_Slow]

Cool, leave the headers open and you can dry the track after those pesky rain storms interrupt our racing!

That thing is going to be so loud - love the pro chargers!

[mud.man.rj]

Oh that truck gets more exciting each post, nice headers.
Mudman.

[l78vetteman]

PTC - nice job on the headers. Is that SS tubing? the finished product looks pretty shiny. What size pipe? I plan to fabricate a similar design for my project, but plan to use mild steel because I don't have TIG welder.

[RockinKees]

That is a real nice panel PTC!
Very clean.
I build mine also, it takes a lot of space though...mine is under the dash, driverside.

You put it at the kickpanel, do you make some sort of plate in front of it to protect it from kicking it?

[Kim57]

Those are some nice gauges.
Kim

[II_Slow]

Those other two gauge positions for Boost and EGT?

[59chev]

Nice gauges. What brand are those? They look like the classic Stewart Warners but I don't see the SW Logo.

[ptc]

Originally Posted by Kim57

Those are some nice gauges.
Kim

Thanks Kim - like every thing else took many hours of lookings for just the right thing. Was going to go with the VHX setup but it was just too space craft looking for me in the end. Decided to go Old School SW look.

Originally Posted by II_Slow

Those other two gauge positions for Boost and EGT?

BOOST ---yes and Oil Temperature. Probably dump the volts for a fuel psi soon too.

Originally Posted by 59chev

Nice gauges. What brand are those? They look like the classic Stewart Warners but I don't see the SW Logo.

They are SW knockoffs by Speedway Motors, thats what I like about them, the old school look but didnt want any logos on the gauges at all. I was also looking at the Marshall gauges. Also very nice.

[ptc]

Took a little drive down to LA LA Land today to pick up my NEW wheels of choice.... These were the style I originally wanted for this truck build from day 1 and had the run around by so many dealers in trying to get them, I just gave up trying.

I purchased that other really nice set of wheels by chance but it just wasnt the right fit and wasnt really what fit my build - So I sold them to a 32' Ford guy that wanted really BIG FAT tires on it....

After another wheel order went haywire for 2 months I was really lost on this whole wheel thing....

Then I FOUND THE dealer that was not only willing to make my wheels but also get it done in 3 weeks which most others were quoting 12 WEEKS for the same wheel !!!!!
I think cave men made rock wheels in less time with chisels!

Vintage Wheel in San Diego is THE BEST... They are professionals, making GT40 wheels, all the Factory Five vintage wheels for Cobras, lots of nice stuff.- Plus - has THE BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE I have had the opportunity to witness in the two years I've been building this truck and dealing with suppliers.... Bob is the guy and he walked me through the whole process and got everything I needed in the time he quoted. His crew is A-1.

So I got the wheels I wanted TODAY... and here is the trial fitting.... more to come. (Always been a GT40 and AC Cobra fan myself.... so loved the wheels) The knock-offs will be coming soon and the lugs and cover kits. They machined the SHELBY off the KO for me specially since its a

[oldman3]

I've always liked that wheel, even if most of the time it's on a F**d ride. Looks super...Jim

[MIKESAD50]

That wheel and tire setup looks great

[ptc]

Originally Posted by oldman3

I've always liked that wheel, even if most of the time it's on a F**d ride. Looks super...Jim

Me too --- my first car was a F"""D---- but it was a 69 Mustang MACH I...

Originally Posted by MIKESAD50

That wheel and tire setup looks great

Thanks Mike.... I like !

[slck57]

Nice!!!!

[Rods57]

those wheels look good.

[Dan in Pasadena]

THey look like US Mags Rambler wheels but with a huge lip. Is that what they are?

I really thought about those for my truck at one time. Look great on yours.

[mud.man.rj]

Nice choice on the wheels, may have been a big pain but sure was worth it, has always been one of my favourite wheels.
Mudman.

[ptc]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

THey look like US Mags Rambler wheels but with a huge lip. Is that what they are?

I really thought about those for my truck at one time. Look great on yours.

The US Mag Rambler wheel is a knock off of this original Carroll Shelby design for the 427 Cobras. The SHELBY COBRA wheel originally came out in 15" as a "pin drive" wheel with the 3 point knock off spinners as the mounting equipment. The wheel was made famous by use these 427 Cobras and the "Eleanor Mustang" that also used them. It is the ultimate "Pro-Touring" design wheel that many try to imitate. American Racing has picked up the licensing and patent on them from Carroll Shelby and they are imprinted with "SHELBY" on the wheel. The forged spinners are actual screw style like the Pin Drives and also had SHELBY on them but I had it milled off.



It is a welded 3 piece wheel, 2 barrel halves (front and rear) and the center plate make up the wheel. Then all three pieces are welded together. The HUGE lip is because it is a 15" wide wheel (16" overall) and only has a backspace of 4".

[ptc]

Got some 'satin white' color on the bed and the back of the cab so far and a couple fenders. Need more muddin' on the doors and hood before final paint. Got the rear geometry setup for the 4-link and then just put the bed back on this past weekend. So now I can get some of the final assembly going again. Installed the wiring panels for both the main fuse box and the relay panel. Have the door inner panels wired for the window and popper switches. The lock switches are going in the center console at some point. Also got the shifter hole cut in and mostly installed. The driveline can go in next (now that I can shift it).

Small setback on the front suspension.... only installed 350 LB springs and thats too light. Have to disassemble the front end and install new 550 lb springs that are coming from QA1. I guess the BBC is still heavy with alum heads!

Should still be test driving by the end of the month..... HOPEFULLY!



more updates next week!

[Kim57]

Very nice looking wheels.
Kim

[RockinKees]

You're going strong PTC!
Wheels look great under that truck!!
Can't wait to see you drive it!

Have a small question about the speedometer: when changing the speedo, what ratio do we look for to keep the stock ratio? There are no numbers on my speedometer. Maybe I will change this in the future.. Thanks!

[Rickysnickers]

Those look really nice!!!

[ChuckDriver]

Nice!!

[Roadkill58]

Nice wheels! They look great on your truck.


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