My 55 GMC Blue Chip

[Kim57]

The engine looks nice sitting in there.
Kim

[spitfire_er]

Got a bunch done the past week. Got all the brakes installed. Also got all the front hubs gone through and repacked. I'll put new bearings in later before I take it on the highway, but for now, the old ball bearings seem to be in good shape. Finally got it set back down on all 4 too. Hopefully I'm done crawling around under this thing for a while!

[Baldeagle SR]

Wish I had your grill for my 56 GMC. Had to settle for a 57 Chevy grill. It was in the bed of the truck along with 2 55 Chevy grills when I got the truck.
I am running a 430 buick in mine.
Rich
My build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=576185

[spitfire_er]

Originally Posted by Baldeagle SR

Wish I had your grill for my 56 GMC. Had to settle for a 57 Chevy grill. It was in the bed of the truck along with 2 55 Chevy grills when I got the truck.
I am running a 430 buick in mine.
Rich
My build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=576185

I've been watching your build. i love that battery trick.i might know of a 57 gmc grill. if you're interested let me know. it would need resto, but its all there when i sold the truck a few months back.that truck has since been parted out for another build. but i just talked to the guy the other day about it.
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[Baldeagle SR]

I appreciate you offer. I guess I will just go with the Chevy for now. I have so much stuff I still need to buy. AC, all the rubber, paint and the list goes on.
Thanks Rich

[spitfire_er]

i know the feeling.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Baldeagle SR]

With your handle I thought you might like these pic. I built this about 10 years ago. 89 in wingspan MK x11
Rich

[spitfire_er]

Haha.... Yeah... almost..

That is really cool what you have there. My father in-law builds r/c planes, but he goes for pure speed with mono wings. I've seen a few of those big R/C's flying once and a while and it's crazy to see those things flying around. Looks like FUN!

Reminds me of a Family friend that use to build and restore original P51's. His company made reproduction parts for them too. He passed a few years back, but his wife still runs the company. They had a couple of them, but he passed when he crashed his P51 a few years back at an air show.

As for my user name Here is what it was originally based on. My 78' Triumph Spitfire. This was my first car and is still in pretty much the same shape as when I bought it. Although I've replaced a bunch of stuff and upgraded a few things, it's always been a fun car. This was also my 4th of July project this year. I ended up rebuilding the entire rear end of this thing from hub to hub, minus wheel bearings.

[Baldeagle SR]

Those Triumph are sweet.
Rich

[spitfire_er]

Been a while since I posted anything..

I did get a few things done. I got my heater put back in after getting new cables for it. I just need to find some rubber boots or tape the joints.

I also got my radio pulled apart, tested all the tubes, and get it in working condition again.

I finally got my e-brake cables in and have gotten them installed and I now have brakes!

I did come across a mid 80's set of chevy truck rally wheels and I think they look cool with my truck with the patina. I'll have to get a photo up that up soon.

Hoping to get a bunch of little misc stuff done in the next month and get this thing rolling.

Lastly, I was able to take a door tumbler to the locksmith and have a key made. Works on everything and is such a relief to have a key for this thing.

[spitfire_er]

Got all the radiator stuff hooked up again along with rewiring a few bad wires and wiring in a new fuse block to try and avoid any mishaps in the future. I'll get some photos up tomorrow. Along with a couple mystery panels that were with the truck and i'm not sure where they go.

[spitfire_er]

Here's the engine bay just about complete.

Does anyone know what these two panels are for? They were with the truck and not sure where they go, they have rubber on the one edge, a left and a right piece.

[spitfire_er]

Finally got this thing running, but not yet driving. Hopefully this first link works for you guys.

http://youtu.be/4LlDpeJcGOQ

Also here's a video I did on taking apart the light switch and cleaning it up so it would function as good as I could get it.

http://youtu.be/lexj3zcVcQ8

[blue 72 gmc 4x4]

Those two pieces with the rubber bolt on top of the core support on either side of the radiator hence the left and right. It was almost like they sealed with the hood or something.

[blap]

Nice truck !
Can you tell me where GMC put the paint codes on these trucks?

[spitfire_er]

Thanks,

I'll have to see if those fit there.

As far as the paint codes go, I'm not sure.

I did get a few other things done, coming together. Got my first exhaust welded up, Not exactly how I wanted it, and not stock configuration, but it will do till I can get it to a muffler shop to make it right.

[spitfire_er]

made some strides In the past couple weeks. I got the rear glass in which was a chore until I got the lock strip tool, then it was easy.

I also go the exhaust put on, now just need to get about 2' of straight pipe to finish it.

I also got it on the road. I had been driving it around a little, but it is not shifting right. rarely does it shift out of 1st, and won't go into 3rd or 4th.

I'm guessing I need to have it adjusted?

Isn't very exciting going 15 and screaming!

[Tomb23]

Those two parts

[ChuckDriver]

Cool project, gotta love the GMC grill

[Old Truck Man]

I own a 55 GMC with the 287. Mine has the three speed stick trans. Mine runs great but is rusted beyond hope. The 57 engine you installed is probably a 347. You can use the aluminum oil filter adapter from the 400 Pontiac engines to convert to a spin on oil filter. The later electronic ignition distributer will work also.

[Old Truck Man]

A couple of pictures of my rusty 55