Re: My 56 build
 

Managed to get the drivetrain in place today. Had to modify my engine leveler to clear all the sensors and intake. Cut a new piece of 3/8” plate 25” long to clear everything. The engine is just sitting on blocks. I may get lucky an be able to use the stock oil pan. I wanted to see the stance with the weight of the engine! So far it looks like I nailed it:metal:

Re: My 56 build
 

Finished the motor mounts today. Was going to use the original hydraulic mounts, but they were too bulky. Wouldn’t have enough room for my steering. So I cut down and modified my small block mounts. Cut plates and drilled holes to weld them to. Everything fits well. I’ll be able to use the stock oil pan. The front of the pan is curved and follows the contour of the rack and pinion. Looks like it was made to go in there! Now onto the firewall blister. Man I’d love to have a power hammer with a shrinking die. You make enough cuts and beat the crap out of it you can get the same results. I’ll see how it turns out?

Re: My 56 build
 

Here’s some pictures of how the firewall blister turned out. Left me with lots of clearance. Welded a 3/8” rod to the inside of the firewall first. That gave me approximately a 1/2”rounded corner. Lots or welding/grinding, but it came out pretty nice:metal: last picture is my offset gas pedal. It looks like it going to fit well!

Re: My 56 build
 

I was wondering what that piece of sheet metal was going to be. Impressive!!!!

Re: My 56 build
 

jeeze nice dang fab!

Re: My 56 build
 

Absolutely great sheet metal fabrication. I've been following your work and it's been great to see what and how you did. Thanks

Re: My 56 build
 

Thanks everyone for the kind words. I just utilize what I have to work with. I started the blister by bending it around a telephone pole in the yard :lol:. Normally it turns out ok.

Got the steering column installed and ran the gas pedal wiring. Also a picture of the finished motor mount.

Re: My 56 build
 

I built a small compartment into the left inner fender to house the engine electronics. I was going to run everything into the cab, but real estate in theare is limited. I plan a making a door so it has a clean look. Turned out pretty good. Have all the necessary parts for the 2wd conversion ordered, so probably next week. Also have the parts to wire my fuse panel ordered to finish making the harness stand alone. I decided to go with the PWM (Pulse Width Modulated) fuel pump. So I wired that plug back into the ECU. I kept reading that I would likely have idle issues going the LS route. Rockauto has the pump assembly and the control module for a reasonable price. Just plugging away one piece at a time :metal:

Re: My 56 build
 

That's some slick fab work. Keep the pics coming!

Stephan

Re: My 56 build
 

Did you order a fuel pump to match the donor vehicle?

So are you going to be the next Brendan (LT1swap) and show everyone how to do a standalone Gen V harness?

Re: My 56 build
 

Yes... I’m going to buy the same fuel setup as the donor in pieces from rockauto. Just cheaper that way!

So are you going to be the next Brendan (LT1swap) and show everyone how to do a standalone Gen V harness?[/QUOTE]

:lol: I’m just slowly making progress. So far I have most of the harness figured out. Adding the PWM fuel system back in will make it more complex, but not more difficult. We’ll see...

Re: My 56 build
 

Worked on some small stuff today. Finished the cover for the electronics box after adjusting the harness to length. Then I made my gas pedal bracket. This weekend will be the transmission tunnel.

Re: My 56 build
 

Finished most of the transmission tunnel today. Still have to fill in the football shaped piece. I plan on pulling the engine back out to do that. I left the tunnel square because I plan an building a center counsel over it. Also received all the 2wd conversion parts. You can see it’s completed in the last picture. That was really easy. I was hoping the transmission mount was the same, but it wasn’t. Back to rockauto:lol: I’ve also started my fuse panel for my stand alone harness. I’m slowly getting there!

Re: My 56 build
 

Just about finished with the stand alone harness. You can see that I’m bolting the fuse/relay panel to the inside of the access panel. Still trying to figure out which wire I need to hook up to the ignition switch. All the diagrams show the switch going to the BCM (body control module) then just a dashed communications signal (no wire identification) to the ECM (engine control module). If anybody knows what wire I am looking for I’d appreciate some advice :confused:

Re: My 56 build
 

Nice work...as usual!! Enjoy watching the progress!

Re: My 56 build
 

nice and clean work as always!

Re: My 56 build
 

Had to finish a little project before it gets too cold up north. The interior of my garage was still in primer. Took a whole weekend but, it’s painted!

Now onto gapping everything...boring stuff. Finished the fender/hood and the right side door/B pillar. Still have to do the fender/door on that side and the hood/cowl. Goal is to have it all in primer by the end of the month.

Re: My 56 build
 

Nice job! It took me a while to get the gap line right but they look so much better after. I ordered the door seal so I can make sure the b pillars has the right spacing to the door. But it’s been on back order since June so I moved on to the frame and I’ll pick it back up when I start the body work again.

Re: My 56 build
 

Took a week off to get the truck in primer before it gets too cold up here. Finished the right hand door gap. Then I started the disassembly, cleaning metal and doing touch ups as I go. Finished the gas pedal mount and the trans blister after removing the engine.

Re: My 56 build
 

Here’s how the left inner fender ended up. I now have the ECM, TCM, FPCM (Fuel pump control module) and fuse panel (mounts to the door) all tucked in there. I also cut some louvers for ventilation. Should keep everything cool. More to clean tomorrow and hopefully prime on Thursday :metal:

Re: My 56 build
 

Still cleaning parts. Supposed to rain here tomorrow so priming on Friday now. Had to adjust the front section of frame. The core support was resting on 1” shims and the frame was also lower than the bumper. So a little pie cut and now the front of the frame is 1” higher.

Re: My 56 build
 

Progress... about half of what I needed primed is done. First picture is my pile of clean parts. I’ve used POR15 on the underside of the hood and backside of a all original sheet metal. It’s amazing how much time it takes to prep for primer :lol: Hopefully finish the rest by Sunday

Re: My 56 build
 

Looking good. It takes time to do a proper job. A good base is essential because the base is what everything else depends on. Poor work here could mean your expensive paint job peels off later.

Re: My 56 build
 

Couldn’t agree more ds. If the foundation sucks the rest is likely to fail! Here’s yesterday’s progress. Filled in the inner cab corners. I removed the junk collectors :lol: Also made my patch panels for the tailgate. Slowly working towards getting the rest in primer by days end.

Re: My 56 build
 

Most... but not all is in primer! Ran out of time and primer. I decided to round the top rear corner of the doors. Been a busy week off in the garage.