[gator412]

I ordered my new motor crossmember and motor mounts Friday. So the should show up some time next week. I got started on the body work for the cab. I took some pics and will post them when I get them on the computer.

[gator412]

Here are a few pics of the drivers side rear cab corner. All in all it is in pretty good shape. The last pic is the backside or underside of the corner. I will make the patch panels to repair this as the damage is mostly on the flat areas. I posted a few more pics in my journal also.

[DOUBLEDICK]

camerofiend73 Your truck looks like a good platform to start with.The fleetside bed is 58-59 only,all the 55-57 trucks had stepside or cameo beds.To go rear disk brakes you will have to change out the rearend.You will have to check but I think you can get disk breaks for the 73-87 chevy 10 bolt and 12 bolt truck rearends.With a set of 2 inch leaf pads and some minor brake line changes they will fit with the stock offset rims.The numbers on the engine are a machine shop code so there is no telling what was done to that engine without opening it up.Keep us posted on your progress.Gator congrats on the new crossmember.What motor mounts did you get?Keep us posted on your progress and I will be watching for those pictures.I had a minor set back on my 58.I was in Vegas getting some shingles for my garage roof and I found a Racer 250 cc water cooled buggy on craigs list.I offered him $1400 and he said ok.So I spent what was left of my truck fund on a toy.I have a bunch of carpet work to do so I will have money in the truck fund next month.

[gator412]

DD..spent your truck money on a new toy! Dang even you get side tracked! Have fun with that thing...looks like a blast.

Here are the items I ordered.

motor mounts

crossmember

[gator412]

I worked on the drivers side cab corner for a couple hours today. I made a patch panel, cut out some rust and welded in some new metal. I need to finish the welding tomorrow. I posted some pics in my journal. But here are the high lights.

[DOUBLEDICK]

Gator nice patch job

[OLNOLAN]

I took a stab at decoding your cool 283, here's what i found;
3756519 block= '58-'62 283
3767460 heads= '59-'60 283(this narrows it down to a '59 or '60)
6511/F505D engine stamp= I think the 6511 is part of VIN # but I'm not sure.
F= Flint/ 5= May/ 05= day of month/ D= 283 2 barrel powerglide, again I'm not positive, the old stampings are hard to decode without a high dollar book.
3735448 intake= '56 265 Corvette w/WCFB carb 210 HP.

So it appears that the engine was originally in a car with a 2 barrel carb and a powerglide transmission, then it got hopped up with the 4 barrel intake and carb. Oh, it got a flywheel, clutch and the four speed(maybe from the '56 vette) What a mystery! Maybe if you get someone with access to more info you'll learn more and verify my findings. I think I'd find some old Corvette valve covers and just call it a vette motor. Hope this helps. Nolan

[h0trod389]

[IMG][/IMG]

[OLNOLAN]

"Any color primer is my favorite hot rod color". Nolan

[Camarofiend73]

Hey guys- thanks for the responses, here's my replies:

Originally Posted by gator412

Camerofiend, good deal on getting the truck registered. I had to go thru a process to get my registered also. I had to go thru CHP here in California. My paperwork did not match the vin number which did not match the frame! They went over the truck and found the cab was stolen, but recovered. So they gave me a new vin plate that matches the frame and new paperwork so all is good now.

That is a nice truck. It looks like it will need some TLC, you need to start a journal on it and keep us updated.

Ya-getting the truck registered through the service was a big headache saver- I didn’t feel like jumping thru all the hoops the DMV puts in front of you, in this case, a well spent $250 IMHO…..
I do plan on starting a journal as soon as I can.

Originally Posted by OLNOLAN

I took a stab at decoding your cool 283, here's what i found;
3756519 block= '58-'62 283
3767460 heads= '59-'60 283(this narrows it down to a '59 or '60)
6511/F505D engine stamp= I think the 6511 is part of VIN # but I'm not sure.
F= Flint/ 5= May/ 05= day of month/ D= 283 2 barrel powerglide, again I'm not positive, the old stampings are hard to decode without a high dollar book.
3735448 intake= '56 265 Corvette w/WCFB carb 210 HP.

So it appears that the engine was originally in a car with a 2 barrel carb and a powerglide transmission, then it got hopped up with the 4 barrel intake and carb. Oh, it got a flywheel, clutch and the four speed(maybe from the '56 vette) What a mystery! Maybe if you get someone with access to more info you'll learn more and verify my findings. I think I'd find some old Corvette valve covers and just call it a vette motor. Hope this helps. Nolan

Thanks Nolan- you pretty much confirmed some of the info that I found on the net.
I’m gonna try to get the trans #’s and date code from the block this weekend- after I dislodge it from the grip of all the weeds that are growing up and around it….

Originally Posted by DOUBLEDICK

camerofiend73 Your truck looks like a good platform to start with.The fleetside bed is 58-59 only,all the 55-57 trucks had stepside or cameo beds.To go rear disk brakes you will have to change out the rearend.You will have to check but I think you can get disk breaks for the 73-87 chevy 10 bolt and 12 bolt truck rearends.With a set of 2 inch leaf pads and some minor brake line changes they will fit with the stock offset rims.The numbers on the engine are a machine shop code so there is no telling what was done to that engine without opening it up.Keep us posted on your progress.

Yeah, I’m aware of the step side/ fleetside cut off years but I like the 58-59 fleetside look.

So you’re saying that I can’t swap the stock drum brakes to disc brakes? I thought there were some aftermarket options regarding disc brake upgrades on original rear ends.

I’m also debating on whether or not to keep the original 6 lug pattern or change it to the more common 5 on 4 ¾” pattern- I realize that will open up many more wheel options but would that be the only reason to swap them out?

My original plan was to keep it 6 lug and order the complete brake kit up grade (power disc/disc) in the 6 lug configuration

[DOUBLEDICK]

Hotrod389 Love that panel van.Camarofiend73.I don't know of anybody making rear disk brakes for the stock rearend,but I never searched real hard.The main reason to change out the rearend is it is getting hard to find axles,axle bearings and seals for the old rearend.I kept the six lug axles in mine because I like my old style slotted mags.It was a real easy change(I can give you more detailed instructions If you decide to do the change)and my stock parking brake cables even worked in the 87 backing plates.I kept the 11 inch drum brakes since I pull a trailer with my 58 but the swap to rear disk is common.The GM 10 bolt rearends are all over and cheap.I put 4.56 gears and a powertrax locker in mine.

[OLNOLAN]

HEY DD, This is a cool thread. I bounce around a bit on the forum. You could read for days. I'm very new at this and have heard of "hijacked" threads. If I post too much or do something that isn't proper, please let me know. I just sort of jumped in and went with the flow. So is the mudbuggy for mud drags, hunting, joyriding or what? We have tons of 4wheelers of all sizes and styles, but I don't think I've seen one quite like that down here in the"Sportsmans Paradise".

[OLNOLAN]

Cool Paneltruck, If I had one of those back in high school it would have been called the "LOVESHACK". I love the visor, where as alot of people don't. I've been thinking about punching louvers in mine. I wonder, if I try to do a top speed run, let's say 150mph or so. Do you think it will fly off(not the truck, the visor) and will louvers vent it at high speed. By the way, my big brother is a huge Poncho fan. He's like a talkin Pontiac encyclopedia. He remembers the small details from the Nunczy(sic)drag car days and keeps up with all the newer Pontiac engine builders. He had both '67 and '68 Goats back in the day, currently a milder '68 Tempest. He has a small collection of Pontiac parts. With the Pontiac div. of GM going under, he may be sitting on a little retirement fund. Hold on to your GOATS or all ponchos for that matter, the values are going to sky-rocket like the Mopars have in the past few years. Keep up the pics. Nolan

[OLNOLAN]

Hey Man, If you have to do your door bottoms, hows about pics,cause I'm eventually gonna have to fix mine, the have some bubbles. Matter of fact if you ever make it down to the "Sportsmans Paradise" maybe I can hire you. I'll help you and serve root beers. Nolan

[Livinthedream57]

So I picked up a 1957 CHEVY PICKUP-

1 TON
LONG BED (Step Side)
Big Back Window
....
I'd like to put it on a newer, more updated frame... Also, I need to update the wiring as well... I heard S10 frames can work...

But I need a 123" wheel base... any advice would be greatly appreciated. !!

I'm new to the whole frame swap thing- but I know in my case it would be easier than swapping the front ends out etc.

PLEASE HELP