1958 Pontiac Wagon Build

[Tempest67]

Well, here I go again.

This time a 1958 Pontiac Wagon caught my eye.

My plans are to install a Pontiac 350, a motor that was in my 1973 Firebird when I was a teenager, add a TH350 automatic, some bucket seats with a console, Pontiac Rally 2 wheels, and have a safe, reliable, smooth running wagon.

I have already freshened up the motor, new gaskets, seals, timing chain, ...etc and have it ready for install. I also purchased a TH350 and have had it rebuilt and it is ready to go.

The BIG issue with this car is rust, and lots of it. The floors are gone, the rockers are gone, and the quarters are gone..........other than that, it seems solid. (ha ha)

My plans are to paint this one, and have it looking respectable, not that patina isn't respectable. Possibly a Teal/Blue with the white colored spear down the side? not sure yet, as that is so far away.

Anyways, I will post some pics now and add more as the work gets done,

I mentioned the motor is done, as you can see, I am going for the retro look.

Happy New Year to All

[3drburb]

Nice find, that motor was just waiting for something to go in, this should be a nice one to build. Maybe the 58 Chevy Yeoman can offer up some aftermarket sheet metal parts, if there is any out there.

[Tempest67]

3drburb, yes, you are right, this 350 was lying around, so I freshened it up, put the HO heads on it to up the compression, and it should be good to go. (and gave it some paint)

The 1958 Pontiac/Chev floor pans that are available are awful, and only include the footwell section, and the rot on this goes far beyond that. I am going to try to make my own floor pans.


Well, I started on the lower A pillars because they need to be done before I can start on the rockers. So I cut out the rot, and made some replacement pieces, the pics are of drivers side, but I did both sides

I also added a a piece to the toe board to get it ready for a floor pan

Up next will be the Pass. side rockers

[Tempest67]

Well, progress continues on the floor

I picked up some sheet metal (19 gauge) and with a cheap bead roller, put a design in the floor that resembled the stock floor.

After cutting, bending, and welding, the front floor on the passenger side is in.

I have started on the area below the seat, and soon I will be working on the rear section.

I am trying to keep the seams above the braces so they wont be seen from below, but along the trans tunnel, I have no choice.

[3drburb]

Wow! You are getting after that rust, nice job in making your own floors and braces.

Btw love the Pickup Truck.

[Tempest67]

Thanks 3drburb, but I did not make the braces. (see pics)

A friend of mine found a 58 Chev and he cut the floor out for me. I then used the braces, sections of, and welded them in

So far I am enjoying this process and just trying to install 1 piece at a time, get it in place, then move on to the next piece

[HO455]

Looking good. I do loves me some Pontiaction. Time to grab some popcorn, a Porter and watch some magic happen.

[Tempest67]

Thanks HO455, I just went through the first 9 pages of your Burb build, nice work.

I like Pontiacs too, here are 2 Pontiac projects, but the 64 has been sold

as for the 'magic', I think it is more 'brute force and ignornance', as there are a few REAL Metal Magicians on this website, and I am NOT one of them.


I hope you have a big bag of popcorn, cause this is going to take a while, but thanks for the encouragement.

[HO455]

Judging from those two it will be worth the wait.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Tempest67

Thanks HO455, I just went through the first 9 pages of your Burb build, nice work.

I like Pontiacs too, here are 2 Pontiac projects, but the 64 has been sold

as for the 'magic', I think it is more 'brute force and ignornance', as there are a few REAL Metal Magicians on this website, and I am NOT one of them.


I hope you have a big bag of popcorn, cause this is going to take a while, but thanks for the encouragement.

I like the Rally I's.

I have Rally I wheels on my '63.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Tempest67

A friend of mine found a 58 Chev and he cut the floor out for me. I then used the braces, sections of, and welded them in

Gotta be a good friend to do that for ya.

K

[Tempest67]

lets try this again, sorry

[3drburb]

That is fast, especially when you are making your own panels, but don't tell yourself that and keep knocking it out and hopefully drive it in the summer or later this year. Lol.

[Tempest67]

I appreciate the encouragement, but this will not be driving this year. Also, when I put deadlines on myself, it no longer becomes enjoyable.

I was poking around last night with it and this side will need some more work, as the main support is rotted out, next to a body mount, (see pic) but here are some 'Before' pics.

After looking at them again this morning, I must be crazy.

[Tempest67]

and a few more

[Tempest67]

Sometime I vary the set up depending what and where I am welding, but I am using a 120V Lincoln (20 years old?) with gas, typically on B with the 19 gauge steel( A B C D ) at a wire speed set between 4 and 5. I think the gas pressure is 20? (not sure as I haven't changed it for years) also, I use 023 wire

When I welded in the seat plate (secure rear seat bolts) I upped it to C level heat, as the plate is 16 gauge.

I am NOT a good welder, so please do not take my settings as correct.

What I have found with sheet metal is that I do not run a bead. I just use a series of tacks to create a weld that looks like a bead.

Hope this helps

[Keith Seymore]

Thank you -

K

[3drburb]

It's looking good, nice metal work and approach as always.
Those doors appear to be in very good shape and also lined up and evenly gapped for a 50s car.

Btw, it never crazy to save a long roof classic with the correct number of doors, it great to see them getting so much attention and love these days.

[Tempest67]

Thanks 3drburb,

Just trying to focus on the task at hand, and not look at the entire project.

Hopefully the next update will show the outer rockers will be in.

........and yes, it is good to see the wagons getting some love.

[HO455]

Originally Posted by 3drburb

It's looking good, nice metal work and approach as always.
Those doors appear to be in very good shape and also lined up and evenly gapped for a 50s car.

Btw, it never crazy to save a long roof classic with the correct number of doors, it great to see them getting so much attention and love these days.

Wow didn't notice that it was a 3 door wagon! That's so cool.
Oh and once again great job! Your work is inspiring. Just diving in and getting it done.

[3drburb]

Originally Posted by HO455

Wow didn't notice that it was a 3 door wagon! That's so cool.
Oh and once again great job! Your work is inspiring. Just diving in and getting it done.

I still own a 65 Olds F85 4 dr wagon. Drove it for many years and just tucked it away as it was a little tight inside leg room with the kids and me being on the taller side, had it long before the Burb.

[Tempest67]

Originally Posted by HO455

Wow didn't notice that it was a 3 door wagon! That's so cool.
Oh and once again great job! Your work is inspiring. Just diving in and getting it done.

Hey HO455 it's a 4 door wagon

3drburb - F85 wagon very cool

and thanks for the encouragement

[Tempest67]

Hey Guys, time for an update.

the inner and outer rockers are now in on the drivers side

[Tempest67]

then onto the floor braces.

I went to the 58 Chev floor that I had and cut off what I needed, and welded a bracket inside the brace to weld to the piece still on the car.

Also, welded a small patch in the lower corner of the toe board.

Next is to install the brace, and then onto the floor.

You can see the floor I made just lying there, lots of trimming still to do, but not until AFTER the brace is welded in. (next post)

[HO455]

Originally Posted by Tempest67

Hey HO455 it's a 4 door wagon

3drburb - F85 wagon very cool

and thanks for the encouragement

I know it's a four door but now is the time to start the 3 door lifestyle!
In my world 3 doors are the correct number of doors.

3drburb like this one? Was the Vista Cruser an option then? Okay I should stop high jacking there peoples threads.

https://youtu.be/VU5CYt1D-SE?si=AYYCkwzEeigiS0o3

I love the all the posts and appreciate the time it takes to document it.