Ben Jammin's 1955 Chevy/GMC Project

[bensimmons_05]

Boy have I been sleeping on my truck project!

My Grandfather and I are restoring a 1952 Glasspar G2 and I am doing all the body and prep work for the body itself. It has kept me busy for about the past year and we still have a ways to go.

I was presented with the opportunity to get a motor and transmission. Even though I was going to use the donor camaro motor, I came out WAY more ahead. With the money I saved up just to get the 305 camaro motor kit and machine work I was able to get a decenly fresh 350 with 700R4. The motor has a medium cam, came with some chrome accessories, dist, water pump, edelbrock goodies, and a bunch more and The 700R4 has a b&m shift kit and is fairly fresh as well. The deal certainly has me excited about the truck again, but I've got some more to finish up on the other project before I can get back at it!

[bensimmons_05]

Putting a little elbow grease to work...

[Kim57]

Nice and shiny.
Kim

[oldman3]

Big difference, nice job...Jim

[ChuckDriver]

Glad you're back on this one!

[bensimmons_05]

After LOTS LOTS LOTS of body work (2 years worth) the 1952 Glasspar G2 body is out of the shop and down in Florida with my Grandfather to be finished up.









My poor 55 truck is covered in itchy fiberglass dust that will soon be cleaned off so I can make some more progress on the truck. We picked up and rearranged the shop so we can get some stuff done! A couple small car projects (the not fun ones) to get out of the way then it is back to the truck.

I'll be jumping back on the cab patch work so I can get it on the frame to start putting the vitals together!

I just put a major order in through Classic Parts of America and I'm pumped to get all the nice new shiny stuff on!

I'm SO glad to be getting back to work on METAL rather than itchy fiberglass!

[bensimmons_05]

Classic Parts of America really worked with me to get all the right parts!

I sent email after email back and forth working with them, adding, removing, changing, to get it right before I pulled the trigger and they were very helpful!

[Kim57]

Nice looking stuff.
Kim

[bensimmons_05]

Progress has been slow, I've got a lot on my plate at the moment. I have had some time to work on the engine and frame. Here are some photos of progress!





I'm working on getting the frame as complete as possible before I get the cab back on. I'm getting the engine lined out and I will install the fuel tank and run fuel & brake lines.

The engine here is ALMOST ready to crank!

[bensimmons_05]

She STARTS!!!

https://youtu.be/9_bZBpDPNPY

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Congrats

[Kim57]

Congrats.
Looks good.
Kim

[ChuckDriver]

Awesome!

[OrrieG]

Looks like good progress....

[bensimmons_05]

Now that I heard my baby FIRE UP... and it sounded great... I'm looking at my next steps.

One of the main reasons I went ahead and started it up was to get my blood pumping on the project again!

I couple months back I got with dwcsr, a user on this site, and purchased a fuel tank setup from Hollis Road Company. He was really helpful and let me know what all I needed. I got it in and it all looks really good!

I got the 64-68 Mustang Fuel tank that is made without the original openings and setup for EFI. I got the manual pump pickup and the bed-fill inlet.

I'm planning on getting this in next and plumbing the fuel and brake lines before getting back on the cab metal work.

[watahyahknow]

good info on that tank allways thought they used blazer tanks for that

[bensimmons_05]

Originally Posted by watahyahknow

good info on that tank allways thought they used blazer tanks for that

From reading a lot on this site, this is a pretty popular fuel tank option.

the 69-70 tank is similar with additional bulge on top that makes it have more capacity. This tank was similar in price to a reproduction Mustang tank but was setup perfectly for using it for the truck. I don't have to worry about sealing up the stock holes or cutting new holes for pickup, vent, sending unit, etc.

It does require moving the rear most frame support. I haven't got it in yet, but it looks like it is a really good fit in a number of ways.

Holler at dwscr on here or go to:

It is listed as an EFI Tank, but I got a standard pickup tube.

http://hollisterroad.com/item/98359-...?category=5111

[JML55]

Great work , sounds good

[bensimmons_05]

I've got the fuel tank installed and fuel and vent lines are bent and installed!

I cut out the rear crossmember and trimmed the inner frame rails approximately 3/4" on each side and some light trimming on the lower rails for the tank to fit.

I got some 1/2" rail and 3/4" angle to get the tank level. I drilled and tapped 5/16-18 holes to bolt the tank to the mounting frame and ran bolts all the way through to the truck frame to secure it.




This shows one of the tapped holes.


Here is what I had to grind off to level the tank in the front with the hump in the frame.

[bensimmons_05]

I painted the mounting frame and bolted the tank in.

[Kim57]

Nice install on the tank.
Kim

[bensimmons_05]

Thanks a bunch, Kim!


I ran 3/8" steel line for the Fuel Supply all the way up to through an inline fuel filter from a 90's Chevy Pickup. I didn't have the right crimping tool for the GM fuel line flare with o-rings so I bought the ends from Autozone that came with compression fittings to add it into the line. I don't know why, but I was set on getting an inline filter in there somewhere. I ran it all the way to the front and connected to the fuel pump with about 6-7 inches of rubber hose. I put some unions directly off the tank so I can remove it if necessary. They've proved useful already, I had to take it off for some additional trimming after the install.





I ran a fuel tank vent line down the other side with 5/16" steel tubing. I'm working out specifics for a vapor canister and purge valve to set up so I don't have a fuel smell, if it works out I'll post all of the details about it.

[Kim57]

Looks good.
Kim

[56james]

Great Work!

[ptc]

Ben, wow - you have been at this for some time! I just read thru your whole thread and its great to see that you are still on it and Im glad to see you are back at it again. The truck will be a reality soon.... Keep up the good work!

The tank looks fantastic!