51 Olds project

[enjenjo]

nice looking bkts what's the clip from?

GM G body. Monte, GP, Cutlass

[DRD57]

Today we set the engine and trans back in, put the wheels on it, and set the body back on the frame.

We had to clearance the floor for the upper 4-bar brackets under the rear seat and it looks like the fat tires that are on the back now will rub the fenderwells on front/outside edge when the bags are dumped.  

Lots of room in the engine compartment with that little Chevy in there. I think I'll build the new core support and inner fenders before taking the body back off for chassis powdercoating. I might even talk the customer into a smooth firewall while we're at it.


It's actually starting to look promising.

[enjenjo]

I see the Caddy in the background.

[DRD57]

I see the Caddy in the background.

It's jealous because all the others are getting all of the attention right now.

[JimAust]

WOWWWW!!!! What a difference!!!! Nice work Don!

[Mac]

Fine craftsmanship and engineering, thorough documentation and the kind of image clarity we've all come to enjoy from you Don.
Thanks for sharing.

[39deluxe]

Oh yea! That's the look.

Tom

[Grandadeo]

I think I'll build the new core support and inner fenders before taking the body back off for chassis powdercoating. I might even talk the customer into a smooth firewall while we're at it.


It's actually starting to look promising.

Can you get good deals on powder coating where you are now like you did on the Caddy Frame and parts?

Lee

[phat rat]

WOWWWW!!!! What a difference!!!! Nice work Don!

Hey Jim. Welcome I just noticed you decided to join us over here

[JimAust]

Hey Jim. Welcome I just noticed you decided to join us over here

I had been here before but lost that ID somewhere. I'm getting out more and seeing a lot of old friends. Thanks Jim

[DRD57]

Can you get good deals on powder coating where you are now like you did on the Caddy Frame and parts?

Lee

There's a local guy who's pretty reasonable but not as cheap or quick as Islands in El Monte. Unfortunately, since I'm about 200 miles from there the transportation cost would more than eat up the cost difference. The local guy is pretty hungry for business so, he's working with me on the price and he gets stuff done in a day.

I was able to talk the customer into a smooth firewall. Friday, I did some brainsorming with poster board and tape. I've got it all planned out in my head. Monday, I'll start making some patterns.

I also picked up a 55 Chevy radiator this weekend. It's a good fit for the car with the front steer clip and it's more readily available than a 51 Olds radiator or one that's custom made.

[DRD57]

I'm still not sure what year this car is. The paperwork says it's a 51 but, the quarters are different than Ricky's 51 project. I think it's a 52.  Anybody know for sure?

This week I worked on the engine compartment. Fabbed a new core support to house a 55 Chevy radiator at an angle to clear the front steer P/S box, made a smooth firewall, and made inner fender panels.

First I made this wood frame to determine how big the radiator could be and where it could or couldn't fit.

I selected a 55 Chevy radiator because an off the shelf radiator is cheaper than a custom unit and it's easier to get replacements in the future.

Here's the core support that holds the radiator and locates the front end of the fenders.



The customer decided he'd rather have custom made inner fenders than the stockers hacked up to clear the new front suspension and since we were doing that, he also opted for a smooth firewall.

The stock one was kinda ugly.
 
So we cut it out.

Then made a pattern from poster board.
 
We'll get to the finished firewall in a few minutes. Here's where we started on the fenderwells. First I laid on a bunch of tape to see if my eyes liked the idea in my head.
 
Since that was a pretty big expanse to cover with flimsy posterboard which isn't easy to shape, I whipped up some strips of aluminum angle to make a rigid frame to form the posterboard patterns over.
 




Then I made the posterboard patterns.


Then transferred the patterns to 18 gauge steel. Here's the finished firewall shot too.

While I was fitting the steel panels I held them in place with clecos.

Once all the fitting was completed, I bolted them in with stainless 1/4 20 button head bolts.


A friend stopped by today and mentioned that he had a 56 Olds bumper that he was taking to the swap meet next weekend. I asked him to drop it by so I could see if it could work on this car.

The stock bumper is pretty ugly and the "moustache" piece above it is pot metal and seriously damaged. The customer and I have discussed a bumper swap but, haven't picked one yet. I think this could work.  

Here's the stock stuff.

Here's the 56 bumper blocked up under the front of the 52(?).

As you can see in these shots there's a pretty good sized gap that would have to be addressed. The bumper really can't go back any farther because the wrap around part is already at the leading edge of the front fender opening.
 



So, what do you think?
Does the 56 bumper look good on here?
Do you think we should use it?
Any ideas on filling the gap between the fenders and the bumper?

[phat rat]

Nice work on that Don. To my eye the bumper looks to massive for the car. Tends to pull my eye to it and only it $.02

[Fat Cat]

I like the idea. I tend to agree with Phat Rat. I think the bumper looks too wide for the car. In my eye the radius at the end of the grill opening should be inboard about maybe 3-4 inches on each side. I am not sure where you might remove some of the grill to accomplish this. But it will look different.

[Crosley.In.AZ]

the bumper looks  too big , too massive.