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1957 Truck D/Gas Project

Nacibound

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Joined
Oct 31, 2012
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Been wanting to build a truck for some time. Was looking for a 64/65 Chevy when my Brother in law told my wife about a 57 he was wanting to sell. Deal was made and drove the 13 hours to Oregon to pick it up.
Pickup First.jpg

Pulled it all apart and started with the frame. Installed a Mustang II front end and step notched the frame for the big tire I planned on running.
Cross Member.jpg

4 Link 1.jpg

A buddy's dad passed away and had a late model dirt car motor sitting in his garage. 383 660 hp at the crank on the dyno. Sounded good to me!
Motor Mock Unpainted.jpg

Motor Front.jpg

I'd been dreading getting to the cab because I really hate body work and this thing needed a lot! New cab corners, new steps, re-did the entire dash etc...Started with the fire wall.
Firewall 1.jpg

Firewall 3.jpg

I was struggling with getting the doors/fenders to line up. My brother in law came for a visit, took one look and asked for a 2x4 and a sledge then told me I should go get the mail...
Body Tools.jpg

On to wiring, which quite honestly, I think I hate more than body work!
Wiring Continue.jpg

Motor 2.jpg

On to the interior. I will be adding the required roll cage, so I had to keep that in mind while setting things up. I was grinding to get this thing streetable for an upcoming show/cruise up in Roseburg, OR that many of my wife's family members travel pretty far to attend. I wanted the interior to be done before the show for wife comfort, because this little small block made some serious noise with the barely muffled black widow exhaust.
Interior.jpg

Seat.jpg

seats.jpg

Been doing a bunch of body work to finally get the exterior painted. My brother in law called me one night when I was drinking and offered a big block he had built and ran in his 70 El Camino. He ran low 10's with it, but wants to get into the 9's, so he built himself a 489. The deal was I haul the truck 13 hours north to his shop and we would fab/install the big block. How could I resist! Just got home on Tuesday; took about 2 1/2 days to get it done.
BigBlock.jpg


A good friend who lives up there has a really cool youtube channel and wanted to document the install. It's a little long, but there is a couple small burnouts. The outakes at the end show the truck in its current state. Roll cage will go in, in the coming weeks, then more body work/sanding and finally paint! I am motivated again after this install. He is a great mechanic and fabricator and I cannot thank him enough! Check out the video:
 
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