[Abbbdsdad@msn.com]

Hi folks, I'm new here. I just bought a numbers matching 1955 Chevy 210 with a 235. Just looking for some ideas, I.E. Pick the brains of the masters... Any ideas or thoughts would be very much appreciated.

My son in law will be doing the body repairs...
Looking at Ciadella Interiors for my seats, etc...
I want to keep the 235... Ideas on getting some more get up and go would be great. (Cam, carb, turbo?? , etc.)

With all that said, I am on a budget. I want to do the car right (She deserves it). If it takes 10 years then so be it. Any thoughts on discounts, coupons, etc. to get me on my way faster I am all in.

God Bless

 

[oldskoolsalt]

Start by making a solid plan and since your on a budget...Plan your spending. Prioritize your parts buying to go along with the build steps. Buy good parts the first time, to keep from doing things over. Get it to where it runs and drive and then make upgrades as money allows. Driving and enjoying is the ultimate goal right!?! It doesn't have to pristine to enjoy it!

Do lots of research by following others builds. Seeing the parts and processes that worked and didn't work for them. This will save you time and money in the long run! Don't be afraid to ask questions either by starting a thread or by pm'ing other members.

Good luck and most of all enjoy your build!!

Greg

 

[angs1957]

What state is it in at the moment, can you drive it, does it have rust etc etc.

Need more info?

Get the important things done first brakes, engine if the body is in reasonable shape, Ciadella will do a great job on the interior so that's the least of your problems.

 

[carls 56]

is it drivable? I would get it road worthy first. it will all come down to your budget. my sig says the way I feel. :anim_25:

 

[johnny57]

Figure out your budget first for safety then looks.

 

[Chevyragtop57]

Get it safe first Brakes tires etc Get er running then make her pretty . Have fun doing it though. Drive it. Mike

 

[Dragsix]

Feel free to pm me when you are ready to mess with the six and I will be happy to walk you through the options and the pros and cons of each.

 

[Abbbdsdad@msn.com]

Thank you all for the warm welcome...

A little about the car...

Someone started to do a frame off.

- Frame has been repaired, blasted and painted.
- New brakes, lines, etc.
- New tires
- Body is solid minus floors and some bubblegum weld done on quarters
- Engine has a "tune up" (but it's locked up)

The bad...

Taking over someone else's project that appears at this point to have little to no clue what they were doing.

So now the high level game plan...

1. Double check what has been done prior to me... (Frame, brakes, etc.)
2. Repair the floors.
3. Repair body panels.
4. Engine.
5. Fit-up/Assembly.
6. Disassembly & Paint.
7. Final Assembly.
8. Take my 105 year old mother for a ride with her son...

God Bless

 

[Unkie]

Howdy

:sign0016: to bowtie-trifive.
You're definitely in the right place for help and assistance on your 55 project.
My brother lives in Eldridge, he has a 57 wagon, I'm located up in C.R., so we're not that far apart.
Sam's over in R.I. is very knowledgeable on the tri-fives, and has a good stock of tri-five parts, you might want to contact him at some point in your project.
Pics of your project would be nice, they save a lot of typing, andics-1:
Like others have mentioned, " concentrate on the safety issues, brakes, steering, etc. first, then concentrate on the cosmetic projects".
I'm presently working on our 55, installing new window channels and fuzzies, and finish up the trunk painting, always something to do.:sign0020:
:anim_25: on your project,

Later,:burnout:
Jim

 

[busterwivell]

I operate on the theory of.........make it safe, then make it comfortable, then make it pretty.
That said, I think I'd figure out what the issue with the engine is first. If it is locked up, numbers matching may not be the big issue.

 

[Abbbdsdad@msn.com]

Motor first then pretty...

I am coming around to the concept of motor first then pretty. My son-in law owns a machine shop. I will probably have him take a look at it. He has done quite a few projects for me in the past. I will try to find his contact information if anyone is interested. I might as well promote him since he does work on my projects for free. Lol. When you get to be my age, you take all the help you can get.

Thanks again for all the help folks...

God Bless

 

[Dragsix]

I will be more than pleased to provide some input on the machine work for the motor. There are some nuances to theses 235 motors, particularly with the 55 motors, that I am happy to walk you through. I have built probably 30 of these motors over the years and learned a few things, some the hard way, lol. Btw, what kind of trans, stick or power Glide?

I would not worry about a numbers matching 6 car. Does not bring much value to the table. Let the next owner worry about that. Like the others, get it running, get it safe, everything else will fall into place.

Do not concern yourself with how the car looks cosmetically. Most if not all of us just love to see another trifive on the road again.

 

[joninomader]

It looks like you have gotten some very sound advice. Now you need to make a list of your priorities and cost to the best of your abilities. :anim_25: on your project.

 

[55sam]

If you have any doubts about the quality of the work that has been done, double check it, PARTICUARLY the BRAKES! Check the fasteners used in the suspension rework after the frame was done. I had a friend that discovered the hard way that his "A" arm was installed with regular hardware store bolts . The rest is just eyeball and it sounds like the 6 may have to come apart. Hopefully it's something cheap and simple. Ask any questions you need to, you may even get some correct answers, you will definitely get HONEST opinions. There is an amazing amount of ability and experience on this site!

 

[rayharris]

Ditch the six. :anim_25: bowtie-trifive :gba:

 

[Abbbdsdad@msn.com]

Son In-Laws Machine Shop

I found my Son In-Laws information...

It's called Zivagg Manufacturing. They have a website if anyone is interested. I guess he does machining and welding but he also sells heavy equipment too.

It's www.Zivagg.com and his office number is 563-275-8867. Tell him Joe sent you and I'm sure he will give you a hefty discount.

God Bless

 

[Dragsix]

"Ditch the six" That is blasphemy! lol.

 

[55sam]

He Can Keep The Six If He Wants To!

"Ditch the six" That is blasphemy! lol.

It's his car and he can keep/put whatever engine in it he wants to! Now you've done it, gone and upset Drag6!:sign0020:

 

[Dragsix]

lol:sign0020:

 

[oldskoolsalt]

Ditch the six. :anim_25: bowtie-trifive :gba:

May want to rethink that...Who needs an LS??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk-AJEkkR9I

Greg