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DragSix Jr 57 four door sedan project

81734 Views 950 Replies 66 Participants Last post by  Dragsix
So for the last 6 years or so my youngest son has been my right hand man in getting my high school 57 sedan back on the road. The car had been sitting in my garage for well over a decade when we started with repairs at the end of 2011. It was in bad structural shape, rust had really taken its toll as the car was no longer safe to drive, and everything needed attention repair wise. Well, we got it done and took it to the 2015 nationals. He was 19 at the time and was my quiet child, really did not speak all that much, lol. But when he got there, quite a few people began asking him questions about the car, and he had the answers and was talking to people. I had to send my wife photos, lol. He ended up with the same car hobby sickness we all have, lol.

At the 2016 nationals he mentioned to me that he might like to get a 57 of his own to build. I started looking around but what would be affordable and in his price range was not all that good condition wise.

Like me, one of my oldest and best friends still had his original high school 57 4 door sedan although it was a shell. In 2016, he decided that he had had enough of me telling him all about the nationals and toward the end of 2016 he told me he wanted to resurrect the sedan and go to the nationals with me. When we looked at the car he realized that it really was just a shell and there would not be enough time for the 2017 nationals. So he goes out a buys a running wagon, which we then install a 383 and four speed and a new rear, fix a bunch of wiring and suspension issues and he and his daughter follow me to Kentucky. We are two kids in a candy shop, trip to Nashville, car show, swap meet and the fun runs. Oh my heaven the fun runs. So I get back to where were are parked after making a fun run at this years nationals, and there is my friend and my son deep in conversation. As I approached, I was informed that my son had just purchased my friends 4 door sedan. So my 22 year old son is now going to build himself a low buck 57, lol.

I am in the process of having my one car garage extended three feet or so upward so I can get a lift in to keep both cars at home. So the sedan is being stored by my friend (after he had the body blasted and primed as a gift).

So we began digging out all kinds of old parts to use including a posi to rebuild. I explained the various differences between the early and late posi units, walked him through the rebuild and showed him where to find all of the specifications to get it back together. I wont lie, it was pretty fun and he is a good student. So he and I are off to a new trifive adventure!

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The 55wagoncrazy packaging. Kindly note the yellow tape!

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And Yellow Towel ! Thanks for the little details Mike.
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I started to use the new clips for the side pieces with the intention of bending them to fit but when I installed them there was going to be a lot of bending. I installed the used clips and they were apparently the clips from the car when we took it apart as they fit Ike a glove.
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Following 55wagoncrazy’s instructions, Patrick cut the reproduction clips with the studs down to the same length as the original clip we have. The stud on the original clip is about 5/8 of an inch.
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The more tape you use... the more professional you are.. :)
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Yep - used to use the blue stuff...was given a roll of the yellow and I'm hooked.
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Did a dry run on the trim and I think it’s going to go on no problem. Note my use of yellow tape, lol. Thought I had some dum dum or window dum dum but what I had was left over from my car in 2015 so have to run out and get some new.

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Patrick also finished up the emergency brake firewall brackets and rollers. So that is done. I think we will hold off installing the e brake handle assembly until the under dash work is done. Seems easier without the handle in the way.

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Hey Mike your wife called, wanted to know why there are little burn holes on the clothes in here laundry basket! I told her Patrick was playing with sparklers in the basement again !!!! . LOL !!!
Nice work hotrodders !
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Glad my instructions paid off for you...!

Mikey
Oh more than paid off. Might try to final install the lower trim tomorrow. Had a few unexpected things occur today that required my attention so we had to stop for the day but no, I think this would have not have gone as well as it has so far with out Mikey Instructions!

I think you should write a book on this. Certainly be a big seller around these parts!
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Oh more than paid off. Might try to final install the lower trim tomorrow. Had a few unexpected things occur today that required my attention so we had to stop for the day but no, I think this would have not have gone as well as it has so far with out Mikey Instructions!

I think you should write a book on this. Certainly be a big seller around these parts!
No chance of me writing a book. I would spend 100K on it and 1 day after it is published......it would be available FREE on the internet for everyone to copy.

Mikey
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Lol!
Actually it is pretty sad commentary on the world we live in today.
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Actually it is pretty sad commentary on the world we live in today.
It is sad. My wife published several of these books listed about our county and city history and someone here purchased some of them, scanned them and were selling them to others on DVD and thumb drives. We put a lot of hours in those books. She did the copy and I proofed and edited and set the format and margins.
John, just asking, but any reason you are looking for the corvette style as opposed to the camaro style, or the Pontiac GTO style (thinner)?
No reason, Mike ... I just remembered reference to this a few years back. (Would happily take anything GM and of that period.)

I would be needing something that fits behind a p/s generator ok. And preferably something with the same bolt pattern to the firewall. Then whatever has the most simple way to connect up. (Don't mind if it is wider etc..)

EDIT:

Found this: Master Cylinder: 67-72 GM w/ Drum Front (NEW) | USGMSP.com

Says it is for drums front and back.
That is the one. 67 firebird and GTO with four wheel drum brakes, 1 inch bore. Only thing you will need to double check is whether this new master has the two pressure residual valves. If it has cast seats where the lines go, no valves. So install a pair of wilwood 10 pound red pressure residual valves. If brass, carefully stick a paper clip wire in the hole and see if you feel like your are hitting something rubber, if so you are all set. If you hit metal, either buy a rebuild kit and pull the brass seat out with a screw, then install the rubber duck bill residual valves and a new brass seat, or install the external wilwood valves.
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That yellow 3M tape is great! I learned the hard way not to cheap out on tape.
So, are you the handsome guy with the beard on page 39?
That is the one. 67 firebird and GTO with four wheel drum brakes, 1 inch bore. Only thing you will need to double check is whether this new master has the two pressure residual valves. If it has cast seats where the lines go, no valves. So install a pair of wilwood 10 pound red pressure residual valves. If brass, carefully stick a paper clip wire in the hole and see if you feel like your are hitting something rubber, if so you are all set. If you hit metal, either buy a rebuild kit and pull the brass seat out with a screw, then install the rubber duck bill residual valves and a new brass seat, or install the external wilwood valves.
Ok, I have made enquiries (here and US) for one that has the pressure residual valves place and ready to go. Thanks.
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