Morgantown ***** '55 gasser build

38575 Views 260 Replies 27 Participants Last post by Unkie, Apr 16, 2019

Morgantown Gasser

Discussion Starter · Jun 6, 2017

Excited to have gotten this car in mid April of this year. A lot to do , but it's all there and a much better starting point than some of our past projects have been!
Basic plan is to first turn this 4 door into a 2 door. Then go gasser style: straight axel, 4 speed, BBC 427, skinny fronts, bigger backs. We've debated back & forth on cutting the rear qtrs. out or not & still can't really agree on wheels. Basic old school race car interior with no carpet, stock dash, good/safe cage & keep/try to not hurt the headliner that's there (with all the grinding, sparks & welding... well we'll see).
First order of business is find a set of 2 door, doors. Put the word out on this & a friend hooked us up with a guy, had never met & only15 miles away, that has ALOT of tri-five parts & cars ... bought doors & guts (and he also had a '59 truck straight axle we got)! Another friend went to Goodguys show & came across a set of 2 door inside window garnish at the swap meet & brought it back ... so thankful to have buddies that look out for us!
Since an Arizona car, there is very little rust ... not counting the floor. Windows down & wet carpet is no good, no matter the state. However, a set of pans came with it!
So progress so far is some cleaning & disassembly to get familiar with the car, B pillars cut out, all that rusty floor pan out, replaced body bushing.
This will be a slow build for a while ... anybody looking for a wicked pro street Chevelle to buy ... more to come :bowtieb:

1 - 20 of 261 Posts

carls 56

· #2 · Jun 6, 2017

sounds good, luv gassers. :anim_25: .................. hint

ics-1:

angs1957

· #3 · Jun 6, 2017

Sounds like you have a plan :congrats:

easyways

· #4 · Jun 6, 2017 (Edited)

Sensitive content, not recommended for those under 18

Morgantown Gasser said:
Excited to have gotten this car in mid April of this year. A lot to do , but it's all there and a much better starting point than some of our past projects have been!
Basic plan is to first turn this 4 door into a 2 door. Then go gasser style: straight axel, 4 speed, BBC 427, skinny fronts, bigger backs. We've debated back & forth on cutting the rear qtrs. out or not & still can't really agree on wheels. Basic old school race car interior with no carpet, stock dash, good/safe cage & keep/try to not hurt the headliner that's there (with all the grinding, sparks & welding... well we'll see).
First order of business is find a set of 2 door, doors. Put the word out on this & a friend hooked us up with a guy, had never met & only15 miles away, that has ALOT of tri-five parts & cars ... bought doors & guts (and he also had a '59 truck straight axle we got)! Another friend went to Goodguys show & came across a set of 2 door inside window garnish at the swap meet & brought it back ... so thankful to have buddies that look out for us!
Since an Arizona car, there is very little rust ... not counting the floor. Windows down & wet carpet is no good, no matter the state. However, a set of pans came with it!
So progress so far is some cleaning & disassembly to get familiar with the car, B pillars cut out, all that rusty floor pan out, replaced body bushing.
This will be a slow build for a while

Just thinking , some members on here don't mind having a four door and
in fact even prefer one I think , others wouldn't be seen in a four door and
I have a friend that says four doors should be illegal , I have all sorts of friends ,
Ha !! So whether it's worth all the work to make a four into a
two I guess you are going to find out , I personally am looking forward to
a full running pictorial of the project and how or if your attitude toward
the effort progresses ( I've heard it said it's easy , but I doubt it : )
And when the job is done and you stand back and see that you have done
something very special how cool it will be , and when inevitably someone
asks would you do it again you will say " HELL NO " !!!

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joe cool

· #5 · Jun 7, 2017

welcome I'm in the middle of a conversion myself. I work really slow though so you will probably be on the road before I am.

easyways

· #6 · Jun 7, 2017

joe cool said:
welcome I'm in the middle of a conversion myself. I work really slow though so you will probably be on the road before I am.

Oops , you outed yourself Joe !!! You know we like/love pictures , I don't
reckon there is a more work involved tri-five project than a conversion !!
Well , folks will need to know now , at least I would like to : ) Even just
a few pictures would be appreciated ~~~~

Morgantown Gasser

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 7, 2017

5

Sorry for the no pics yesterday ... I'm usually a lot better about that, but got tied up & just now getting back here.

easyways said:
Just thinking , some members on here don't mind having a four door and in fact even prefer one I think , others wouldn't be seen in a four door and I have a friend that says four doors should be illegal , I have all sorts of friends , Ha !! So whether it's worth all the work to make a four into a two I guess you are going to find out , I personally am looking forward to a full running pictorial of the project and how or if your attitude toward the effort progresses ( I've heard it said it's easy , but I doubt it : ) And when the job is done and you stand back and see that you have done
something very special how cool it will be , and when inevitably someone
asks would you do it again you will say " HELL NO " !!!

Nothing against 4 doors here ... they are awesome, for a cruiser. Just tend to prefer 2 doors for the more "race car" realm things. And have never done a conversion like this before, so new challenges keep it interesting!

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Morgantown Gasser

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 7, 2017 (Edited)

2

a few more pics

Just realized there is a "Project Updates" section, mods please move this thread if needs to be there :embarassed:

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1971BB427

· #9 · Jun 7, 2017

Nice work so far! I appreciate a two door more myself, and I think if a guy has the skills, making a 4dr. into a 2dr. is the way to go! Lots of work, but the savings over buying a 2dr. body is significant.

joe cool

· #10 · Jun 8, 2017 (Edited)

5

I'm not real good at this computer stuff ,not much good stuff to show yet.

Bumper Automotive exterior Auto part Rust Vehicle

this is the four door front door jam in yellow and the two door jam in blue.It is required to use the four door one with the four door B pillar. Just enough difference that the door won't latch or seal correctly . If you are lucky enough to have a two door B pillar ,your in business.

Vehicle Car Automotive exterior Hardtop

Land vehicle Vehicle Car Classic car Sedan

Motor vehicle Vehicle Car Automotive exterior Classic

Just installing trim with duct tape to make sure it will fit Ok. nightmares about getting body work done and trim is toooo long or short

Motor vehicle Vehicle Car Automotive exterior Bumper

About ready for bondo ,a little more alignment and spacing on the jams.

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joe cool

· #11 · Jun 8, 2017

5

this is the way it sets now,the others are of the relocated B pillar, Sorry i can not figure out how to change the size of the pictures.

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easyways

· #12 · Jun 8, 2017 (Edited)

Morgantown Gasser said:
Sorry for the no pics yesterday ... I'm usually a lot better about that, but got tied up & just now getting back here.

Nothing against 4 doors here ... they are awesome, for a cruiser. Just tend to prefer 2 doors for the more "race car" realm things. And have never done a conversion like this before, so new challenges keep it interesting!

Wheeew !!! I am so respectful of you Morgantown and also you Joe
Cool , the pictures tell volumes of what a huge job your involved in there !!
I Needed to replace a " simple " drivers side quarter on mine and it was
forever getting done it seemed like , and look at what you fellows are
doing !!! Anyway I am sure enjoying the pictures and thank you for those !
All I can say boys is , better you than me , Ha !!

Morgantown Gasser

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jun 8, 2017

1971BB427 said:
Nice work so far! I appreciate a two door more myself, and I think if a guy has the skills, making a 4dr. into a 2dr. is the way to go! Lots of work, but the savings over buying a 2dr. body is significant.

Yes indeed. After looking for a "decent" 2 door sedan it didn't take long to figure out a 4 door conversion was the way to go. You can find total rust buckets for $7,000 or ones in good shape for $20,000. Seems there is not much in between.

Morgantown Gasser

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jun 8, 2017

easyways said:
Wheeew !!! I am so respectful of you Morgantown and also you Joe
Cool , the pictures tell volumes of what a huge job your involved in there !!
I Needed to replace a " simple " drivers side quarter on mine and it was
forever getting done it seemed like , and look at what you fellows are
doing !!! Anyway I am sure enjoying the pictures and thank you for those !
All I can say boys is , better you than me , Ha !!

Thanks for the compliment. I dreaded replacing the rusted out floors more than the 4 door conversion. The worst part of any project to me is just getting started on it. Once I'm started, I can go. I had the rotted floors out in less than an hour {pulling most of it out by hand} and had the pans fit in about 2 more. Plasma cutters are worth the money. I have done a few cars in the past from frame on restoration to a frame off rotisserie job. I am a welder by trade and LOVE cutting things apart and sewing them back together. Some people say it is an easy job to do this conversion. That is all relative to your skills. After studying and doing internet research, it is easier said then done. To complete the job where no one can really tell it's been done is where it gets more complicated.

nad427

· #15 · Jun 8, 2017

Morgantown Gasser said:
I am a welder by trade and LOVE cutting things apart and sewing them back together. Some people say it is an easy job to do this conversion. That is all relative to your skills. After studying and doing internet research, it is easier said then done. To complete the job where no one can really tell it's been done is where it gets more complicated.

I've seen a video somewhere on the process, and I'm pretty sure there is a sticky on this site somewhere about it. When I get more time I'll see if I can find them for you.

Really cool for both of you for doing this. "Four doors should be illegal" cracks me up!

1971BB427

· #16 · Jun 9, 2017

"mt94ss" did a 4 door conversion here.

https://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41043

joe cool

· #17 · Jun 9, 2017

My problem is years ago I had a full equipted shop with all the tools. About three years ago I had to start all over ,house garage ,personal stuff .I will never have all the stuff I need so that makes it very hard. I have half of a 24 x 24 garage ,one 20 amp electrical circuit ,I have a small 110 welder ,no torch ,no sheet metal tools just a sawsall ,Cordless drill and Harbor freight grinders.
Don't get me wrong I'm not complaining but sometimes the simplest chore consumes most of an afternoon.
As far as the 4dr thing I realized I could not buy a decent two door in my price range. Probably could not replace floorboards or 1/4 s.I bought this 4 dr that ran and drove with almost no rust . The two door conversion without fighting rust seemed a better deal to me than a rusted hulk two door. I was able to barter and trade for a lot of things , original hubcaps and wheel and tires traded for two rough doors. Factory Jack traded for two door side trim.I will sell or trade the 283/glide later and upgrade the drivetrain. Mowed a guys yard twice while he was on vacation in exchange for a Exploder 8.8 rear end. Every step is closer to the end goal.
Bodywork is not my strong suit but it gets done ,just takes a lot longer.

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Morgantown Gasser

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jun 9, 2017

joe cool said:
My problem is years ago I had a full equipted shop with all the tools. About three years ago I had to start all over ,house garage ,personal stuff .I will never have all the stuff I need so that makes it very hard. I have half of a 24 x 24 garage ,one 20 amp electrical circuit ,I have a small 110 welder ,no torch ,no sheet metal tools just a sawsall ,Cordless drill and Harbor freight grinders.
Don't get me wrong I'm not complaining but sometimes the simplest chore consumes most of an afternoon.
As far as the 4dr thing I realized I could not buy a decent two door in my price range. Probably could not replace floorboards or 1/4 s.I bought this 4 dr that ran and drove with almost no rust . The two door conversion without fighting rust seemed a better deal to me than a rusted hulk two door. I was able to barter and trade for a lot of things , original hubcaps and wheel and tires traded for two rough doors. Factory Jack traded for two door side trim.I will sell or trade the 283/glide later and upgrade the drivetrain. Mowed a guys yard twice while he was on vacation in exchange for a Exploder 8.8 rear end. Every step is closer to the end goal.
Bodywork is not my strong suit but it gets done ,just takes a lot longer.

Bartering makes the world go around. I am excited about this build because I will be removing more from this car than I will be adding. Building one period correct is a LOT less expensive than restoring one. Most folks nowadays pass up looking at a car with a $15,000 paint job to go look at one with patina. I know I do.

1971BB427

· #19 · Jun 10, 2017

joe cool said:
My problem is years ago I had a full equipted shop with all the tools. About three years ago I had to start all over ,house garage ,personal stuff .I will never have all the stuff I need so that makes it very hard. I have half of a 24 x 24 garage ,one 20 amp electrical circuit ,I have a small 110 welder ,no torch ,no sheet metal tools just a sawsall ,Cordless drill and Harbor freight grinders.
Don't get me wrong I'm not complaining but sometimes the simplest chore consumes most of an afternoon.
.

I never let the garage thing get in my way; or the lack there of! When I hear guys tell me they'd like to build a car, but don't have a garage, I chuckle. I built both of my gassers in a 10'x20' Costco canopy! Set it up in my backyard, and got a load of gravel in my trailer. Spread the gravel inside, and then bought five 4'x8' sheets of plywood and laid it down for a floor. Screwed them together with nailer strips, and put up lights and plugs inside, fed from an extension cord to my outside outlet. All welding was done with my Miller 140 Autoset 115v., and even primer and bodywork was done inside with the help of a propane space heater.
And the car before these two I built in my driveway whenever the weather was good enough to work outside! But it did get all new suspension inside the Costco canopy!
Here's a picture when I was straightening and filling some bodywork inside the canopy, on my Falcon. As you might guess, it was winter, so had the space heater going!

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Morgantown Gasser

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jun 27, 2017

4

Busy summer already, so not making leaps of progress. But did get a little time for sandblasting/priming of some crusty spots. Also got the C pillars cut out & 2-door, door on hinges so could started mocking things up.

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