[Pops @ Tri-5.com]

Back on It!

Hard to believe I haven't posted on this thread, since June.....However, this is what I've been up to lately.

I finally got my cars shuffled around....So, the project car is now in the garage.....After setting out in the elements, the firewall has completely surface rusted will have to be reprepped for paint again.....But...No hill for a climber

In the mean time the wife has decided that she would like power steering on the car.....(Happy wife is a happy life) I had a CPP 500 box installed on another project....So, I moved it over to this one.

The steering gear slipped in without a problem....However, the column was a different story....It was a column I had bought off Ebay a long time ago....It was a predessor to the shortened column that CPP sells now....The frst thing I had to do was move the shift arm closer to the column, so it would not rub on the firewall....After cutting and rewelding the arm, I thought I was home free and clear....But no, not so fast Pops.....When I went to install the steering wheel, I found that the column was a 1/2" too long for the shaft....This kept the steering wheel from engageing the splines on the shaft....So shortening the column will be tomorrow's project.

 

[Original Pete]

Dave, all these problems just makes life that much more exciting now doesn't it??? :sign0020: Still look at the experience you gain when problems arise. I hope that the column saga goes together like a cool breeze :anim_25::tu:tu

 

[Pops @ Tri-5.com]

Dave, all these problems just makes life that much more exciting now doesn't it??? :sign0020: Still look at the experience you gain when problems arise. I hope that the column saga goes together like a cool breeze :anim_25::tu:tu

If hotrodding was easy, everyone would be doing it

The good news is, running into these problems along the way, enables me to pass the infomation on to other bowtie-trifive members in the future.

 

[Big Bob]

Thats it Pops,you're banned from taking vacations again.You're enjoying too much time off,so back to the salt mines.:sign0020: Keep up the good work and more pics when you have a chance.:anim_25:
Big Bob:flag4::bowtieb:

 

[Bplacke150]

Hard to believe I haven't posted on this thread, since June.....However, this is what I've been up to lately.

I finally got my cars shuffled around....So, the project car is now in the garage.....After setting out in the elements, the firewall has completely surface rusted will have to be reprepped for paint again.....But...No hill for a climber

In the mean time the wife has decided that she would like power steering on the car.....(Happy wife is a happy life) I had a CPP 500 box installed on another project....So, I moved it over to this one.

The steering gear slipped in without a problem....However, the column was a different story....It was a column I had bought off Ebay a long time ago....It was a predessor to the shortened column that CPP sells now....The frst thing I had to do was move the shift arm closer to the column, so it would not rub on the firewall....After cutting and rewelding the arm, I thought I was home free and clear....But no, not so fast Pops.....When I went to install the steering wheel, I found that the column was a 1/2" too long for the shaft....This kept the steering wheel from engageing the splines on the shaft....So shortening the column will be tomorrow's project.

Hey David-

In your picture it appears your column is not down all the way. I have my column closer to the rag joint. The may be the issue your having with the steering wheel. Also your shifter arm is partially inside the firewall. Shouldnt it be on the outside? When I did my column, I made sure there was a minimum of 1/4 to 1/2inch clearance between the shifter arm and the fire wall to keep it from rubbing, otherwise you can bend the arm so it does not hit the fire wall.

Look great...:tu:anim_25:

 

[Pops @ Tri-5.com]

Hey David-In your picture it appears your column is not down all the way. I have my column closer to the rag joint. The may be the issue your having with the steering wheel. Also your shifter arm is partially inside the firewall. Shouldnt it be on the outside? When I did my column, I made sure there was a minimum of 1/4 to 1/2inch clearance between the shifter arm and the fire wall to keep it from rubbing, otherwise you can bend the arm so it does not hit the fire wall.....Look great...:tu:anim_25:

BP....I suspect we have different designs of shortenened columns....Mine was shortened using an original column and these procedures:http://www.classicperform.com/tech_articles/Tri-Five-Steering/Tri-Five-Steering.htm

Yours is most likely the CPP, completetly new column like this one:http://www.classicperform.com/Store/1955_1970_Fullsize_Cars/5556OSC-K.htm Where the shift arm is placed on the ouside of the bottom of the column.

 

[Pops @ Tri-5.com]

Today, as I had planned, I shortened the column by 1/2"....This had to be done at the upper end, because it had already been shortened at the lower end and shortening it again would upset the upper clamp and tranmission indicator alignment.

Everything went pretty well....However, it was real difficult to get the inner shift tube back in alignment....(Had to settle for less than perfect)

Lucky for me, after measuring several times, the 1/2" chop was perfect for the steering wheel fit.

 

[Chrome Lugnut]

:tu:tu Looks Good

 

[Scott Phillips]

Great job Pops! Enjoying the updates and pictures.

 

[Pops @ Tri-5.com]

Change of Plans

Was not really liking the way the old-type modified column shift arm was sticking through the firewall....Didn't see a good way to cover the hole with that type of set-up.....So, I remembered that I had another column around that I had modified for my 57 using CCI's kit:http://www.classicchevy.com/1955-ch...ersion-kit-for-column-shift-605-670-or-delphi-power-steering-box-1955-1957.html Believe it or not, I hand fabricated the lower column from a 2" piece of exhaust pipe.

..........................

Sice a 57 column won't fit a 55/56, I had to swap the mast part around with another column that I had shortened.....Everything is looking a lot better now :tu The firewall opening will be much easier to deal with.

BEFORE.......................................................................................................................AFTER

 

[ChevyWT]

Sweeeeeet fab work! Lookin' great! :tu:tu:tu:tu

 

[Hafrod]

There ya go David! Looks cleaner. Lots of guys would have said, heck with it and ran with it. I too share OCD with ya :sign0020:

 

[mickeywestsr]

Dave, are you gonna smooth out the firewall? :tu
:gba:
bowtie-trifive

 

[Pops @ Tri-5.com]

Dave, are you gonna smooth out the firewall? :tu :gba: bowtie-trifive

I guess you might call it semi-smooth Mickey....I'm plugging several of the firewall holes with 3/16" pop rivets and hiding the wiring a bit...Will be moving the battery to the trunk.

 

[Pops @ Tri-5.com]

Today I took delivery of the engine cart that my fabrication/welding guy finished up for me.....As usual, he did not dissapoint me.....It is quite a work of art....It measures 30" X 48".....Has 8" wheels, pneumatic tires, and 1" axles.....The steering has a drag link set-up with hiem joints and king pins.

With this cart, I will be able to remove the engine and roll it out back to my storage shed, since I have no room in the garage for it.

 

[Daleo56]

Great looking cart and sweet looking four door!

 

[Pops @ Tri-5.com]

Great looking cart and sweet looking four door!

Thanks Tim....Looking forward to getting the engine out of the 55, so I can really get some work done on the firewall and inner fender wells.

 

[Big Bob]

I say its looking pretty good Pops.Keep up the good work.Are you going to yank the eng. out for better access to the firewall?
Big Bob:flag4::bowtieb:

 

[mouse_zzr600]

Wow a lot of work for a front suspension refit and refurb.
I think i would have tried to remove the thermostat through the rear of the exhaust pipe first :sign0020:
Just read the whole thread, Great work for a minor ( lets keep it drive-able) repair. Keep up the great work, it is all inspiring and shows what can be done if you put your mind to it.
Regs

 

[Pops @ Tri-5.com]

I say its looking pretty good Pops.Keep up the good work.Are you going to yank the eng. out for better access to the firewall?
Big Bob:flag4::bowtieb:

Bob......In addition to better access for prepping and painting the firewall, I have decided to replace the engine with a ZZ4.....I have the short block already and need to decide on the rest of the package.