Started work on a weekend cruiser. Goal is to have something that I can roll down the windows and enjoy a Sunday afternoon in or putter around town while running errands. I want to bring it back to 1956 stock conditions; not a show truck but very clean. This truck was born the same year as my father and has spent it's entire life in Texas (3 owner truck) so for that, it is named after him.
Specs are:
1956 Chevy 3600 (model 3604)
Original everything (minus wheel/tires/paint and steel plate in bed)
235.5-cubic inch in-line 6-cylinder
Regular Production Option 4 speed trans with granny low and driveline e-brake
2wd full floating rear axle with 4.57:1 gears
12" manual drum brakes front and rear
I have a little bit of rust to deal with in the driver/passenger floor panel and toe panel but it's not bad at all. No rust in any other part of the cab or frame.
Over the past two weeks I have been cleaning it up.
I tuned up the engine (new plugs/cap/rotor/wires/coil pack).
Gutted the interior and prepped the floors for metal work.
Changed the transmission and rear axle fluid.
Removed all 4 original shocks.
Removed the rusted original exhaust.
Deadline to get it back on the road is July 4th for a neighborhood parade and car show.
To do:
Patch floor panels
Install new stock exhaust
Install new custom shocks
Change oil
Install new drag link
Build custom tie rod using 1956 Chevy 3800 tie rod ends
Install Regular Production Option lap belts
Insurance
Title transfer and Antique Registration
It should be a fun little project.