This was inspired by MISurfer and 51 HHR! I'm thinking I'm going to try to do something with my old '49 panel. I've got a '58 283 that ran a few years back that might work. Otherwise, I might drop one of the 3 216's in it. What do you guys think? Am I pissing in the wind or do you think it will work?
C'mon Guys , Everybody CHANT : Do it ! DO IT ! DO IT !DO IT ! DO IT ! DO IT ! Yeah , I think it's a good idea If it's too raggedy , you can Phosphorus off the rust then seal it up with satin finish clear and run it as a rat rod...
It looks like you have one that the top hasn't been used for a trampoline which means many hours of saved labor. The 283 with an OD of some sort would probably do better on fuel than a 216 with deeper gears. Chassis Engineering has what is nearly a bolt up kit for the V8 to AD anymore so that is not a problem. I don't know how far your going to go but if keeping the running gear near stock I GUARENTEE that a 265 left exhaust manifold will clear the steering box. Close enough that we usually dress off corner of the box to prevent a rattle if the engine idles a little rough. If it turns out anywhere near as nice as your pickup it's a winner. My nephew built one to haul his custom Harley to Sturgis(?) S.D. and other far off places and it has been a great cruiser that also keeps things secure and out of the weather. Keep us updated.
V-8 Exhaust Manifolds Evean ; Does NAPA still make & sell the ' Rams Horn ' 265 exhaust manifolds ? I got a catalog a couple years ago and was pleased to see these brandy new , of _course_ the nitwits on night shift stole the catalog....
Do it! I saved the Gordon in My Pictures months ago. My dad was a plumber and drove plenty of panels as I was growing up. It would be great to see it come back to life. Larry
To Heck with the Panel... ...I want him to do the WAGON. What is that thing anyway? Is it four door? What year? I have been daydreaming about a four door classic wagon/4WD/surfmobile on a late model chassis for a long time. Andy
You're asking US??? I'm sure we would all agree~ DO IT!!!! That includes dropping the 283 in, as far as I'm concerned!
It's a '58 Chevy Brookwood. That is where the 283 still sits. Andy, it is a four door and would definately be a cool surfmobile. Biggest hurdle on it would be fixing the roof that was caved in by a huge oak tree years ago.
Ken: I was over on Bissonet at lunch time today and saw a 33/34 Ford truck that looks a lot like your Dad's. It was sitting in the parking lot of a full service gas station on the north side of the road, a few blocks inside the loop.
Stop immediately!!!!!! The old panel wagon is a major contribution to global warming!!! Al Gore is goin mad about it, its toxic waste im afraid, wrap it in bubble wrap and ship it to me in Blighty for proper disposal before everyone dies in your state!!!! you have been warned!!
Yep, Neil is definitely back in the group and in fine form. I for one have missed his twisted (but funny) sense of humor. Of course he completely butchers the English language which is prevalent of people from the UK. Anyone knows others should come to Texas to learn proper pronunciation and enunciation of this complex language. Many believe Jimmy Carter was the only president in the 20th century that didn't have a funny accent.
Better than crushed If these older truck and cars can be restored by the owner or someone else than they should, and if thats not possible then every piece should be parted out to keep another project going. What this hobby can least afford is one more old classic turning into a pop can.
From one panel owner to another: By all means fix 'er up! By the looks of of your pickup, that panel would be a great project to document from in the woods to on the road. Is that the 3600 3/4 ton? I would be great if you could preserve the Potato Chip signs. You could like Nate said, rat rod it for a few years before getting the body work going. Keep us posted. Brian
OK, I've made my mind up! Sorta of, kinda! The panel is 59 years old. We got it in major disrepair in '80. It's been sitting in the "back 40" since then (29 years). Where do I start? When do I pull the plug? I know what to do from the front bumper to the dash, but what about the rest of it? Last cursory look at the "project", (Oct 07) showed a foot of crap in the back of the truck, I recognized a 216 head, 3 mouse houses, something that looked like a cheap prop from "Star Trek"! What should I do? What should I think about or worry about? I'd love to have some pictures of the interior, MI Surfer?, 51 HHR?
