Thread: 55/58 Chevy truck build

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I got the frame repainted.

Here is the push rod connection to the brake pedal I had to fab up the mount for the brake pedal.

Hey Bam55 Thats Looking Goooood ! Glad to see some new post, I was wondering where you went ? Love the new work on the frame.

I been a very busy over the last year. I remodeled the entire house with an addition. The wife told me while we are at it to build a workshop for my tools that way only my cars where in the garage. We also added a driveway between the garage and the new workshop, a fence that sections off my part of the yard from hers.lol
I been a very busy over the last year. I remodeled the entire house with an addition. The wife told me while we are at it to build a workshop for my tools that way only my cars where in the garage. We also added a driveway between the garage and the new workshop, a fence that sections off my part of the yard from hers.lol

I had my handy man build the structure and I did all the electrical and drywall.






I used Gladiator rails and cabinets. I love the rail system for storing my tools and misc.



I also could not resist buying a new toy I caught on sell, a new miller mig.

I after doing the shed I was tired of sanding due to installing all the drywall and stuff. So I decided to focus my attention on the LS engine. It was sitting so long that I just want to rebuild it. I bored it to a 5.7 and added 5.7 flattop pistons, and TSP 228r cam, and ARP rod bolts, other than that the rotating assembly is stocked.
Bare block when it came back from the machine shop

Machine shop check list.

Rotating Assembly right before I installed it.

Engine back together. Oh I also brought some used 243 heads of ebay and had them rebuilt also.

Other things I did was paint the valve the same color as the trucks and found some aftermarket coil brackets that I like way better than the OEM ones and headers.

Ready to fire it up for the first time. I only let it run a little while due to no radiator. My setup is a engine dolly I made, along with a front that is removable. It just slides into the legs of the dolly. For gas I used Lawn Mower gas tank that I modified for a return line, PSI wiring harness and basic tune (still have to have it tuned for the cam), external fuel pump, corvette filter regulator, and drive by wire.




Here is a link to a short video of it running. I only let it run for a short time due to no radiator. It sounds pretty good. https://www.flickr.com/photos/bam55/...7670272808501/

Here are some pics of the trans tear down and cleaned up.






I finished the 4L60E rebuild with upgrades such as corvette servo and added more clutches than stock. Here are the pics.
Installing the components for the case.



Rebuilt the pump



Assembling the drum with new steel and frictions


Assembly of the input drum with new steel and frictions

Components ready to go in the case


Drum and input drum installed.

Pump installed.

Bell Housing installed

Valve body and all electronics installed



Prep for primer and paint

Painted and done

I air tested everything along the way. Next step install the Torque Converter and bolt her up to the engine.

Bam, nice progress! I think all of us have that delicate balance between home life and our time in the shop, good to see you kicked out of the house again!

Good to see you posting again! And thanks for all the update pics. It's looking sweet btw,

I really like your work shop, and nice work on the engine and trans!

just read thru your whole build and am very impressed, it seems you can do most anything. Really nice metal work. I'm doing a 5.3 with a 4l60e too but I chickened out on trying to rebuild the trans myself. I've done a couple manual transmissions but after looking at some video of a 4l60 rebuild it looked kind of involved.

Here's another thread I seemed to have missed. Just finished reading first two pages, Excellent build with great photos and step by step sequences. Thanks! Steve

Thanks guys I really appreciate you guys taking time to check out the build.

Originally Posted by v8nutz

just read thru your whole build and am very impressed, it seems you can do most anything. Really nice metal work. I'm doing a 5.3 with a 4l60e too but I chickened out on trying to rebuild the trans myself. I've done a couple manual transmissions but after looking at some video of a 4l60 rebuild it looked kind of involved.

I just had to learn how to do most things myself due to the fact that customer service and caring about doing customers right seem to be a thing of the past. You are lucky if you have a good shop to take your things these days. I can mess up my own stuff, I don't need any help doing that.lol

The trans is not so bad you can do, I find most things are not that hard if you have the will to learn, attention to detail, and patience for any learning curve. I had a great time rebuilding the engine and trans.

Thanks for all your comments buddy

I have a core trans that I'm using now for mock up but I have no idea where to get it rebuilt. I just don't trust that the shop is actually going to replace everything they say they are. I could be getting mostly just a shiny new coat of paint.

Originally Posted by v8nutz

I have a core trans that I'm using now for mock up but I have no idea where to get it rebuilt. I just don't trust that the shop is actually going to replace everything they say they are. I could be getting mostly just a shiny new coat of paint.

I'm sorry to say that I've seen that happen before. There is no reassurance like doing it yourself. You have DVD's, Youtube, and Manuels, man you can do it.

How much did you have to spend on special tools?