Ryan's 57 4 door Belair Hardtop Project

[hurddawg]

Hello All,

Here is my project...

Vehicle: 1957
Trim: Belair
Body: 4 door Hardtop
Factory Installed Options: A/C, Power Steering, Power Brakes, Power Windows, Power Seat, EZ-Eye, Powerglide and Powerpak 283

I still have a Powerglide, and it is still in the car. I have the original in a bucket. I have suspicion that it was thrown in reverse while at speed. The Original motor is long gone replaced by a 1958 truck 283 with a 2bbl based on Suffix code (but has double humps installed). How do I figure it was a Powerpak car? Well the exhaust hanger is there for the dual exhaust and both the brake lines and fuel lines are routed outside the frame. I think it is a good possibility anyway. Not that I am going to keep it that way, just a cool fact for myself. A/C parts under the hood had been sold or just plain taken out years ago it seems. I still have the A/C control inside and the A/C idle cable, along with the vents. VintageAir here I come!

I originally intended on using my 210 as my project...I saved it from the wrecking yard. It's relatively rust free, fairly complete, but has had some radio "modifications" done in the dash, interior is well in poor shape and wiring was shot. Although I did do repairs to fix the wiring to an operational state.

The 4DHT on the other hand is a complete driver....just drove it last Sunday. The 283 purrs, runs on all cylinders, great sounding motor.....the powerglide on the other hand....sorry powerglide lovers....it is not my cup of tea. I just had the 58 valve covers powdercoated Chevy orange, the covers looked great, but made everything else well old....

Plans:

I didnt intend on doing an all out, frame off restore but upgrade things here and there as a driver. I planned on attending a Car show in August which is the NW Trifive club, but Chevynut convinced me otherwise....

In the current stage, I intend to get the frame modified, coated and reinstalled and get the vehicle back on the road. I hope to do this in a year or so. But that depends on my free time (I work 6 days a week).

Current modifications on the table.

- Classic Edge Design's C4 full conversion.
- Brakes, in conjunction with C4 brake parts from CED
- Steering
- New Dual Exhaust
- SBC 350 Engine from 69 Chevelle
- TH400 Transmission
- Swapping chrome bumpers with the 210 (The 210 has a "California" style bumper and its chrome is in better shape)

Its a pretty major step.

This is the first stage and its goal is to get frame & Body back together and on the road again as soon as I can. We'll see how I do...

[hurddawg]

Day I bought the car.







Here's a video of it on Youtube. This is just before I parked it in the garage for teardown. Its my first youtube video, so sorry it isnt so great. The first part of the video was supposed to capture the exhaust note, but instead I just got gassed out. :P

http://youtu.be/6S5okye1x4c

[hurddawg]

Day one, Sunday, 7/28/13. This is the day I decided to have Chevynut modify my frame. I wasted no time in getting started.




Only got a couple hours in. Only broken two bolts so far. Although not obvious, part of the radiator support is undone. I was trying to remove the Passenger side fender, but stopped since I did not have the proper bits to remove the headlight cups (clutch head type). Tried to use a common screwdriver, but only managed one to break loose. The hood is a lot heavier than I was thinking! Managed by myself though.

Day two, Monday 7/29/13. I removed the front light bar & grille and the radiator support is close to coming loose. I need to remove the radiator.
I forgot to bring home some bits for the clutch head screws. Which reminds me right now....

[chevynut]

Ryan, did you know you can take off the whole front clip in one unit? That's the way they put them on at the factory. You don't have to disassemble the clip to take it off.

[hurddawg]

Ryan, did you know you can take off the whole front clip in one unit? That's the way they put them on at the factory. You don't have to disassemble the clip to take it off.

Yes and No. I found out after I unbolted the majority of the fender/core support/lightbar/grille. If I actually read the factory service manual that came with the car before this, I would have known that.... I guess the second issue is space. My garage is terribly small, if its in pieces I could haul the bits by pieces to storage. Otherwise it would have been an awesome time saver.....particularly for reassembly. Current plan is to leave the cab in my garage until I have the frame ready to roll back under it. When I have the frame separated from the cab, haul the frame on a trailer to Tacoma and finish disassembly there (suspension, etc). This weekend I hope to work on removing the drivetrain and put it in storage as well.

[chevynut]

Wow Ryan, that's a nice-looking 57. We'll make it a nice-driving 57!!

I'm looking forward to meeting you in a few weeks to pick up your frame. You mentioned you lived in Auburn...do you know Hotroddder (Dick)? I am going to try to stop by and see him while I'm in your area. Maybe we could all get together and have a beer.

I will do everything I can to help you get the car back on the road with the new frame. It's a major step, but one that other customers were glad they did!!

[hurddawg]

Wow Ryan, that's a nice-looking 57. We'll make it a nice-driving 57!!

I'm looking forward to meeting you in a few weeks to pick up your frame. You mentioned you lived in Auburn...do you know Hotroddder (Dick)? I am going to try to stop by and see him while I'm in your area. Maybe we could all get together and have a beer.

I will do everything I can to help you get the car back on the road with the new frame. It's a major step, but one that other customers were glad they did!!

Yes I do live in Auburn, but I don't know Hotroddder though. If it works out, I wouldnt mind having a beer with y'all, I'm one of the young ones among the trifivers (31yrs). The car has me beat in age by a couple decades lol. Anyway Look forward to get this frame revitalized with your help! Appreciate your support...!

[Johnmc]

Ryan
Always glad to see another 4 door hardtop owner.
I will be watching your progress with interest.
Mine is about 95% complete but time out for a new hip.
JohnMc

[hurddawg]

The motor is about ready to be pulled. Linkages are disconnected, fluids drained and front mounts are unbolted. The driveshaft & tunnel mounts are all the remain holding the motor in there...with luck should have it pulled today.

Maybe with luck I can pull the body off this weekend too....at least this location I'm at has a lift, it would make it quite a bit easier...we'll see

[NickP]

If that battery is any good, you might want to get it off the floor and on top of a piece of wood.