Troy's Build Questions as I go along

[Troy]

Hello All,

I'm slowly working through my build of my '55 2 Door Hardtop!!! As I move along I'm probably going to have some questions so I thought I'd create this thread so I can keep them all in a place that I can find them!! So I'll get to them as I move on!!! Thanks for everyone's help!!!

[Troy]

Hello All,

I'm going to cut off these tranny mounts and I noticed there's two body mounts (one in ea) but they've never had bolts or cushions on them. I see others have cut them off but I just want to make sure it's all right! What do you think?

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[BamaNomad]

If you are modernizing your drivetrain (going later model), then you won't need or use them and they are in the way. You WILL have to add a transmission support to support the rear of the transmission, as well as later model (side) engine mounts (unless you already have those).

[Rick_L]

Only a convertible has a body mount on that frame bracket.

[Troy]

Cool thanks, guy's yeah I already have engine side mounts and rear trans mount. They are just ugly and in the way so wack them off!!!

[timo pajala]

I cut mine away and also removed leaf spring Mounts because i have 4 links etc

[Troy]

Hello All,

Can anyone give me the size of the original rims on a '55 2drht, both diameter and the width and maybe the offset? Thanks!!!

[BamaNomad]

Troy, '55 and '56 rims were 15" diameter and 5" width... Offset would be very close to 0 ... (although I haven't measured one for offset, almost all factory rims were centered (0 offset) during those years.)

[Troy]

Thanks Bama!!!

[Troy]

Hello All, I usually use brake clean to wipe down my parts before I paint them, what do you use to wipe parts before painting?

[BamaNomad]

That depends on what is left on the metal... lacquer thinner ... paint thinner... wax and grease remover.... ??

[markm]

That depends on what is left on the metal... lacquer thinner ... paint thinner... wax and grease remover.... ??

All of these plus brake clean and enamel reducer.

[busterwivell]

I usually powder coat my small parts

[Rick_L]

Wax and grease remover should be what you wipe down with.

[Belair-o]

Hi Troy,
An automotive paint store turned me onto Prep-All quite a while back - I have been most pleased with it. Maybe less toxic than brake cleaner? Available as an aerosol, and as a wipe on.
Regards, Doug

[Rick_L]

Brake cleaner and lacquer thinner dissolve paint. When you wipe down a painted surface with them you smear dissolved paint around.

Wax and grease remover (one brand name is Prepsol) doesn't dissolve paint but does dissolve contaminants like wax and grease. It is formulated for the purpose of wiping down something you're getting ready to paint. It is also formulated to evaporate more slowly than brake cleaner or lacquer thinner, so that it's still liquid during the whole wipe down but evaporates shortly afterward, rather than evaporating before you're done.`

[Troy]

Great thanks everyone. I'll try the wax and grease remover!!

[Troy]

Howdy again, I'm moving along sloooowly, but I have a question! I'm working on my interior trim painting and I've stripped and primed everything and I noticed that the trim along the top of the door has no "fuzzies" but the trim in the back seat does. Is this normal? Also I can find a vendor to buy new "fuzzies" from, does anyone know of someone who sells them? Thanks

[55 Rescue Dog]

I have no clue without a picture.

[Troy]

Ok so here's some pics of the door trim pieces. #1 is the rear seat piece with the "Fuzzy's", #2 Is the door piece, #3 Is both pieces with some "Fuzzy's" #4 Is the other side of the rear piece with a "Fuzzy" next to it. If you look close to this piece you'll see staple holes that hold the "Fuzzy" on to it. and #5 Is the other side of the door piece you can see there is no staple holes so there was no "Fuzzy" on it. This is what I'm wondering about, and if anyone knows where they can be bought. Thanks Again!!!

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[chevynut]

Hello All,Can anyone give me the size of the original rims on a '55 2drht, both diameter and the width and maybe the offset? Thanks!!!

Original wheels were 15x5 with 5 bolts on 4 3/4" centers. Offset is +9/16" (.562").

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/56055.htm

[chevynut]

Oops, didn't know that was an old question on wheels but the link has the info.

As far as fuzzies, I don't know if hardtops had them on the interior door molding. 55 and 56 Nomads didn't have them, but 57 Nomads did. I don't know if that's the case for 57 hardtops too. Madmooks sells them for Nomads and can be used on 55-56 Nomads.

I googled and found these for 55-57 Hardtops, but again I don't know if any 55/56 ever had them.

https://www.classicindustries.com/product/all-years/chevrolet/belair/parts/TF300117.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiArsefBhCbARIsAP98hXS0DP sgt64xKqtdH0fhlkD7GUWDNwOKxsFloTJQvIrNoUgnXqapbYsa An2FEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[chevynut]

This might be what you need....
https://www.rubbertherightway.com/window-channels-sweepers-fuzzies-beltline-85444-prd1.htm?productFeedId=0&utm_source=googleBaseFeed&utm_medium=shoppingEngine&utm_campaign=Google&source=productlistings320906015434&origin=pla&gclid=Cj0KCQiArsefBhCbARIsAP98hXTrXdV4wNpgxXHONh2L bSyNnFx7epE-u-mMj91j54PDOQWbP8dVzT0aAnPGEALw_wcB

You could also ask Mike at Madmooks if he'd sell you just the whisker strips, or where he gets them.
https://madmooks.com/55-57-nomad-%2F-wagon-parts

[Troy]

Thank you Laszlo, I ordered that set from Classic Ind, it looks good, have a good one!!

[Troy]

I got this order of felts (fuzzies) they are great and it's a full set with rear in and outs, front door in and outs, window tracks, and some extra felts that I haven't figured out yet!! Thanks for the help!!!

[Troy]

Hey Ya'll,

I've been trying to call and I went by their shop and I can't get a hold of them!! This is the Danchuk's local vender in my area. They're in Concord Ca., does anyone know of a good Danchuk vendor in the S.F. Bay area? Thanks!!!

[chevynut]

Hey Ya'll,

I've been trying to call and I went by their shop and I can't get a hold of them!! This is the Danchuk's local vender in my area. They're in Concord Ca., does anyone know of a good Danchuk vendor in the S.F. Bay area? Thanks!!!

What are you trying to buy? Is there some reason you want to find a local vendor, instead of just ordering online?

https://www.danchuk.com/usa-dealers

[Troy]

Hey Cnut,

I'm just looking at parts and the one item Interior Door Trim from Danchuk is $250ish for the whole set front and rear, the other shop is $250ish just for the front trim. That's a much better deal from Danchuk! I've already looked at the list you supplied and the Concord deal was closest only 15 miles and I've bought stuff from them in the past. Now it looks like I'll have to go further away to get stuff!!!

[Troy]

Hello All,

I've been painting my interior trim lately. I'm using Rustoleum Pro Gloss Black, I'm having problems with it after painting and letting dry for a week or two I'm trying to color sand it and then rubbing it and it turns uneven. Does anyone have a paint that they use for painting trim work? Thanks!!!

[chevynut]

I don't think any rattle can paints are meant to be color-sanded and buffed. They just go on too thin for that. I'd just spray the paint and let it dry glossy. If you can't get it like you want, use some automotive single stage urethane enamel.

[Troy]

Thanks Laszlo

[Troy]

Hey All,

I have another question... what is the approximate weight of a '55 2dht chassis?

[chevynut]

Are you talking about a bare frame or a whole rolling chassis? What's on it?

[Troy]

I'm asking about a bare chassis. I'm going to get mine powder coated and I need to know what trailer I need to rent.

[55 Rescue Dog]

I'm guessing around 300 lbs. I hauled my frame on a 5x10 trailer 200 miles and unloaded myself with a cherry picker.
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[Troy]

Thanks, I may try that!!

[BamaNomad]

I call a totally bare frame ... just a stripped FRAME...

With axles and suspension parts attached... that makes it a CHASSIS...

[chevynut]

I'm asking about a bare chassis. I'm going to get mine powder coated and I need to know what trailer I need to rent.

A bare stock frame is 275 pounds +/-. I've weighed one. Two guys can lift one....my son and I did it many, many times.

[chevynut]

I call a totally bare frame ... just a stripped FRAME...
With axles and suspension parts attached... that makes it a CHASSIS...


That's what I always thought too, but here's the actual definition from two sources:

Dictionary
Definitions from Oxford Languages (https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en)

chas·sisnoun
noun: chassis; plural noun: chassis

the base frame of a motor vehicle or other wheeled (https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&sa=X&biw=1536&bih=703&sxsrf=AB5stBgxwIAgNFU0juaPqBHuBO5TrR84jQ:168955788 6367&q=wheeled&si=ACFMAn_otZSKbpzAqD_RvWk4YSL-EqW35ndissdEmE68L2pE3KhC6j2u09OMWQSA2S55o-KkgRNfi7MCfbfRVNAzmzrqU9MQ5g%3D%3D&expnd=1) conveyance (https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&sa=X&biw=1536&bih=703&sxsrf=AB5stBgxwIAgNFU0juaPqBHuBO5TrR84jQ:168955788 6367&q=conveyance&si=ACFMAn9-5A9OMKPWcg180I9o9MndRzOrMuT1SsNzbP2MW9xWscTOq9cXT8 BCfSayv3IN-4LuSPkz7f2mffkLiMB4YwK6JvG70g%3D%3D&expnd=1).



Merriam-Webster
chassis noun (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/noun)

chas·​sis ˈcha-sē (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chassis?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=c&file=chassi01)

ˈsha-sē (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chassis?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=c&file=chassi02)

plural chassis ˈcha-sēz (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chassis?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=c&file=chassi06)

ˈsha-sēz

: the supporting frame of a structure (such as an automobile or television) Leaf springs are attached to the car's chassis.

also : the frame and working parts (as of an automobile or electronic device) exclusive of the body or housing


In a similar way, I always thought "motor" was electric and "engine" was gas. Car guys call an "engine" a "motor" but most other people don't.

[Troy]

"In a similar way, I always thought "motor" was electric and "engine" was gas. Car guys call an "engine" a "motor" but most other people don't."

My dad always told me this, he is still telling me this!!!:) I would say I need to work on my motor and he would say, "what's wrong with you heater, doesn't the blower work?

Thanks for the info!!!

[55 Rescue Dog]

Shouldn't a motorcycle be called an enginecycle? Unless it's electric.

[Troy]

:D Yes!!