My 55 Bare Bonz just GO-STOP-TURN Build

[55 Rescue Dog]

I wasn't suggesting POWERING anything, just proposed the 9V battery as a means to TEST that the wires that were supposed to be HOT were hot, and the ones that were supposed to be GROUND were grounded... ie no shorts, no opens in the WIRES...

ie. BEFORE installing any Loads...

If I didn't want to power something to verify connections, I would just use an ohmmeter and check continuity, instead of a small battery.

[BamaNomad]

RD: You can do that When the full harness with all the wires is lying on a bench, but once installed into the car... not so easy since there might be 10-15 feet between the two points you want to check continuity ...

[55 Rescue Dog]

I've had to wring out wires on machine tools over 50 feet long before. Just ground one end, and check through the bundle on the other end looking for continuity to ground. Or, just rig up long test lead. A small battery could be made to work though.

[55 Rescue Dog]

Just wanted to add this previous thread about my wheel and tire choice. 275/40-17 tires on 9.5in wide wheels front and rear.

https://www.trifivechevys.com/showthread.php/7009-How-I-mounted-and-balanced-the-275-40-17-tires-on-the-front-and-rear-for-my-55

[55 Rescue Dog]

After focusing as much time and effort working on getting my 55 on the road over the last few months, I made it happen early last August. Every 4-day project turned into 4 weeks of course but I stayed after it. The car is far from finished, but it is so much fun to drive I don't even care. Spending the winter going back over the car doing one project at a time, so the car will be ready to hit the road again this spring.
On its maiden voyage I took my dad for a ride, since he hadn't been in a 55 since he had a new one, and I was 2 years old. This car amazes me every time I drive it. It is very quick and drives down the road better than most of the newer cars I've ever driven. I left a lot of stuff off the car to get it on the road as soon as possible since I didn't want it to turn into a 20-year project. Plus, I want to keep the car as light as I can. Weighs 3400lbs now without inner fenders, front bumper, no side windows, no heat, AC, radio, wipers, or backseat, etc.
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[BamaNomad]

I like it RD... Have you ever mentioned the details on the engine you used? (if so, I can't remember).. It appears to be a VORTEC engine (from the top cover).. cast iron block? aluminum heads?

and I assume since you used C4 corvette suspension that you also are using C4 brakes?? so it STOPS good?

Gary

[Belair-o]

Your car shows a lot of thought, good work, and lots of quality parts. Great ingenuity! Glad you are getting the joy of driving it. Do you figure to put the weight saving items back in later?

[markm]

Looks good like my car would with an updated suspension and drivetrain. Is that a Winters shifter, I run them in my Camaro drag cars and have a couple on shelf.

[markm]

What paint product did you use.

[55 Rescue Dog]

I like it RD... Have you ever mentioned the details on the engine you used? (if so, I can't remember).. It appears to be a VORTEC engine (from the top cover).. cast iron block? aluminum heads?

and I assume since you used C4 corvette suspension that you also are using C4 brakes?? so it STOPS good?

Gary

Thanks. The engine is a 2005 5.3 aluminum head truck engine I bought for $1000, and a junkyard 4L60/E I paid $550 for. They both work perfect so far, with plenty of power right where you need it with a 3.45 Dana 44 C4 rear. Used the complete front/rear suspension and composite transverse front/rear springs from a 96 Grand Sport with 13in front brakes/12in rear and the quicker steering rack. Stops great using twin 7/8ths master cylinders, with a balance bar for front rear brake bias, but I'm going to try 3/4in cylinders for less pedal effort though. Very little pedal travel now even at 1200 psi.
I wanted Corvette sized sticky tires and used matching 275/40-17 Nitto NT05 tires on the front/rear on 9.5-inch-wide AR wheels, which fit with no problem. It is so much fun blasting by newer cars on the 12+ roundabouts in town with an old 55 Chevy. It drives like a giant Corvette.
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[Troy]

That looks great!! As markm asked above... What paint product did you use?

[55 Rescue Dog]

What paint product did you use.

SPI epoxy primer on everything. Still need to do the fenders though. I wish I could justify expensive paint, but I got many so many comments on the primer, 3 car show awards, and it probably won't see any paint for a long time. Plus, it is only $100 a gallon, and could re-spray the whole car again at some point. For all of the small parts I use SEM Ez-coat satin black. It is direct to metal like the primer with almost the same finish. It's a little pricey at $20 per can, but I've been using it on lots of stuff because is so easy to use, and dry to the touch in less than 5 minutes, cured in 30 minutes.

[55 Rescue Dog]

Your car shows a lot of thought, good work, and lots of quality parts. Great ingenuity! Glad you are getting the joy of driving it. Do you figure to put the weight saving items back in later?

Thanks. I don't want to add any more weight to it, but have a new front bumper to put on, and maybe side windows at some point down the road. Besides the weight the side windows look like an expensive pain to install. As long don't get caught in the rain, and no wiper motor, I like driving with the windows down anyway, plus the rear quarter windows don't roll all the way down. I like not having the vent windows too. Still need to weld some more tubing to the bolt-in roll bar I put in too. Will take on the interior panels when I come up with an idea, but not much weight there.

[55 Rescue Dog]

Looks good like my car would with an updated suspension and drivetrain. Is that a Winters shifter, I run them in my Camaro drag cars and have a couple on shelf.

Yes, a Winters shifter. I really have gotten to like it. It's solid and you cannot miss a gear. I had to get creative trying to mount it inside a PVC electrical box. I try to make things easy to work on and troubleshoot where I can.
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[markm]

To get a similar look on my 55 150 we mixed 50% black and 50% dark gray of a PPG product that escapes me.