I just bought a 57 sedan as well. I'll be starting right where you are. I am building this one low budget. I want tubular A arms, Big block, and every other bell and whistle. BUT. I also want what I had back in high school. It rattled, burned oil, had Cragars, and a dependable small block. And I can't remember a time in my life I've been happier. I've built several cars in the last 30 years. A nova, Camaro and I'm currently working on a 89 Chevy 1 ton I'm going to turn into a overland vehicle. I always wanted a 57. Finally got one. I'm going with a small block, because they cost less to build. Going to do the paint myself. Going to use the stock suspension, but rebuild it and add disc brakes in the front. I bought a ford 8.8 out of a Explorer, (because they are a perfect fit, and they are super strong, and have Disc brakes. And I believe 32 spline axles. $280 from the salvage yard. The only thing I'm splurging on is the Heat and air. (So my wife will roll in it). And all new trim and interior parts. Mine is just a bare body right now. Needs floors and trunk pan. Will be following your progress as well. Good luck.
Awesome, Bob! Sounds like we could be brothers. I am in the process of replacing a rocker panel right now. I hope you will post videos. I would love to follow your progress. Thanks for stopping in.
My 57 was a straight axle gasser from 1965-1985 Jerry. In 1985 they put the stock front suspension back in and put it back on the street. I have power front disc brakes but the rest of the front and rear suspension is stock with manual steering. I see no issues with it, drives and handles great, stops good. My 327/Muncie 4 speed are on the factory mounts and again work fine. The factory rear axle shafts are probably the weak link but I changed my 4.11 rear gear for a 3.36 so should be ok on the street.
Don't know how I missed this post, Wendell. All info is happily accepted. Will stop in and check out some of your 57 videos. Hope all is well with you!
Cool video man! Let the Queenie do the bondo! You can stay on the 57! Firewall looks good and boy is that ruff work stripping the old paint. I would suggest using what you have now and only buying what needs replaced or is missing. Can't go wrong with a small block and a 4 speed. Keep the drums for now and buy new Cragars for it. You can always tinker with it once it's together. Have a good one ✌️
Yep, the plan changes constantly...every time I try to order parts. As of today it's a small block 385 and 4 speed. Love Crager's. My favorite wheels. Thanks for stopping in, Don.
Well here I am, I finally got to watch your video. I have been making the rounds of doctors for poking and prodding the last few days. You are at the crossroads of the 57 project. You are going to have to do what I have done, balance my wants and desires with my bank account. You could make it a long term project but you have enough of those now. I'm sure you will enjoy what ever the finished product is.
Hanging out with doctors is not fun. Come hang out with us. We'll put you to work, lol. The car is in worse shape than we anticipated. Someone had put new sheet metal panels over the old and covered it with heavy paint and in some places, resin. I haven't seen that done in many years although it seems to be a common practice up north. Anyway, parts are a problem too. Some of what we thought was in stock actually wasn't. What started as a small project has grown but we are going to use what is available and what we have available in the shop to make it happen. Looks like the big block is not going to happen right now but I can use that $$ for other things like brakes and suspension repair. No fancy paint in the future either. Epoxy and or primer for a while. No carpet, no headliner, etc. Just a bare bones hot rod. I'll improve it later. Hope you are feeling better, Jerry. Hello to Jackie!
@@indyme2 Wish I could come and help you guys but the way I feel now I would be more of a hindrance than help. l have been hurting in the area where I have diverticulitis and so I had a coloscopy Tuesday and so far my doctor has not given me any course of action to help. He is also evasive when I mention the big C word.
It's easy to get carried away with buying parts for that '57, there is so much available for it. I would be fitting disk brakes (seeing as your changing the master cylinder) and do the rest later, as the machine shop has most of your money now!
Machine shops are not cheap. Disc brakes for sure. We are working around what is available for parts and the parts we have on hand. The "plan" is constantly changing but we are getting there. Thanks for stopping in, Dom.
The 396 is on hold due to lack of parts. Called them yesterday and it seems poop has hit the fan on suppliers. I'll put in the 385 stroker sitting on the floor and save that $$ the big block was going to cost. Use the limited cash for brakes and suspension repairs. Working with what we have and can get and changing the wants and desires to whatever is real during these crazy times. The RQ hasn't time to eat Bon-Bons. Keeping her nose to the grindstone on the Duster, lol.
No Jerry you let the Rust Queen work on the Mopar!! The Duster is Important!!,At least your Mopar Canadian Girl thinks so!!The Ground Hog will be Mobile one Day! Stay strong and enjoy!!
Christine, you are right! The Duster is important and the RQ is on the job. Parts just arrived for it so I will be back on it myself. Going to be a tire burner!
It’s me again. I was the guy asking about the 55-6 Pontiac. I asked you where you live and any idea on a price for the Pontiac? But I love what you are doing on the 57. Looks great buddy. Yeah rust work sucks badly!
I am in South Carolina. The car is in Forest City, NC. Call Tim Hudson at 828-429-0945. He is very reasonable. Don't recall much about the car but I believe it is complete and under a large shed with some other cars. Good luck!
The Nova is getting closer, Joe. Vern is constantly on my case about finishing it. Looks like the 57 may get the Nova engine as the 396 kit is on back order. Gotta start building engines. Getting farther behind.
Can I assume that if the timing chain is slack, there is nothing that can be done to maintain the right crank to cam ratio ? You would have to get a tooth count change that still maintains the same ratio ??? Never thought of that before. Maybe a tensioner device ? The Chevy looks real solid. Going to be a nice one. If you dump money into it, you should easily be able to get it back out...right ?
Yep. Money in the 57 is money in the bank. Not too sure about the Mopar's as Vern is having a hard time selling his Satellite. No tensioners available as I know but hopefully it is ok. Thanks for stopping in Dave. I am ready for a plate of fried yellow perch!
Yes Sir. Plans have changed again due to lack of parts. Going to work with what I have on hand and what I can actually get. Shoot for the moon later. Thanks for hanging with us.
As A arms were not available due to supply problems I decided to rebuild the ones on the car. I did replace the cross shafts on the upper control arms to gain some positive caster. Nothing wrong with stock but replacement arms were less than the cost of ball joints and bushings and labor. Thanks for stopping in.
I just bought a 57 sedan as well. I'll be starting right where you are. I am building this one low budget. I want tubular A arms, Big block, and every other bell and whistle. BUT. I also want what I had back in high school. It rattled, burned oil, had Cragars, and a dependable small block. And I can't remember a time in my life I've been happier. I've built several cars in the last 30 years. A nova, Camaro and I'm currently working on a 89 Chevy 1 ton I'm going to turn into a overland vehicle. I always wanted a 57. Finally got one. I'm going with a small block, because they cost less to build. Going to do the paint myself. Going to use the stock suspension, but rebuild it and add disc brakes in the front. I bought a ford 8.8 out of a Explorer, (because they are a perfect fit, and they are super strong, and have Disc brakes. And I believe 32 spline axles. $280 from the salvage yard. The only thing I'm splurging on is the Heat and air. (So my wife will roll in it). And all new trim and interior parts. Mine is just a bare body right now. Needs floors and trunk pan. Will be following your progress as well. Good luck.
Awesome, Bob! Sounds like we could be brothers. I am in the process of replacing a rocker panel right now. I hope you will post videos. I would love to follow your progress. Thanks for stopping in.
The 57 is looking good. We did the engine bay two years ago. Took all winter. Well worth the work. Your lady working the bondo is awesome!
Thanks! She is a hard working gal. Looking forward to more 57 videos from you.
Thanks for having us, We will see you next time!
Thanks for going along. We appreciate you being here.
My 57 was a straight axle gasser from 1965-1985 Jerry. In 1985 they put the stock front suspension back in and put it back on the street. I have power front disc brakes but the rest of the front and rear suspension is stock with manual steering. I see no issues with it, drives and handles great, stops good. My 327/Muncie 4 speed are on the factory mounts and again work fine. The factory rear axle shafts are probably the weak link but I changed my 4.11 rear gear for a 3.36 so should be ok on the street.
Don't know how I missed this post, Wendell. All info is happily accepted. Will stop in and check out some of your 57 videos. Hope all is well with you!
Looking good Jerry. You are making progress a day at a time. Keep after it!
Working on it John. Long way to go but determined to make it happen. Hope you are not freezing up there. Any snow?
Not too cold yet Jerry, but we did get a couple of inches of snow during the night
Good project
Thank you, Vern!
Belated happy new years folks 😊
Happy 2022 to you too, Leonard. We always appreciate you stopping in.
Cool video man! Let the Queenie do the bondo! You can stay on the 57! Firewall looks good and boy is that ruff work stripping the old paint. I would suggest using what you have now and only buying what needs replaced or is missing. Can't go wrong with a small block and a 4 speed. Keep the drums for now and buy new Cragars for it. You can always tinker with it once it's together. Have a good one ✌️
Yep, the plan changes constantly...every time I try to order parts. As of today it's a small block 385 and 4 speed. Love Crager's. My favorite wheels. Thanks for stopping in, Don.
Thanks for sharing.. Going forward with progress sure beats going backwards lol.. You guys have a good weekend. Full View always..
Lol. That's for sure. Hope we can keep moving along without too many problems. Thanks for stopping in, Allen.
Well here I am, I finally got to watch your video. I have been making the rounds of doctors for poking and prodding the last few days. You are at the crossroads of the 57 project. You are going to have to do what I have done, balance my wants and desires with my bank account. You could make it a long term project but you have enough of those now. I'm sure you will enjoy what ever the finished product is.
Hanging out with doctors is not fun. Come hang out with us. We'll put you to work, lol. The car is in worse shape than we anticipated. Someone had put new sheet metal panels over the old and covered it with heavy paint and in some places, resin. I haven't seen that done in many years although it seems to be a common practice up north. Anyway, parts are a problem too. Some of what we thought was in stock actually wasn't. What started as a small project has grown but we are going to use what is available and what we have available in the shop to make it happen. Looks like the big block is not going to happen right now but I can use that $$ for other things like brakes and suspension repair. No fancy paint in the future either. Epoxy and or primer for a while. No carpet, no headliner, etc. Just a bare bones hot rod. I'll improve it later. Hope you are feeling better, Jerry. Hello to Jackie!
@@indyme2 Wish I could come and help you guys but the way I feel now I would be more of a hindrance than help. l have been hurting in the area where I have diverticulitis and so I had a coloscopy Tuesday and so far my doctor has not given me any course of action to help. He is also evasive when I mention the big C word.
@@jerrypolk5909 We don't do the big C word, Jerry. Sending positive vibes your way.
It's easy to get carried away with buying parts for that '57, there is so much available for it. I would be fitting disk brakes (seeing as your changing the master cylinder) and do the rest later, as the machine shop has most of your money now!
Machine shops are not cheap. Disc brakes for sure. We are working around what is available for parts and the parts we have on hand. The "plan" is constantly changing but we are getting there. Thanks for stopping in, Dom.
Hope that 396 pans out. Looks like the Rust Queen can lounge around eating Bon-Bons whilst you take over the dirty work.
The 396 is on hold due to lack of parts. Called them yesterday and it seems poop has hit the fan on suppliers. I'll put in the 385 stroker sitting on the floor and save that $$ the big block was going to cost. Use the limited cash for brakes and suspension repairs. Working with what we have and can get and changing the wants and desires to whatever is real during these crazy times. The RQ hasn't time to eat Bon-Bons. Keeping her nose to the grindstone on the Duster, lol.
Strippin old paint is fun!! ...repeat as often as necessary! LOL
You are no help, Wendell. Lol. I am still repeating and there always seems to be another layer to dig out. Hope you are not snowed in up there.
@@indyme2 LOL Jerry, in reality I can relate! We've only had a light skiff of snow twice so far, has got a little chilly but I can live with that!
😎🙏
We appreciate you visiting us, Bill!
No Jerry you let the Rust Queen work on the Mopar!! The Duster is Important!!,At least your Mopar Canadian Girl thinks so!!The Ground Hog will be Mobile one Day! Stay strong and enjoy!!
Christine, you are right! The Duster is important and the RQ is on the job. Parts just arrived for it so I will be back on it myself. Going to be a tire burner!
Christine… it’s worst than you think… lol. It’s repeat day on the duster. Haha. Push play .. repeat.. it makes her happy though
It’s me again. I was the guy asking about the 55-6 Pontiac. I asked you where you live and any idea on a price for the Pontiac? But I love what you are doing on the 57. Looks great buddy. Yeah rust work sucks badly!
I am in South Carolina. The car is in Forest City, NC. Call Tim Hudson at 828-429-0945. He is very reasonable. Don't recall much about the car but I believe it is complete and under a large shed with some other cars. Good luck!
Your making great progress on the 57 Jerry . I know this vids not about the Nova but I cant recal how close is it to be drivable .
The Nova is getting closer, Joe. Vern is constantly on my case about finishing it. Looks like the 57 may get the Nova engine as the 396 kit is on back order. Gotta start building engines. Getting farther behind.
Can I assume that if the timing chain is slack, there is nothing that can be done to maintain the right crank to cam ratio ? You would have to get a tooth count change that still maintains the same ratio ??? Never thought of that before. Maybe a tensioner device ? The Chevy looks real solid. Going to be a nice one. If you dump money into it, you should easily be able to get it back out...right ?
Yep. Money in the 57 is money in the bank. Not too sure about the Mopar's as Vern is having a hard time selling his Satellite. No tensioners available as I know but hopefully it is ok. Thanks for stopping in Dave. I am ready for a plate of fried yellow perch!
If you have the money do what you want. Or get most of what you want then get the rest later. Like motor now stopping later.
Yes Sir. Plans have changed again due to lack of parts. Going to work with what I have on hand and what I can actually get. Shoot for the moon later. Thanks for hanging with us.
What brand A-Arms are you looking into?
As A arms were not available due to supply problems I decided to rebuild the ones on the car. I did replace the cross shafts on the upper control arms to gain some positive caster. Nothing wrong with stock but replacement arms were less than the cost of ball joints and bushings and labor. Thanks for stopping in.
If you can't dive.......Order parts.
If you can't golf...why would you even want to play golf, BWM? 🤣😂
BONDO QUEEN LOOKS LIKE SHE'S ICING a CAKE
🤣🎂
Lol. She needs to make us a cake. I vote for chocolate. Thanks for stopping in, Bill.
GETTING SCREWED OVER these DAYS, PAR for the COURSE. NO MORALS these DAYS
Hard to find honest people anymore for sure. Thanks for stopping in, Bill.
You look like Biden !!