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E-tek Restorations: PROJECT THREAD

e-tek

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Welcome to my shop thread!
I've put up many of the things I do in my shop, which I fondly call E-tek Racing & Restorations, due to one of my first major projects being a Z-racer for my wife (the now infamous Mrs E-tek!). Here you'll see complete restorations of many historically significant vehicles, but I also post on many of the other things I have do, from helping people with their projects, work on our 'fleet' of summer-cars as well as our daily drivers and even some interesting arts and crafts. So grab a drink, peruse the photo's, take in the information and then pop in with a comment if you like - that's what it's here for!

If you're interested in even more information, you can find it in the links I've posted at the bottom of each of my posts, as well as from many of the incredibly talented people that also post on this great site called Garage Journal. Cheers!! :beer:

The truck that started this thread ended with a First Place trophy at the big Draggins Show:

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This Dodge Challenger was found, derelict, in a Saskatchewan farm yard:

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This 1940 Ford was started over a dozen years ago. Then, after a long hiatus, it was brought to me to get it done -

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Some are "mechanical"restorations, like my 46 Mercury Truck - that now runs like a top and is used around the yard - and for making memories!

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A friend of mine came into this beautiful survivor originally purchased by his Uncle and now owned by his Dad. It sat in a farm field, in the most extreme weather conditions, for 27 years. Prior to that it was a working farm truck in addition to taking 10 yearly trips to the coast (1200+ miles each way!). Upon it's retirement from road duty, it pulled a plow through farms and gardens. Through it all, it barely rusted - and I mean BARELY. It also still boasts it's original paint, the original engine and drive train and even the original factory grease-pencil markings.
My friend and his BIL began the resto by disassembling, bagging and tagging everything. They had the engine professionally rebuilt and have it stored in plastic. They ordered all the parts they thought needed, including two sill/steps, to repair the only real rusted areas on the truck. After getting both sides cut out and one side welded in, they decided they just didn't have the time or expertise to get it finished.
That's where I come in. They brought it out to my place today and I'll get it finished for them. This is definitely "cherry" work for me - as most resto's I do begin with months, maybe years, of rust work! I wasn't even going to take on an outside project this year due to wanting to do a lot of work on my Galaxie and 240Z projects...but I think I can juggle them all. :headscrat

This is also my first Chevy! Not that I dislike Chevy's per se, it's just that I've found other makes come my way. But enough typing. Here's the first set of pics, to be updated over this winter, as I get it back to shape it was in when it left the factory... I hope you enjoy the progress.

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They did a good job on the step, but found out just how much work it takes.

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Original sheet metal - no rust!

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Old-time ballast!! No wonder I never worked on Chevy's!!

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pipehack

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Re: E-tek Resto's 57 Chevy Truck

You have some great talent. I can't wait to see the finished product.
 

4StarCstms

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Re: E-tek Resto's 57 Chevy Truck

Dang the pet rock company goes back a ways apparently.. haha

Seriously, I'm amazed at the total lack of cancer on that truck. WoW Certainly you do not find them like that around here. Good luck on the Redo - I miss doing restorations - it is indeed a ton of work, but worth it in the end. I know you'll do a great job
 
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e-tek

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Re: E-tek Resto's 57 Chevy Truck

Thanks guys - much appreciated. Each one that get's done makes me want to do the next that much better. Love the pet rock reference!
 

djjsr

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Re: E-tek Resto's 57 Chevy Truck

Are you sure it's a '57? The smooth hood looks like '55 or '56. The '57 had 2 ribs in the hood (at least the US version). What's the grill look like?

This is my '57 ..........

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aqr81

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Re: E-tek Resto's 57 Chevy Truck

e-tek, that like a clean canvas for you. I look forward to following your progress.
 
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e-tek

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Re: E-tek Resto's 57 Chevy Truck

Are you sure it's a '57? The smooth hood looks like '55 or '56. The '57 had 2 ribs in the hood (at least the US version). What's the grill look like?

This is my '57 ..........

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It's a 56 - not sure why I was writing 57 :headscrat Must have had the "57 Chev" on my mind I guess. Thanks for the correction!!
 

djjsr

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Re: E-tek Resto's 57 Chevy Truck

I've seen a lot of '55-'59 trucks since I got mine 11 years ago and it looks like your's is in really good shape. Let me know if you need a source for any parts. I've got a pretty long list of suppliers, some good, some not so good. There's lots of stuff available for them, but I've never seen the giant concrete block option before. Must be the 1956 version of traction control.
 

Dan in Pasadena

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Re: E-tek Resto's 57 Chevy Truck

67-72chevytrucks.com in case you didn't already know about that site.

They have a separate sub forum for '47-'59 Advanced Design ('47-1/2 to '55 1t series) and Task Force ('55 2nd series to '59) trucks
 

Motown 454

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Re: E-tek Resto's 57 Chevy Truck

I wish my Camaro was in that good of a shape when I got it. You have a nice start with that already, should be sweet when your done.
 

onewaydave

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Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Hey E-tek, ditto looking forward to the refab.

Come on guys, the rock is so the springs and shocks wear evenly on both sides and you don't go down the road sagging on one side.

I'm sure you know about stovebolt.com also. They also have a AD subsection. Both these sites have extensive talent and resources specific to these trucks.

Dave.
 

gsport

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Salem Oregon
Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

E.. that thing looks great for sitting so long. i'm a total chevy man and will definatly be following this build... good luck
 

Jay H 237

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Torrington, CT
Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

This is another resto I'm going to keep an eye on!


The concrete block was likely put on there when it was working the fields for extra traction, not a GM thing at all.
 

z28snksknr

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Turnersville, NJ
Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Looking forward to tracking this project. My truck is dead in the water right now, so it will be nice to follow a "pro" through a similar job.

Good luck and take a TON of pics - It's never too many!!
 
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larry_g

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Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Upon it's retirement from road duty, it pulled a plow through farms and gardens.


Old-time ballast!! No wonder I never worked on Chevy's!!

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Your first statement quoted makes the reason for the rock (ballast) very clear. I wonder just how much plow it would pull. If when your done it can pull 2-14's then you've done good. ;)
 
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e-tek

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Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

I've been doing a bit of research and they say this was a real workhorse of an engine with a great amount of torque. It's the 265 - 3 SPD. These are the Apache model 1300 series. There's some really good stories on this particular truck. It's like the restoration was never "meant to be". They've had it in a couple shops where it sat for YEARS, before finally pulling it and trying to do it themselves. Now it's my turn!

Here's an exerpt from a write-up done on www.stoveboltforum.com

This old Chevy Task Force truck is owned by my Father in-law, Paul Crozon. It was originally purchased in 1956 by his brother, Peter Crozon in Naicam, Saskatchewan, Canada. Peter's younger brother, my wife's Father, Paul Crozon was and is the second owner after inheriting the truck from Peter.

The truck was driven and used as a farm truck in Naicam until 1974, at which time it was parked in the bush. It was using oil and had no brakes. Peter had always intended to do something with it, but he died suddenly in 1981.

Throughout the 1960's, this vintage truck made the long trip up to Prince George, British Columbia where Peter worked in the logging camps. While being properly maintained, it has always been a work truck. It sat in the bush until 2001 when I discovered it. I couldn't believe its condition.

If you look closely at the pictures, you will notice the absence of rust. Why this truck survived so extremely well has to be because of the undercoating it received when new. There was a 1958 Biscayne, that had also been purchased new, parked in the bush not 25 yards from this truck and there was nothing left of it. Other vehicles in the same yard were also completely rusted out, as were similar trucks in neighboring farm yards.

At first, we pulled it out of the bush, cleaned the fuel system, rebuilt the master cylinder, put a battery in it and drove it. Later on we got a body shop to fix the cab above the windshield - it had rusted out from mice - and I did a bunch of work on the lights, exhaust, etc. to get it to the point we could plate it and drive it. I think when my Father in-law drove it down the road he decided he wanted to get a complete restoration. Easier said than done.

We went back to the body shop that had done the roof and asked if they would do the restoration. They said yes and it sat on a hoist in their shop for two years until a fire forced it out. The front driver's side tire burnt in the fire, as well as most of the shop, but the truck was spared. Luck.

Another body shop, another two years ... we all know the story. So it winds up in my garage and my Brother in-law, Warren Crozon, and I are doing the restoration. All things considered, I'm glad it has wound up here.

We are going to be doing a full original restoration and intend to drive it in parades, on Sundays and whenever Paul feels like taking his grand kids for a drive. We will show it, but only at an amateur level, no concourse. However, we are paying a lot of attention to keeping it as true as possible to factory original just in case plans change in the future.

The truck will someday belong to my Brother in-law, Warren Crozon, and then his son, Alexander Crozon. Hopefully this truck will remain in the Crozon family for over a century. I feel so very fortunate to be a participant in this story.
 
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e-tek

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Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Found the photo's of the truck in it's "as pulled from the bush" glamour. As mentioned earlier, this is after 20 years of hard use as a farm turck, which included 3000 mile round-trip travels out to the west coast, where the original owner worked as a logger. In semi-retirement it pulled a plow through feilds. Once it was fully retired, it sat for 27 years in the harsh Saskatchewan climates (with yearly ranges minus 40F to 120F). Once they decided to have it restored, it sat for over 4 years in various bodyshops "waiting" it's turn....

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I love a new project. Everything from researching the brand and history, learning how it comes apart and goes together, ordering and recieving new parts, plus turning back the clock with my own hands and tools.... a disease? Maybe!
 

Rte66Charlie

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Ozark Mountains
Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

E - are you sure that's a 265?? 265 was a V8, that looks for all the world like the 235 ci engine.......

They built 216 ci and 235 ci sixes for the trucks back then (cars got the 194 and 230 ci sixes), newer models evolved to the 250 and 292 cubic inch versions (the latter being available only in 3/4T and up trucks) but I don't ever remember a 265 inline six???

Charlie
 
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djjsr

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Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Great pictures.

Is it true that dumping a gallon of ketchup in the crankcase will restore compression?
 

larry_g

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Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

E - are you sure that's a 265?? 265 was a V8, that looks for all the world like the 235 ci engine.......

They built 216 ci and 235 ci sixes for the trucks back then (cars got the 194 and 230 ci sixes), newer models evolved to the 250 and 292 cubic inch versions (the latter being available only in 3/4T and up trucks) but I don't ever remember a 265 inline six???

Charlie

Mostly correct, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Straight-6_engine#235 for a history line. That looks all the world to be a 235.

lg
no neat sig line
 
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e-tek

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Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Todays action: Got the cab off the frame - with much help from the "flame wrench" - man I love that tool! Also stripped off some of the frame stuff: exhaust, gas and brake lines, wiring, along with that massive chunk of cement in the back end! Can anyone tell me if it was a factory thing - maybe added from the dealer, or was it definitely a home-made unit? It's was poured to fit around the frame and the trailer ball...

I LOVE my cherry picker too!!

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Then I bolted the tow-hitch on so I can pull the frame to the Industrial Sandblasters place. I'll get it and a few of the panels blasted then coat them with POR 15.

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larry_g

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Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

I am a happy customer of this outfit. They are decent people who are in the restoration business as well as retailers so they have a good understanding of what is going on.

http://www.fillingstation.com/
 

djjsr

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Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

...... along with that massive chunk of cement in the back end! Can anyone tell me if it was a factory thing - maybe added from the dealer, or was it definitely a home-made unit? It's was poured to fit around the frame and the trailer ball...

The concrete is not factory installed. Either the dealer or the owner did it. There should be a spare tire in that space, but they were an option back then. That trailer hitch is also not original.
 

D.J.

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Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Tek I am not an expert but I agree with Don that it was not a factory option. Some people in my area used to use poured concrete or Railroad Track as ballast in the rear of their vehicles. Good luck on the project and do us Chevy guy proud! Larry g I think you mean 2 14" or as we around refer to them as a "two bottom" plow.
________
Mercedes-benz m-class
 
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e-tek

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Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Little by liitle....

Today I prepped the frame for transport (tied the steering down, removed exhaust, etc) but - as has happened all summer - it wouldn't stop friggin' RAINING!!!! :mad: And the industrial outfits (all 3 of them) don"t blast in the rain.... I called an indoor outfit, but they're busy 'til next week. Oh well - lots of metal work to do!

The owner had already (mostly) installed the left step sill and did the hard work of removing the right side. It just required some clean-up and prep. Of course when I got into it, I found more rust - what a surprise (not...):

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As always, there where some fitment issues that I had to address.

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A grind here and nip there, some hammer and dolley work....

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What looked like a little rust spot... at a critical spot of a cab mount, had to be properly addressed (not that any spot wouldn't be I guess!):

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This is the extent of it. I cut around the bolt seat so I could make a template for a new piece, then I removed and cleaned it all up. Finally, I sprayed Metal Ready (a Phosphoric Acid solution fro POR15) to neutralize the rust.

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While the MetalReady was working, I prepped the new step for weld-in tomorrow. This consisted of drilling holes for spot welds, grinding away the electro-coating, sanding the areas with a scotch-brite pad, then spraying weld-through primer. I'll clean up the cab parts tomorrow and spray them too before final welding.

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:beer:
 

larry_g

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Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Thanks for the continued help Larry.

PS - I like your sig line....where'd it go?

Never being to computer literate A lot of sites I visit I coulcn't figure out the automatic sig lines so I just type it each time. Sometimes I forget.

Larry g I think you mean 2 14" or as we around refer to them as a "two bottom" plow.

Nope, in this country a plow is refered to by # of bottoms and furrow width. Common plows come in 12,14, and 16" cut.

lg
no neat sig line
 
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e-tek

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Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

I love Sundays! In the middle of a bunch of yard and family stuff, I found time to put togther the patch for this rotted out mount.

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Next time out (after a couple days at my "real job" :waah: ) I'll weld it in!

While we where out, my son helped me spray down the rust again with MetalReady:

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This is what it should look like after a few applications. The phosphoric acid converts reddish-brown iron oxide (rust) to black ferric phosphate. The white is the phosphate, the black under it is the ferric phosphate, which can be ground off, leaving a "fresh" metal surface, or can be left on, which will confer more rust inhibiting properties.

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bgott

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Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Can you paint over the ferric phosphate or will it screw up the paint?
 

onewaydave

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Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

e-tek wrote, "...but - as has happened all summer - it wouldn't stop friggin' RAINING!!!! And the industrial outfits (all 3 of them) don"t blast in the rain.... "

Ah, its in another building down the street and around the corner. Its called mud wrestling and its a whole lot more expensive than media blasting.

e-tek, if I didn't see you already had a helper, I'd volunteer to come be an apprentice fur nuthin. You do very nice work and I am enjoying watching. That mounting patch was so simple and yet perfect.

Dave.
 
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e-tek

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Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

Can you paint over the ferric phosphate or will it screw up the paint?

You have to remove it before primer. You can wash it off with water or a wet rag when wet, but I end up sanding it all off with the DA as I prep for primer, then I always wash the metal down with a pre-paint solvent ("Wax and Grease Remover").

Onewaydave - Thanks for the comments. Come by anytime!
 

csp

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Re: E-tek Resto's 56 Chevy Truck

You look like a good candidate for one of those air flange/punch tools if you're drilling for spot weld holes. Talk about a timesaver.

Wish we could get some rain. I don't think it's rained for six to seven weeks, at a minimum, here.

Looks like a fun project!
 
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