356 T-1 Rebuild

[gkw]

Waiting in line to load on the ferry from Victoria B. C. to Oregon.
It was a exciting day. (Justin, I had a Late model LT-1 Corvette motor
and transmission in the van)
I hope these pictures turn out a viewable size, some of my older photo's
turn out small.
Thank you, Gordon

[gkw]

[JTR70]

Hey Gordon, It looks like you were having a great day! what is the chassis# of your car? That van was quite the sleeper then. Who did the conversion? Thanks for posting! Justin

[gkw]

Chassis # 58032 late 1956.
I did the conversion myself
, pretty straight forward except for meshing the two computers to work
was a challenge. Here is a shot of the 356 on the home made rotisserie.
Justin I thought I was pretty good at rebuilding cars but you humble
me with your quality of skill. Keep up the posts. thank you, Gordon

[JTR70]

Hi Gordon,

Really nice rotisserie setup you built. The engine stands give you a great jumping-off point. Congratulations on doing the engine swap yourself! I know exactly what you mean about interfacing the computers. I'm sure we've read all the same books; TBI engine swaps, factory manuals from Helm etc. I have not completed the swap yet but I did learn alot about all the various sensors etc.(VSS, MAP)So late model EFI is not such a mystery. I may need to pick your brain later on down the road though, if you don't mind. Our cars are not too far apart; mine was completed in December of '56. Thank you for that really great compliment! It means alot considering that Jag I just saw pictures of. I'm sure this coupe is directly on par. Please share your progress on this car. I'm really looking forward to seeing the steel work. Thank you again! Justin

[gkw]

Here are a few pieces of tin I fabricated up for inside side panel
behind seatand patched firewall before I started on the floors and
longitudinals, rockers and so on.

[JTR70]

Gordon, really nice work on rolling in the those strengthening ribs.The final repair looks real nice. That wall rotted out due to the rear window seal leaking at that lower corner. Mine did the same thing and on the same side. Did not have to replace as much as you did though. The rear seat tray looks solid. How rusty was this car? Keep the updates coming! Justin

[gkw]

Justin here is a couple more pictures of the T-1.
This will give you an idea how rusty the car was. This was a 10x12
plastic tarp with most of the pieces I replaced spread out on it.
Most is structural, I have a few small body pieces to build, but not
a big deal.



Here is a picture of new metal dry fit before welding.





Thanks, Gordon

[JTR70]

Hi Gordon,

Thats a good amount of metal repair though it still seems like a really nice shell to start with. Who did you buy your floor pans from? So they are now welded in? Man, that sky-blue paint is everywhere isn't it? Thanks! Justin

[JTR70]

Hey Gordon.

I remembered this shot from a while back. That is one bad looking cobra! Is that yours? Also are those original Rudge knock-off wheels your putting on your coupe? Justin

[merbesfield]

Good looking project you have there. How long did it take to get the old floors out and prepped for the new one?

[gkw]

Sorry for the slow return, been away a few days.
No the wheels are not Rudge, wish they were. Boyd Codington's
billet aluminum. The Cobra is mine, a real rocket. I can post some pictures if you would like.
Thank you, Gordon

[gkw]

Mark
The floors are fairly simple. I don't remember how long because
I was at a hit and miss pace with other projects.
I cut out old floors with a saws-all left 1/2 lap and plug welded
new floors in with a mig welder. my floors were so thin I ground the old
lap joint off. too thin to chisel.
Main thing check door fit from time to time.
Cutting that much metal out things can change.
Good luck, Gordon

[merbesfield]

I have done some on a 912, sounds about the same thing. Nothing hard, just time. Thx

[JTR70]

Yes! Pictures please Gordon!