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Howdy, All!
Just a poor old maintenance man from down South, who has loved cars since I was a kid. Have had a few over the years, and have moderated from my days with the fast 69 Z28.
Now, I am looking to have fun cruising with this old 58 Biscayne that needs lots of TLC. I hope to have fun, too, sharing ideas and learning from you all on this site.
Thanks in advance!
Brett Welcome to CHR. Enjoy your stay and when you can post some pictures of your 58.
Welcome to CHR Brett! There's a lot of great folks here that are willing to help!
Welcome Aboard.. Good to see you here! After you pass the initial "waiting period", maybe you can share some pics...
Yup,,welcome to the zoo,,from the deep south.. It's a kool place to stay..
Welcome, would love to see some pictures. I did a 58 Biscayne many years ago it was a fun car.
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Thanks, Ryan.
From the list of your rides, looks like you aren't afraid to try something new. Saw an article in magazine some time back on a 66 Chevy II wagon with the Chevy turbo diesel.
Thanks, Charlie. Will post some as soon as able. It is a stock 4 door, but I want to turn it into a BBC cruiser.
Thanks! That looks like some serious Ford Power in your pic!
Thanks, Lamin8r. Love the old truck.
Thanks, Mike.
It is a 4 door, but now that I'm older, I like the idea of my friends being able to get into the back seat for a ride. I hope to pick your brain about your Biscayne project in the future. Seems like the wheelbase is the same on 2 and 4 door models.
As far as I know the wheelbases were the same. I put a lot of miles on mine after it was built it was a ball to drive. They can be made to handle (and stop) pretty well with just a few relatively inexpensive mods.
Mine was running a 383 stroker and TH350, a BB is a bolt in though.
Here's a picture of my old 58.
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/q...om/58Chevy.jpg
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That's a beautiful car. Mine is in nowhere near that condition. It has the original paint and interior, and has a good patina from sitting in a sugar cane field for years in Napoleonville. Some work has been done to it, but I want to concentrate on the suspension and powertrain before any body work or paint.
I suspect you may be starting with a bit more than I did.......Just a roller with no motor or transmission.
http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/q...om/58Start.jpg
It took a couple of years but worth it.
For suspension, I just did a stock rebuild on the front (and added disc brakes), boxed the rear control arms, did 348 springs on all 4 corners, and added ADCO 1" front and rear sway bars. I also added factory slave cylinder power steering....if I were to do one now I would probably do a 605 steering box conversion.
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Welcome to CHR, Brett. Lot's of "more door's" being done these days, and as you mention they do have some advantages for access! Looking forward to following your build.
Welcome! It doesn't have to be an Impala SS to be fun! After a long string of desirable Chevys... my only Biscayne was one of my all-time faves! A red '62 409 dual quad car. Yours sounds like it has the potential to be fun too!
Thanks, Roger
That's a great looking ride you are relaxing with.
Boy, that sounds like a Wild Ride! I have seen a few 409's down here at the car shows, but they are few and far between. I have read a bit about the engine, and it did have a unique character. Thanks for the welcome!
You are right! That looks like you did some serious work! I will post a photo or 2 once I figure out how and if I have permission. How did it handle after the front rebuild and discs? I noticed you said you used the 348 springs.... Aren't those still a bit stiffer than the "normal" ones? I guess the disc brake kit spindles used roller bearings instead of the stock ball bearings. Mine is all stock underneath and looks like very few parts have been changed. It is a Six cylinder with 93 thousand on the clock. I am looking forward to your and others' advice as I proceed.
Thanks!!
Sorry, Mike...
That last post was directed towards the Biscayne Roller pic you posted. Still new at this. How about the Clamshell upper control arm on the rear? Did you change all those bushings, too, when you boxed the control arms?
More greetings from downunder!Quote:
Originally Posted by Biscayne Brett
I understand that you're allowed to post pics up after ten posts.
I, however, have never properly understood the procedure.
It has been explained to me in words of one syllable that a ten year old could understand; but I'm not a ten year old, and don't have a silicone chip for a brain.
I've managed a half-dozen or so; but that's all.
I've noted, that as of my posting this, you have eleven posts.
So have a go; prove you're smarter than I am!
Here ya' go, Brett (and jb :p;):LOL:) - http://www.clubhotrod.com/shop-talk/...es-thread.html
As I recall the kit used the stock spindles and included the bearings that would work with those spindles and Chevelle rotors (it's been close to 30 years since I built it and 15 since I sold it).
With the springs and sway bars it was one of the best handling cars I've owned, especially for the size. I did replace the clam shell bushings....at the time original ones were not available, but I had a friend who was able to pour new polyurethane into the old steel shells and they worked like a champ.
I just remembered that one the 6 Cylinder cars that front sway bar was on option. The front lower control arms don't have the mounting points for the bar. The control arms are the same from 58-64 so if you come across one you might want to grab them.
The 6 Cylinders also had vacuum wipers as standard. If you don't already have electric wipers and want to convert, you will need not only the motor (which is 58 Chevy car only) the wiper arms, linkage and switch.
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Thanks, JB.. I will try it shortly. I am about to open the images spears sent. And yes, Mike, the car has vacuum wipers and no sway bars. Even the oil filter then on it was an option! I did find one of those, though.
Many thanks to all for the warm replies.
Actually, thanks, Roger for the link to the posting multiple pics thread.... Sounds like I need to head over to photobucket.
Let's see if I can get a pic on here.
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i1...ps241757ba.jpg
As easy as PIE! Good Job!Quote:
Originally Posted by Biscayne Brett
Had a 58 2 dr wagon once great handling car and heavy
From one newbie to another welcome.
welcome big guy . hey nothing wrong with a fordor ( couldn't resist ) . not only did i build a fordor i painted it pink ! i might get into the back seat of a tudor but it woild take a 3 man crew to get me out .