V8 Speed and Resto Shop – We Build And Restore Custom Hot Rods and Muscle Cars for Enthusiasts All Over The World! › Forums › V8 Speed and Resto Shop Forum › V8 Speed and Resto Shop Car Builds › 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air “Bottom’s Up” Restoration
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05/30/2016 at #7705Jon ShieldsParticipant
Again, really high quality work. I have a question though… I see that you blast, prime and paint your chassis. Do you find that is better, or more economical than a powder coat?
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05/30/2016 at #7716V8 StaffKeymasterGreat question. We find that the paint process we do is nearly as durable, and we can touch it up in the future and have it match. Powder is nice, but it can also throw off the shop schedule with larger items, and it involves the parts leaving our place for an unknown timeframe wherever they are done. Sometimes industrial powdercoaters will treat your custom frame like piece of industrial equipment or a fence, and you get back a part with runs, thin spots, etc. We’ve used several outstanding coaters, like Extreme Powder Coating in MN, but they are several states away and the transport time and cost adds up. We are always looking for good partners in the coating biz that can do large parts economically and with high quality, but can can shoot them in-house as well.
Kevin Oeste
05/30/2016 at #7717V8 StaffKeymasterCool update on this one. Gorgeous chassis work!
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Thanks Mike!
Kevin Oeste
09/30/2016 at #8126V8 StaffKeymasterSoon it was time to check out the 396 cube V-8 that came with the ‘57.
The car had run many years ago, but the engine’s condition was unknown. We performed a leak down test and determined that several cylinders had very low compression, and the major source of the air leaks was through the valves. The piston rings we’re not perfect, but this car definitely needed a top and rebuild.
We checked clearances on the main and rod bearings, and they appeared OK.
Kevin Oeste
09/30/2016 at #8127V8 StaffKeymasterAfter a few phone calls, we sourced a set of rebuilt big block Gen IV Vortec Chevy heads from a friend. We installed those heads rather than spend extra money to remachine the existing heads.
We also installed a new timing chain and oil pump, and replaced the rusty oil pan and all the engine gaskets.
After a thorough degreasing, we masked and prepped the engine for paint, and re-sprayed it in ceramic Chevy orange high temp engine paint from Eastwood. New chrome valve covers completed the look that the customer was after.
Kevin Oeste
10/26/2016 at #8193V8 StaffKeymasterWhile the engine detailing was happening, the ‘57s body was back in the paint booth for some more detail work. We seam sealed everything, and then cleaned and prepped the top sides of the new sheetmetal for Axalta epoxy paint.
The dash was prepped as well, as it would receive a re-paint to freshen it up.
Kevin Oeste
10/26/2016 at #8194V8 StaffKeymasterThe dash was prepped as well, as it would receive a re-paint to freshen it up.
Kevin Oeste
10/26/2016 at #8195V8 StaffKeymasterThe outside surfaces were masked before spraying.
These FBS ProMask dispensers are handy for this kind of work. They are a roll of pre-taped masking paper in a convenient dispenser.
Kevin Oeste
10/26/2016 at #8196V8 StaffKeymasterAfter the black treatment, the dash and bezels were prepped for a new coat of red.
The gray is a surfacing primer to ensure a smooth finish.
The exterior of the car had a few areas that needed some red as well, like anywhere we added new sheetmetal and disturbed the paint. These areas were cleaned, body filler was applied and sanded where necessary, primed, sanded, and painted in a matching red. Remember, the customer did not want us to paint the whole car at this point, so we were tasked with a blend.
Kevin Oeste
10/26/2016 at #8197V8 StaffKeymasterFresh Red!
The ‘57 design is nice because the trim allows you to hide a paint line when doing repairs. On a complete paint job, this would not be a consideration, but this is what the customer wanted.
Kevin Oeste
11/24/2016 at #8305V8 StaffKeymasterAfter the car was rolled out of the paint booth, the engine went back in and the front sheetmetal started to go back on the car. The customer did not wish to have the firewall repainted at this time, so our crew concentrated on making the car a runner once again.
The Muncie 4-speed was cleaned and re-sealed, and the linkage rebuilt with new bushings and clips.
Inside the car, the dash was rewired and sound deadener added.
Kevin Oeste
11/24/2016 at #8306V8 StaffKeymasterA Dakota Digital VHX gauge unit was installed to give the dash a modern touch and add more functionality to the gauge cluster.
Kevin Oeste
03/10/2017 at #8765Jeff HolthenrichsParticipantAny final update to this? It is surprising that the owner would go through all this and not just have the firewall sprayed black. Hmmm.
03/21/2017 at #8800V8 StaffKeymasterAny final update to this? It is surprising that the owner would go through all this and not just have the firewall sprayed black. Hmmm.
At this point, the customer didn’t put a high priority on the underhood appearance, but he wanted to make sure the car had good “bones” in case he ever wanted to repaint the exterior, swap engines, or other major work.
Kevin Oeste
03/21/2017 at #8801V8 StaffKeymasterA new fuel tank was sourced from Classic Industries and installed with new straps and pads.
The gauge colors blend nicely with the restored dash.
The firewall and floor were covered in Eastwood sound deadener.
Kevin Oeste
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