My boss at work has owned a 1956 Nomad since 1969. He raced it at Minnesota Dragway with an Enderle injected 327, m20 and 5.38 rear gears. He tore it down in October of 1971 to get the engine rebuilt and the body restored and painted over the winter. The engine got rebuilt, but the body never got done and was in storage until a few years ago when he brought it the shop and parked it in my way, in the back room. He kept saying I was going to restore it soon. Well soon came a couple months ago and I started on it. It is rather rusty and about 8 months back we ordered a complete cabin floor, outter rockers, complete cargo floor, minus the spare tire well and some various patch panels. A few weeks ago, I cut out what was left of the cabin floor and got the new one installed last week.
He did buy a REALLY nice rotisserie for me.
Lost in the 60s said
Jan 19, 2022
The frame: He acquired a very clean 1957 California frame to modify and just drop the body on later. He is an old school guy and has wanted a straight axle car for most of his life. He bought a conversion stub and I installed it.
I don't know how people do this stuff at home on a garage floor and ever get the frame square and straight. I had this locked down on a frame rack and after I cut the front crossmember off, it got a diamond and slight twist. It took 2 days for me to get it so I was happy with the fit and alignment and then welded it on.
Well, that's interesting, I don't seem to have a pic of the frame after welding.
I'll try to remember to get one next week.
BLyke said
Jan 20, 2022
It must be nice to have that level of equipment to do the work!
Lost in the 60s said
Jan 20, 2022
BLyke wrote:
It must be nice to have that level of equipment to do the work!
I'm kind of spoiled, eh..
Lost in the 60s said
Jan 20, 2022
So, the past couple days, I got the cargo floor out and started fitting the new inner wheel tubs. This isn't a direct replacement phase, like the floor. He wants the biggest tires he can fit on this, so I ordered wide tubs that are made for a sedan/hardtop. No one makes tubs for a wagon and was told "this can't be done". My response...."watch me"...
-- Edited by Lost in the 60s on Thursday 20th of January 2022 01:51:35 PM
Lost in the 60s said
Jan 20, 2022
No clue what is going on with the forum, but it cuts out all but 1 pic of a multiple pic post now.
Lost in the 60s said
Jan 20, 2022
I marked and cut off 3" of the new floor to move over with the wider wheel tubs.
This will be much easier to weld back on and retain the flange for the tub attachment.
Lost in the 60s said
Jan 20, 2022
One issue with the tubs is, I was told it would provide an additional 2 5/8" room for tires and I only gained 1.5 with the tub clamped where it is next to the inner quarter wall. Next week, I will cut a strip of sheetmetal to extend it another 3/4" inward. This should allow a 14" wide tire.
BLyke said
Jan 20, 2022
Nice work!
Larry Lucast said
Jan 21, 2022
The rest of us are living vicariously through the few of you who are actually doing something to their cars.
Derek69SS said
Jan 21, 2022
You can never have enough tire. :)
Lost in the 60s said
Jan 21, 2022
Derek69SS wrote:
You can never have enough tire. :)
You could be right. He isn't putting the 327 back in. He has a 468 with Crower mechanical fuel injection that was built for a jet boat that he is talking about having de-tuned with an 8-71 blower and dual electronic injection "carbs" sticking up thru the hood.
And he is from the same school as us with transmissions. NO automatic, he's looking at Richmond 5 speeds.
Derek69SS said
Jan 21, 2022
Sounds like it's going to be a really cool car when done!
Lost in the 60s said
Feb 11, 2022
A few pics of both tubs clamped in place
I had been measuring the frame and guessing at the tub location, but it was time for a test fit to KNOW where they needed to be to clear the frame.
I need to move the left side out 1/2" and the right side 1/4" to allow some clearance to the frame.
I may be able to leave the upper housing in place and pull the inner skirt in for the clearance with whatever I dream up to attach the tub to the quarter panel. Should still allow for a 14" wide tire.
My boss at work has owned a 1956 Nomad since 1969. He raced it at Minnesota Dragway with an Enderle injected 327, m20 and 5.38 rear gears. He tore it down in October of 1971 to get the engine rebuilt and the body restored and painted over the winter. The engine got rebuilt, but the body never got done and was in storage until a few years ago when he brought it the shop and parked it in my way, in the back room. He kept saying I was going to restore it soon. Well soon came a couple months ago and I started on it. It is rather rusty and about 8 months back we ordered a complete cabin floor, outter rockers, complete cargo floor, minus the spare tire well and some various patch panels. A few weeks ago, I cut out what was left of the cabin floor and got the new one installed last week.
He did buy a REALLY nice rotisserie for me.
The frame: He acquired a very clean 1957 California frame to modify and just drop the body on later. He is an old school guy and has wanted a straight axle car for most of his life. He bought a conversion stub and I installed it.
I don't know how people do this stuff at home on a garage floor and ever get the frame square and straight. I had this locked down on a frame rack and after I cut the front crossmember off, it got a diamond and slight twist. It took 2 days for me to get it so I was happy with the fit and alignment and then welded it on.
Well, that's interesting, I don't seem to have a pic of the frame after welding.
I'll try to remember to get one next week.
I'm kind of spoiled, eh..
So, the past couple days, I got the cargo floor out and started fitting the new inner wheel tubs. This isn't a direct replacement phase, like the floor. He wants the biggest tires he can fit on this, so I ordered wide tubs that are made for a sedan/hardtop. No one makes tubs for a wagon and was told "this can't be done". My response...."watch me"...
-- Edited by Lost in the 60s on Thursday 20th of January 2022 01:51:35 PM
No clue what is going on with the forum, but it cuts out all but 1 pic of a multiple pic post now.
I marked and cut off 3" of the new floor to move over with the wider wheel tubs.
This will be much easier to weld back on and retain the flange for the tub attachment.
One issue with the tubs is, I was told it would provide an additional 2 5/8" room for tires and I only gained 1.5 with the tub clamped where it is next to the inner quarter wall. Next week, I will cut a strip of sheetmetal to extend it another 3/4" inward. This should allow a 14" wide tire.
You could be right. He isn't putting the 327 back in. He has a 468 with Crower mechanical fuel injection that was built for a jet boat that he is talking about having de-tuned with an 8-71 blower and dual electronic injection "carbs" sticking up thru the hood.
And he is from the same school as us with transmissions. NO automatic, he's looking at Richmond 5 speeds.
A few pics of both tubs clamped in place
I had been measuring the frame and guessing at the tub location, but it was time for a test fit to KNOW where they needed to be to clear the frame.
I need to move the left side out 1/2" and the right side 1/4" to allow some clearance to the frame.
I may be able to leave the upper housing in place and pull the inner skirt in for the clearance with whatever I dream up to attach the tub to the quarter panel. Should still allow for a 14" wide tire.