Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

I currently have a 5;57 and a turbo 350 trans with a 2.74 first gear. The little motor really likes a lot of gear.

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Very cool. Most know 1955 is the earliest year in the classification guide. Nice work

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

It has been awhile but I'm back working hot n heavy on the 55 Q" ship". Body is in the body shop with a late March delivery date promised. I have the powder coated frame at home in the garage trying to get as much done on it as I can so it will be easy swap over when the painted body gets back from the painter. Even going to try and get the brakes bled so I can test all lines, fittings, and new flares for leaks. I will show you how I'm going to do that with the master cylinder mounted on the new frame, and powered up with a pressure bleeder. Engine block is on the engine stand and with the arrival of a few more pcs I will start putting it together in the next week or so. I found one of those rare 548 casting 283 blocks made with the 265 bore. The block is called a poor mans Bowtie, as it has thick walls, and deck. It even got a mention in Grumpy's first small block engine build book. I would really like to have the car ready to test by the end of April but that is going to be pushing it by any means.

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Lyn, What style rear and posi unit are you running? I am building a 56 265 stick car.

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Posi unit ?

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Posi unit ?

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

I have a Impala 12 bolt with spool.

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Thanks Lyn. I'll go the spool route.

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

FWIW: at one time Speedway Motors in Lincoln, NE had a stockpile of NOS Firestone 7" slicks, I'll bet they would work

Just a thought

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Yes the old blue dots would look cool on it just sitting in a display somewhere, but I will stick with my Hoosier 9 inchers for going down the track. Will be faster and a lot more stabile.I think Coker tire did at one time a few years ago make some repos of the M+ H 7 inchers also.

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Haven't done a update for a while as the 55 has been getting it's body panels reworked at Carl Root's paint and body emporium. It is looking good and straight, and should wear some paint soon. Here is a teaser as the roof was the first to get sprayed.

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Got her home today from the body shop. Thanks to Super Gas racer Carl Root for the great job. From a ruff unfinished body, to shiny silver paint in 26 days as promised. Pictures to follow as it was too windy to take it out of the trailer today. It will be so nice to finally start putting it back together.

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Lyn,
Congratulations on your great build, I have great interest in these cars, icons of the Jr. Stock era and look forward to every update. Good work and good luck.
Frank

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Here are some pics of the finished paint before windows, and chrome is installed.

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Thats going to be awesome Lyn can't wait to see it finished and you racing it !



Jerry
Retired 3490 3492 STK SS SST

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Another big hurdle done today with the refurbished frame found a home under the nice and shiny body. I lost some sleep over this one trying to figure out how to get the body high enough to get old nasty frame frame out, and new one back under. Went off without a hitch.

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Love this car!!!!!

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Looks great gonna be one of the coolest slow stickers !

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Lynn,great to see!are you going to use the original "Hotchkiss" style rear end or something else?

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Lewis, I used a 12 bolt out of a 60s Impala. Trimmed off the Impala control arm stuff, and welded on the leaf spring perches. Need to run a 5.86 gear in this thing and I don't think the center drop rears went that high. Hope to have this jewel rolling under its own power later in the week. Finishing up the interior trim today. Found the last outside stainless trim I needed at a local swap meet on Sunday. More pics to follow in a few days..

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Well it has been a while but the 55 Q/SA is moving under its own power. The little 265 sounds good, and runs down the road ok. Still have a big list of things to get done. Would like to take it to the Indy Div. 3 points race in a few weeks but I also have a list of items I need to get done on the 73 Buick Stocker before Columbus so the 55 will have to go on the rear burner for a week or so. Will get hot on it as soon as I get back from Columbus. Hope the next installment will have the results from the first runs down the track.

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

The 55 Stocker made it's first appearance on the 1320 today. It wasn't real fast but it got to A and went in a straight line to B without leaving a puddle. LOL. Will be taking it to the Indy points race next weekend but have some work to do before then. Have a convertor that is looser than the one I had in it today and I want to try it next weekend. Thanks to Terry Simpson at Byron Dragway for the photos, and the Byron crew for setting up the scales so I could weigh the car.

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Lyn,
Are you coming to Bowling Green for the Tri-Five Nationals? About 20-24 Jr. Stockers are coming.

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Yes I will be going to the Tri five event. I was entered last year but it was cancelled. Should be a good turn out and looking forward to it.

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

See you there! Love your 55.

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Even better looking in real life. Great job Lyn!
Mike

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Thanks Mike. Good luck in getting the T Rose car going good. Good talking to you and George.

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

You taking it to Indy ?

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Jake, I would love to take the 55 to Indy because I don't think a 55 Chevrolet has been entered in Stock eliminator at the Big GO since the early 70s. But I have to get her going a little more under the index before that will happen. Maybe the Fall Classic later this year.

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Just got back from the Season ending Indy fall classic and had lot of fun with the 55 Q/SA .Love talking to the other racers who come up and tell me their 55 Chevy stories. Got to try out a lot of new parts and everyone of them lived up to expectations. The 55 is officially a legit Stocker now, as it went under the index for the first time, and even collected a couple win lights. Installed my Mark Yacavone built metric trans along with the new 8 inch convertor. First time run on saturday netted a 13.70 at 93 mph. Under the 13.80 index for the first time ,and a pick up of at least 15 hundreds from previous runs. Run felt great and for the first time the car didn't feel sluggish in the top of first gear. Pulled hard to the 2nd gear shift, and the 60 showed it as it improved by a tenth at 1.77. Next came the test I was really looking forward to as Dean Oliver fixed me up with a rebuild on one of my WCFB cores. I was telling everyone that if the carb performs as good as it looks I was going to be in for a treat. And I wasn't disappointed. The next run was just a 1/8 mile shot as I was entered in the bracket program to get a extra time run. New carb picked me up .08 in the eighth and one mph, and knocked 2 numbers off of the 60. Next run was the final Stocker time run and would be 1/4 mile. Car ran its best run yet at a 13.54 at 93mph. Cant believe how consistent the car is. The ets at the 1/8th for the last 6 runs after the carb change only ranged from 8.392 to 8.396! That was between 2 different days. Got to the 3rd round of the eliminator on some luck and should have won the 3rd if I had just left the dial alone. It was great to get the first win light for the car. Thanks to Deano for the quick service and the great carb, and to Mark Yacavone for the affordable metric trans. Will work on the motor over the winter, and looking to pick up the performance with some new heads.PS I wish someone could have gotten a picture of this. As I pulled out of the staging lanes and under the tower for my last time run all of the COPO and Factory Stock Camaros that were pitted on the east side pulled out at the same time.There I was surrounded by 8 to 10 of GMs newest and fastest muscle cars. Felt pretty out of place for sure. I stood a "roof" above them all though. LOL

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Congratulations Lyn !

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Good Job! We need more Q cars. Can't believe I was the only one at the US Nationals.

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Al as I have said before I would love to run the 55 in class at Indy. I do not think a 55 has been entered there for over 50 years! Got to get her running a little better and we will see.

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Lyn,
OMG you're having a blast with your 55 and we're so happy for you!
Frank

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Glad the outing went well what's your 2022 plans ?

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

A pic of the 55 from it's first NHRA race earlier in the year. Thanks Alkey Alex for the use of the photo. You might be able to put a .030 feeler gauge under that left front tire. LOL. Looking forward to next year with the car. Hoping my local track Rt 66 is going to be back open and will test and bracket race there. As I have said numerous times I would love to take the car to a NHRA National event especially Indy or Columbus but the ol 265 is going to have to pick up about 5 tenths to do be able to do that.

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Did some 1/8 th mile testing over the weekend and had a little match race with another Jr. Stocker looking racecar. Went a 1/8th mile best of 8.33 at 78 mph with a 1.677 60ft. Wasn't enough to hold off Barry Wallner's 57 sedan delivery with his 270 hp 283 built by LAW Automotive. He ran a best of 8.03. Great fun on a cool fall day. Tried some 28" tall M/T radials and it helped the 60.

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Lyn,
Please provide an update with the 55.
Frank

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Currently waiting on some parts to update the engine. As I have explained in the engine build up since the 55 265 is limited to flat top pistons there is not much valve to piston clearance. Cams with more than about 230 degrees duration do not have enough clearance. So in talks with a couple of engine builders with knowledge of this situation I have been told that heads with more angle mill to them will give you a little more clearance. Hope to to get those heads in the next month or so and will test them, and a new cam . Also waiting on a #2 carb from Deano with some different jetting. First one really perked up the engine. Thanks for the interest. Lyn

Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build
 

Buick still running well?
I'm a guy with a '73 Gran Sport 455.