1956 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon - Page 2

Dave Gantz · 01-06-2020, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad E532

Paul is my father, this wagon was his first car before he built the sedan for the 1971 season. He took the complete drive train out of the wagon and dropped it into the sedan and picked up a tenth back 50 years ago. Probably be the same tenth slower duplicating his current setup and putting it into the wagon again. The wagon is a natural O car but it would probably make more sense to add a little weight and run P since it is on the high side of O at 15.82 in its original 210 trim.

Chad

You might pick up more than a tenth, todays tires and track prep being what they are.

Enjoying your project...

Dan Fahey · 01-06-2020, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randall Klein

FYI
Paul Lindberg in Minnesota racing a '56 Sedan in N/SA
265/225/216
12.37 in M
12.28 in N

Does the 1956 engine have different pistons than the 1955?

Dyno · 01-06-2020, 07:31 PM

The picture of the car black was at the old North Star Dragstrip. We had a lot of fun racing there.

Chad E532 · 01-07-2020, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Fahey

Does the 1956 engine have different pistons than the 1955?

The '55 pistons are flat tops with no valve reliefs. For '56 and 57 the 265 pistons had valve reliefs added.

Lyn Smith · 01-09-2020, 11:27 AM

The 55 265s and early built 56 265s had flat top pistons, but GM stopped production of them mid 1956. You could not even order them from a dealer from mid 56 on.The part number was discontinued. If you build a 55 Stocker you must use the flat tops, and you must use a cam with 230 or less duration because of no piston to valve clearance. NHRA let the Jr Stockers use the valve relief pistons back in the 60s,and early 70s,but not now.

Chad E532 · 01-09-2020, 04:34 PM

Continuing with the tear down.
Mid 70's suspension technology at its finest.

Mark Yacavone · 01-09-2020, 06:26 PM

Jerico !

01-06-2020, 07:31 PM	#13
Dyno Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 885 Likes: 999 Liked 615 Times in 183 Posts	Re: 1956 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon The picture of the car black was at the old North Star Dragstrip. We had a lot of fun racing there.

01-09-2020, 11:27 AM	#15
Lyn Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pontiac,il. Posts: 1,149 Likes: 251 Liked 920 Times in 175 Posts	Re: 1956 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon The 55 265s and early built 56 265s had flat top pistons, but GM stopped production of them mid 1956. You could not even order them from a dealer from mid 56 on.The part number was discontinued. If you build a 55 Stocker you must use the flat tops, and you must use a cam with 230 or less duration because of no piston to valve clearance. NHRA let the Jr Stockers use the valve relief pistons back in the 60s,and early 70s,but not now.

01-09-2020, 04:34 PM	#16
Chad E532 Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lindstrom MN Posts: 156 Likes: 5 Liked 54 Times in 7 Posts	Re: 1956 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon Continuing with the tear down. Mid 70's suspension technology at its finest. Attached Thumbnails

01-09-2020, 06:26 PM	#17
Mark Yacavone Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Miles From Nowhere Posts: 7,666 Likes: 2,772 Liked 4,856 Times in 1,847 Posts	Re: 1956 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon Jerico ! __________________ Real life never quite adds up.... Jay Farrar