CTP Tech
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Glenn Sinon is known for his craftsmanship and innovation. Check out the Chevrolet script taken from a rocker cover that has been cleverly integrated into the LS Fabrication firewall installed in his latest project.

1. Glenn Sinon is known for his craftsmanship and innovation. Check out the Chevrolet script taken from a rocker cover that has been cleverly integrated into the LS Fabrication firewall installed in his latest project.

BEHIND THE SCENES: EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Glenn Sinon’s Latest After-School Project

BY RON CERIDONOPhotography by CTP STAFF

I

t seems like Glenn Sinon has held a body hammer or a spray gun in one hand or the other for most of his adult life. He’s worked in body shops, is a former training instructor for PPG, and today Sinon teaches collision repair and refinishing at A.I. Prince Technical High School in Hartford, Connecticut. So what does he do in his spare time? He builds spectacular cars in his home shop—Sinon’s Ford Maverick was featured in our sister publication Modern Rodding, he’s won best paint at the Detroit Autorama, and received the Master Builder award at the Boston World of Wheels.

Sinon’s latest project is a ’51 Chevy five-window pickup and we were lucky enough to catch the early stages of its construction. The frame has been completely boxed from front to back. In addition, the rear of the framerails were trimmed on the outside then boxed to provide clearance for the rear tires.

To update the front suspension and steering those components have been swapped for a Fatman Fabrications Mustang II IFS with power rack-and-pinion steering. The stock torque tube–equipped rearend has been replaced by a Ford 9-inch assembly; the brakes are now discs from ECI up front with Ford drums in the rear. Ridetech coilovers are used all around.

Sinon wanted to eliminate the in-cab gas tank and mount one under the bed. However, he doesn’t like the through-thefloor filler that most use, so Sinon fabricated a filler pipe and located a pop-up gas cap in the left rear fender—it’s unobtrusive and convenient.

With the chassis modifications complete, the engine and transmission mounts in place, and the exhaust system fabricated, the frame was sent out for powdercoating. Once the frame was back in Sinon’s garage a Chevrolet crate engine was installed. While that doesn’t seem unusual, his choice of this particular crate engine is. Sinon opted for a Chevrolet Performance CT350—this 350ci small-block is designated the “GM 602” and is a sealed circle track crate engine for factory stock class racing.

While the CT350 sounds like an odd choice for a street engine, it’s not as outlandish as it seems. These engines are based on a four-bolt main block, have iron Vortec cylinder heads, and a pump gas–friendly 9.1:1 compression ratio. A unique dual-pattern camshaft helps deliver more than 300 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 5,500 rpm peaking at 396 lb-ft at 3,800 rpm, which makes for a super stout street engine with plenty of pulling power that’s reliable and not the least bit temperamental. The “602” came with an 8-quart circle track racing oil pan, harmonic balancer, HEI distributor, and an aluminum high-rise, dualplane intake manifold, which Sinon swapped for a Chevrolet Performance Ram Jet fuel injection system. Backing up the small-block is a 700-R4 from TCI Automotive.

With the chassis a roller, Sinon will now turn his attention to bodywork, paint, and adding the dozens and dozens of the exquisite details he’s known for. We’ll stay in touch and keep you up to date with the progress of the teacher’s pet.

The finished chassis for Sinon’s truck rolls on ET III wheels; fronts are 15x7, rears measure 15x10, tires are Cooper Cobra 225/65R15 fore and Hoosier 29x12.50R aft.

2. The finished chassis for Sinon’s truck rolls on ET III wheels; fronts are 15×7, rears measure 15×10, tires are Cooper Cobra 225/65R15 fore and Hoosier 29×12.50R aft.

With the stock steering and suspension removed the frame was then placed on jackstands and leveled. The Fatman Fabrications crossmember was temporarily put in place to check the fit. Note the rails have not yet been boxed.

3. With the stock steering and suspension removed the frame was then placed on jackstands and leveled. The Fatman Fabrications crossmember was temporarily put in place to check the fit. Note the rails have not yet been boxed.

Cardboard templates for boxing plates were made. Note the reference mark on the frame (arrow) indicating the front axle centerline.

4. Cardboard templates for boxing plates were made. Note the reference mark on the frame (arrow) indicating the front axle centerline.

To make the frame rigid the ’rails were boxed their entire length with 1/8- inch plate.

5. To make the frame rigid the ’rails were boxed their entire length with 1/8- inch plate.

The Fatman IFS is equipped with tubular control arms, 2-inch dropped spindles, and coilovers.
6. The Fatman IFS is equipped with tubular control arms, 2-inch dropped spindles, and coilovers.
Rather than using Mustang II–type slots for alignment adjustments, this Fatman IFS has vertical plates that the upper control arms attach to. Note how the upper coilover mounts index into the mounting plates for the upper control arms (arrows) for strength and to position them properly.

7. Rather than using Mustang II–type slots for alignment adjustments, this Fatman IFS has vertical plates that the upper control arms attach to. Note how the upper coilover mounts index into the mounting plates for the upper control arms (arrows) for strength and to position them properly.

Stopping power is provided by ECI com- 9. ponents that include GM calipers squeezing drilled-and-slotted rotors.
8. Stopping power is provided by ECI com- 9. ponents that include GM calipers squeezing drilled-and-slotted rotors.
To keep the truck flat in corners, an antiroll bar was added and a power rack will make steering easy.
9. To keep the truck flat in corners, an antiroll bar was added and a power rack will make steering easy.
Progressive Automotive supplied the tubular crossmember components. In the rear it ties into the frame just above the four-bar brackets.
10. Progressive Automotive supplied the tubular crossmember components. In the rear it ties into the frame just above the four-bar brackets.
The rear suspension is made up of coilovers, four-bars, and a diagonal locator all from Total Cost Involved (TCI). John’s Industries supplied the 9-inch Ford axle housing.
11. The rear suspension is made up of coilovers, four-bars, and a diagonal locator all from Total Cost Involved (TCI). John’s Industries supplied the 9-inch Ford axle housing.
Sinon used pipe and mandrel bends from Summit Racing to build the exhaust system. The mufflers are Flowmaster 40s.
12. Sinon used pipe and mandrel bends from Summit Racing to build the exhaust system. The mufflers are Flowmaster 40s.
The 2-1/2- inch exhaust pipes are routed under the center crossmember. Just ahead of the mufflers is an X-pipe from Summit.
13. The 2-1/2- inch exhaust pipes are routed under the center crossmember. Just ahead of the mufflers is an X-pipe from Summit.
Once the exhaust system was completed it was sent out to be covered with high-temperature powdercoating.
14. Once the exhaust system was completed it was sent out to be covered with high-temperature powdercoating.
For a rear-mounted gas tank, Sinon used a reproduction intended for ’41-48 Fords as it fit the space available. It will attach to a new square tube crossmember.
15. For a rear-mounted gas tank, Sinon used a reproduction intended for ’41-48 Fords as it fit the space available. It will attach to a new square tube crossmember.
These simple tabs were used to mount the rear of the Ford gas tank to the Chevy frame.
16. These simple tabs were used to mount the rear of the Ford gas tank to the Chevy frame.
The two tabs were welded to a new square tube crossmember at the back of the frame; the tank was then bolted to the tabs.
17. The two tabs were welded to a new square tube crossmember at the back of the frame; the tank was then bolted to the tabs.
Here’s an old trick we haven’t seen in a while, Sinon mounted ’49-50 Mercury taillights to the rear fenders of his Chevy.
18. Here’s an old trick we haven’t seen in a while, Sinon mounted ’49-50 Mercury taillights to the rear fenders of his Chevy.
To fill up with gas, Sinon fabricated a fill pipe from the tank to a cap in the fender.
19. To fill up with gas, Sinon fabricated a fill pipe from the tank to a cap in the fender.
To open the cap it’s rotated a quarter turn; it pops up and can be removed.
To open the cap it’s rotated a quarter turn; it pops up and can be removed.
20-21. To open the cap it’s rotated a quarter turn; it pops up and can be removed.
When closed the gas cap is flush with the surface of the fender.
22. When closed the gas cap is flush with the surface of the fender.
Sinon chose an unusual engine for his truck. It’s a circle track race engine for factory stock classes—it’s been topped with Chevrolet Performance Ram Jet fuel injection.
23. Sinon chose an unusual engine for his truck. It’s a circle track race engine for factory stock classes—it’s been topped with Chevrolet Performance Ram Jet fuel injection.
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