Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

I should meet this guy....

Ok, ok....

On one hand I'm a little lazy and I want the easy option.

On the other hand, I don't want to ruin the originality of the truck.

On both hands, I don't even know what that last sentence means.

I'm formulating a plan.

In other fitment ideas, I originally intended to fit air tanks inside the backs of the stepside fenders, figured I could mount two three-gallon tanks in there.

Road grime concerns me with the longevity of the tanks there, but as it turns out, the five-gallon tank that came with my kit should fit just fine against the driver's rear X-brace leg, beside the driveshaft.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Which kit is this?

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

It's the Revell '65 C10 stepside truck, with the AMT '60 Apache fleetside bed.

I bought both kits to build a '60 step side into what my '61 will be. My kid is building with the cast-offs.

Helped a buddy repair his tire machine, then tried pounding the bed sides straighter, then decided to blast.

Half hour of blasting:

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...20-672x378.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

As an in-between, I drew up a brake caliper adapter for the back axle. This is v2, because apparently I can't measure.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...v2-672x545.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Did not do any blasting yesterday, as it was stricken with "too dang hot outside." Last week it was two jackets to drive the 7 to work, yesterday was "I wish I had shorts."

I -did-, however, get 45 minutes of blasting done today, but I think I was heading to heatstroke. My heart was absolutely pounding while I blasted (could hear it with my ear plugs in), and was absolutely wiped. Came in for a shower and tried not to just curl up on the floor and sleep.

Maybe I'll do a bit less of it tomorrow.

About 15 minutes of blasting on the outside of one bed side.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Met with the window folks to get a quote for replacing windows in our house. Wow. THAT is pricey.

Welded brackets onto a buddy's bumper bar to mount a splitter.

Trial fitted V.4 of the disc brake adapter. Fits REALLY well, and now just needs final welding (no, the vice grips are not staying):

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...02-672x378.jpg

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...21-672x378.jpg

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...14-672x378.jpg

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...29-672x378.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

LS1 style disc set-up w/the shoe in hat e-brake?

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Z/28 calipers which operate the e-brake with the caliper.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Looking @ the caliper made me think 'caliper actuated e-brake' but I knew it didn't look like the traditional/common aftermarket street-rod Cadillac variety.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

More blasting today. At least I did this in the evening - it was much more comfortable. The other side left to do. And the tailgate. And the braces. And the fenders. And the steps. Oh my.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...47-672x378.jpg

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...48-672x378.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

That's a ton of work. I know, huh? But it sure is nice to work with a clean slate as you continue. You're doing some great work and I'm enjoying following your build.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Lots of hammering and shrinking to get these bed sides flat again. Wow.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...ed-672x379.png

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Ok, FIFTH try, and I'm confident enough to weld it all together. We now have 9"-Ford/Z-28/Caprice brakes.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...03-672x378.png

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...24-672x378.jpg

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...50-672x378.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Nice!!

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Finish blasting the bed. Eight hours, ran the abrasive through about six times, then added a new bag which I ran though probably three times. Went through two plastic screens for the hood.

Overheated the compressor motor twice despite its own fan blowing on it and an extra fan blowing on it and another fan circulating air and the compressor shed door open to the outside. It's an IR 5hp 2-stage rated for 100% duty cycle. Odd.

Each time I waited for the motor to cool down, I worked on fixing the front fenders. Got this far, close-to-zero-filler TIG:

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...12-672x378.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Nice rear end set up, I sure like 9" rear ends.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

That looks good on the fender repair. Did you have to fab a patch towards the top?

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

I did. The fender bottom patch is cheap, the back -half- fender patch is not. I happen to have some fabrication tools....

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Just a few ;)

It looks almost like a new, GM fender now

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

I can very much appreciate how much work went into that...excellent.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Great stuff!

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Did some blasting of the left fender in prep for epoxy. Might get to epoxy tomorrow; I'd like to do both front fenders at the same time.

Worked on the air compressor pressure ON and OFF settings to try and reduce how much it the motor cycles. IR figures the motor goes into thermal protection because of the stops and starts, not the constant running. Motor is rated for 100% duty cycle.

Also tried the smallest blasting tip that would still pass sand in hopes of cutting down the CFM required. I did set the line pressure at 60psi and it seemed to last reasonably well.

Welded in the patch on the passenger side. Needs a bit of planishing, but should be ready for epoxy tomorrow.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Awesome work there sir!!!!