Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

That's great news to hear the steering issue is solved. I didn't realize that cross link could be a issue, I was worried about putting in the centerlink backwards when I did the suspension on the GMC. Thanks for everything Vic this weekend!, I'm also sure glad I know that shortbed bed side I have is going to fit without any issues. I've been worried since you had to cut on your inner bedsides.

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

He's the guy that bought it, then ran it thru the Dallas auction with no sale. Guess he decided to keep it after all. Said he's been taking it to some cruise-ins and getting lots of looks. The upside is, now he'll also have a "stupid PO" story to tell.

Me neither, Scott. I had to dig out the photos from Silver to see exactly what he was telling me. I'm still assimilating how that's possible. And you're welcome, glad I could be of assistance.

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

I didn't think that part would mount up wrong? I need to check mine too

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

Help a blind guy out here. What's the difference in the pics?

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

Notice how in the top photo, the tie rod is running underneath the idler arm. In the bottom shot, the tie rod is between the end of the idler arm and the crossmember. Don't feel bad, two front end shops (Chevrolet and an independent in KC) missed it and it took two days in a shop in Dallas before someone said, "Do ya think that crosslink is in backwards?"

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

Ah, there's Waldo --> Ha!

I ran and checked mine and can see how it'd fit up either way. In fact, just the way the rest of the stuff kind of splays back (A-Arms, sway bar) it looks like that's the way it ought to be . Props to the eagle-eye that figgered that out and to Vic for humbly sharing that foo-bar with us!

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

ha! we all do things like that. it keeps us Humble....;)

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

Truck progress has been slow, to say the least. I did manage to get the hood and parts of the front wheel wells in Slick Sand. Amazing how much better it looks than the plastic patchwork. I had to take time off to repair two water lines on the TIG, but it's back humming again. Kathy has been patiently waiting for over a month for me to build the brackets to mount an umbrella for the deck. Seeing as how she's tolerated my truck activity for all this time, I figured I'd better get her project handled. Better safe than sorry.

And under the heading, "No good deed goes unpunished", the neighbor's kid asked me to air up the tire on his tricycle. Naturally, it had a tiny pinhole that turned into major blowout somewhere around 20psi. He's looking up at me like, "You just ruined my bike!" Frantically, I explained it was easily fixed, all that's needed is a trip to Target. So now it's in pieces on the bench. Dang!

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

The hood looks awesome Vic!
I never did see a picture of the deck after you added the stairs, they look great.
Sigh the things we get ourselves into trying to help others but at least it's a quick fix.

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

I think progress ha been pretty slow for almost all of us, with spring were all catching up on neglected stuff. Nice progress on the hood!

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

Awww Maaannnnn... At least you got some house stuff done!

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

Oil pickup tube for a yellow truck in that photo?

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

Yep, fixing to post pics of the (almost) finished product on Chip's thread. :ito:

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

I've been sidetracked recently and CRLS hasn't been feeling the love. Had relatives staying with us off and on for a couple of weeks and worked on the parts getter truck and an engine overhaul for the son of one of my buddies. The kid bought a 383 SBC stroker off eBay that was "new", broke in on a test stand and ready to drop into his '57 Chevy BelAir. Upon startup, the cam was already flat and continued to self destruct during the brief moments it actually ran. The company he purchased it from turned their backs on him and the outfit that installed it in his car quoted an exorbitant price to fix it. So, long story short, it ended up here. During reassembly, I found out the hydraulic roller I bought to go back in it was defective. Intake lobe centerlines on numbers 1 & 6 were 7.5 degrees apart, when they should be identical. Have been cooling my heels waiting for the cam manufacturer to issue a return authorization. So I'm in limbo in a manner of speaking. Don't want to return to bodywork until the engine is buttoned up, but need to do something.

So I've been doing some research on the forum regarding air bag installation. When Scott D. sold off his project parts and pieces to fund the purchase of an actual running truck, I ended up with his AccuAir e-Level system and Slam Specialties bags and mounts. Crusty is gonna get bagged! I've been perusing the Suspension forum and there are a few good pics, but I still haven't run across a beginning to end tutorial for '67-'72 trucks that includes good pics. Just need to keep digging, I guess.

So that's what's been going on in my world recently. Soon as I get this mouse motor put back together and delivered, I'll be back on my stuff.

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

Vic, I'm liking the "bagged" idea. Good luck on your sons motor, there's nothing worse than somebody that won't stand behind what they sell. I've got a buddy here that bought a 496 stroker short block and the guy that built my 427 finished everything else on the motor. He got it finished and put in his '55 Chevy, after about 800 miles the trouble started. All bottom end problems, bearings, main cap bolt broke, and of course you know what the metal particles did mixed with the oil. To make a long story short $6000 later he sat the motor back in this weekend. I'm not sure where he got the short block from, but they wouldn't stand behind it.

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

Vic that is awesome about going bagged. I am on my phone so I can't copy the link easily but look up tcb-1 user and he has a great write up on a 69 air ride install. He also lives in Overland Park and probably could answer ques I need be. He is a great guy. Also provides great write ups and does stuff cleanly and the right way.

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

Vic I'm loving that your planning to bag the truck now. If you have any questions or need any help let me know. You stated that you received the mounts with the bags from Scott so your already ahead of the game. It is pretty simple to get the bags mounted, especially in the front. The biggest pain is drilling out the frame for the airline fitting in the rear. If you plan on mounting the bags directly to the frame then you have some metal to drill through :lol: No matter what I suggest running a 2" lowering block in the rear, if you aren't already. This allows you to run more air pressure in the rear bag with a lower ride height. Good luck with the install.

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

Thanks for the words of encouragement, guys. I'm sure I'll need your expertise as this progresses. Brian, I found tcb-1's build thread, but many of the photos were hosted by photo bucket and are no longer available. There are enough to get a feel for what he did, so I've bookmarked it for further review. This plan started out as a pair of rear bags with Schrader valves. Like everything I touch it morphed into ...well, something else.

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

cool stuff, i like your shop, very nice n neat

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

Wow - lucky you found that! Not many even take the time to check or adjust cam timing.

Anxious to see the bag set up Vic!!

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

Darn Vic- you might send him a note I bet he could send you the pics. He is a great guy.

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

That's sucks to hear about the motor. Vic I do have those two inch lowering blocks that Keith was suggesting. I can bring them by anytime.

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

That sucks to hear about the motor. Vic I do have those two inch lowering blocks that Keith was suggesting. I can bring them by anytime.

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

That would be great, Scott, saves me making them!

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

I'll trade you out U bolts too, the ones I have are for the two inch lowering blocks.

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

Can't wait to see the super sano bag install!

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

Hey Vic,

Rick showed me your thread when he was down a couple weeks ago. Found time(about 1hr 30 min) read the whole thread over the weekend. Had to wait to get accepted before I could post.

Fantastic!

Keith Daleen

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

Thanks, Keith! Good to have a master metal man looking over my shoulder. I really miss Motorburg and the build thread on CS's 'bird. All the more reason to stop by the shop, I reckon. The thrash is on at Smith's this Friday/Saturday to see if that stroker motor will actually run. Stop by if you get the chance.

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

I'm supposed to snag it tomorrow night and trailer it to Steve's for the upcoming transplant.

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

With the twins here from Houston, CRLS is taking a backseat to other more important stuff like Worlds of Fun and picnics at the park. Today, though, while the kids were cleaning out the toy department at Target, I hung around the shop and worked plastic filler. I tell you what, that whole "saving money" by shortening the bed deal is wearing me out. The outer skin is finally ready for a coat of Slick Sand, but I still haven't flipped the bedside over to work the inner panel. Thankfully, the surface only needs to be straight enough for bed liner. I started spreading some mud on the bed floor so I can toggle back and forth between two panels and work one while filler is setting up on the other. I need to tune up my spreader tool as it's leaving too much in the valleys and taking too much off the peaks. Other than that, it's going well.

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

Looks great Vic! That bed floor has to be tedious eh?

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

Yep, using a flat stirring stick with sandpaper folded around it to clean up the valleys is a pain. But the good news is ...it doesn't have to be perfect. So hopefully it will go quickly.

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

I am starting the bed floor this weekend straightening all the weld dimples... so you think the paint stick is the way to go as opposed to a sanding block...

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

I didn't have a sanding block that would fit down in the recessed areas of the bed floor. I scrounged up a house paint stir stick that's wider than the ones you get at the auto paint store. Used the belt sander to take off just a little bit to where it fits the groove just right. It's stiff enough to work the filler down flat. Only drawback is that you need to wear gloves or it will quickly rub the hide right off your fingers.

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

LOL... Thanks for the info...

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

Vic, looks like your bedsides and floor are coming right along. You sure do have a lot of patience....

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

Looks great Vic! this brings me to a question, you don't have the filler door installed, are you gonna leave the door as is or are you going to try and apply some to the door and match the couture?

I noticed my door does not sit tight against the rubber bumpers when closed, I did do some armstrong work with it, got it better than before but not perfect. I kinda figured trying to mud the door would open a big can of worms, i don't care if its perfect.

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

Nice work on the bedside and floor. You are bringing back pleasant memories:)

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

Lookin' straighter by the day!

Re: Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step
 

I think the door can be tweaked to where it fits the opening. It was pretty close when I mocked it up way back when. There's not a lot of curve to the panel right there, so hopefully the flat door will look okay. As long as it sits in the center of the opening with an even gap all the way around it should blend in. I doubt I could improve its appearance much with filler, so I agree it would more than likely make a mess.