Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

I have a 30” column , that’s what Ididit and POL recommend for the rack and pinion.

I was hoping to use the stock alternator this time but it sounds like I might have to relocate again. Never saw anything about this when I ordered but it’s not a big deal.

Hopefully I can get to it in the next few weeks.

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

Man, that is an absolute beautiful truck you have built. I love the green color. The white really makes it pop as well. Good work!

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

Thanks! I do feel it is coming along nicely. Still has a ways to go, though. Once I finish the steering conversion and the seat, I have several things left to do. Restore the gauge cluster, new bed wood, aluminum radiator and electric fan, power booster for the brakes, and A/C. Plus numerous smaller details. I figure 3-6 months.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...6&d=1674426225

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

I'm working on some slight mods to make the '67-68 seat backrest cover work on my '64 seat frame, and it is fussy work, so I take my time and take frequent breaks to re-assess as I go.

In the mean time, I bolted the seat cushion into the truck. And, wow, that new foam and repaired side support spring made it like new. Or maybe even better than new. It is nice and firm, no squishiness at all. I sit much taller inside now, enough so that I had to readjust the mirrors.

I also note there is not a lot of thigh clearance with the rebuilt seat and original 17" steering wheel. So this just confirms that I'm going to want to replace it with a smaller (say, 15") wheel. I was thinking about this anyway, as you don't need a 17" wheel with power steering. Now it's pretty much a given.

Attachment 2253312

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

And...

It's finally done. Pro tip for all my home viewers. While it IS possible to use '67-72 seat covers on a '60-66 full foam seat frame, and some of the later colors, patterns and fabrics may look more attractive to you—DON'T DO IT! Resist the temptation. Getting the back rest cover to fit and look reasonably good is a major pain, and requires a lot of custom fitting and fussing.

Attachment 2253473

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

Well it looks great. :)

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

Thanks. It was more work than installing proper year covers, but in the end I'm pleased with the results. And the seat feels great to sit on as well. With the seat now completely refurbished, the carpet and door panels in place, the interior is suddenly not a bad place to be.

So now I'm waiting on the electric steering pump to arrive, and laying plans on what to dig into next. I'll probably start pulling the factory heater out of the truck later today or tomorrow so that I can clean up and (probably) paint the firewall underneath in preparation for the future A/C. And maybe finally deal with the bed wood. Or a new radiator and electric fan. Or a brake booster. Or...

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

But would you say putting any 67-72 design seat cover on a '72 seat frame would be pretty easy?

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

Probably. But since I haven't really seen a seat frame from one of those years for something like 30 years, I can't say for certain.

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

The heater came out fairly easily. The fan motor is seized, and the heater core looks to have a lot of scale clogging it up, but the rest of it is actually pretty nice. I may post it for sale soon, along with the power steering pump and such. Maybe a couple of other surplus parts too.

As I expected, the PO (or his painter) didn't bother to pull the heater when the cab and firewall was painted. So I'm going to clean it up and use a little of the leftover green paint that came with the truck to spray that part of the firewall.

Bonus! Now that the heater is off and not going back, I can use a stock-type air filter instead of the cheesy looking one now on it. I need to start watching for a factory 4-BBL air cleaner...

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

I'm not a fan of the look of the deluxe heater so I managed to find a recirculating heater that mounts in the cab for mine and I got some factory block offs. Actually I've never bothered to run the heater hoses to it and the inlet outlet just have rubber caps on them. My truck is just a fair weather runner.

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

Here's the new-to-me electric steering pump. With the original mounting bracket it's a little bigger than I'd figured. But I'll need to mod the bracket some anyway, so I still think it will fit inside the left fender well. If not, I'll mount it under the bed behind the cab. But I'd rather not have to run hydraulic hoses that far if I don't have to.

Attachment 2255212

Attachment 2255213

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

Very interested to see your solution!

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

The steering pump project will begin in earnest later this week. Initial rough mock-up (a.k.a. holding the pump in place by hand) looks like it'll be OK up front. I'm optimistic.

Spent some time today painting the firewall where the heater used to be.

Attachment 2255250

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

Here's where the pump will sit. Since this picture, I've got the brackets pretty well settled. I'm using the original Volvo mounting cradle with its rubber mounts as is. I've sliced and diced the original cradle-to-body brackets to build a 3-point mount inside the fender. I'll only need to drill one single 5/16" hole in the frame, none anywhere else. Will post a picture after the bracket fab is complete.

Attachment 2256247

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

The pump bracketry is complete, and the pump is mounted. Plenty of room, no clearance issues at all. The pump sits on its original 3 rubber mounts, and the brackets and the mount cradle are solid.

I will start figuring out the plumbing tomorrow. I'd like to use the hoses I got from POL if I can. The return line should be no problem, but the pressure line may be a little too long. I need to get a M16x1.5 banjo fitting to adapt to the female -6 AN end of the pressure hose, will be looking to get one of those locally if possible.

Once the hoses have been figured out, I will fill the reservoir, and then wire it. Three wires, very simple.

Last, after spinning it lock-to-lock many times during the test fitting, I've come to the conclusion that I probably need a third u-joint and a support bearing for the steering shaft. I'll be looking into this soon.

Attachment 2256863

Attachment 2256864

Attachment 2256866

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

The hoses are routed and connected, and the initial fill is done. Wiring is started, might finish tomorrow, or maybe Wednesday. So it should be back on the ground and ready for road test by the end of the week.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...8&d=1675731672

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

Looks like it was made for that spot.

Power Steering Pump Location
 

Arne,
Are you at all worried about road debris, water, mud, etc. on the pump? It seems like it will be very exposed inside the wheel well. Do you plan to put some sort of shield/cover around it?

John

Re: Power Steering Pump Location
 

I've given some thought to building a simple shield of either sheet metal or possibly ABS or similar plastic.

On the other hand, I don't expect this truck to ever be a daily driver, and quite likely will only rarely even see rain. And considering the amount of road grunge I cleaned off of it from the original Volvo fitment, they must consider it fairly immune to that stuff. So I'm not sure that it's a big deal either way.

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

I took the truck on a short shakedown drive today, and I'm pleased. Yes, I've confirmed that I need to add a 3rd u-joint to the shaft, and also confirmed that the stock 17" steering wheel is too large for boosted steering. But I expected both of those items, and the rest of the performance has met my goals.

The electric pump has an audible whine, but you can't hear it from the cab when the engine is running, even at idle with the window open. The fixed 70% boost that the pump provides when not computer controlled is just about right. Easy to turn those big 275/60 tires when going slow, but not over-boosted at normal road speeds.

About the only downside is that—as others here have noted about some rack & pinion conversions—the turning radius may be a bit larger than before. But not much larger, certainly not as large as the '73 C30 crew cab I learned to drive on, so not enough to concern me.

I'm planning to write up a more comprehensive review with DIY notes soon. Watch for it in the main discussion area.

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

That's great your conversion works so fantastic.
maybe a cover over the power steering pump
keeps the dirt out and the noise in.

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

Maybe it’s obvious but I assume that pump placement wouldn’t work with the square body power steering box? Or maybe it could move outboard a little bit and still clear the tire?

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

I'm not too worried about the noise since you can't hear it from inside the cab. But keeping it clean, and hiding it from view could be nice. So I'll give some thought to a cover.

True, if I understand where the square body steering box mounts, I think this spot would be problematic. One may be able to move it outboard some, depending on what tires and wheels were being used. (Mine, being 275/60 on 15x8 up front are about as large as most people will ever have.) Also, building my mount brackets leveraging the original Volvo bracket as I did makes the package a bit larger than it would absolutely have to be.

But you could mount it inside the right fender just as easily, if you didn't mind running the hoses across under the radiator. Or behind the cab, or wherever.

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

The steering shaft support bearing and additional u-joint are on their way, along with some initial parts for the next update for the old truck—an aluminum radiator and electric cooling fan. Looks like ETA early next week.

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

I finished the steering project today. The third u-joint did the trick, the steering is now nice and smooth, no binding at all. I'm still thinking about adding a splash shield of some sort to the pump, but other than that the steering is complete.

Attachment 2259064

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

Did a little cleanup, a short test drive and some new photos today, since the sun was out.

My wife heard the truck coming home, and shot a really short video of me pulling into the driveway. I guess that proves it is a driver now.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Eq7XbKMEVbw

Here's a new pic...

Attachment 2259277

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

She looks good!

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

Turned out very pretty.

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

The steelies and hub caps are really starting to grow on me. Might have to change my plans.

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

The new radiator and fan are on their way, ETA late this week. Will probably install it over the weekend.

Spent some time cleaning the truck up a bit, even waxed it. Then took it for a short drive in the last sun we are likely to see here for the next week or so.

Self-nominated my truck for ToTM. Doing surprisingly well, so far. There's some really great competition.

Attachment 2259645

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

New radiator is delayed by weather, darn it. I was hoping to have it for this weekend to have something to do, but it's been stuck in Colorado since before sunrise Wednesday. Nothing I can do but wait, and watch the vote count for ToTM.

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

The radiator and fan are now said to be arriving tomorrow. Installing the new radiator should be simple, wiring up the new fan controller not too much harder. Will be nice not having to worry about engine temps going forward. Between the original 2-row radiator (probably full of scale) and no fan shroud, I've been pretty careful to not work it too hard.

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

The radiator did indeed arrive today, and I have to say I'm pleased with it. It is from Auto City Classics, and has nice, stamped tanks rather than the typical cut-n-welded origami radiators. A whole lot cleaner appearance, IMO.

I bought it on eBay rather than their website as it is $50 cheaper on eBay. On the website, you can add a custom shroud and/or a 16" electric fan as options. On eBay they offer only the bare radiator, or a complete package with fan and shroud.

Website - https://www.autocityclassic.com/pick...iator-r6366pu/

eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/29152280530...sAAOSwMmBVsmWw

The radiator and shroud are nice. The fan is a bit on the cheesy side, but since I still paid less for the whole package than just the rad and shroud (no fan) cost on the website, I'll live with it. Later it can be replaced with a nicer one if needed.

Fitment is nice, I'm going to trim the upper rubber mounts just a little, and you need to watch the lower cradle on the passenger side for interference with the outlet tube. So not quite a straight drop in, but close.

Tomorrow I will finish the rad install, go get a new rad cap, and then start on the fan controller/relay wiring with a kit I got from Summit.

Attachment 2260247

Attachment 2260248

Attachment 2260249

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

That looks very good

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

I like the look of those stamped tanks. Resembles the stock ones. I don't see any options for the LS guys like steam port inlet or optional inlet locations.

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

Yeah, they definitely cater to old school stuff, and stock replacements.

I mostly finished the install today. Found that the indents in the top tank don't match the original top saddle mount, so I had to trim some on the rubber isolators to get it to fit. But that was about it for fitment.

Then I wired the fan controller and fan. Doing that tidily took a little time. All I have left is to make final adjustment of the thermostat-relay on the controller. Will handle that tomorrow or so. New billet rad cap is not here yet.

So time to pick which item on my list is next. Probably not the new bed wood, as I want to wait for warmer weather for finish to cure.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...5&d=1677555990

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...6&d=1677555990

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

Well, about 24 hours left on ToTM voting, and my green stepside is a solid second. Pretty sure there won't be enough late votes to make up the gap to first. That's OK, it still shows some popularity.

Next up - power brake upgrade...

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

The knurled aluminum radiator cap arrived today, and it's fine. Got notice that the booster/master kit I ordered (which was shown as being in stock when I clicked the "order" button) is backordered. Grrr. Waiting on an ETA now.

Re: '64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue
 

And the answer to the ETA question is...


4-6 weeks. Groan. Gonna have to find something else to work on for a while, I guess.