Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Its all in the details and this truck has a TON of them. I really like the headlight rings.

Very nice
Marc

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

This one was an electric Smiths brand 'Euro' 150 mph speedometer, just calibrated down to 140. Nothing much left of it but the guts!

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

I'm doing a very similar A/C install with the new Vintage Air Gen. IV system. I am running my hoses behind the fender and up through the access panel also. I had planned on using bulkheads in the removable access panel but now that I have the bulkheads and the evaporator installed, I see there is not enough room. running the hoses straight to the evap. works but I haven't figured out a good way to seal off the hoses in the access panel yet. Have you fabricated a solution to this yet? Would greatly appreciate if you could share.
Thanks,
George Rust
'49 GMC

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

By the time you get your 5 hoses and a wire or two in there, there is not much room left to seal up

I've only got four hoses, my drain is going out somewhere else. There is a louvered vent right behind the hoses going to the outside. I would like to keep that outside air out of the cab so I want to seal it up well. I have grommets but the hoses are at a sharp angle and I don't think the grommets will work.
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Ok, I'm going to try to straighten out the picture here.
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Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Torchlight, sorry for the hijack!

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

No problem! Glad for anyone to have the opportunity to trade info and chat about these trucks. I'll try to add what I can that could be helpful.


I wish I had better pictures of all this stuff! But here are a few with some thoughts that I hope you can use in addition to what solidaxel has already posted. He's right on that once that area is stuffed with hoses, there really isn't enough room for much else without some serious re-engineering. Here's how we tacked it on Marvin.


The first component was sealing up the fresh air grille. I wanted to keep the grille on the exterior of the truck instead of shaving it. But I also wanted to seal it up on the inside to keep the elements and road noise out. So here you see a cover that was fabbed and welded to the inside. The side of this cover that faces out is painted with POR15, and there is a small drain fitting on the bottom right corner of the cover (that you can't see in this picture) with a pvc tube running down to the bottom of the inner cowl area (where there is also a drain opening to the outside). Very important when sealing up any part of these trucks to consider drainage for any moisture that does happen to get inside! Don't want all your hard work to rust away before your grandkids get to drive it.
http://i.imgur.com/LJAc2hx.jpg


Then, a simple cover was fabbed for the inside-the-cab opening. This piece just bolts on. You can kinda see it in this picture.
http://i.imgur.com/x5Am9Qn.jpg


Sounds like you've seen how we are routing the hoses into the cab. There are individual grommets for each hose through the sheetmetal where they enter the inner cowl area, but I don't have pictures that show that, unfortunately.
http://i.imgur.com/hjY4KXI.jpg


And then here's a pic showing how they all come up inside under the dash, very similar to the other two that were posted. It gets pretty crowded!
http://i.imgur.com/U6tIAVP.jpg


This is the best pic I have (unfortunately) that shows how we ended up "sealing" it all up. You can just see in the top center of this picture what we did. We just used that flat cover plate and bent the top out to create an opening for the hoses to come through. It isn't the most pretty, but it won't be visible once the glove box is installed, and there really isn't enough room to do a typical grommet or bulkhead connector approach. We will maybe stuff some sort of material in the opening around the hoses during final install for noise purposes, but I think moisture and outside air is pretty well taken care of already with the grille plate and the grommets on the hoses where they come into the cowl from the fender.
http://i.imgur.com/Mo42iEP.jpg


I hope this gives you a few ideas! Happy to answer any other questions to the best of my ability.


Also, while I'm here, just a short quick update on Marvin himself. I moved to Iowa in May, but Marvin is staying up in Minnesota until he's finished up, so I haven't been able to stop in and check up on progress lately. Same story as last time, though - body work body work body work. Getting all ready for that pretty red paint. Hood fitment was a real pain in the ass, apparently. But, as of last week, lots of block sanding happening, so there's some progress for sure. I'll definitely get some photos the next time I'm able to zip up to Minnesota!

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

That area you have for routing HVAC lines is the best I have found and it keeps the under hood clean

I do not have a final pic of the protection I have around the hoses, but they are protected and with the kick panel in place you do not see nay of the hoses on the inside of the cab

Thanks for sharing fellas. My truck is already painted so welding is not an option. I had already purchased single bulkheads from Vintage Air and found a way to use them. Will be some very short lines.
The first picture is the panel from the inside with the bulkheads. It is all tight but it fits.
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Next
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Last picture with connections on.
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Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Thanks for the examples on hose routing guys. Good ideas!

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Wow, you made it work! Short hoses indeed. Gonna look great - awesome work!

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

This is pretty much the route I'm looking to go with my project. How long have you been working on the transformation, and any idea how much you've spent so far?

It's looking great BTW.

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Looking good.....Keep up the good work.

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

I'm sorry, was this question aimed at me or Torchlight? It took me a couple months, but that is working off and on. All the parts came in about what the "kit" for the 47-53 trucks is. The bulkhead connectors and end connectors are longer than I had envisioned so I did have to deviate from my original plans a little. The crimp on connections on the heater hoses did not go as well as planned. Luckily I had a very patient A/C guy. He had to double crimp them. Also any metal on the suction side will sweat like crazy so I had to go back in and use the press tape to wrap those up so they didn't leak water on the inside of the kick panel. This was hard once installed. I cut the kick panel in half and reached up in the small space to wrap that one line. Total PITA! I welded a lip on the piece I cut off so it would tuck under the other side and then held in place by the two screws.

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Progress?!?
and don't say done cuz it ain't done until a shakedown video has been posted...:lol:

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

I know it's late but two part panel bond is a good option without burning paint.

Nick

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Haha, oh not done yet, although I sure wish it was! Updates have been slow due to a few factors - I can't visit Marvin in person nearly as often now but mostly progress had been fairly slow. Things are really picking up lately, though, as the body shop is now able to focus on Marvin full time over the last couple of weeks. Was going to wait a couple more weeks to make an update, but let me put up a few pictures to show where things stand right now.


Starting to lose track of how many times Marvin has been assembled then disassembled then assembled then disassembled. Here the cab and all the front end sheet metal was up for body prep.
http://i.imgur.com/AEvTMYG.jpg


While the sheet metal for the box and fenders was and will be fairly straight forward to prepare, I guess the cab is a fairly complex project to get ready for paint. Work begins...
http://i.imgur.com/40Oot0D.jpg


Progress! Lots of sanding. LOTS of sanding.
http://i.imgur.com/JlNb7zL.jpg


Lots of work to do inside the cab, as well. When it comes to interior, I'm planning to keep it pretty simple - not going to do "full coverage" with upholstery on the doors or cab walls. So, lots of surfaces inside the cab getting painted, which means lots of prep! And sanding.
http://i.imgur.com/zHRRTbz.jpg


Doors getting the treatment as well.
http://i.imgur.com/g2uazum.jpg


Finally ready for final primer - yippee!!!
http://i.imgur.com/kjqtn6U.jpg


Had the front sheetmetal on again for a final fit check before paint. Everything lining up real nice.
http://i.imgur.com/ZBCOe8e.jpg


Door gaps dialed in.
http://i.imgur.com/OiKLIW3.jpg


Technically these pictures are a bit out of order. The underside of the cab and the firewall did get fully prepped and painted before the cab went back on the frame. Here's underneath. Didn't go overboard prepping the underside.
http://i.imgur.com/LRiME7p.jpg


Top of the cowl (at an odd angle). Now the cab is back on the frame for the very last and final time. It won't be coming off again - that is exciting to me!
http://i.imgur.com/msZ8bIi.jpg


And here's the firewall getting the finish treatment after paint and clear. Love love love how the color is turning out, and I'm so happy that after all this time, Marvin is finally getting to be red again. Cannot wait to see the whole cab in color!
http://i.imgur.com/wpiwqMS.jpg


As far as schedule goes, this week will see Marvin's cab and front inner/outer fenders getting paint and finish. The fenders will go back on for the last time, and Marvin will get to go on a field trip to the mechanical shop for final assembly of all the bits under the sheetmetal. Scheduled to be there for a month, at which time he should be able to fire up and technically driveable. Wow! Can't wait to hear his new voice from the LS motor and Porter exhaust. I'll be visiting in two weeks and will report back with some new pictures hopefully showing the completed paint job on the cab/doors/fenders!

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Nice color, candy apple red?

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Oddly enough, its actually a Mitsubishi color - Ultra Red Pearl. For a two-stage paint, it has really nice depth and a beautiful gold metallic in it that you don't see unless the sun hits it just right.

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

When you delivered your truck to the shop was it a T & M or a contracted job?

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

T&M. I try not to think about it. :eek:

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Ohhhh !
You will have a VERY good truck that will outlast you and can be driven for the next 50 years.

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Absolutely! Truck for grandkids someday, I hope.

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

looks awesome

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Just finished this thread.. Outstanding!!!!
Question: who makes those valve covers???
Love the details you have added.

again, Outstanding!
Bill

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Thanks! The valve covers are by Billet Specialties. I think there are some other companies now making similar products as well.

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Hi all, back with a few pictures after a recent visit to the body shop. I think there definitely is such a thing as "body shop purgatory," but progress is really happening, and the results are so much fun to watch come together. The guys at the shop are doing amazing work, as always.


Headlight rings came back from chrome looking perfectly smooth and oh so shiny - can't wait to see them on the fenders!
http://i.imgur.com/fk1W0m8.jpg


Speaking of fenders, the front fenders have final primer, have been final sanded, and are ready to take some color.
http://i.imgur.com/kyAHbHd.jpg


Speaking of color, a few parts are finally red, once again! It has been awhile, that's for sure. I stopped by while some parts were in the middle of being color sanded, so you'll see some parts looking shiny, some not so much. Like the hood here.
http://i.imgur.com/9PXd1Kq.jpg


Feels so good to see the cab back on the frame for the very last time and all red once again. I can't believe how much sanding there must be to do on a complex piece of sheetmetal like the AD cabs.
http://i.imgur.com/PvKxqk6.jpg


I'm not planning to fully upholster the inside of the cab. Want to keep a more classic, quasi-original look, so behind the seat just gonna upholster up to the belt line and then bare sheetmetal up to the ceiling for a simple headliner. That does mean way more prep work and finish sanding inside the cab, though. But I think having lots of the paint visible inside the cab will be a great look. You can see the area around the rear window getting finished off nice.
http://i.imgur.com/Jpqy5VY.jpg


Final finish starting to come through on the outside of the cab. I think the area that is going to be hidden behind the box may not get quite the highest level of polish, and that's just fine.
http://i.imgur.com/4b44cLZ.jpg


Doors are done and looking great! Can't wait to see them with the door handles, mirrors, and stainless window trim.
http://i.imgur.com/lRvFD9D.jpg


Inside of the drivers door. You can see I'm just planning on doing a simple rectangle of upholstery around the door and window mechanisms - like the stock cardboard parts. The rest will be paint instead of a fully upholstered door. I think the horizontal stamping on the inside of the door was just too cool to cover up!
http://i.imgur.com/7hng6JS.jpg


Dash and door jambs all polished up. Like the doors - can't wait to see the dash all assembles with steering wheel, gauges, glovebox doors, and trim. Hard to describe just how good this color looks in person - the pictures don't do it total justice. Just a gorgeous deep cranberry red - perfect for Marvin!
http://i.imgur.com/xThGWBh.jpg


I was disappointed that I couldn't get a very good picture of the beautiful gold metallic in the paint. You can just kind of see it in this picture where the cowl makes its curve downwards. It is such a nice bonus to the paint color - you don't really perceive it unless the light hits it just right, and then it looks quite brilliant!
http://i.imgur.com/MXZzQ5I.jpg


I'll get to visit again in about a month. Way too long for my patience, but I'll need to find a way to deal. Marvin will be at the mechanical shop by then, and there is a chance I may be there to hear the motor get fired up for the first time. Cannot wait!

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Awesome! Beautiful color

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Hey folks - got a real quick update today. Wanted to put up some new pictures to show that progress in the paint shop is really happening! Marvin is looking real sharp these days and the 'light at the end of the tunnel' is starting to get a bit brighter. Spring is coming, and the thought of finally hitting the streets with Marvin is enticing. Rushed for time a bit this morning, so this will mostly be pictures without a lot of detailed commentary.


I think when all the small bits and pieces start being prepped for paint, you know you're getting closer to the end.
http://i.imgur.com/ltdsmtp.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/KhkaaF1.jpg


Numerous batches of "bits 'n pieces" have been through the paint booth.
http://i.imgur.com/k9XwgkE.jpg


And, of course, sanding continues.
http://i.imgur.com/sRXOaLO.jpg


Doing some steering wheel mockup on the ididit column. Gonna look great!
http://i.imgur.com/wUhptKi.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/aghYDKi.jpg


Finally getting to see the cab and some other parts after final sanding and final polish is a real treat. It is going to be very hard to be patient to see Marvin fully re-painted and fully re-assembled. He's come a long way so far!
http://i.imgur.com/Z4FBaJw.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/dzhRp5C.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/RPbgdnj.jpg


Finally, the motor getting dressed back up before the inner fenders and radiator/core-support go on for the final time. I think the Jet-Hot coating on the headers turned out looking real nice.
http://i.imgur.com/SilhGrM.jpg


I hope I'll have more to report real soon!

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Looking very good coming together!

Pella..I remember a lot of brick buildings in town, including the McDonalds.

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

good god that looks awesome. I agree 100% with not upholstering the full door. There are so many cool original looking features that people blow right over and have no appreciation for. I like custom but when the little details get stripped, I often don't like that. I can't stand seeing cars that are old be turned into something so new and modern, like a boyd car, just not my flavor at all. What you got going on is a perfect combo. Its all about that contrast and some people don't understand that.

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Killer paint! I can only imagine how excited you must be. This is gonna be one sweet ride.

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Do you plan on having your front end aligned when you finish the truck?

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

That's Pella, for sure! They've got some fairly strict zoning regulations that call for any new commercial/retail building has to be built with a dutch looking style. Probably annoying to new businesses or builders but sure makes the town look nice.


I really appreciate your comment. When I first started the build, I was planning on "smoothing" out a lot of elements on the truck - such as shaving the cowl vents, drip rails, door handles, firewall stamping, and hood center strip. But as things progressed, I realized I really wanted to keep all that original personality because Marvin has always been to me a nice old truck and I still wanted Marvin to have that aura about him. (even though underneath the sheet metal, he's been upgraded)


Excited is definitely the right word! Home stretch now.


For sure. Right now the goal is for Marvin to be fully complete with assembly in time for an indoor car show in mid-April. But that won't necessarily mean ready to hit the streets. After that show, Marvin will need to hang tight in a garage until the winter conditions fade to spring and all the salt and sand get off the road. Then will need to go through a full phase of drive testing and "dialing it in." Will get the fuel, ignition, and transmission computers set up correctly, adjust brakes, coil-overs, steering, and alignment. Make sure gauges, lighting, radio, a/c, etc. are all working correctly. So once the warm weather comes and Marvin has gone through a couple weeks of "commissioning," then will be ready to hit the road - can't wait!

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Take some pictures of the washer arrangement on the upper control arms when he finishes the alignment.
You are running a power R&P right?

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Yep - power rack and pinion. Will definitely post pics of the upper control arms once alignment is finished.

Re: Marvin (1953 3100)
 

Just curious, why do you want a pic of those washers? You add or remove those washers to set the caster so it could differ depending on the rake of your truck.