Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Very nice thread Dan..
Nice clean truck you have..
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Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

I may have missed it...Where did youget the fan shroud???

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

The Truck Shop in Orange, CA. I think I did mention it at some point before but here's the link:

http://www.truckandcarshop.com/trucks47_59/t47_066.html

Thanks for asking!

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

I haven't done anything to my truck in months, so I went to start her yesteray and though she usually fires right up, today she didn't want to. I opened the hood only to find friggin rats had gotten onto my intake and made a mess. Not only that but they peed on the clear finish on my valve covers and messed it up. Take a look at post #282 above for what she looked like before.

A quick spritz of starting fluid and she started right up, but will not idle.
I checked down the carb and it is clean as a whistle - fortunately. So I don't think the rats caused the idling problem. Any ideas on the sudden inability to idle? I dn;t want to but MAY have to pull the carb justto verify there's nothing small in there like a rat poop or something. Ideas anyone IF its not rat related but has been sitting for a couple months? Once started it would run if I kept my foot in it, but as soon as I let off she'd die. Then wouldn't start again without fluid.

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...oreCleanup.jpg

After I cleaned up in there. You can see that even the cast intake finish is damaged a bit. I suppose that at some point I'll pull the valve covers, strip them and re-polish or strip and spray them with VHT Hi Temp.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...rCleanup-1.jpg

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

stinkin' rats !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Rats suck.
Kim

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Rats in Pasadena? I thought all the rats were is Sacramento. You can probably buff the valve covers back to new. The intake will likely need to be blasted (if you're going to be picky). Too bad, because you really had the engine looking good. Rats! Who'd a thunk?

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Sorry Dan!

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Thanks guys. Yeah, this seriously sucks. The engine was the only thing on the truck that was starting to look good, lol.

I'm gonna put a snap trap in there when its parked and Maybe a tray of some poison too.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

hopefully no cats climb into the engine area with your traps set !

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

i'd check to see what else the rats chewed on. vac hoses, plug wires, etc..
if your running points, clean them up with a little sandpaper
but it sounds vacuum related

around here no rats, but we have killer squirrels :D
anything parked outside get stuffed full of black walnuts.
they chewed a hole in my cold air pipe, pulled all the paper out of the filter and then proceeded to fill everything with walnuts.
how my truck ran with all those nuts in there is beyond me; throttle body, air cleaner, cold air pipe and inner fender was full of nuts.
i didn't notice it until a nut rolled under the throttle cam and stuck the throttle wide open.
once a squirrel stashes nuts in there, he will go back and stash them again and again.
i could fill a truck bed with the nuts i've cleaned out under the hood

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/n...gre/nuts2u.jpg

mowing my yard or even walking in the yard can be hazardous in the fall

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/n...gre/nuts4u.jpg

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Dan, just drive it more often. Lots more fun and doesn't give the rats time to take up residence.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Ogre,
I will definitely have another, closer look with a flashlight in hand to make CERTAIN there's nothing chewed.

Russ,
You're EXACTLY right. The reason I wasn't driving it was becasue I took the door latches, door panels, window cranks, etc off in preparation or cleaning up, priming and painting. I did that, bought new door rubber, window felt and anti-rattle strips. Then I found more rust in the lower doors than I originially thought there was (naturall, right? I shoulda known better).

And because I haven't gone out and bought a bottle of Ar/Co2 (about $190 at my local Airgas supplier) nor .023 wire ($20-30) for my welder I guess I won't til January because of the holidays and a planned ski trip right after. But once that arrives I will be able to make the repairs.

I went out there Sat with the intention of pulling her out, cleaning her up, and doing some prep work - cutting rotted metal out, etc. But honstly, I just got pissed off and cleaned the rat crap & nuts and went inside and sulked!! Very adult, I know! I haven't given up. I'm in a lull but I can feel myself coming out of it and YOUR trucks and the encouragement (and teasing, lol) you give are the things that keep me going.
Thanks guys!

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Ok, I've done exactly "Jack" on the truck for months.

But Daylight Savings Time started today & I want to use her as my weekend driver/Home Depot runner so I got back to work today. I've had the hood latch & panel in front of the radiator off awhile. I hadn't reassembled cause I could see the front end was very dirty & loaded with surface rust (Yeah right!:lol:) Plus, the grill - one of my main attractions to the '55-'56's - looks nasty. I pulled the bumper, grill, under-apron today:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...psab6135bf.jpg

Grill is in overall good condition - no rust through - with "light" (for 58 years) surface rust on the backside. Options are a cheapo old Sears siphon sandblaster if I'm careful. OR I can try naval jelly or Ospho. Opinions? If Ospho, do I soak it in a bath of it for a few hours?
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...psc9e636ad.jpg

Backside:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...psfe5fba45.jpg

Underside of Apron:
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps442c3618.jpg

Incidentally, I intend to paint the backsides with either KBS or spray undercoating. All opinions appreciated. What have you guys done with yours? I've heard with KBS (or POR15) you WANT to put it over rust like that. I think I'd just wire brush it and paint. Whaddaya think?

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Those look pretty decent for their age.
POR-15 is supposed to go over rust so I guess you could knock the loose stuff off and paint it.
Kim

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Yeah, that's what I've read too. It just kinda-sorta strikes me as half-assing it. Maybe I'll just try it and see. I DIDN'T buy KBS' pre tretment stuff thinking it was probably just a degreaser. Can anyone confirm that? Or does it have MAGICAL powers? lol.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Dan get a big glass jar with white vinegar and put all your bolts, washers into the jar it will take a week or so but the rust will be gone. You can use Navel Jell on the big parts but remember it contains acid, another alternative is get a container that the parts fit into such as a kids plastic pool get molasses available at feed stores and mix one part to nine parts of water and submerge the parts. After it soaks a couple of days wash residue off this process is bio degradeable so you can pour it down the drain.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Those Rat bastards..:)

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

:gmc2:GAWD, isn't that true!

Rudy, thanks for the tips. But I know how I am - impatient! I took the day off today cause its so nice out. In headed over to Home Depot to check out NJ, Ospho and Rustoleum's spray converter. Maybe I'll get several & compare!
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Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Rudy, Thanks. I put the miscellaneous rusty-as-hell bolts into a plastic ex-frosting container overnight (it held up well) and they came out clean as a whistle! I rinsed and dried them and the container, then put them back in the container and sprayed Gibbs oil in there liberally. I'll leave them in there until I reassemble it all.

Here's the backside of the grill (grille?) after the Rust Reformer dried 24 hrs and; even though you can't really tell, I sprayed the backside with Rustoleum Hammered Black. It hides minor imperfections and I'll spray the front with Rustoleum Chrome. If it looks cheesy I'll respray it in an off white - you guys tell me if it looks like ass. I want honest opinions. I've had pretty good results with their Brite Mettallic Aluminum before and was told the chrome is even better. We'll see.

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps0b342905.jpg

Here's the Apron. I shot it in Rustoleum Rusty Metal Primer (red oxide, sorry forgot to snap a picture) and immediately painted it Sage green in satin finish. These photos aren't all that accurate color-wise, but it IS a little more mint than I'd prefer. I was using Duplicolor Self Etching primer just for the green color cause EVERYbody's is gray or red oxide. But the green fades badly in the sun. So I thought I'd try this. Jury is out on the color.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...psf0d678e3.jpg

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps9e2d88bf.jpg

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Looks great so far,
Can't wait to see them on the truck.

If you want to use chrome paint, go with the Duplicolor chrome. I've had great experience with it so far. People have seen it and said it looks just like slightly aged chrome. I'd say that's a step up aesthetically from chrome looking paint.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Oh, good tip. Thanks. I'll go looking for some.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Ok, so here is the grille after chrome paint. It's kinda....meh....

It has a couple small runs so I'm going to have to sand/repaint tomorrow.

Jury is out on whether I like it enough to leave it.

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...psffe443ae.jpg

I suppose for a weekend driver it looks ok.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/z...psee60c18b.jpg

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Looks pretty good in pictures..

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

The picture looks fine.
Kim

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Thanks Kim.

No disrespect to anyone but some guy's opinions carry a bit more weight than others. Guys I recognize for doing nice work that I aspire to...eventually. Kim, you're certainly one, Bam of course, Ogre, Rude Dude (Rudy), Sarge (sgtusmc), ChuckDriver for sure cause I want to own HIS truck!, and on and on. There are a number of guys.

I may install it and live with it awhile. Now that I've pulled that panel I realize it's no big deal to pull it again if I decide to change it.

Someone (I can't remember who - sorry) mentioned they sprayed the backside of their bumpers with rubberized undercoating. I was gonna do that but I have de-rusted my front and now I'm thinking I will use Rusto Hammered silver - because I already have it, and because I think its a bit more in keeping with the "look" of a chrome bumper. I'll have a photo of that later today.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

I used hammered silver on the backsides of my bumpers and they look nice. I think you'll like it.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Dan, I didn't have an opinion.. but even if i did it would likely get discounted as they do here at home. I wear pants when my wife is not around... otherwise it's back to the skirt when she comes around

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Oh, thanks for posting Rick.

I used the brushed-on Hammered gray on some steel in my garage and I did it with NO prep. This was big I beams that were already primed. I literally dusted them off and rolled it on. That stuff is HAARD when it dries thoroughly. Just cause the little foam roller was loaded, I put some on my exposed truck frame. Again, it had light surface rust and I just took a dry rag and wiped it off. I rolled a couple areas one coat only and it has been in the DIRECT sun for months, exposed to rain, etc - looks great, no rust coming through. I'm very impressed with that stuff. I don't know if the rattle can stuff is as good but the brush on stuff is great.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

yeah know what would "do it" for that grille is some 2K clear. You can buy cans of Spray Max 2 part clear in a rattle can for $20 at just about any paint shop. I know Coast Airbrush sells it. I've used this product on many of my airbrush pieces and it's amazing stuff. You could do 2 full coats over that chrome paint with 1 can of clear and I bet it would give it that extra shine you're looking for

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

lol.

Ever notice how you'll tell your wife, "Babe, we oughta do X" but it's never valued as much as if say me - who she wouldn't know from Adam - came into your house and said, "You know you oughta do X" Suddenly it is profound!:lol:

Bugs the crap outta me when it happens at my house.:waah:

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

dubie,

I don't know about the stuff you recommend but I can tell you for sure when I had the real good luck with the Rusto Brite Metallic Aluminum on another project before, I thought I'd try putting Rusto gloss clear on it and it killed the brightness. It made it look like just silver paint. I ended up re-sanding and respraying it.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Finally found you over here! Grille looks great! Love the truck.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Thanks for the kind words Dan, your build is also an insperation to me and others on this site. Good job the front end work!:ito:

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Thanks Rudy.
Hey, since I've got the attention of you guys. I don't think I mentioned it here but as I was looking over my front end I noticed I have 5 leaves on the driver's side and 6 on the passenger's side!! And it seems to sit level. I've gotta move it around to double check but short of just pulling one, what is there to do? It's not like you can go buy a single matching leaf. I know I could buy new lowering leaf packs...for like $399 a set!

I also noticed there are big chucks of rubber sorta "squishing" out of the shackle where the pin goes through. I assume this is some kinda sleeve to isolate vibration(?)
Can anyone tell me if I can just support the truck/shackle with my floor jack and drive this out with the pin by hand? Or will I need to pull the whole leaf pack to press fit whatever these rubber parts are? I'd think fixing this would make a huge ride/noise difference.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Hi Elco. Did you see me on HAMB or on Garage Journal (both;))?

Thanks for the words on the truck.

There are WAAY nicer trucks on here than mine. I'm almost to the point where I can jump in it and drive it ANYwhere - IF I ever had to.

After this, I'll relocate the gas tank, put seat belts in, lower it o nthe stock suspension - on the cheap, then "prettify it" - get chrome window frames, grille, etc and wait for the day I have time to blow it apart for truly good paint.

But in the mean time I want something that's obviously not "restored" but is on its way and that someone takes pride in.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

The paint looks good to me in the pictures. It is pretty easy to paint over if it is to bad and repaint it color of some sort. Also did you get the motor to idle? You might check out the small air bleeds...the are inside the air cleaner and are brass color. They will get plugged with trash and stuff. Just take a little carb cleaner, spray them and that should help the idle. Also double check the nuts holding down the carb to the manifold and all the vacuum ports to make sure those little bastards didn't chew up those...lol. Good luck

Bernie

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

that rubber is the seal for the grease. They come included with a new shackle kit. You can jack up your axle to relieve the strain, remove the carriage bolt and nut, remove the shackles and then replace your seals. Put it all back together in reverse order and grease it up. If you need to remove the pin, it just threads in and out and the bushings are driven out pretty easily with a deep socket or piece of pipe and a hammer

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Yeah, I actually DID get it to start right up and idle fine. Basically, it was from not having driven it or even starting it in months! Once I got her started and put it in a high idle for a few minutes it settled right down.

I did notice that the accelerator is binding and it doesn't return to a true idle without sort pulling up on the pedal with my toe! I'm pretty sure I just need (like EVERYTHING on the truck) to take it off, wire wheel it for rust/neglect, paint as needed, and adjust/lube everything.

Re: Danny Boy is BAACK! w/ '55 Big Window
 

Obviously, I wish I could find a link to a D.I.Y. with photos on this but it SOUNDS like its fairly easy. Does the pin thread in like usual? Left - loose-y, right-y tight-y?

Heading over to the Truck Shop website to price a "shackle kit"