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SkinnyG's '61 Apache
I've been driving a square for the past three years or so, but my heart isn't in a square. Truthfully, the square was to be a "rolling donor" for a 60-66.
I picked this up yesterday, and will document the build as it happens: http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co...74691035_n.jpg http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co...24110329_n.jpg http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co...97159073_n.jpg |
Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
Great looking truck! Couldn't ask for any better patina.
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Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
Kewl! Not often you see a long stepside. Be looking forward to seeing you transfor it as you rob the square.
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Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
That truck looks to be in fairly decent shape. What are your plans for it?
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Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
My intent is that is the truck becomes my daily, and sails me into retirement; I want to make it last.
It's all original, I6/4spd, allegedly numbers matching, never been in an accident, still original paint. It's been sitting for the past 17 years. It has typical rust - the door sills are gone, but it doesn't look like the floors are worse than that. Typical fender rust. Rear cab supports gone. Rocker rust, and the cab corners -seem- ok, at first glance, at night, with a flashlight. I'm going to try and get it running, then possibly drive it for a month or two, planning out what I want. On one hand I can appreciate the originality, and that's hard to molest. On the other hand, I cannot handle owning "stock;" I have to molest it. If I'm keeping it for me, for a long time, I should make it what I want. Tentative plan: Frame off, blast, short-box, epoxy sealers, air ride, Z frame, pancake crossmember, rack & pinion, step notch, painted steelies, powdercoat frame. I want to do this all old-school; hours and hours of fabrication (because I'm stupid). |
Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
Got the truck dropped off at my work so I can get it running and mobile. Zero clutch, zero brakes. Rad is still full. That's not original paint. I thought the "primer" was suspect - it used to be orange. Hasn't been on the road since '98.
http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co...33351_HDRs.jpg I want to find an automatic-column and lose the stick. http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co...36717_HDRs.jpg http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co...59632_HDRs.jpg http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co...10817_HDRs.jpg Scary rim with a re-cap spare: http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co...57358_HDRs.jpg |
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Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
I picked a handful of my most trusted students to go through the brakes and clutch and make them work.
Today we got a functional clutch pedal. Rebuilt the master, and got a new slave since I couldn't find a kit. Brakes have all new kits in the cylinders, just needs to be bled. Shoes are all acceptable. The front wheel bearings are POOCHED (but will get me home), and I just got replacement flex lines. The truck needs to drive into my shop in the back yard; a tow truck will not fit. Once we have brakes, we'll get it fired it up. |
Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
Brakes are bled, good pedal.
Fuel tank/lines/pickup are plugged solid, but after we cleaned the breaker points we had spark, and it fired up with no drama. Sounds like all the other 235's on youtube. Sewing machine goodness. More vids soon. |
Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
Tuning in to watch your plans come to life...
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Nice truck. I have a long stepper, too. If it were mine, I'd keep it stock, but do whatever floats your boat. :lol:
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(note to self so I don't have to keep looking it up: paste the link, delete the "s") |
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Neglected "first start" video:
Next: Driving it home! |
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I've decided I need to sell my V8 Pontiac Firefly before I start into this project. I need to free up that money, and free up the space. Fortunately, I'll enjoy the Firefly a bit first, because I have a fresh 350 in there, and it's pretty fun to drive. It will go on Bring A Trailer next summer.
In the mean time, I picked up a 6.0L LS and a 4L80E with ECU and harness today for $1000CDN ($765US at today's exchange rate). http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co.../LQ4-4L80E.jpg |
Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
Changed my Avatar to reflect where I'm spending most of my time (was my blue/white '77 Silverado).
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Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
Pulled the harness off the LQ4 6.0 just to help tidy up the drivetrain and make the motor more manageable. I'd -like- to hide all the wiring when it comes to the install, but that's a ways a way from know. I labeled all the plugs I could ID with black and silver Sharpies.
Shortened the van oil fill tube and dipstick. Popped the fan clutch off since I want to go Electric. Also turned the motor over by hand - has what I think is reasonable compression. Nothing strange to report. http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co...161003485s.jpg |
Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
I’m in on this one. Really cool truck.
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Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
I like!!!
I'd like to think you could keep it original looking, just my opinion... I just don't see anything like this on the road anymore!!! |
Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
I just learned that there is a tariff thingie for Canada Customs - many replacement parts can be had duty-free for vehicles older than 25 years. Memorandum D10-15-20
Does not allow my freshly ordered turbocharger kit to be duty-free, but I'm sure the hoards of parts I'll be getting from LMC will qualify. |
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Stripping the LQ4 with my son over Christmas break. I am VERY pleased with the insides. I do have video coming....
Under the valve covers looks super clean: http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co..._153331497.jpg Deep in the intake ports looks good. http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co..._151223031.jpg Cylinders have zero ridge. This is not what I'm used to seeing on the old 'Murican V8s of old. http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co..._184222831.jpg http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co..._184205075.jpg Looks like Gen4 rods in there!!! http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co..._161838193.jpg |
Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
Nice truck....did I read right that you are going to put a short box on it?? I love my LWB stepside, I don't see any others around where I live, so it is nice to have it, plus it is more useful to use as a truck.
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Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
I do plan on shortening it, and it is still the early boxed/x-frame. I am confident it can be done.
I'm not building it because it's rare, or collectible, I'm building it the way I want it to look. That usually means reducing the resale value ("because I'm stupid"), but -theoretically- this will be my last truck, and I intend to drive it until I shouldn't. It may not make sense, but it's -my- sense. (grin) |
Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
Seeing long steppers makes me want to swap my long fleet to a long step. Your truck looks really good, and I think that you should build it however you want to build it :metal:
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Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
Bottom end all apart. Bearings look really good. Almost "I might reuse these" good.
http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co..._142836250.jpg http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co..._135500467.jpg http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co..._135448064.jpg http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co..._134254380.jpg |
Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
Parts ordered. Thanks RockAuto for the discount code, saved me $36CDN.
Summit Racing got me the things RockAuto didn't carry. I -did- order ARP head studs. I waffled over this for months. Golly are they pricey. Theoretically ARP bolts are certainly good enough, but I think I feel a bit better (and lighter) knowing that this is the best way to go. If I venture close to 22psi, I'll wish I had run studs. I know, I know, the Sloppy guys re-use torque-to-yield fasteners, and they still live to tell the tale..... I also ordered all new bearings. Even though these bearings look really good, they have taken a bit of schmoo through them, embedding the junk like they are designed to do. I figured "I'm here, why would i not put fresh bearings in?" Interestingly, if I ship Summit's stuff to my Customs Broker in the States, I have to pay WA sales tax, plus the broker's fees and taxes. If I get it shipped to my house, it's really not that expensive. I don't know how Summit is doing it, but I like it. Or, I miss-read everything, and I have a BIG bill coming...... |
Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
Top end all apart. Valve guides are on the loose side of still acceptable.
http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co..._113048145.jpg http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co..._113237002.jpg http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co..._113211815.jpg http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co..._113123138.jpg Rock Auto delivers! PAC-1218 valve springs should arrive early next week. ARP junk from Summit Racing will ship once the back ordered crank bolt comes in. http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co..._113307916.jpg Going pick up some diesel to soak and clean the heads and pistons. |
Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
Engine cleaned up real easy!
http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co..._163539426.jpg And my porting kit came in! http://gwellwood.com/wordpress/wp-co..._172547764.jpg |
Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
Sold my last beast, so I should dig into this project real quick. Yay!
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Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
Grrrr.
I soaked a head in Diesel for a full week, but it wasn't coming clean very easily. So I took them to a shop and said "clean 'em, do the guides, do the seats, and surface them." I came back the next day, and they only surfaced the heads. I asked why, and they said they need the valves to check the guides. I said I had measured them two different ways and they're loose, just do them. They were adamant that they needed the valves. So (instead of walking away like I should have), I brought them the valves the next day. Came back to pick them up, and they said proudly "We didn't even measure them, we wiggled them, they're mint!" You suck, machine shop, you suck. They did cut the seats, but they ended up cutting them pretty deep and now there is a deep ridge around the valves hindering flow. http://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/w...ge-672x383.jpg See the edge above the top cut on the exhaust? Ugh. Thing is, seat cutting is referenced off the guides. If I do the guides now, the seats have to be re-cut as they will not be concentric with the guides, and then the valves go deeper into the head. Grrr. I thanked them, paid them, took my stuff, and I'll never go back, nor will I ever recommend them to anyone else. I recognize I'm not a professional machinist, but dang it, just do what I ask and bill me accordingly. At this rate, though, I may eventually run out of machine shops. So, I spent a number of hours re-shaping the valve seat area in the combustion chambers to get the flow back, and figured while I'm at it, why not polish the combustion chambers? Since I didn't have any old valves, I turned down some round stock to 0.313" and threaded one end 1/4-20, and cut out some 1/8" flat and turned them to protect the valve seats. http://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/w...79-672x504.jpg http://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/w...76-672x504.jpg Research indicates possible advantages being: More combustion heat applied to piston More heat kept in exhaust to spool the turbo faster Less carbon build up Less "edges" risking pre-ignition and detonation Could also be pipe dreams and voodoo. http://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/w...17-672x504.jpg I polished the piston tops as well. Because why not. My labour is free. http://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/w...18-672x378.jpg After a fair bit of research and debate, I likely will not hog out these heads with porting. I think the swirl ramp in the intake bowls is a good idea for low-speed throttle response, torque and fuel economy. I haven't decided if I will remove the rocker-stud boss in the intake port (done on pretty much all ported and aftermarket heads). Of course, on one side of the fence you have "Awesome! That's the best mod you could do right there!" and on the other side you have "Dude! You just ruined those heads." Well, I did what made sense to me. We'll see if I get lucky. |
Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
Painted the valve covers because I needed a distraction. Gray, as the general consensus is the V8's were painted gray in '61. And the interior will be gray (which -is- the '61 colour).
http://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/w...68-672x504.jpg I mistakenly ordered Gen3 rings for my Gen3 block. Turned out the engine had Gen4 guts inside. I found out my mistake after gapping the first rings and discovering they didn't fit the pistons. So I ordered a new set of Gen4 rings, and gapped them 0.026/0.028" (should be safe for upwards of 22psi boost or so) and installed 'em! http://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/w...80-672x504.jpg http://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/w...81-672x504.jpg |
Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
I drove the '61 into the shop today to have a good look-see at the bottom; help formulate my game plan. It all looks pretty typical.
http://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/w...83-672x504.jpg http://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/w...84-672x504.jpg http://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/w...85-672x504.jpg http://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/w...86-672x504.jpg It -looks- like it could lay rocker easily, as the frame rails are a lot shorter on these X-Frame trucks. Pancake the front crossmember, sure. Do something about the bottom of the X, maybe. Will the Trailing Arms tuck in high enough at the back of the frame?? I picked up a set of 88-98 2" spindles as well as a Ford 9" axle, plus some 18" Grand Cherokee wheels (5x5 pattern). I need to figure out how I want to deal with all that. The axle swap is easy. Keeping the torsion bars is nice and convenient and affordable, but a challenge. http://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/w...88-672x504.jpg http://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/w...89-672x504.jpg http://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/w...95-672x504.jpg http://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/w...87-672x504.jpg Something in the front of the truck kept creaking as it sat on the lift. That wasn't scary at all </sarcasm>. |
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50% off at Pick-N-Pull this weekend, so I bought brakes.
A few weeks back I bought a 73-87 crossmember. Into which I will be adapting 88-98 2" DJM spindles (they were cheap, and I need to alter the track width to match the 9" axle and 18" Jeep steelies I have). Onto which I now have 88-98 C2500HD big piston calipers, and 99-06 master and hydroboost. Also picked up the e-pedal controller for the LS swap. |
Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
Parts yesterday:
http://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/w...03-672x378.jpg Parts today: http://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/w...70-672x378.jpg |
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