The pusher
 

Sometime ago I started to really get interested in vintage pics of push trucks from the Bonneville Salt Flats and drag racing. I have a '64 C20 that I use for ranch work and beating around town on a daily basis and I wanted to do more with it. It is a cool original truck but it is a C20 long bed with no rust and a lot of dented (but original) sheet metal so I wasn't about to go too crazy. Yet, at the same time the truck has so much character and "heart" that I felt it needed more of an identity. (Does that sound crazy?)

I took my vision to a really knowledgeable guy old school hot rod guy here in Scottsdale who helped me with my '29 AV8 a couple years ago. Here is a pic:
http://imageshack.com/a/img151/4865/img2329d.jpg
He knows how to do to things right and I trust his ability to shape my vision.

So, we have replaced the 283 with a 355 block using as many of the original parts from the 283. While in the engine bay, 50 years of grime where removed and the frame and inner fender walls were repainted and the radiator was re-cored. Ultimately it is going to have a pretty unique old school cool air intake on top but we are still looking for last part that we need - another air cleaner assembly from which to rob the snorkel.

The SM420 is out and a TKO500 is in place and the tranny cover is being re-worked.

I acquired some screw-on Moon Discs and I love how they look on the truck. All the metal work that isn't painted is going to be brushed to match the discs.

It isn't a big budget build but I am sure looking forward to running it through the gears and using it both to push and on the strip at the next vintage drag event here in Phoenix...as well as to haul hay, grain, water and fenceposts. Call it a 50 year face lift and now it can do truck stuff for another 50.

I will post some final pics when it is done. Heck, I might even make it to Goodguys next weekend in Scottsdale.

- Grant

http://imageshack.com/a/img836/7956/lajr.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img809/4138/jvsw.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img43/9763/5rd5.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img138/2900/f116.jpg

Re: The pusher
 

Love it! I used my C20 to haul my Racecar around for a season.

Re: The pusher
 

I like the stock looking gray motor .

Re: The pusher
 

Determining where to place the escutcheons that will frame the exhaust pipes where they exit the body.
http://imageshack.com/a/img811/2788/daje.jpg

Re: The pusher
 

Nice shift knob.

Re: The pusher
 

Great idea - watching with interest

What paint did you use on the motor ?

Re: The pusher
 

The Moon discs are a great addition! And the other changes as well!

Re: The pusher
 

I love the matching "patina" on your electrical panel. Total coordination!





.
.
.
.
.
.

Re: The pusher
 

Cool build!!!

Re: The pusher
 

This is one of my favorites on here. Love the patina and how you are keeping it looking at least sort of original.

Re: The pusher
 

Hey, I know that backyard! It's funny that you've even got a picture of Chip posing in his Eastwood and Barakat shirt.

I've been waiting for you to post up some pictures on the latest stuff you guys have been doing on the truck. It looks awesome! I like what you've done under the hood and I'm diggin' the Moon discs.

Keep posting, Grant!

Re: The pusher
 

lmao!

Re: The pusher
 

The SM420 that came out of the truck. That is 50 years of crap on it. The sludge that is on it could probably be buffed and polished. It has already resisted several attempts at cleaning.

http://imageshack.com/a/img199/7752/ny09.jpg

Re: The pusher
 

I'll take that compliment with pride (as would Chip I am sure) as it is coming from one of the best in the restoration game.

Re: The pusher
 

A murky afternoon in the land of misfit traditional hot rods and vintage motorcycles.

http://imageshack.com/a/img839/6286/53kk.jpg

Re: The pusher
 

Nice build you have going. You might find some ideas in this thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=430420

Re: The pusher
 

Did you guys wind up spraying the inner fenders and core support or did you have it powdercoated? I like the sheen you guys chose.

If you need any more "20" emblems for the fender, I have a pair that I'm not going to use. If you hit a snag and you need a bracket or clip, call me. I might have what you need. Also, are you planning to run the peep mirrors, or are you running the stock stem mirrors. I was wondering because I saw the mirror stems with no mirror heads. I'm looking for a pair of stems in white with the right patina.

Re: The pusher
 

Thanks for that link. I was following that truck and got a lot of motivation from it.

Re: The pusher
 

Duplicolor high temp engine ceramic paint with a clear coat over it. It is a certain color of gray that would be better left for a PM so that no one turns on me. ;)

Re: The pusher
 

Chip painted everything in place. The frame and cross members are shiny black like the radiator assembly and the inner fenders are matte.

We have the mirror for both the driver's side and the passenger side. The knob and bolt that hold the driver's side mirror on is broken so we need a new one. We are looking for a spare stock air cleaner assembly from which to rob the snorkel...unless Chip found one this week.

Re: The pusher
 

truck is looking good was thinking of running moons as well,do u mind if i ask where you got them,have seen many different types and some are stainless or aluminum

Re: The pusher
 

Here you go: http://www.mooneyesusa.com/MOON-Disc...-p/md11-sc.htm

Spun aluminum. Screw on is proper old-school style is my understanding so that is what I got. IMO these are very cost-effective way of adding cool.

Re: The pusher
 

I don't have a stock '64 style air cleaner laying around. Mine had no engine and trans when I got it, so that stuff was long gone. Chevy ran that style of air cleaner from the early '60s all the way to 1966 on all of their V-8 applications. In 1967, they went to the squared off design with the "skillet lid" top.

I don't know if I read into it correctly, but you guys are planning to run the factory mirrors and not the peep mirrors, right?

Re: The pusher
 

Ha! Shoot it over - I promise to never tell.. :lol:

Re: The pusher
 

Sorry Alex, I wasn't very clear in my response. Yes, we are going to run the factory mirrors at least for now.

Re: The pusher
 

PM sent

Re: The pusher
 

I'm betting a four letter word beginning with F :lol:

Re: The pusher
 

Perhaps.

Re: The pusher
 

Can those mooneye wheel covers be screwed to aluminum wheels too? Like weld racing rims? I love those and believe you can get them with center spikes and a starburst pattern too... Like this car... I'm getting some.

Re: The pusher
 

Perhaps. I think any rim that can be drilled and tapped would work.

Re: The pusher
 

Just another pic. As you can see from looking at both side of the truck, someone over the years was able to put equal dent-making time into each of the doors.

http://imageshack.com/a/img542/8155/qus6.jpg

Re: The pusher
 

Hope it's not illegal to own a F*** otherwise I'm in trouble too..! :exit:

One last question from me - how did you pick out the script on your valve covers - was it just a steady hand ?

Re: The pusher
 

It was done with a stencil.

Re: The pusher
 

This project is too cool, I love it.

Looking forward to seeing it completed.

I'm assuming you did the fauxtina paint job yourself? Regardless it looks great.

Re: The pusher
 

Thanks. No faux-tina on the truck except for the signage on the doors. This is the original paint and original wear and tear. It has spent 50 years in Phoenix, AZ.

Re: The pusher
 

I am jealous.

Can we trade? Haha

I spent some time in the Mojave desert, I loved all the old trucks running around just like yours.

Re: The pusher
 

Nothing is illegal in the world of cars, as long as it works for you :lol:

Re: The pusher
 

Very nice! The gray "283" with script valve covers looks so much better than an SBC covered in Taiwanese chrome crap.

Re: The pusher
 

Thanks. I wanted to keep it vintage-looking where possible even if it means some compromises in performance.

Re: The pusher
 

The base for the ram air assembly sits on top of the motor waiting for the snorkel assembly and hoses. One of the inflow tubes mounted in place can be seen at the bottom of the picture just left of center.

http://imageshack.com/a/img691/2591/qqel.jpg