68 C 10 stepside "My American Bulldog"

[spike38]

I have been lurking on this site for years.
I have watch many projects, Turn out works of art.
Some of which, Started out in pretty bad shape.
Well beyond my ability. So I knew if I was to get anything close to there results,
I needed to start with something a little more solid.
Oh course, Finding a descent truck, And having the cash
at the same time. Has always been my problem.
But it finally worked out! The day I sold a car I had just rebuilt.
I spotted this truck on Ebay. A man and his son in Alabama, Had
built this truck, And his son drove it for a while. Until the engine blew.
I got it back to S.W Georgia, With some help. And started looking it over.
The body needs a little work, But I got time. And I want to do it right!
I'm sure I will have some questions for you all. Here are the Ebay pics

Spike

[spike38]

And here are some problem areas I found.
Now I was fully aware of the damage to the front
passenger fender, And kind of expected the others.
But after looking the truck over, It is in great shape!

Spike

[spike38]

This next picture, Is kind of what I want it to look like.
When I get done. Not tricked out, But solid.

Spike

[spike38]

I got my truck moved into it's spot, Where it will be tore apart for the next few
months. I only had a couple of hours today to work on it. So I started on the
front driver side fender, Where I knew some body work had been done before.
I found 3/4'" thick filler on the top corner of the fender, And 1" thick filler
on the bottom front corner. The good news is, No holes. So I can pound it
out, When I remove the fender, Later on. This truck has at least 7 layers of
paint and primer, That I know of? Sounds like a lot of work, But I'm enjoying
every bit of it
Unfortunately, I don't have a shop at the house. But my friend Tom, Is letting
me use his. Below, Is an update that I did today. This weekend, I'll get to do
a lot more.

Spike

[spike38]

I got off work a little early today. So I got to do a little work on my girl.
The fender and door are in good shape, But the rockers are Swiss cheese.
She's coming along, Slowly but surely

Spike

[spike38]

I did have a nice surprise today, I went to look in the ash tray.
And found no ash tray, But this instead.

Spike

[oldblue1968chevy]

^^awesome lol

HAHA Yeah, po's do alot of hard work that we normally undo thinking wtf lol

[spike38]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

^^awesome lol

HAHA Yeah, po's do alot of hard work that we normally undo thinking wtf lol

Oh yes!

That "WTF" thought has come to mind a few times so far.

But, That's what you get. When a truck has been through a few owners.
Some things were done great! And other, Like bondo w/o hardener.
Make you wonder. This is one of the reasons, I chose to strip it.

Spike

[spike38]

oldblue1968chevy

Thanks for stopping by.

Spike

[VA72C10]

Looking good. Nice work so far.

[spike38]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

Looking good. Nice work so far.

Thanks, It's a slow, But gratifying task. (I love this truck!)
Next week, I hope to be pulling the engine and tranny.
Also dragging in my donor vehicle. To be gutted.

Spike

[spike38]

Got the Chevy service truck running, Flames taped, And the holes in the roof fixed.
My friend Tom, Will finish masking tomorrow.And Monday it gets some fresh
paint on the front and top. Then I bring my donor vehicle in to gut.

[spike38]

Got a little work done on my truck also. Got the interior gutted, And it looked
good, For the most part. Except at the bottom of both side kick plates.
Have some rust issues to take care of. Also, If anyone want a good gas tank,
With a new sending unit, Come get it! Free!!!

Does anyone know where I can order new springs for my bench seat, I need 4 or 5
of the top one, That you sit on. And 2 or 3 of the side springs. Or do I just
need to hit the junk yard.

Spike

[spike38]

Shot some paint to the service truck tonight.
I think the gold metal flake adds something.

Spike

[VA72C10]

Looks good

[spike38]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

Looks good

Thanks, A couple more thinks. And it's done.

Spike

[classic1967chevy]

looks good so far i would try looking in (classic arts of america ) or (brothers) or (lmc trucks) something like that would have u some springs or what ever u need really

[spike38]

Originally Posted by classic1967chevy

looks good so far i would try looking in (classic arts of america ) or (brothers) or (lmc trucks) something like that would have u some springs or what ever u need really

Thanks, I've been looking. But no luck so far
If nothing else, There's always the junkyard

Spike

[crob35]

i have a seat out of my 68. I am in albany,ga

[spike38]

Originally Posted by crob35

i have a seat out of my 68. I am in albany,ga

Great, I'll send you my number

Spike

[jlaird]

how are you stripping the paint? What technique? Looks good!

[spike38]

Originally Posted by jlaird

how are you stripping the paint? What technique? Looks good!

I use airplane stripper, From the paint store
Use a cheap paint brush, And coat 1 square foot at a time.
If it sucks it up, I'll coat it with a little more. Let set for about 10 min.
Then I use a 1" putty knife, (That I rounded the corners) to get the bulk off.
Apply a thin coat of stripper as needed in between wire brushing lower layers
When I get close to the metal, I use a medium wire brush (welding supply)
Wipe all remaining stripper clean with Acetone.
Then treat all exposed metal with phoscote, To neutralize any rust. And it leaves
a zinc coating, To keep it from rusting in this South Georgia humidity.

Keep in mind, Mine had 9 layers on it. You may not need a putty knife.

Hope this helps

Spike

[spike38]

crob35 hooked me up with his old bench seat (thanks again)
It's got plenty of good springs in it, To rebuild mine.
And his 68 stepside, Is going to be a hot looking ride, When he finishes.

Started ripping the front end apart today.
First the bad news
The passenger fender, Inner fender, And radiator support are toast.
The good news is, Everything else was great!!
Even the side vent boxes, Just had light facial rust.
Tomorrow, I'll remove the radiator and support, And start on the
engine and tranny.

Spike

[spike38]

Finished removing the front end, And pulled the engine and tranny.
Now I knew the engine was blown, BUT D#MM !!!
I have blown plenty of motors in my time, But have never personally
seen one this screwed up. The only things that were salvageable,
Was Holley 600, An Edlebrock performer intake, A set of headers,
And an alternator.

Everything else was cracked, Broke, Or burnt. And I have never
seen a cam broke into 4 pieces before!!

Spike

[spike38]

When I was talking to Crob35 the other day, He reminded of another
stripping technique, Using Saran wrap. I had heard of it before, But never
used it. So I tried it today. It worked great!

First You apply a generous amount of stripper. Then you cover it with saran
wrap. The quicker and smoother you can get the saran wrap on, The better.
You are trying to keep the air out.

After 8hrs or more, Pull the saran wrap off, And remove all the loose paint.
Most will come off easily with a putty knife.

One more light coat of stripper, And a coarse scotch bright, Or wire brush.
Will remove anything that's left.

Then I coat it with phoscote to neutralize any rust, And prevent it from
rusting, Until I prime it.

The last pic, Shows 1st cleaning at the top, Final cleaning in the middle,
And phoscote at the bottom.

Spike