Project 69

[CMA Vulcan]

My son is getting his lisence and we asked him if he would rather have a newer truck or a older one that needed work. He said he would rather have an older one we could work on so he could learn how to work on vehicles. I found this forum doing research for the 69 Chevy C10 got. I love this forum it is awesome and you guys are great.I have looked at a few of the build threads on here and it is a little intimidating, you guys do wonderful work and I am just a crazy redneck. LOL I started not to do a build thread because I do not know if I can accomplish anything close to the awesome trucks I have looked at here but here it goes. This is going to be a low budget build that my son and I will try to do as much of the work ourselves as we can.
I hope I am doing this correct and in the correct spot on the forum. If not please let me know. I will include pics when possible because I know how much you guys (and me) enjoy them.

[CMA Vulcan]

I'm still trying to figure this picture thing out sorry for the delay.

[CMA Vulcan]

[IMG][/IMG]

[CMA Vulcan]

More pics of what we stared with.

[CMA Vulcan]

Bringing it home.

[CMA Vulcan]

The 69 has a new home.
[IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] This got it here.

[67c10rustbuket]

Cool project ! much more stylish than my first car. I'm sure your son is excited to get working on this ! Those pics are tiny, I attach mine from my mac by using the "go advanced button below, then manage attachments. but it looks like you are using a different pic hosting site. Maybe resize them a little bigger? I use 640x480 and they upload quick and fill the window. Good luck on the project.

[CMA Vulcan]

We have been working on the engine and the going has been a little slow. I have not posted in about two weeks. We tore into the engine to replace the gaskets and found that the timing chain was in bad shape, way to much slack. So it was replaced along with the oil pump. When we dropped the pan I notice there was not a oil pump screen on the pump. I thought that was strange so I put one on the new pump. We also changed the water pump it needed a counter rotating pump because of the serpentine switch. New motor mounts were added too. The thermostat housing had a hole inside the neck where the bolt goes through so it is new also.

[CMA Vulcan]

Got the engine back in frame. Installed the valve covers, stabbed the transmission and put the junk yard brackets on for the serpentine switch.
The brackets and pulleys took a while. I first got one that was off an 89 truck and was one huge bracket that went from one side all the way around to the other side. It was huge and weighed about fifty pounds, after putting on it looked horrible and because of the look and weight I told my son this ain't going to work. We pulled to off and went looking for the cast aluminam ones. It took multiple trips to three different junk yard to find all the stuff but we did it and it looks much better.

[CMA Vulcan]

I took the motor stands off the frame to strip and paint, and bought new motor mounts because the old ones were both seperated. When we got ready to drop the engine in it was a nightmare. We worked for about two and a half hours the first night and still didn't get it. The next day I put the mounts and stands on the motor and then put the bolt in the stands and it finally worked. I figured it would be easier to fight one bolt on each side but I was very wrong. Live and learn. LOL

[CMA Vulcan]

So far so good!! These are before and after pics, What does everyone think?

[Tinkermc]

lookin good and welcome aboard

[67c10rustbuket]

Man you work fast, That looks great!

[CMA Vulcan]

Originally Posted by 67c10rustbuket

Man you work fast, That looks great!

Thanks man I have a deadline and it is going to be tough to make it. We are trying to get it done for my son's birthday. Wish me luck LOL.

[CMA Vulcan]

I love this forum. It supplies so much information and has many people that are willing to help. The one thing I have experienced is that some of it is hard to find. I have read a lot of posts trying to find stuff but the cool thing is I have learned a lot and have got to know a lot of cool people. Well at least I feel like I know them. lol I have seen some master pieces.
Someone asked about the serpentine system and I will add it to my thread. Most of this info I got of this forum here a little and there a little.
I am not a professional mechanic so if I make a mistake just let me know and I will correct it. As far as I could tell most full size Chevrolet trucks from early 90s to 97 or 98 are close to the same on the front of the engine with a 5.7 or 4.3. I have a 94 w/4.3 so I could refer to it. If you don't have one, find one and take a picture to refer to. Later models may work too but I wanted the a/c on the passenger side as original, after 98 or 99 it moved to the other side.
I used:
1. A/C bracket(couldn't find compressor in junk yard)
2. alternator bracket (I'm using my old alternator so no wire changes)
this bracket has the power steering pump and if you need to remove it it takes a special tool. I used part store loaner.
3. new water pump use year you get brackets from(has to be reverse rotation it runs on back of belt)
4. crank pulley
5. water pump pulley
6. belt tension-er

I think that is it.
Other members had trouble getting the top radiator hose to work. I have not gotten that far yet so we will see. Someone bent a wire the shape you need and go to the part store and look for what you need. I have found that you will become friends with the parts guy.( or he will hate to see you coming. LOL)
I do not know if the 400 sbc has the same bolt pattern or not but if the parts do not work some wrecking yards take parts back.
Good luck I hope this helps. If you need more info just let me know.

[orange 69]

Originally Posted by CMA Vulcan

I love this forum. It supplies so much information and has many people that are willing to help. The one thing I have experienced is that some of it is hard to find. I have read a lot of posts trying to find stuff but the cool thing is I have learned a lot and have got to know a lot of cool people. Well at least I feel like I know them. lol I have seen some master pieces.
Someone asked about the serpentine system and I will add it to my thread. Most of this info I got of this forum here a little and there a little.
I am not a professional mechanic so if I make a mistake just let me know and I will correct it. As far as I could tell most full size Chevrolet trucks from early 90s to 97 or 98 are close to the same on the front of the engine with a 5.7 or 4.3. I have a 94 w/4.3 so I could refer to it. If you don't have one, find one and take a picture to refer to. Later models may work too but I wanted the a/c on the passenger side as original, after 98 or 99 it moved to the other side.
I used:
1. A/C bracket(couldn't find compressor in junk yard)
2. alternator bracket (I'm using my old alternator so no wire changes)
this bracket has the power steering pump and if you need to remove it it takes a special tool. I used part store loaner.
3. new water pump use year you get brackets from(has to be reverse rotation it runs on back of belt)
4. crank pulley
5. water pump pulley
6. belt tension-er

I think that is it.
Other members had trouble getting the top radiator hose to work. I have not gotten that far yet so we will see. Someone bent a wire the shape you need and go to the part store and look for what you need. I have found that you will become friends with the parts guy.( or he will hate to see you coming. LOL)
I do not know if the 400 sbc has the same bolt pattern or not but if the parts do not work some wrecking yards take parts back.
Good luck I hope this helps. If you need more info just let me know.

Thanks for the info! I am the one with the SB400, I will do some checking and get to work! Thanks again!
Good luck with the DEADLINE!!!!!
I hope you make it but even if you don't......you will be the COOLEST dad when you are done

[CMA Vulcan]

Originally Posted by orange 69

Thanks for the info! I am the one with the SB400, I will do some checking and get to work! Thanks again!
Good luck with the DEADLINE!!!!!
I hope you make it but even if you don't......you will be the COOLEST dad when you are done

Thanks

One thing I came across is that the passenger side head only has one hole instead of two like the other side. The double hole is on the back mirriored from the other side. Some drill and tap a hole but I did not because I used one hole beside feul pump, the outside head hole and a round bar bracket that goes from behind the tensioner to the corner intake bolt. I figured this would be rigid enough. I guess we will see. Good luck, I hope it works on the sb400.

[orange 69]

Originally Posted by CMA Vulcan

Thanks

One thing I came across is that the passenger side head only has one hole instead of two like the other side. The double hole is on the back mirriored from the other side. Some drill and tap a hole but I did not because I used one hole beside feul pump, the outside head hole and a round bar bracket that goes from behind the tensioner to the corner intake bolt. I figured this would be rigid enough. I guess we will see. Good luck, I hope it works on the sb400.

I think it will work out just fine.
Thanks Again!

[CMA Vulcan]

Well its on to the body now. Just a little left on the frame and engine, few bolts here and there. We are doing the cab first. It has a few problem areas.
Mainly the wire gutter is rusted. When I bought the truck I was told that the only rust was in the inner finder. When I was tearing it down I found this and was going to just put some plastic wire covering on it and call it done but the more I thought about the less I liked just putting a band-aid on it.

[CMA Vulcan]

I almost didn't put this part on the forum for a couple of reasons.

First, l was not sure if I could pull it off because I am not a welder or fabricator. I have a small wire/flux (no gas) welder and and have used it only twice and that is the extent of my welding. It was on small square tubing in my recliner going to the handle.

Second, I have looked at some of the fabrication on this forum and WOW!! You guys are awesome and I was a little embarrassed to put my work out there for everyone to see. LOL

But after thinking about it I decided there may be others out there that are intimidated by the thought of tackling something like this. So for other amateurs like myself, here it goes. Remember I am not a welder and this is the first time I have welded a bead more that a 1/4" long. This is with Harbor Freight welder without gas for under $100.00 that I got several years ago because I wanted to learn to weld.

[CMA Vulcan]

Ok enough with the book writing.lol

I used a grinding wheel to remove the bad parts of the lip and after pondering a plan of attack jumped in with both feet.

At first I only wanted to keep it as simple as possible. I ground it from the center in a straight line in both directions. Not following the pattern of the firewall gutter because I figured this would be easier. When I got to the end on driver side I went around the corner with angles and not curves.

My welding looks like crap but with a lot of grinding I think it will work, some filler and it will look good.(I hope )
Figured if I let beginners see it they would understand it can look good after some grinding. I work with wood and wood filler, putty and Bondo are easy to sand, but metal, dude it takes a lot longer to remove it than it does to put in on. A whole lot of grinding and I ground my knuckles on both index fingers so be careful!!!

[CMA Vulcan]

Well like I said my welding leaves a lot to be desired.

When I got to the passenger side there was no easy way so I got creative. The sad part is it will be all covered up by a/c box on this side but I will know it is under there. lol

After doing the lower part I was shocked at how good it turned out and then fabricated one for the top corner. Then ran out of mig wire. So off to to the store tomorrow.

More to come when I get new wire.

[CMA Vulcan]

Originally Posted by MJs69CST

Making great progress! Keep posting the pics!!

Thanks

[orange 69]

That is one good looking frame and motor you have got there

[CMA Vulcan]

Thanks for the commits and for looking at my project.
Orange69 I will get you a list asap.