Project 67' C10 LWB Mistress Build

[nsuengineer06]

Hey guys, I have wanted to start a build thread for a while now, but didn't have enough done to constitute doing so.. Since I appreciate your build threads so much, and finally have a tiny amount of progress on mine, I figure its due time to start the thread. Here goes.

Ever since I was a little kid I have always wanted to build a 67-72 LWB truck. I don't know why, but I have always had a thing for the LWB trucks in this body style. I guess they just flow right or something. I have been a gear-head since I was born, thus, buying one and driving it was out of the question.

About the end of January this year, I happened across an ad in the local Thrifty Nickel that read, "1967 Chevrolet LWB 350 Motor/ TH350 Trans, 50% restored. $1200.00" Now at the time, I didn't have the money to buy the truck and really had no way of getting the funds. My wife knew how much I wanted one of these trucks and insisted that we go look at it. So I eventually gave in to the little screaming demon in my head, (and my wife), and went to look at the truck. Turns out the truck was in pretty good shape. The body was mostly solid, except for the usual stuff such as rockers and a couple little places on the front fenders. This in turn pretty much sold the truck by itself, but when the guy pumped the gas pedal a couple times and turned the key and it rattled to life I knew I was sold. It was missing a brake setup on one wheel, but all the parts to fix it were included in the deal. The front bumper was dented bad, but he also had a brand new bumper to go with it. I made a few pictures of the truck and left.

Now we are back to the story about the lack of funds.. I had just finished doing my taxes for the year and would have enough coming back from Uncle Sam to pay for the truck. Problem was, by the time I got it, the truck would be gone. Naturally I turned to my father for a loan. The only problem with that was the fact that he was somewhere in a jungle in Peru at the time. I managed to contact him and he said he would send the money. Somewhere along the line we lost communication and I couldn't get him the info that he needed to send it. Needless to say, I was pretty sure there was no way I would have the money in time. Later that day I was talking to a friend of mine, telling him the story of how everything went down and he's like man that's a good deal.. The next day I stopped by my friend's house after work to have a brew and help him work on a bike. While we were working and bs'in his dad stopped by for a while. As I was gathering my stuff to leave his dad says, "so you gonna go get that truck or what?" and I begin to tell him my story and he stops me and says how much do ya need? Long story short, a man that I have met maybe 5 times in my life, hands me $1200 cash and says go buy that truck. If you don't you'll regret it the rest of your life. I reluctantly took his money and ended up buying the truck for $1000. I paid him back in about 2 weeks when my check came in, and I'm sure that I'll be thanking him for the rest of my life.

Now, back to the build. I get the truck home and almost immediately begin tearing it down. I don't get very far before I realize that the 50% restored was total BS. Nothing these people had done was complete. For every 4 bolts there would be 3 of one size and one odd ball.. The transmission cross-member was held in with 1, FREAKING 1, 5/16 bolt. The primer on the body was rattle-can, only where it was easy to spray. The so called freshly rebuilt 350 motor turned out to be a 327, and the list goes on.. LOL

I know this ran on way too long, but I felt I had to tell the story behind this.. I hope you guys can tolerate my rambling. I'll update more later, for now just some pics to get you pic hounds started!!

P.S. I know how much the project title "mistress" has been ran in the ground, but this project was dubbed with that name long before I knew anything about this site! I can't tell you how many times I have already heard the phrase "That damn truck" LOL

[nsuengineer06]

Preview before I bought the truck.

[nsuengineer06]

[nsuengineer06]

Teardown

[nsuengineer06]

A Little Progress..

[HuggerCST]

Nice project! You've gotten alot done already, stick with it!

[nsuengineer06]

Well, I have made a little more progress. So far I have got the frame cleaned up where the front cross-member mounts up, and have almost finished blasting the cross-member. I have also blasted & painted one upper control arm.

[barthmonster]

home sandblaster ??? What media are you using ? I'm kind of new here, does the front crossmember just bolt on ??
Good job so far !

[nuke1]

looks like you have gotten alot done on that thing in a short time. nice to have you aboard, and btw you have to keep that pink steering wheel, if not let me know i got a little girl that needs one! lol

[nsuengineer06]

The pink steering wheel is up for grabs if anyone wants it.. lol

barthmonster: the blaster I'm using is called a SpeedBlaster from Northerntool.com and I'm just using regular ol' blasting sand. As far as I know the member just bolts in (mine was bolted in with 10 bolts). I suppose they are all that way, but I can't say for certain, since this is the only 67-72 I've actually paid attention to that part on.. lol

[Slick67]

Lookin good. We are almost on the same page. Got the sandblasting done....well 90%. I will keep an eye on your progress just to see how bad my recent snails pace has been!! Looks great so far!

[nsuengineer06]

Well I finally got the cross-member painted. Still have a couple of touch ups to do on it, but its pretty much done.




The previous owner(s) had done some pretty good yanking on the frame and mangled it up pretty good.. So, here's on to the repair!

[nsuengineer06]

Frame repair continued..




Frame repaired!

[gcburdic]

Well Cool....another Mistress project (see my signature for my Mistress build)to keep track of!!!.....

Looking forward to watching this one come together!!!....Glad your buddy's dad hooked you up with the cash for the truck!!!...Cool story too....

So what are you painting the frame and crossmember with??...It looks textured....

Have Fun and enjoy the build.....and of course keep those pics coming with progress!!!....

[nuke1]

looking really good, she sure is coming along, great progress you have goin on there.

[nsuengineer06]

Originally Posted by gcburdic

Well Cool....another Mistress project (see my signature for my Mistress build)to keep track of!!!.....

Looking forward to watching this one come together!!!....Glad your buddy's dad hooked you up with the cash for the truck!!!...Cool story too....

So what are you painting the frame and crossmember with??...It looks textured....

Have Fun and enjoy the build.....and of course keep those pics coming with progress!!!....

Thanks, I think you're the first person that actually read all that crap I typed up there.. I am painting the frame with 3M Rubberized Undercoating. I posted a question about the undercoating before I started and got some mixed feedback. I think some people were concerned with hiding problems or rust or something under it cuz its kinda thick..? Anyway, I am taking photos as I go, so as you can clearly see, I'm hiding NOTHING!

[silver7]

Very well documented build. I have my truck torn down to the frame and just might use the same coating. Thanks.

[mcbassin]

Very nice progress! I have always like LWBs too. I am seriously considering changing mine to a SWB in the future. I may not, who knows? I like the build keep documenting!

[nsuengineer06]

Thanks mcbassin. I haven't worked on the truck for a couple months now. I have been busy with work, my grandfather's surgery, vacation planning, etc.. It's just one thing after another! When I get back from vacation though, I will definitely get back to work on it. Also, I recently bought a professional grade dslr camera so i promise I'll have some really good pics for ya'll. Thanks for looking!

[nsuengineer06]

Just thought I would throw this one in the mix.. Finally got some new shoes on my big truck. The HD is rollin' in some new style!







Also, here is a link to my other less costly, yet equally addictive hobby.. Photography.. I am just getting into this, so if any of you have a flickr.com account, I would appreciate your comments & constructive criticism.

www.flickr.com/photos/nsuengineer06/

[mcbassin]

Sweet Looking rims and tires! I hope one of these days I can afford some for my 07 4x4. Still rolling on the oem 20"s. Good luck on the build.

[tremman78]

cool story. we stay in rayne when we are in lousiana. how do you like the polaris700? ive got the prairie700, but debated getting the polaris next.

[gcburdic]

Sweet Pics NSUEngineer....is that you and your lovely bride (if so, looks like you just got married...congrats!!!)....that pic of Brewtus diggin' that hole is classic!!!...The look on his face is too funny!!!

[nsuengineer06]

tremman78: I have rode Polaris for years & I bought that bike new in 2005. I don't think I would trade it for anything else. It does everything I need it to and then some.. lol

gcburdic: No, that is not me, or my wife.. The bride is my wife's cousin who recently got married. I was just helping them out by making some pictures at the reception. Sorry for the confusion.

[nsuengineer06]

Alright, time for a little update. After a few months of multiple weddings, vacation, grandfather's surgery 110+ degree heat etc. etc.. I'm back.

So far in the last couple weeks I have managed to sell a few parts and order a couple things from LMC to start putting my front suspension back together. I have received both upper and lower control arm mounts for both sides and a set of trailing arm bushings for the rear. I just love getting a box of goodies!

I have also managed to tear down the 327 that came with the truck. Found a not-so-pleasant surprise in that process. Apparently some genius decided it would be a good idea to GORILLA WELD the harmonic balancer to the crankshaft. Besides that, and the obnoxious smell of burnt oil and gas from the oil pan, it wasn't too bad. Block looks pretty good. I will be sending it for a date with a boring machine soon..

I will post pics soon so ya'll tune in! lol