Triple Down

[Hard Luck]

They say that the third times a charm. We will have to see how this "charmed" build will go.

This is my 1969 CST Long Fleet project. Lived within 10 miles of my house all of it's life. I bought it from the original owner's son-in-law. Purchased new right here in the valley. Has been pretty well cared for a that time.

Lots of things are undecided at this point but the general direction is a 60's era Muscle Truck, basically following the Custom Sport Truck idiom.

Thought I would get this posted before I went along too far, let everyone see the starting point. Started to replace all the red, miswired hoses and upgraded to an internally regulated alternator, and cleaned and painted the lower alt brackets.

Enjoy!

[Hard Luck]

Pulled out the parklights, cleaned, painted, scrubbed the lenses, polished the screws, new gaskets, and brighter amber bulbs.

[ETsC10]

I've seen the truck and it is awesome!

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[Hard Luck]

More Pics.

[Hard Luck]

Lenses installed, also threw in a set of Jag style diamond cut tri-bars.

[Hard Luck]

The numbers on the block put it as a 65-67 327 with a forged crank. Those that know, let me know. Runs great, idles with just a slight lope, no blow by, no smoke.

Had a bit of a shake down run on Sunday. There are a few issues, might be a trans shift issue or lack of back pressure (long tube headers to 2-1/2" straight pipe and turbo mufflers just behine the cab with no tailpipes) or timing or carb jetting but it does not seem to have power at the low end or the top end. Does not want to throw you back in the seat when you take off and when you goose it at 60, there is barley anything else there. About 2500rpm at 60 so there should be plenty of room to go.

[Hard Luck]

Turned this perfectly good part...into this.

Also cleaned and made a gasket for the rear engine breather.

[Hard Luck]

Because everybody else loves to post packages, thought I would do the same. When you are on a tiny budget, some of the boxes aren't that flashy.

[Hard Luck]

Another small parts haul courtesy of Livrat and a cold night action shot with the Lucas lights.

[gcburdic]

Great project HardLuck....JMHO....if the thermostat housing above isn't cast iron, I would take that one back and purchase a cast one with a permadry gasket....the potmetal chrome ones will corrode something bad and leak

[Hard Luck]

Another box arrives!

[Tinkermc]

looks like a real nice truck to start on it appears to be in good shape.

[Hard Luck]

Originally Posted by gcburdic

Great project HardLuck....JMHO....if the thermostat housing above isn't cast iron, I would take that one back and purchase a cast one with a permadry gasket....the potmetal chrome ones will corrode something bad and leak

I like the O-ring set up but it hit the temp sender so I went through my stash and cleaned up an 80's aluminum and put the new sender in there. Trimmed the gasket first so there was not a big flange sticking out.

Originally Posted by Tinkermc

looks like a real nice truck to start on it appears to be in good shape.

Yes, thanks. I was very lucky to pick up this pickup. She is a very solid starting point. Once I get the mechanicals sorted I can go right to the customizing instead of a bunch of rust repair!

[CG]

Looks good. Did you sell your other truck? Kind of hard for me to tell in the pics, but are those wheels Strikers? They almost look like the wheels I had on my 69 Charger back in the late 70's.

[Hard Luck]

Originally Posted by CG

Looks good. Did you sell your other truck? Kind of hard for me to tell in the pics, but are those wheels Strikers? They almost look like the wheels I had on my 69 Charger back in the late 70's.

Thanks. The Green Goose is still for sale right now. Think the wheels are Appliance, not sure the series.

[CG]

Yep those are strikers. Been a very long time since Ive seen a set of those. Look forward to checking out your truck at the fall swap meet in October.

[Hard Luck]

Lot of stuff on my plate right now so there has not been a bunch of progress on the truck, here is what has been taking most of the time.

A new place to store parts so I can have some workspace back!

[Hard Luck]

This is something I have been working on in the evenings. A volt meter conversion for the amp gauge.

Used the stock faceplate and the stock needle. Looks stock but actually works. 12v is just left of center so anywhere from midway to three-quarters is good!

[gcburdic]

Originally Posted by Hard Luck

This is something I have been working on in the evenings. A volt meter conversion for the amp gauge.

Used the stock faceplate and the stock needle. Looks stock but actually works. 12v is just left of center so anywhere from midway to three-quarters is good!

Hard luck...nice conversion on the amp/ volt meter....mind doing a quick write up on how-to do that so i can post it in the FAQ area of the forums for others that want to do it....

[Tinkermc]

I'd like the know how that went behind that myself, I don't mind stealing ideas from others but i DUE GIVE CREDIT when I do. sorry about the cap lock bump.

[Hard Luck]

Originally Posted by gcburdic

Hard luck...nice conversion on the amp/ volt meter....mind doing a quick write up on how-to do that so i can post it in the FAQ area of the forums for others that want to do it....

I would be glad to. I'll write it up and let you know.

Originally Posted by Tinkermc

I'd like the know how that went behind that myself, I don't mind stealing ideas from others but i DUE GIVE CREDIT when I do. sorry about the cap lock bump.

Thanks. There will be more mod's to come.

[Hard Luck]

This is a little preview of another kustom project I am working on. Keep tuned for more updates!

[CG]

Originally Posted by Hard Luck

This is a little preview of another kustom project I am working on. Keep tuned for more updates!

Hmmm, this could be cool. Im working on a console mod myself. You are much further along than me. Ill wait to see how yours turns out before I do any major cutting.

[chevy71c10]

Good job Hard Luck! Looking forward to see more of your progress.

[Hard Luck]

Sometimes when you customize you get to have fun and express your style or design abilities, but when you have a vintage truck, you might have to modify things as simple as a bulb.

Too short to fit in the socket and turn to lock so it needed to be streched by cutting the bayonette base free and filing down about 1/8" of and inch on the bulb housing. Move the base out and reattach. Looks like it was worth the effort!