My 61 Build (Grandfathers truck clone)

[CVA59]

Hey guys, here are some more pics. The first pic is just another copy of Grandads 61 right after he bought it new. I am attempting now to replicate/clone his truck since his original was crushed years ago. This is what i have to start with and it will be a long road but i will get there someday. I will be posting pics as i can. I can typically only work on it on Saturdays. That is about the only day my wife (aka... war department) allows me to spend with it. I am looking for a complete set of the original hubcaps. If anyone knows where i might find them i would be very appreciative.

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

Sweeeeet!

[CVA59]

Thanks man. It is pretty rough but it will be a labor of love.

However, I have noticed one thing about the 60-63 trucks. The suspension parts prices are INSANELY high. Is there any options to rebuild this original suspension that won't cost me a grand in parts, LOL? I have checked all the usual places and the prices are double and more than double in some cases higher than the 64-66's.

[Captainfab]

I don't know of any way aside from switching the entire front suspension. If you are wanting it to appear mostly stock in appearance, you could switch to the '63-'70 suspension. You should be able to pick up one of those for little to nothing. The other option is of course switching to disc brakes.

[LostMy65]

Subscribed--

I'll be watching this one.

[CVA59]

Thanks Fab but I have to stay with original. I am afraid the cost will eat me up real quick for the front suspension parts. It is shocking just how much more expensive these parts are for the 61 vs. 64-66. Will the original front clip from a 66 fit in my 61?

[CVA59]

More pics. Made some more progress today. I have some concerns about converting from this granny 4 speed to a powerglide. The engine has a single mount in the front (no side mounts). What all will i need to get it converted to a powerglide as factory stock?

[LostMy65]

The metal on the bed looks to be in decent shape.

[CVA59]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

The metal on the bed looks to be in decent shape.

Yes, the original strips are in real good shape. I will put new but these are very much usable. The entire bed it almost perfect luckily.

[SulphuriousSam]

Subscribed now you're still building your other truck right?
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[CVA59]

Originally Posted by SulphuriousSam

Subscribed now you're still building your other truck right?
Posted via Mobile Device

I traded my 64 for this one. My dad is still building his 66.

[SulphuriousSam]

Oh ok. Well I'm sure it'll be b@dd@$$ when you get er done I look forward to seeing your progress bro.
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[CVA59]

Thanks. I am sure hoping it will turn out nice. Tons and tons of work ahead
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[Captainfab]

Zack, I would think you could convert to the '63-'70 front suspension just as easily as converting to disc brakes. There are more holes to be drilled when converting the '60-'62's than the '63-'70 trucks though. If you used the '63-'70 suspension, the only clue to the change would be the absense of the torsion bars.

I've got a '62 GMC frame at the shop, and I'm going to check out the fitment of those 2 different sets of motor mount brackets for you tomorrow.

[SFTorange]

Great looking truck, and great story!

When I was in the market for suspension parts for my '66, I found out some interesting things. Most notably was that my '66 C20 uses the same lower control arm cross shafts as a '60-'62 C10. After doing a ton of research, I found that Classic Performance has some suspension parts for the early year trucks much cheaper than the other places. It might take them a while to ship out your parts, but I saved a lot of money over other options.

Good luck with your build. I plan to stay tuned!

[Captainfab]

I had some time today to mock up a couple motor mount brackets in a '62 GMC frame I have. It looks to me like the '67-'72 small block mounts that I told you about will work out pretty well. They aren't absolutely perfect, but they are darn close. Check out the pic and let me know Zack. As shown in this pic, they are at about 15-5/8" center to center of the motor mount bolt hole. That is what I measured on a '70 frame I have with the small block mounts in it.

[CVA59]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I had some time today to mock up a couple motor mount brackets in a '62 GMC frame I have. It looks to me like the '67-'72 small block mounts that I told you about will work out pretty well. They aren't absolutely perfect, but they are darn close. Check out the pic and let me know Zack. As shown in this pic, they are at about 15-5/8" center to center of the motor mount bolt hole. That is what I measured on a '70 frame I have with the small block mounts in it.

Fab,
Those are perfect. The guy i bought the truck from says he has a pair of these also. Let me see what he has and if not i will get those from you. I also found out yesterday after more disassembly that my front suspension crossmember has some rot in it. I plan to change it out so, what other year crossmembers will work with all my original 61 a-arms and such?

Thanks

[Captainfab]

The '60-'62 front suspensions are the same. '63 was the first year for the front coil springs.

[LostMy65]

What exactly does a 61 use for motor mounts?

Originally Posted by CVA59

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I had some time today to mock up a couple motor mount brackets in a '62 GMC frame I have. It looks to me like the '67-'72 small block mounts that I told you about will work out pretty well. They aren't absolutely perfect, but they are darn close. Check out the pic and let me know Zack. As shown in this pic, they are at about 15-5/8" center to center of the motor mount bolt hole. That is what I measured on a '70 frame I have with the small block mounts in it.

If you look closely, that's what I did with my 62 frame.
I used the motor mounts off my 65 frame.
I started by first mounting them to the motor, but left them loose on the frame.
Once I got the bellhousing bolted up I then knew where to drill the holes on the frame and crossmember.

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Now it gets exciting,
Here I am back in 1984, under my 1962 Donor Shortbed Frame, mounting up the Rebuilt 327 out of 1965 SS Impala.

[CVA59]

Good info guys. I have decided that i will be replacing the entire frontend with an original 63 model and rebuilding it from there. That way i can escape the insane cost fo rebuilding the 61 stuff and still have everything in an original condition. I plan to use the motor mounts like Fab has shown in the pic. I see no reason why they would not work.

[Captainfab]

How did those fit Robert? The '63 and up frames are taller than the '60-'62's That's why I recommended the '67-'72 small block mount brackets.

Originally Posted by LostMy65

If you look closely, that's what I did with my 62 frame.
I used the motor mounts off my 65 frame.
I started by first mounting them to the motor, but left them loose on the frame.
Once I got the bellhousing bolted up I then knew where to drill the holes on the frame and crossmember.

I think that is a good decision Zack. Much cheaper to rebuild and as of now parts are still easy to get. Like I said, not many guys are going to know that the front suspension isn't original. Also you will be one step closer should you one day decide to upgrade to discs.

Originally Posted by CVA59

Good info guys. I have decided that i will be replacing the entire frontend with an original 63 model and rebuilding it from there. That way i can escape the insane cost fo rebuilding the 61 stuff and still have everything in an original condition. I plan to use the motor mounts like Fab has shown in the pic. I see no reason why they would not work.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

How did those fit Robert? The '63 and up frames are taller than the '60-'62's That's why I recommended the '67-'72 small block mount brackets.

2012-1984=28 years, and an older mind.

Honestly; I don't remember having any issues.

But I would think your advice to Zack to use the '67-'72 small block mount brackets would be the safe choice.

[y5mgisi]

Damn! thats the most caked motor and trans i have ever seen!

[markeb01]

Holy cow, “some” progress? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a truck blown apart so quickly. Nice to see the project coming along so fast.

Here are a couple of threads on the front suspension and motor/trans mounts from my 1960 GMC:

Suspension
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=366850

Another benefit of using at least a 63 suspension is you’ll get rid of the early spindles that require ball bearings for wheel bearings. I believe starting in 1962 they converted to tapered roller bearings, which last infinitely longer than the expensive and poor quality ball bearings offered today.

Motor/Transmission mounts
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=369663

There is a Persh link in this thread that shows the different types of motor mounts offered originally in the 60-62 chassis. They are rather hard to find, and may not work with conventional power steering brackets.

I used 67-72 style by adding 1” spacers on top of the frame to match the earlier design with the later 63-72 dimensions as shown in the thread.