What did you do with your truck today, Part 3

[idbeast]

I decided to work on dropping the driveline loop in my center crossmember to make room for my Gear Vendors Overdrive 2 1/2 inches. definitely not a 5 min job! Now to powder coat the center section and grind the welds then prime and repaint the frame.

[idbeast]

The powder coating is done!

[MiraclePieCo]

Very nice work!

[idbeast]

Originally Posted by MiraclePieCo

Very nice work!

Thanks MiraclePieCo !

[MiraclePieCo]

I noted some marginal exhaust manifold threads in my rebuilt head so I installed a helicoil. Otherwise, since it was raining and my garage is too crowded to work inside, I was stuck doing nothing. Tomorrow's forecast is for more rain so I'll probably just work on my carburetor which, despite being brand new, is leaking.

[DransportGarage]

Originally Posted by MiraclePieCo

Very nice work!

Nice pix too. Love the flying sparks!

[dsraven]

beasty, nice job on the loop drop. you will be happier with it now.
on to the next job

[idbeast]

Originally Posted by dsraven

beasty, nice job on the loop drop. you will be happier with it now.
on to the next job

True, now back to blocking out my hood, I hate block sanding!!!

[idbeast]

Originally Posted by DransportGarage

Nice pix too. Love the flying sparks!

Thanks DransportGarage and dsraven , I got everything painted, turned the frame around, put the motor transmission overdrive unit in place then started putting the removable cross member piece back in!

[DransportGarage]

Originally Posted by idbeast

Thanks DransportGarage and dsraven , I got everything painted, turned the frame around, put the motor transmission overdrive unit in place then started putting the removable cross member piece back in!

You'll be ready for the Power Tour and Drag Week soon!

[MARTINSR]

Right on!

Brian

[evilokc]

started up the truck yesterday just to let it run a little since its been so cold. it fired as it should without hesitation and quickly went in to its higher fast idle to war up. it sounded so good I HAD to drive it a little. so a quick relaxed drive around the neighborhood. im really pleased that the carb is tuned well enough that even cold it drives well without hesitation or stumbling. every now and then im proud of my truck.

[DransportGarage]

Originally Posted by evilokc

<snip> every now and then im proud of my truck.

...as we all should be. We, as builders, have done things mere mortals don't even dream of. I am sure our trucks are proud of us as well.

[MiraclePieCo]

Originally Posted by DransportGarage

...as we all should be. We, as builders, have done things mere mortals don't even dream of. I am sure our trucks are proud of us as well.

Eloquent!

Sometimes I look at my truck and imagine how it must feel to have sat in stasis for 20-some years and now be alive again because of my efforts. A reinCARnation, you might say!

[MARTINSR]

I am working on my brothers 39 Ford dash, so nothing to speak of on the truck. I did go dig out the steering box so I could see if the passenger car pitman arm fits on the box? It's about three inches shorter and would seem to work perfect on a 3" dropped axle! Could this be the holy grail of this mod on these trucks?

Brian

[DransportGarage]

I'm back from Florida, struggling with how to run a sewing machine, trying to find the right thread, needle, stitch spacing, tension, etc. so I can have a chance at reupholstering this steering wheel. Making progress though. Pictures coming once I have something to aim the camera at.

[MiraclePieCo]

Originally Posted by DransportGarage

I'm back from Florida, struggling with how to run a sewing machine, trying to find the right thread, needle, stitch spacing, tension, etc. so I can have a chance at reupholstering this steering wheel. Making progress though. Pictures coming once I have something to aim the camera at.

I'm envious both of your ability to sew a steering wheel and your trip to Florida!

I installed my intake manifold today. Tomorrow will probably drop in the distributor and do a static valve adjustment. No pics, this is all standard SBC procedures.

[jweb]

Originally Posted by DransportGarage

I'm back from Florida, struggling with how to run a sewing machine, trying to find the right thread, needle, stitch spacing, tension, etc. so I can have a chance at reupholstering this steering wheel. Making progress though. Pictures coming once I have something to aim the camera at.

Most commercial sewing machines use a size 92 thread. You can find several colors here https://www.thethreadexchange.com/

As far as stitch spacing, longer stitches are better on leather. If there too close it will basically cut through the leather.

Unfortunately I have never made a steering wheel cover. I think the hard part may be stitching it on the wheel . You would probably want to use a leather punch like this
https://www.harborfreight.com/leathe...caAnZIEALw_wcB

Then stitch with a much heavier thread like 270. Which is available from the link above.

[DransportGarage]

Thanks for the tips and encouragement, jweb & DD. I made the loop this morning and I'm pleased so far with this relatively easy part. The right side of the first pic shows my machine-stitched seam. I used something called "extra strong nylon Upholstery Thread" made by "Coats & Clark". Bought it at Walmart, so it should be good. "ART-AD64-18" was the only number on it other than the SKU. My wife said it was thicker than what she would normally use on her household machine. and I couldn't break it with my hands. I showed it to a lady at Joann Fabrics and she said "that's good stuff." I wish I would have read your post first. I would have used a longer stitch length. I'll probably scrap this first attempt, so I can do that on the second try! (...or third, or fourth...)

The hand stitching will be done with thicker "Bonded #277 Nylon...for Upholstery Outdoor Leather Canvas Bag". It's what the YouTube video said to use. For those who are crazy enough to try this, here's the link:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bonded-277-...item3cd27ca6e1

I made the gang punch in the third picture so I'd be able to get even spacing. I'll break that down to a two-hole punch for the curves. I'm going to try following that with an awl, but if that's not a big enough hole I'll get a HF leather punch.

[Dyslexic Dog]

I'm picking up my Leaf springs and hangers along with the cab and the rest of the body panels from the blaster. Everything is in primer and will all be in one place to start the reassembly. Starting with the rear end and brake rebuild and then on to the drive train placements.

[MARTINSR]

That's neat stuff Bob, thanks for posting it.

Brian

[MiraclePieCo]

^^^ We're way above my pay grade here!

I performed static valve adjustment, installed distributor, exhaust manifold, spark plugs and dipstick. Ran out of daylight.

[oldman3]

MPC, you're getting so close to firing it up...Jim

[MiraclePieCo]

Originally Posted by oldman3

MPC, you're getting so close to firing it up...Jim

I'm starting to realize that! At the pace I'm working I thought it would never happen! My bad back limits my work time, but also my discouragement with having to tear down the truck after it was already on the road. I enjoy building cars, but I HATE repairing them.

Today I re-installed the fan, the alternator and some wiring. Tomorrow will be trying to track down my carb leak before installation.
Thanks again for your support and encouragement!

[DransportGarage]

Originally Posted by MiraclePieCo

<snip> I enjoy building cars, but I HATE repairing them. <snip>

Many of us have this aversion. I have it so bad that, when I finished my '55 sedan in 1982, the radio didn't work. To this day, the radio does not work. My GTO factory gauges have the same disease (but the under-dash aftermarket gauges work).