1964 GMC 1500 "crustine" semi- build.

[Palf70Step]

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

Still going strong, that's awesome. Great truck.

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Thanks guyz!

[TJ's Chevy]

Well nothing amazing to update but I did score this air cleaner for cheap and it looks good on the ol v6.

Also if all goes right ol Crustine is gonna be getting a new engine and trans here somewhat soon. The v6 is great but getting hard to find parts for and doesn't move the truck to fast on the highway. And it seems people want a gold nugget for the bigger v6's so I'm gonna settle for a big block 454. Have a line on a smooth running one for super cheap and also have a line on a 2wd NV4500 5 speed to put behind it. I've been wanting to drive Crustine to work and to the coast and with 180 hp and 4.11 gears getting 10 mpg's that isn't super economically friendly with todays fuel prices and speeds. lol
So! If I'm gonna get lower mpg's I wanna have 400 horse power. Yes I know, I'm demanding. haha

Till next time folks! Hopefully I'll have an engine and trans here soon.

[duallyjams]

Hate to see the V6 go but it happens.

You could just adapt the nv4500 behind the V6 and swap out the rear to 3:54, that would definitely help with fuel millage and highway speed but unfortunately it would not have the get up and go of the 454.

The last 454 I had in a truck only got 10mpg, it did not matter if it was going up a mountain or going down, towing or just coasting.

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by duallyjams

Hate to see the V6 go but it happens.

You could just adapt the nv4500 behind the V6 and swap out the rear to 3:54, that would definitely help with fuel millage and highway speed but unfortunately it would not have the get up and go of the 454.

The last 454 I had in a truck only got 10mpg, it did not matter if it was going up a mountain or going down, towing or just coasting.

Yeah, that's the main issue is the get up and go. I love cruising with the truck but I also like towing or hauling with it and anything I pull slows this ol girl WAY down. If I could find a 401 or 478 for under $1500 bucks I'd happily swap one in but it seems lately all I can find is a dirty barn find that's badly over priced.

Fuel mileage isn't to much of a big deal for me if I can make 400 hp and get the same economy haha

We'll see, I'm looking back now wishing I would have searched harder for a bigger v6.

[duallyjams]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

Yeah, that's the main issue is the get up and go. I love cruising with the truck but I also like towing or hauling with it and anything I pull slows this ol girl WAY down. If I could find a 401 or 478 for under $1500 bucks I'd happily swap one in but it seems lately all I can find is a dirty barn find that's badly over priced.

Fuel mileage isn't to much of a big deal for me if I can make 400 hp and get the same economy haha

We'll see, I'm looking back now wishing I would have searched harder for a bigger v6.

Yeah the 454 definitely tows really good and is a lot cheaper to source parts.
I agree on the current asking prices on the V6 is crazy.

[TJ's Chevy]

Well I got the 454 and I'm just waiting on delivery now. It'll be awhile before the swap happens but I'm excited none the less. Thinking now of just sticking with the 4 speed and doing a gear swap and also pondering on a 4x4 conversion as well.

As of now Crustine has been sitting at the shop I work at and I've been doing repairs I've needed to do for quite awhile. Finally replaced the steering box and fixed a rather loose drag link arm. Crazy how tight the steering is now compared to before. Had to replace the axle pinion seal and will be doing axle shaft seals as well as one started leaking. Also grabbed new u-joints so I'll be getting those on soon as well.

Tacked on some new exhaust tips this evening so I'll get some photos tomorrow.

[Palf70Step]

Kewl. A garage I use to use, had a 90 1-Ton with 454 and 5 speed. I sure gave it a lot of thought to get the engine/tranny out of it for use in something. The 5 speed from them combos may work for you in Crustine also.

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Kewl. A garage I use to use, had a 90 1-Ton with 454 and 5 speed. I sure gave it a lot of thought to get the engine/tranny out of it for use in something. The 5 speed from them combos may work for you in Crustine also.

I've been thinking of the NV4500's that came in those years. But man things are getting expensive in my parts for that stuff haha

[TJ's Chevy]

Well nothing super amazing to post about Crustine but she's been sitting at the shop I work at for probably close to a month now as I've been tinkering on fixing her leaks and small stuff almost every night.

I finally wired in my led reverse lights and also my new to me 454 showed up. It's gonna be awhile before the swap happens but I'm stoked with the find regardless.

I'm gonna try to hold back that horse power urge and run the ol V6 till it can't no more which will probably bit me in the butt and I'll be swapping in the v8 when I retire in 40 years.

Replaced the u-joints a couple days ago and now all that's pretty much left for now is axle seals as my new brakes on one side got a little oil soaked.

Until next time!

[Braunschweiger]

You've already accomplished a lot, stuffing the monster under the hood is also a lot of work.

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

You've already accomplished a lot, stuffing the monster under the hood is also a lot of work.

Thanks! Yeah, it'll be well worth it for sure though. haha

[TJ's Chevy]

Finally drove Crustine down the highway for the 1st time in weeks without slinging oil from every crevice in the rear axle haha

Had to wait for new axle nut lock washers from torq king as the old one's tab broke and just spun so I couldn't tighten the outter nut.

Pretty excited to put her in the Outlaw car show in a couple days. I'll be sure to get some pictures.

I'll work on some photos tomorrow as I left without getting any tonight.

[Palf70Step]

[cwcarpenter98]

Always nice to get a problem fixed and get back to driving!

[straight6chevyguy]

Glad to see you back on the forum and the new updates on crustine as well TJ!

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Originally Posted by cwcarpenter98

Always nice to get a problem fixed and get back to driving!

Yes sir it is!

Originally Posted by straight6chevyguy

Glad to see you back on the forum and the new updates on crustine as well TJ!

Thanks!

Well I did enter Crustine in the show but the weather decided to turn into a down pour of rain so I only stayed for a short time and was to distracted to get pictures. There's another show coming up shortly that I hope to make so I'll try my luck then. Seems after so many years Oregon is finally having some normal weather.....the good of that is that the rain this late in the year keeps the fires down.....the Bad is it makes my grass grow and it's to wet out to paint haha!

[TJ's Chevy]

Finally brought Crustine home from the shop today after I think a couple months and a fair amount of work done. Enjoyed driving her around quite a bit this evening and found out just how bright my reverse lights are. haha This is the first time she's been on a trailer in at least over 10 years. Course I had to show off the ol Dodge to. Love me some 12 valve cummins!

Not sure what I plan on next besides taking a break and driving her to some shows. I think I'm gonna start keeping an eye out for some panels and a hood to make this truck look a bit better. I can probably get the dented bedside fixed halfway decent. We'll see what I come up with necxt lol Until next time folks!

[TJ's Chevy]

Well nothing new to report as of late. I ended up selling the 454 as I was given an offer I couldn't refuse. Especially since I bought it and unloaded it and that was it. haha
I've been just driving Crustine and enjoying it. Got the fabulous 50's show coming up in a couple weeks that I may take the truck to so we'll see. Life has been crazy as always. July sure snuck up on me!

[TJ's Chevy]

How's it going folks? Been awhile since I've been on here again. Life's crazy and I've been busy at work and somehow managed to squeeze in a clutch and tranny replace on ol Crustine. Got to the point I couldn't even shift into gear even with it adjusted all the way. SO, ordered a clutch from Napa, pulled the old 4 speed off my 66's 292 and away I went. Did the swap at the shop I work at so it was pretty quick work. Crustine is back on the road shifting smoother and better than ever. The original Sm420 was pretty well shot so having one that actually has synchros is a huge plus. haha

[cwcarpenter98]

Nice! I bet the new trans makes it nicer to cruise around in

[Palf70Step]

[caseyjones]

You found a clutch at NAPA? I thought they are unobtainable. Care to share a part number?

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by caseyjones

You found a clutch at NAPA? I thought they are unobtainable. Care to share a part number?

Part number is 1104049 and is the 11 inch kit. Does not come with a flywheel and the disc splined nub will have to be ground down so the disc actually seats on the flywheel. Other than that it works great.

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Originally Posted by cwcarpenter98

Nice! I bet the new trans makes it nicer to cruise around in

Yes sir it sure does! Now to ditch the 4.11 gears for some 3.55's. I'm toying with the idea of 4x4 converting this truck as I have a 77 ford f250 with a high pinion dana 44 front and a dana 60 rear with all the springs and steering. Everything should match up pretty well. Decisions decisions lol

[TJ's Chevy]

Spent some of last saturday doing some small stuff to the truck I've been wanting to knock out for awhile. Organized my tool box and installed some trays and a box for holding spare liquids. Also installed my air compressor for some air horns I bought years ago and finally decided to install on the truck.....they aren't To loud.
Now to plumb the air lines and wiring and make some noise. Hopefully the truck doesn't fall apart from the sound waves.