68 build thread. It has begun :)

[skokie]

Ok here is the latest. I wasnt feeling to good last night so I took the night off and now I am back at it. However that power steering gear is getting the best of me. Here is a pic of the pain in the $#$#$ Also when I pulled off the brake booster I noticed some slight surface rust on the brackets and also on the firewall. I hate rust!! Its like that energizer bunny just keeps going and going and going. So I got out the 3.8 drill and a wire wheel and went to town. Only took 10 minutes. I have it primered right now. Letting it dry. Going to shoot it with some black and clear coat it. At least the rust will be stopped until I can get the cab to the blasters next year.



Before



Primered



Painted

[CHAPS7931]

first off where did your get your parts powder coated and was it expensive? i looked arouund and found very few people and they were $$$. 2nd why dont your just cut and weld a new peace where the rust is?

[skokie]

The place I use is spray technology in Santa Clara. Ask for Bill and when you talk to him be specific about what you are bringing. They do a lot of blasting on cars for the body shops in the area. For all of what I had done it was $225 and that included inner fenders. I didnt cut it out and weld another piece for 2 reasons. 1. It was surface rust. Nothing that I wirewheel wont take care of 2. I dont have a welder

[skokie]

Whats messed up is now that I see that pic it makes me want to rip out the motor, get my grinder, slap a wire wheel on it and go to town on that firewall. Who knows that may just happen. I have a bad motor mount on the drivers side that needs to be replaced. The wife is gonna be pissed

[Draggn66]

Looking good! Ain't it funny how these things just snowball?

[CHAPS7931]

hey skokie mightest well do it since you are taking it apart, im also from san jose and if you need a welder just let me know, i began shaving my firewall this summer but did not get to finish because of time. in my opinion i think these trucks are best done a full restoration, just to get it all done the first time. just my opinion. always glad to hel just let me know.

[skokie]

Thanks for the offer. I appreciate that. Ok now for the update I got the old power steering gear off. It looks like the seal at the top is blown out because that is where it was leaking. Also noticed a very small amount of surface rust where it was sitting.

So I broke out the wirewheel and in 2 minutes I had it cleaned up. I have some eastwoods rust encapsulator on its way so for the meantime I just gave it 2 coats of rattle can primer to hold it.
Here are the pics.

Before






After

[skokie]

Ok I got the new power steering gear in. Its a red head with a variable from Wes at Classic Heartbeat. That pitman arm nut was a pain to get back on. Once I had the old one off I wire wheeled the crap out of the frame , cleaned it up with some brake cleaner,dried it & and gave it 2 coats of primer, 2 coats of semi gloss black, & a coat of clear just for good measure.
Also here is a pic of the truck cover.
Here are the pics

[skokie]

Update time. I got some more parts in today. The new battery tray, fan shroud, heater harness, & new heater controls. Still waiting for the under dash harness and a few more little things to come in.

I was going to get started with the core support but I had to take one of the pieces that the fender attaches to to the powder coater. I left it on by mistake when I had the core support powder coated so its getting done again with the bumper.

I am planning on picking those parts up tomorrow. If all goes well then I maybe this weekend I will be able to rent a cherry picker to take out the motor and change out the flexplate. Then clean up the firewall some.

FUN FUN FUN

[skokie]

Got the bumper and the rest of the parts back from the powder coater. I will have some pics later.

[CHAPS7931]

your firewall can look like this, nice and clean. just my opinion

[skokie]

I like that firewall but dont have the $$$$ to go that far with it until maybe next year. I am 90% convinced that I want the surefit ac system for the truck just gotta wait until the next phase.

[skokie]

UPDATE: Well all of the powder coating is now done and I have picked up all of the pieces. Just waiting on a part for the steering column and a wiring harness to come in. In a couple of weekends I am planning to pull the motor to install a new flexplate and motor mounts. While it is out I will clean up and rattle can the engine bay. Should be fun

[skokie]

Got the under dash harness in today. Now all I am waiting for is the steering coupler for the rag joint and then it will be time to install some parts.

[Chevy_Man]

Sounds good what all you doing to your 68 and from what i have seen of the pics . I will be glad when i can start my build on my 68 but due time i guess... good luck and keep the pics and update coming.

Eric

[CHAPS7931]

not that much $$$ to make the firewall like that and vintage air sells a kit for areas like this, i know how much pressure i put on you on this topic but its yor truck and we all work on our budgets. im a new school kind of guy

[skokie]

No worries chaps7931.

[skokie]

UPDATE:

I got the new steering coupler installed. Pics to come later. I also started on the gunk removal off of the frame. So far a lot of dirt and very little rust. The grease must have protected it

[skokie]

Ok the instrument cluster is done

[Joe67]

Very nice cleanup project!
I must say, I would be proud to drive that truck exactly how it was before you started - I can't wait to see progress develop

[skokie]

Joe67 as far as the progress goes on the outside pieces I will have at a minimal the front fenders in dp90 or a sealant of some kind. Hoping to get the hood and cowl done as well. Money is getting tight on this one but I dont believe in shortcutting body work and will hold off until I get the $$$$ to get it done right.
Thanks for the compliments.

[Frizzle Fry]

Nice work. I did a similar "clean-up" on a 64 when I lived in San Jose. Keep it up.

[skokie]

OK here is the latest. Engine is out and I pressure washed the engine bay and the firewall. Looks like I will be painting tomorrow and once its dry it will be time to put the engine in. Here are the pics.

[skokie]

That new flexplate box came in handy

[skokie]

Two more