1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by El Campo

Truck looks great! I do not remember seeing in here if you cleaned the fuel tank out? Bound to have a ton of varnish and rust in it. I always clean the heck out of them and coat them with Kreem as I have had horrible luck with rust in tanks. Usually I fill up with a mixture of phosphoric acid and water and a day or so later you have beautiful bare metal. Even on a 98 GMC truck I had terrible rust and varnish and had to replace the tank. Good luck I like your vision with this one.

After pondering what to do.....I actually had a local radiator shop boil it for me. Came out better than new.

[Coach529]

Short day in the garage today.

First line of business was a muffler bracket. I had a waste chunk of angle iron that fit the bill perfect. I am unsure if I am goingto run my tailpipe out the back, or just bend a 90 and out the drivers side under the running board.



I then started installing my seal belt kit. Followed the instructions below and it went really smooth.

http://www.julianos.com/how2_3point_antiqu...hevy_truck.html

A small chunk of safety wire was used........I did not want to drop the bracket and not be able to retrieve it.



A little paint will dress that right up.





Some of the welds were tough due to location. I had a tough time getting my head back there to see what I was doing. Not too pretty, but should be plenty strong.





Next project:

Strip old seat covers.
Cut out rust in floor pans and wire wheel complete cab.

[NEWFISHER]

Your moving along nicely, it's hard to keep up!

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

Your moving along nicely, it's hard to keep up!

Thanks....I was hoping to get more done, but such is life!!

[badpeanut]

Originally Posted by Coach529

After pondering what to do.....I actually had a local radiator shop boil it for me. Came out better than new.

Who cleans gas tanks here? I have one I need to have done.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by badpeanut

Who cleans gas tanks here? I have one I need to have done.

Valley Radiator in Valley City.

[71veronica]

Keep up the awesome work man. your truck is exactly what i want as my daily driver.

[Jyman]

What kind of rubber did you use for your muffler bracket?

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by Jyman

What kind of rubber did you use for your muffler bracket?

That is actually a universal muffler hanger from Carquest.

[Coach529]

Two steps forward........3 steps back.

My axle is at Sid's getting lowered and I am progressing as fast as my family and checkbook will allow. Both available time and available cash are equally strained.

Napa had a water pump on hand.....so I tried to replace that last night. Should be a pretty straight forward......I have done one in the past. Bolted it up, but somehow must have wrinkled the gasket, because the bugger leaked. Steady stream out the bottom on both corners of the block. Damn. I didn't think a guy could screw it up....but I did.

Also found out my radiator is leaking. Double Damn!!

Pulled the radiator and new water pump. Smashed my thumb pulling off a heater hose. Nice black and blue thumbnail this morning.

Radiator is going to the scrap yard. Ordered a new water pump gasket from Rockauto as well as some plug wires and a side cover gasket.

Saving my pennies and will buy a Alum radiator off Ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-ALL-ALUM...83c501&vxp=mtr

[NEWFISHER]

We share the same frustration friend. Good news here, it's the only day in 3 weeks that its not raining, but will start again tomorrow

I keep telling myself " it's just nuts and bolts and better than watching TV"

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

We share the same frustration friend. Good news here, it's the only day in 3 weeks that its not raining, but will start again tomorrow

I keep telling myself " it's just nuts and bolts and better than watching TV"

I was thinking about your last couple posts before I posted. I feel bad complaining about my stuff..........I feel bad for ya.

My wife keep trying to reassure me that this is to be expected on a 60+ year old truck.......but I am still bummed.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Coach529

...Radiator is going to the scrap yard. Ordered a new water pump gasket from Rockauto as well as some plug wires and a side cover gasket.

Saving my pennies and will buy a Alum radiator off Ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-ALL-ALUM...83c501&vxp=mtr

You know that a brass radiator is superior at heat transfer than an aluminum, don't you?

Are you certain your stock one isn't worth having boiled & rodded-out or re-cored? Is it other wise screwed up?

On my '55's radiator the top tank is a little caved-in but I had it redone anyway. I kinda regret not getting a new top tank for it now because it doesn't look as good as I'd like.

Your truck is awesome. Keep up the good work!

[El Campo]

Looking good! Good idea with taking to radiator shop. I never even thought of that.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

You know that a brass radiator is superior at heat transfer than an aluminum, don't you?

Are you certain your stock one isn't worth having boiled & rodded-out or re-cored? Is it other wise screwed up?

On my '55's radiator the top tank is a little caved-in but I had it redone anyway. I kinda regret not getting a new top tank for it now because it doesn't look as good as I'd like.

Your truck is awesome. Keep up the good work!

Yes I am aware of that. The local shop says due to the condition of the radiator a whole new core would be necessary. Labor would be more than a new Alum unit.

[NEWFISHER]

Originally Posted by Coach529

I was thinking about your last couple posts before I posted. I feel bad complaining about my stuff..........I feel bad for ya.

My wife keep trying to reassure me that this is to be expected on a 60+ year old truck.......but I am still bummed.

LOL they are supposed to be easier than the new ones to work on right? Thats why we love them.....the trucks and the wives!

[focusedontheprize]

Originally Posted by Coach529

Yes I am aware of that. The local shop says due to the condition of the radiator a whole new core would be necessary. Labor would be more than a new Alum unit.

Did the same route you are doing - I pulled my radiator and as much as I wanted to keep the brass financially it was better to get a new one. Didn't get the one you have, but same thing - went to eBay and snagged one.

In the end the key is your moving forward. Just think it will all be worth it when you go for the first cruise.

[cleanshaven84]

Are you a photographer on the side? Lol, I like your creativeness with the pics. I usually just snap what I can with my phone and be on my way. Half the time they come out blurry but don't notice it until I post it on here. Keep up the good work.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by focusedontheprize

Did the same route you are doing - I pulled my radiator and as much as I wanted to keep the brass financially it was better to get a new one. Didn't get the one you have, but same thing - went to eBay and snagged one.

In the end the key is your moving forward. Just think it will all be worth it when you go for the first cruise.

Yeah, I kinda figured that was the true reason behind going aluminum. I can relate.

I've seriously thought about selling my good but not great looking original for an aluminum. Ad I'ven thought about going to a shorter, crossflow unit so I can install some sort of sheet metal topper to make the install look more "finished." But part of me thinks that's a little too billet, too un-traditional, I don't know.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by cleanshaven84

Are you a photographer on the side? Lol, I like your creativeness with the pics. I usually just snap what I can with my phone and be on my way. Half the time they come out blurry but don't notice it until I post it on here. Keep up the good work.

I am actually an electrician by trade, but photography is a huge hobby of mine.

Thanks!!

[wood1]

There are some fair priced radiators on ebay. I bought a 4 row alum. with the fan for $300. Performance -Cooling was the seller. Very happy with it and looks every bit as good as the $600-$700 ones.

[Coach529]

Things are looking up.

Gulfstream87 over at H.A.M.B. is sending me a stock radiator for the cost of freight. Pretty damn excited about that. Nice to know there are still good people in this world!!

Sid shot me an email, my axle is done. He is waiting on my steering arms which I sent a couple days later.

[Coach529]

Not much headway lately. Just collecting parts and saving cash.

Got my dual master cylinder with prop valve, new water pump gasket and some new spark plug wires.

Sid called, my axle is done and steering and pitman arms are modified. Decided to just send him my spindles and have him install new bushings and line bore everything with new king pins. It will arrive ready to bolt on!!

[NEWFISHER]

looking good! Who's dual master did you end up with? Ill be watching that project as I want to upgrade mine next. Good decision on having Sid do the king pins....I did the same thing and was easy peasy install.

[Coach529]

The master cylinder and prop valve is from Performance Online. I needed to add a prop valve since I am putting discs on the front so I figured I might as well update MC's.