72 C20 "Old Mustard"

[gdavis]

Getting rid of those leaf springs will decrease the weight about 500 lbs. You know you could just finsh the truck in two weeks if you had 15 guys working around the clock. It is a lot of work. But in the end you will be happy.

[mjensen]

Oh man...does that mean your updates are going to slow down too? Dang!

[gdavis]

Rick, thanks so much for posting that picture of the E brake. Bryan also posted one with nothing in the way and the fire wall was clean. Not saying that your fire wall isn't clean now. You have come a long way in a short time. I enjoy you as a fellow board member and a friend keep up the good work. I had to go to the second page to fine you. That means no post today. Sorry to hear that.

[Mustard72]

Well, here's an update.

The engine break in on the dyno went very well. It made about 285 hp at around 4800rpm. 375 ft-lb at around 3500, if I recall correctly. I have the dyno sheets out in the garage so this is going by memory. I used a pretty mild cam, and the engine builder thinks I could have used more and still been fine for pulling horse trailers, etc. But, I'm pleased with the results, and it'll be a great motor for Old Mustard. As soon as I get the chassis ready, it'll be going right in. Until then, the engine builder said I can keep it at his shop, which is cool.

Other than that, I messed around rebuilding the front calipers and started laying out brake lines. Also cleaned up and painted parts of the steering linkage (sorry, no pics). Progress is continuing, although somewhat slower now that the extreme pressure is off a bit. Plus, I've been looking for a truck to fill in until Mustard is done.

Made another bonehead order a couple of weeks ago. I ordered a Chevelle gas tank, which obviously doesn't fit with the leaf spring rear suspension. Not sure what I was thinking there. It also wouldn't fit with any under bumper trailer hitch and would probably also confuse the dual exhaust routing, too. Live and learn. Fortunately, it looks like Rock Auto will take it back.

Glad Brian could help you out, GDavis.

[sduckworth13]

Originally Posted by Mustard72

Well, here's an update.

The engine break in on the dyno went very well. It made about 285 hp at around 4800rpm. 375 ft-lb at around 3500, if I recall correctly. I have the dyno sheets out in the garage so this is going by memory. I used a pretty mild cam, and the engine builder thinks I could have used more and still been fine for pulling horse trailers, etc. But, I'm pleased with the results, and it'll be a great motor for Old Mustard. As soon as I get the chassis ready, it'll be going right in. Until then, the engine builder said I can keep it at his shop, which is cool.

Other than that, I messed around rebuilding the front calipers and started laying out brake lines. Also cleaned up and painted parts of the steering linkage (sorry, no pics). Progress is continuing, although somewhat slower now that the extreme pressure is off a bit. Plus, I've been looking for a truck to fill in until Mustard is done.

Made another bonehead order a couple of weeks ago. I ordered a Chevelle gas tank, which obviously doesn't fit with the leaf spring rear suspension. Not sure what I was thinking there. It also wouldn't fit with any under bumper trailer hitch and would probably also confuse the dual exhaust routing, too. Live and learn. Fortunately, it looks like Rock Auto will take it back.

Glad Brian could help you out, GDavis.

Good to hear your moving along nicely and got a nice healthy engine to install. I was thinking about a Chevelle tank to use also so I didn't have to cut any holes in the bed.
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[Low Elco]

On a longbed, I've seen an 80's Blazer tank work. Also an 80's fullsize van. They fit inside the frame. Cheap and easy to get with the capacity you're gonna need for haulin' hayburners! Can be seen here-

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=292529&page=4

[mjensen]

I ended up going with an '85 31 gallon that I bought from Rock Auto. Fits good so far :-)
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[gdavis]

Originally Posted by Mustard72

Well, here's an update.

The engine break in on the dyno went very well. It made about 285 hp at around 4800rpm. 375 ft-lb at around 3500, if I recall correctly. I have the dyno sheets out in the garage so this is going by memory. I used a pretty mild cam, and the engine builder thinks I could have used more and still been fine for pulling horse trailers, etc. But, I'm pleased with the results, and it'll be a great motor for Old Mustard. As soon as I get the chassis ready, it'll be going right in. Until then, the engine builder said I can keep it at his shop, which is cool.

Other than that, I messed around rebuilding the front calipers and started laying out brake lines. Also cleaned up and painted parts of the steering linkage (sorry, no pics). Progress is continuing, although somewhat slower now that the extreme pressure is off a bit. Plus, I've been looking for a truck to fill in until Mustard is done.

Made another bonehead order a couple of weeks ago. I ordered a Chevelle gas tank, which obviously doesn't fit with the leaf spring rear suspension. Not sure what I was thinking there. It also wouldn't fit with any under bumper trailer hitch and would probably also confuse the dual exhaust routing, too. Live and learn. Fortunately, it looks like Rock Auto will take it back.

Glad Brian could help you out, GDavis.

thanks. You know new rebuiltcalipers were only 19.95 each.

[gdavis]

Originally Posted by mjensen

I ended up going with an '85 31 gallon that I bought from Rock Auto. Fits good so far :-)
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Do you have the part number on that 85 tank from rock auto like to look at it.

[mjensen]

Originally Posted by gdavis

Do you have the part number on that 85 tank from rock auto like to look at it.

Looks like they don't have the same one I bought, but they have the Spectra GM14B which is similar.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...410&cc=1050613

[Mustard72]

Thanks for the gas tank info, guys. I can't believe I forgot about your big Blazer tank, Mike. That might be the way I go. I'll give that a little more thought this time before willy nilly spending a bunch of money on a tank.

I'm not really sure why I rebuilt the calipers, GDavis. It was simple to do, really, but with all the other stuff I've just gone with new stuff for on this project, rebuilding the calipers doesn't really jive.

Anybody using DOT 5 brake fluid. It apparently doesn't eat paint and it also doesn't absorb moisture so your lines don't rot from the inside out. I've been considering it.

Here's a pic of the "replacement" truck we got to pull the horse trailer with. Its an 87 Chevy 3/4 ton 4wd with the 6.2L diesel and an automatic. It's actually got just less than 100,000 miles on it, and I got it from a retired farmer at church who I trust. The body is rough, but solid where it counts. The frame has some rust scale on it, but I haven't seen any pitting or significant rot. I've not had a diesel before, so that will be a learning experience. Brakes are good, tranny shifts good. Feels real solid.

So, other than truck shopping and buying this one this weekend (and laying out the gooseneck hitch I bought from the PO's brother), I spent some time cleaning up the driveway. I cut the original frame up into about 4 manageable sections and disassembled the 67 bed. I piled it all up as neat as I could next to the garage for now. It's good to have it out of the driveway. Not only was it an eyesore (just move the eyesore around the corner), but with the "new" truck, we have an extra vehicle to put somewhere. Plus, we can actually go get the horse trailer we bought a month or so ago and bring it home once I get the hitch installed and the truck wired up.

A few more pics of carnage. Poor neighbors...

[sduckworth13]

Nice, Nick are you using that wood bed? I'd be interested in the rear cross sill if it isnt rotted out. If you pile all that scrap up on your front lawn by the road, I'm sure it would be gone by the time you get home from work tomorrow. I cleaned out my garage a couple of weeks ago and 300lbs of scrap metal was gone in a hour of putting it out by the curb.

[gdavis]

I see you found you a work horse. Are you going to keep it when you get the 72 finshed. Just thinking.

[Mustard72]

Scott, I actually have two wood beds. The one in the pics is the worst one (67-68). The rear cross sill is pretty rough, and I actually torched one end off to make it easier to get the bed side off (crude, I know). I can take a pic of it if you are interested in it to patch up one you might already have. The other bed isn't much better, but is a later model with the side marker lights and less rust on the bed sides. Between the two of them I think I can make one decent bed. I already have a stainless steel strip kit, but will need some cross sills, too.

GDavis, I'm not sure what we'll do with the 87 long term (the name Big Blue is starting to stick). The plan for Mustard is still to be a horse trailer puller when it's done, but Big Blue might work out really well, too. Before I know it, the kids will be learning to drive, too, and that diesel is slow enough that it might make a good kid truck. We'll see.

[sduckworth13]

That's ok Nick. I have someone else that might have one. I know all about them bed bolts, I drilled mine out. I wish I had a torch when I did mine.
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[gdavis]

Originally Posted by Mustard72

Scott, I actually have two wood beds. The one in the pics is the worst one (67-68). The rear cross sill is pretty rough, and I actually torched one end off to make it easier to get the bed side off (crude, I know). I can take a pic of it if you are interested in it to patch up one you might already have. The other bed isn't much better, but is a later model with the side marker lights and less rust on the bed sides. Between the two of them I think I can make one decent bed. I already have a stainless steel strip kit, but will need some cross sills, too.

GDavis, I'm not sure what we'll do with the 87 long term (the name Big Blue is starting to stick). The plan for Mustard is still to be a horse trailer puller when it's done, but Big Blue might work out really well, too. Before I know it, the kids will be learning to drive, too, and that diesel is slow enough that it might make a good kid truck. We'll see.

I have a cross sill that has been blasted and primed and painted. It's your if you need it. for free just pay shipping. 49 1/2 inches long and 2 1/4 height can ship Bus. I know all about kids driving I had three that drove/ me crazy

[ThreeQtr]

The simple way to list them is 'Mustard' is the summer truck and 'Big Blue' is the winter truck(though you need a block heater for the diesel,I guess).
Nice setup you got going. The blue truck looks like it could maybe use one of those Rustoleom roll on paint jobs to slow down some of the rough spots.

[Mustard72]

Thanks, GDavis. I think we got that all worked out via PM.

Shoot, up here I'd never get to drive Mustard if it was the summer truck. I just shoveled another 8 inches of wet snow off the driveway again today. Granted, this is quite a bit worse than the usual spring, but still

That truck designation thing might be how it works out. Plus, even with Mustard being totally rebuilt, it'll be good to have a backup in either case. Total combined cost of both trucks is still about 1/3 the cost of what a lot of other folks use for pulling around horse trailers.

Should be getting the refreshed rear end back from a local car guy friend tomorrow. Still need to nail down a plan on the leaf springs, though. Practices up on the whole 7 connector trailer wiring thing on the blue truck, so now I should be golden when it comes time for Mustard. Plus, the bed will probably be off, which will make it easier, unless I put the plug inside the bed, which apparently has its advantages.

Hoo, boy, time for bed..

[Mustard72]

Originally Posted by sduckworth13

That's ok Nick. I have someone else that might have one. I know all about them bed bolts, I drilled mine out. I wish I had a torch when I did mine.
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I love the torch. The problem is, though, that sometimes it gets used too easily.

[gdavis]

going together there bud. You will figure out the springs.

[gdavis]

Knock knock anyone working today.

[Mustard72]

Nobody working here today. Did some more road prep work on Blue Bell yesterday, but just slacking off tonight. Fighting a bit of a springtime cold, so I don't feel to bad about slacking off a bit. The horse trailer gets pulled on Friday, and if that goes OK then I will be able to get back to work on Mustard. I did get some more brake lines and fittings, a new starter, and a new alternator In the last few weeks, too.
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[mjensen]

Good luck on the pull. You'll have to let us know how it goes.

[Mustard72]

I'll do that.

[gdavis]

Well good luck with that cold. I can't understand why you should ge a cold. The weather is great up there.Sunny and 87 here in Florida