66 4x4 my sons new project

[argonaut]

I'm still collecting the parts needed to make Big-Ugly a runner, but I'm almost there.

My dad and I finally pulled this 402 BBC and TH400 from a 71 motorhome that we've had our eyes on for a while now.











I'm not planning to use this TH400 but I'm sure we'll find a home for it somewhere.



Pulled the exhaust also because it was in good shape. 2-1/2" dual exhaust with H-pipe. Just need a couple mufflers and tailpipes.



I'm also going to grab the brake booster and master cylinder, as well as the power steering pump, lines and gearbox from this 71.


The only concern I had is what my gas mileage is going to be with the stock 402, sm420, t221, 3.71:1 diff gears and say 33" tires....

[freakshow108]

Originally Posted by argonaut

I'm still collecting the parts needed to make Big-Ugly a runner, but I'm almost there.

My dad and I finally pulled this 402 BBC and TH400 from a 71 motorhome that we've had our eyes on for a while now.






I wonder how many gallons to the mile she will get? LOL. She's looking good, can't wait to see this one done, good luck.




I'm not planning to use this TH400 but I'm sure we'll find a home for it somewhere.



Pulled the exhaust also because it was in good shape. 2-1/2" dual exhaust with H-pipe. Just need a couple mufflers and tailpipes.



I'm also going to grab the brake booster and master cylinder, as well as the power steering pump, lines and gearbox from this 71.


The only concern I had is what my gas mileage is going to be with the stock 402, sm420, t221, 3.71:1 diff gears and say 33" tires....

Posted via Mobile DeviceI wonder how many gallons to the mile she will get. LOL. Can't wait to see this one done, good luck.

[argonaut]

I actually have the big block in my 64 right now. It's gets about 10-11 with no overdrive, 3.73 gears and 31" tires. 3.08s would probably be better but I'm going to keep the 3.73 for now and run a 33" tire size.
Posted via Mobile Device

[argonaut]

Today I discovered that all the rivets on the bellhousing mount crossmember were loose. So I cut those all out, cleaned off 45 years of grease and road grime, then bolted it back in place. I put my small block 350, SM420 and T221 in. Eventually the small block will come out and the big block will go it. But I need to collect the hydraulic clutch parts before I do.

I didn't have enough 1" grade-8 bolts left so I'll have to bolt the reinforcement plates into the frame next weekend.

A couple more pics:

[C/10 King]

Wow Jason, I swear you could work for GM, looking real good, I can hardly wait for you to come up and give me and Lexie a ride, see you when you come up for Turlock!

[argonaut]

Got a few more things done on the pickup today. Seems like I've been working on this thing non-stop every weekend since early December.

Anyway, I got the reinforcement plates drilled and bolted in the way I wanted today. Worked out perfectly. I also finished putting new grade 8 bolts in all the locations where I removed fatigued rivets from the crossmembers and frame.





I wanted to paint the whole frame but I just didn't have the time to strip the frame myself right now. I'm trying hard to get this truck fully assembled so that I can get it out of my grandmother's house and move it to my Mom's house where I'll be able to keep working on it for a few months... and then hopefully get it done the way I want it.

I dropped the 65 big window cab and the 62 front end onto the frame. The cab is positioned correctly but I relocated the front end off of the donor truck in one piece and it isn't quite lining up right. You can see in the photos that the front end is cocked up a little bit. In a couple of weeks I'll completely disassemble the front end and build it back up using the best (read: least rusty) of all the donor parts that I have available.







Man I LOVE this grill. It is may favorite of the 60-66 grills. Sa-weet!





Threw a bumper on to get a feel for how it will look someday when its all together and I'm done. This light blue color is growing on me. I think I might have the truck repainted in this color with a white or cream top, grill and bumpers.





Just messing around I put a couple BFG 32" tires next to it. I think a tall knobby tire like this will look good on the truck. The final plan is for 16x6.5" steelies painted black with some 265x85R16 or something close to that tire size. I want some 62 style hub caps also but people want a fortune for them. I saw a set of four go on ebay for over $100 today. Its just not in my budget right now... bigger fish to fry.





I hope to get the bed and doors on tomorrow. Stay tuned.

[TheManInBlack]

Sweet truck man, I like the blue. My favorite is the sea foam green color that was popular on these trucks.