Penny

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by Shifty One

I like the manual-swap!

It's something I was set on doing since I picked it up!

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

You a Street Smart and that T5 will work for you.

If that is what you choose.

It not like you are taking it to the Drag Strip to run the 1/8 mile.

Well, I actually do want to run Penny at the drag strip and also dabble in some autocross. Heck, I might even try some drifting just for the fun of it. Penny is more of my "hot rod" truck than Frankentruck, so some abuse will be happening to the drivetrain.

With that being said, I'm concerned that any t5 will end up dying sooner rather than later with my planned driving style. Yeah, the 2.73 rear doesn't help with the hot rod aspect, but if I can set it up with a transmission to help overcome that rear gear, I'm good with not having an overdrive transmission.

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by cwcarpenter98

Well, I actually do want to run Penny at the drag strip and also dabble in some autocross. Heck, I might even try some drifting just for the fun of it. Penny is more of my "hot rod" truck than Frankentruck, so some abuse will be happening to the drivetrain.

With that being said, I'm concerned that any t5 will end up dying sooner rather than later with my planned driving style. Yeah, the 2.73 rear doesn't help with the hot rod aspect, but if I can set it up with a transmission to help overcome that rear gear, I'm good with not having an overdrive transmission.

Well, I did not see that coming.

That T5 will hold up till it breaks.

If you put a Low profile tire it will help with the 2:73 Ratio.
That could be a good combo with the 5 speed and 2:73 and smaller tire diameter.

This Fall they do have an Autocross at the C10 Nationals at The Superspeedway

[Darkrider]

Finally got fully up to date on this and Frankentruck. Glad to see you are still going at it with them.

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by Darkrider

Finally got fully up to date on this and Frankentruck. Glad to see you are still going at it with them.

Thanks for reading! Progress will be slow until April 15th as it’s tax season. I don’t have much daylight to work on the trucks after work, but I’m making progress when I can.

[cwcarpenter98]

If I don’t stop pulling parts off this truck, I’m gonna eventually get down to a bare frame

With the engine and transmission out, I figured now would be a great time clean up under the hood. The passenger inner fender has multiple rust holes under the battery tray, so I’ve got a new one to replace that with. Also pulled the driver’s side to make cleaning it up easier. It’s still in good shape, so just some new paint will do. That also gives better access to repaint the frame rails and rest of the front suspension that I didn’t do.

I also have decided to replace the brake booster since it’s the original and I’m worried that it will fail at an inopportune moment. Cheaper to replace now than to fight with insurance after running into something.

I’m 100% committed to the manual swap now. Since I was in deep enough to remove the booster from the brake pedal, I went ahead and pulled the steering column out and removed the automatic brake pedal. I already have a set of clutch pedals to put back in, just need to clean them up, replace anything that’s worn and repaint.

I am planning to put the automatic column back in, however if I end up finding a 4 speed tilt column that works with the original wiring, I’ll go with that. I doubt I’ll find one of those, so I’m good with the auto. I plan to just bypass the neutral safety switch. My 63 doesn’t have a nss, so I’m used to starting a vehicle without one

If you’re wondering about the yellow tape, it’s to keep any critters from getting into my cab! I was fully expecting a rats nest inside the a/c box, but pleased to find what looks to be just some 20+ year old tree debris. The heater core leaks, so I’ll be replacing that as well as converting the a/c to 134a.

We are getting some somewhat ok weather for the next week or so. It might be in the dark, but my next plan of attack will be to replace all the sketchy brake hoses, put new seals in the calipers, new wheel cylinders and shoes for the rear, and new master and booster. Being a Georgia truck since new, the original hard lines are still in good shape.

[cwcarpenter98]

Oofta, it’s been awhile since I’ve done any work to Penny. Haven’t had much of a desire to work on her the past couple months, but that fire has been re-lit.

The pollen has finally left enough for me to actually be able to lay down some paint. Got the frame painted today and cleaned and painted several of the clutch parts. Should be able to start putting stuff back on soon!

[Duck1]

Looks like a TH400

[Darkrider]

Def beyond the point of no return rofl. Glad to see that you are making progress.

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by Duck1

Looks like a TH400

It's a th350, but doesn't really matter anymore since a Saginaw 4 speed is going in.

Originally Posted by Darkrider

Def beyond the point of no return rofl. Glad to see that you are making progress.

Slowly but surely, progress shall be made. Got the passenger side suspension back together this evening. That was a slight struggle with no engine weight, but the drop springs helped make it a possibility. Will hopefully get the rest of the suspension back in by the end of the week.

[cwcarpenter98]

Front suspension back together, final tourqes with full weight on it still needed, lots of small bolts and bits painted up in the front yard paint booth, re-assembled brake and clutch pedal after paint and re-installed over the past few weeks, and just got the steering column and wheel back in tonight. Progress is slow, but still happening. Next up needs to be running new brake lines before the engine and transmission goes back in. Guess it’s time to make another parts order

[straight6chevyguy]

I noticed that you have the large over center style clutch pedal spring which I just recently came to knowledge of with my new to me 78 c20, my clutch pedal bushings were completely shot so I attempted to remove the pedal arm from under the dash, that spring is a real dog. I'm curious how you got that spring back on?
Maybe it's easier putting back on then taking off I don't know I haven't tried it yet lol

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by straight6chevyguy

I noticed that you have the large over center style clutch pedal spring which I just recently came to knowledge of with my new to me 78 c20, my clutch pedal bushings were completely shot so I attempted to remove the pedal arm from under the dash, that spring is a real dog. I'm curious how you got that spring back on?
Maybe it's easier putting back on then taking off I don't know I haven't tried it yet lol

I got my pedals out of a 77 cab, so makes sense on why it's similar to yours. I didn't have to struggle much with the spring. I forget which way I went with the pedal, but it was loose enough to put the hooks around the posts and then I was able to pull the pedal into place. I was doing this with the whole assembly out of the truck, so that might have made it easier.

I will also say that the pedal pads were extensively worn when I got the pedals, so it wouldn't surprise me if my return spring has well over 150k or more miles on it, so it's possible that the spring is more worn out than your 78

[LT7A]

The frame looks good. And nice job on detailing up even the small parts.

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by LT7A

The frame looks good. And nice job on detailing up even the small parts.

Thanks! Unfortunately I've scratched the paint in multiple places already, but since it's just a rattle can, I'll touch it up eventually

[straight6chevyguy]

Originally Posted by cwcarpenter98

I got my pedals out of a 77 cab, so makes sense on why it's similar to yours. I didn't have to struggle much with the spring. I forget which way I went with the pedal, but it was loose enough to put the hooks around the posts and then I was able to pull the pedal into place. I was doing this with the whole assembly out of the truck, so that might have made it easier.

I will also say that the pedal pads were extensively worn when I got the pedals, so it wouldn't surprise me if my return spring has well over 150k or more miles on it, so it's possible that the spring is more worn out than your 78

Yeah I was doing it from under the dash. When I put it back together I will probably remove the dash pad and gauges which should give me more access to it from the top. Hopefully anyway.

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by straight6chevyguy

Yeah I was doing it from under the dash. When I put it back together I will probably remove the dash pad and gauges which should give me more access to it from the top. Hopefully anyway.

If you haven't already, try to push the pedal all the way to where it hits the firewall. You might be able to get enough tension off the spring to be able to pop it back on. I'm not sure if you'll be able to get additional access by pulling the dash pad and gauges

[cwcarpenter98]

A couple things have happened recently.
Started bending up some new brake lines and started a three way trade to get the Kool rest cooler I need. The red top cooler is too big for the 4 speed shifter and doesn’t fit the color. I traded that one for the blue one. I’ll be trading the blue one for a brown one in the next week or so. Win win for everyone!

On the brake lines, I got one of those straightening tools. Well worth the money if you plan to make your own lines from the coiled lines. Works really well to straighten the coils out and straighten a bend if you put it in the wrong spot or direction. I am bending the lines to match the originals as close as I can. I used that pvc pipe to make the coil off the master. Going well so far.

[straight6chevyguy]

Sounds like a good trade!
Looking good on the lines too.

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by straight6chevyguy

Sounds like a good trade!
Looking good on the lines too.

Definitely a good trade! Hopefully will complete the second part of it soon.
Made more progress on the lines tonight as well. Once those are in, it will be time to prep the drivetrain to go back in

[cwcarpenter98]

Well dang, another month has gone by. Pulled the remaining rear brake lines out on Sunday. Made new axle lines tonight. One more line to build and I’ll be done building lines. I’m pleased with the results so far. It definitely helps being able to use the old lines as a template

[cwcarpenter98]

As usual, not much has happened with Penny lately. I did finally finish the cooler trade so now I have a Little Kool Rest that matches much better.
Earlier this week, I picked up some new tools. Makes moving inoperable vehicles around way easier! Penny has been moved back to her usual spot in the driveway with the bed easily accessible so that I can start working there next.

Part of why I haven’t been working on Penny is because Dad got a new project yesterday. It’s a 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible. We had to do some prep work to get ready to bring the Cutlass home, but now that it’s here, I’ll be able to get back on Penny.

[cwcarpenter98]

Didn't take any pictures today, but got the rear bumper off and cut all the bed to frame bolts off so that I can pull the bed. I want to clean up the rear section of the frame just like I did the front. Then I'll run all my brake lines on a clean frame instead of a dirty frame.

[cwcarpenter98]

On today’s episode of “Sketchy Truck Time” we have liftoff. Dad and I got the bed most of the way off, and then mom helped a little bit while we got it flipped over. We built a bed cart for it so that we could roll it around. The cart also helped to flip the bed over.

Now I can spend some time cleaning and painting the frame and the underside of the bed floor and sides.