702 GMC V-12 powered '62 GMC 1-ton

[watahyahknow]

starting to get interesting now

[62 C60]

IMO I would move the engine as far forward as you can and use an electric fan on it. Then if it is still back in the cab cut out part of the fire wall and floor and fabricate a cover/console for it.

[Bob B.]

I think if you are building a truck basically just to drive around and show off that V-12, what you have there might work. Ford twin-I-beam chassis have an awfully high front crossmember, which is going to require you to mount the engine pretty tall in the chassis. Might need a body lift. Also, I have a feeling that by the time you have a complete engine and front sheetmetal, ect. on the front of that truck, your front axle is going to be overloaded and bottomed out. Even the highest capacity F-350 front coils are probably not going to be enough, and I would think the spring towers are going to need some reinforcement. I think the best way to do this and have a driveable truck would be to use something like a C-60 or Step van chassis with an I-beam/leaf spring front axle. Easy to add leaves and no front crossmember, so you can drop the engine down lower. Also would be a plus to have a straight rail C-channel chassis. Easy to shorten and fab up your body mounts too. As for mounts, remember that as installed in a truck, the V-12 had one large front mount under the crank pulley, and two mounts off either side of the bell housing. If you are just going to use the front mount and another mount at the rear of the transmission, that thing's gonna roll right over on you! You need to support the engine from the sides as well. Interesting project, keep us posted!

[62 C60]

Originally Posted by Bob B.

Also, I have a feeling that by the time you have a complete engine and front sheetmetal, ect. on the front of that truck, your front axle is going to be overloaded and bottomed out. Even the highest capacity F-350 front coils are probably not going to be enough.

What does this engine weigh? (I'm sure its in here but I've probably missed it.) Just get the springs from a diesel. I've seen Fords with a cummins conversion that ride just like they did with the PSD in them. A cummins weighs roughly 1100 Lbs. DRY w/o accessories.

[cayoterun]

Hey, Thanks for jumping in to help on this.

Just some general comments on where I'm at.

Truck Purpose: Just a different way to show off the old motor under it own power. Will probably be trailered most of the time. Hope to keep the motor as visible as possible. Probably no hood. The rest of the truck will be crude, rough, and no attempt to make it purty. Just so it's a safe, legal, & road worthy vehicle.

Motor Mounts: We'll sure have one center front mount, 2 rear motor mounts in original side locations, and one center rear tranny mount.

I can't afford to spend a bunch of money on a chassis for a junk engine that was built from hard-to-find junk parts, and if she shucks, maybe not able to ever make her run again. Needless to say, We'll let her make lots of smoke and noise, but never be abused.

Weight dry: Almost 1,500#, plus clutch & tranny= close to 2,000#. No doubt, it'll be nose heavy, but will move motor as far back as feasible. It may have a longer nose than planned. I plan now, to sit the cab back behind the motor and extend the front clip enough to accomodate the motor. It's data plate shows front axle GVW= 3,800#. Let's keep our fingers crossed that's enough.

I'm retired and have some health issues, mainly vision & spine, but ain't ready for the rockin' chair, so if this is never finished, I've had a whale of alot of fun.

Thanks for all the help and interest.
Cayoterun

[62 C60]

Originally Posted by cayoterun

Weight dry: Almost 1,500#, plus clutch & tranny= close to 2,000#. No doubt, it'll be nose heavy, but will move motor as far back as feasible. It may have a longer nose than planned. I plan now, to sit the cab back behind the motor and extend the front clip enough to accomodate the motor. It's data plate shows front axle GVW= 3,800#. Let's keep our fingers crossed that's enough.

I'll be the 2nd vote for a straight axle like on an 88-98 3500HD. With quite a few extra springs.

[cayoterun]

You got my attention on the straight frame/w leaf springs. Would the 88-98 3500HD work? If so, Would the '91 crew-cab 3500 work or does the HD have a different front suspension? I sure want to stay with a chassis/w the 16" tires and wheels.

I hung the tranny on the hollow block, and soon saw what you said about pan and susp. interference. Can't get motor as low as I'd like. The motor would have to set real high in front to clear steering rods, and get the drive shaft low enough.
In addition to the trucks already mentioned, are there other specific truck frames to check out?

I bet I'll learn alot of ways that won't work on this.
Thanks,
Cayoterun

[watahyahknow]

make it a mid engine truck like i said perfectly balanced and no long nose no heavier springs needed in the front or the rear and the cab can stay in its normal place , you can even use the zoomiepipes you made for it .
the radiator fans fueltank/gascylinders and battery under the normal bonnet and the motor backwards in the bed so the box sticks under the cab
if you use an automatic it still has the normal shift patern when you loop the kabel around , a stickshift might require some more doing or get used to shifting back to front (4th to 1th ).
if you mount the engine a bit higher on the chassis the driveshaft will fit under the sump on its way back and mount to the normal rearaxle .
you can use a chaindrive from the gearbox to the driveshaft if the truck runs backwards that way , turn the rearaxle over left to right and it will run forward again (might want to change the backplates of the brakes back so it brakes the normal way ) , hey presto stick a fork in it its done .
no sheetmetal mods needed (perhabs the transtunnel weld in reverse in the cab so the trans will slide in from the other way) just mecanical difficulties like getting the driveshaft past the engine and mounting the chaindrive solidly enough to the gearbox so it whon't twist of when you floor it .
should be pretty simple with a thick aloy plate bolted to the end of a 4X4 gearbox that usually has the 4x4 part bolted to it anyway with two bearings in there a small axle that'll fit in the gearbox and hold the one sprocket and the other the other sprocket and the atagement for the driveshaft

[89 crew]

The 3500 hd is a good choice with the front leave springs. Other than that, any 4x4 frame / leaf suspension should have the same effect. If you don't want, or have access to the 4x4 the only other option is the 50 series - 90 series. It already starts with the straight frame rail, so any cab can be made to work. Also the brake system will already be installed. All you will have to do is hook the master cylinder to the hydrovac.

[locomotive breath]

I agree. If you can find something with a straight axle it will make your life a lot easier. The mid. 70's thru 80's, 2.5 ton chassis like Chevy C-60's can be had pretty cheap and will already have the H-D running gear.

[cayoterun]

I'll check out the local malls (junkyards) for a straight frame, leaf spring setup.

I was able to drop the motor by modifying one crossmember, and will have to build one other crossmember for the rear side motor mounts, which both are real easy on this frame.

After I dropped the motor, it only left about 10 inches of ground clearance below the oil pan. Would sure have to be careful crossing "humps" with this long frame.

If your new on this board, Locomotive Breath, Welcome, It's a great place for help, info and entertaining banter.
Thanks,
Cayoterun

[locomotive breath]

Thanks Cayoterun.
10 inches clearance should be enough as long as the suspension isn't too soft.

[jeffspower]

This would be a cool truck to put your engine in- or at the least, find someone to save it from the crusher!!!

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post2732402

[cayoterun]

Been watching it today. Tempting to bid on it, don't have long to go. It's not far from here to go after it.
I may go berserk, bid on it and just suffer Mama's wrath if I won. Some of you have a spare dog house?
Cayoterun

[jeffspower]

Yep, closer to you than me. I'm gonna cry if it gets scrapped. I wonder what they think it weighs? they could think it's 15000 lbs, @ what, $220 a ton scrap? I wouldn't think it would weigh more than 9000 tops. A new 33K GVW bare chassis T300 KW with an 8.2 Cummins, Fuller & 128" CA weighs just under 11000. I bet the REO as a bare chassis woudn't be over 6500.

Just buy it- you know you're gonna loose sleep too if it's lost!


8 minutes to go...

[cayoterun]

Let's hope it don't meet reserve. I did e-mail him and it only has a 4 spd.
Cayoterun

I did get the mounts built for "Balaur" in the Ford 1ton. Came out pretty good so far. (yea, I'll bend over and you can do the kickin') Oil pan will be pretty close to the ground, but can put a skid plate under it if necessary.

[jeffspower]

Here it is again- with a $799 buy it now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...055834095&rd=1

[cayoterun]

Gonna' be interesting to see if it brings $800.
Cayoterun

[locomotive breath]

It should be worth $800.00. At first I thought it was pretty ugly, but the more I look at it the more I see some potential. It is a rare old truck.

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

Yea I would think it was worth that much.

[68GMCCustom]

heck yah.......it's already rollin' 20's

[watahyahknow]

found sumtin that might help
http://www.usa6x6.com/gallery/displa...album=14&pos=4

[jeffspower]

Neat. I like this one:

[cayoterun]

Really neat. I think I'd like it better with single axle, instead of a tandem. The cab is nothing short of sharp. Something about the windshield needs streamlined some how. Great color scheme, too. Add 2 more ft to hood, we'll drop "Balaur" in it. You guys furnish the truck, I furnish "Balaur" and we'll call it mine. IMO, that would be a fair trade.

We're going "junkin" the next couple of weeks for the museum. May find some more interesting "stuff".
The Weather Channel was out there a couple of weeks ago, did a documentary on the "dust bowl" Used stuff ( a Model T, clothes, etc, and some people) in their film out of the museum.

[Pyrotechnic]

A crewstended cab! That looks like a party.