'69 GMC Build Thread.

[samwise68]

thanks man.

yeah..the brakes...are pretty simple. i have a fairly good understanding of how it all goes together, but thanks to my ever-kjnowledgable Dad...it'll be a breeze.

it helps that he's been a mechanic for 30+ years, knows old stuff like the back of his hand, and had a '68 C20.

. sometimes ya just get lucky.

picked up a new registration and title transfer form today, since the rates changed. i'm hoping to be going back to the hell-hole known as the DMV next week sometime, and leaving with plates.

oh yes. it's possible.

cross your fingers.

-Sam.

[samwise68]

alright, well.

got some more paint layed on. i did another coat on the fenders, and got the hood and cowl cleaned and scuffed, and wiped down with thinner.

so, i'm going to go throw some more spray bombs at it, and we'll see how it all turns out.

alright, time for some pics.

the hood and cowl off my '69 K20 that i had sitting around.

before paint:









after first coat:





and another coat for the fenders.




i was going to try and skimp by with just one coat. but, that was before the realization that spray cans go on reallllly thin, especially when compared to what we sprayed on earlier.


also. update of my brake parts...again. apparently the ware house sent two cylinders for the same side...so. they SHOULD be in tomorrow. sheesh...good thing i don't need them right away....

and thats about it. gonna go weld some more on that inner fender.

let's hear it.

-Sam.

[Palf70Step]

Lookin perty good there bubba!

[samwise68]

Thanks Bill! .

-Sam.

[samwise68]

alright,

today consists of another coat on the hood and cowl, and getting a spare front bumper painted.

and, since all of those are completed as of...now. that means i'm gonna go finish patching up that inner fender, and get that all nice and solid.

and thats really about it...

until this weekend, when we put the brakes together.

so, yep. things are pulling together.

-Sam.

[samwise68]

alright.

we can check the front brakes off the to do list. we got the new wheel cylinders in, new shoes, hardware and springs.

all thats left to do is back the outer wheel bearings, and bleed the brakes.

and, for the record...it took about an hour of work. . we had to come in and warm our hands up and get some coffee and stuff. .

so, tomorrow we'll finish that up. prolly try to tie some other odds and ends up since i have Dad here to help and instruct. haha.

that leaves me a couple days to get the front clip back on. make sure everything is still solid, straight, and tuned. make a few test runs. and head to the DMV.

we might make 'er yet, boys.

-Sam.

[samwise68]

alright. minimal progress today.

got the brakes bled, just need to take it out on the black top for the self adjusters to work.

also got the manual choke hooked up, just need to cut the cable to the right length, and that's done.

and...thats about it for now.

which means, and to quote my Dad, "Tomorrow you're gonna have to go like hell, before it gets cold."

yeah, we're expecting single digits for highs by mid week. nothing i'm not used to...but. just a bear to work in, in the garage.

so, thats where she sits now.

almost....

-Sam.

[Palf70Step]

Dang, and you thought spring had come early with them double digits

Glad to hear the progress.

[samwise68]

haha, very funny Bill. . i was thoroughly enjoying the 30 degree weather! and now here some winter again..sheesh....

tomorrow...i hope to get the fenders back on. which hopefully won't take too long. after that...it's easy.

-Sam.

[clemson71guy]

sounds like it's movin rite along
it was about 50 here today and we was turnin the heat on in the garage workin when its cold makes it twice as worse...expecally when you bust a knuckle

[samwise68]

50?!?!

man...50 degrees is almost short sleeve weather.

[Palf70Step]

62 down here Sam, just light jacket weather.

[samwise68]

ahhh...you guys are killin' me up here!

[samwise68]

well.

today was just one of those days.

and i'll just leave it at that. heh.

i'll give you all an update later, with pics. i have a bit more to do yet.

so. yup.

-Sam.

[Palf70Step]

Deep Breath In!






Deep Breath Out!









Deep breath IN!


















Now FART!

I find that relieves all pressures and things are then good!

Hang in there bud!!!

[samwise68]

hahaha.

thanks Bill, i needed that.



-Sam.

[samwise68]

update!

alright. i went and burnt some midnight oil, so to speak.

the issue was that the fenders and radiator support were not lining up, along with other things that didn't want to fall into place today.

so, the drivers side was on. but not looking right. went out before dinner, and got it almost right.

so, it was bugging me if the passenger side would fit. because if the drivers side wasn't lining up, then the rad support/frame might still be an issue, which i was really hoping it wasn't.

well. after mulling around about it for a couple hours, i saw that it was still 20 degrees, and went back to the garage. got the passenger side fender hung. it lines up pretty alright by me.

so. alas. that was the drama of today. and the happy ending.

you all can sleep well tonight. .

-Sam.

[Palf70Step]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[samwise68]

well. after i enjoyed a good nights sleep, like Bill, i got back at the ol' girl.



ever feel like you take a step forward, then 3 steps back? or to get a step forward, you have to take 3 steps back...lol.

yeah. pulled the radiator support off today, after i noticed the bolts were at a very unstraight angle.

they weren't bent, but has shifted quite drastically in the rather large mount holes. so, there is the culprit to my whole issue last night of the fenders not matching up to the rad support.

So, i put it back on, and just pegged it with the old bolts for now (i'm getting some new ones tomorrow) and ratchet strapped it up, so it's not just..laying there against the frame. it'll make it alot easier for fitting the fenders up when it's in the correct position.





and lo and behold...it worked!



the fit there is 20 times better than last night. the bottom of the fender and eye brow trim almost lines up with the outside edge of the grilled/headlight bezel. and since it's just hanging there, sandwhiched between the grille and rad support. so the bolts will suck it in quite nicely.

and thats where she stands right now.

tomorrow, since everything seems to be going much better now, i really hope to get the fenders pretty much on, since they're the most time consuming out of what i have left to do.

so, i'm crossing my fingers on this one...lol.

i'll keep you all updated.

-Sam.

[Bob 68327]

Looking Good Sam!!!!

[samwise68]

Thanks Bob!

I really don't want to rush anything, and make it as "right" and look as nice as possible under these conditions...but...

i reallllyyyy wanna drive the thing.

School starts monday. maybe i'll roll to my new semester of college in style?

who knows...

the only thing holding me back is a few bolts that need to line up. thats it.

....i hope. haha.

-Sam.

[samwise68]

well. time for an update!

got a little bit more done today.

including finishing bolting on the passenger fender, along with the drivers side. also put bolts back in the radiator support. i'm very happy with how solid it all turned out to be. nooo wiggle.

now...pics.





just the front end. but a front end with fenders! along with inner fenders stuck in to fill those gaps.

i have the drivers side inner fender about halfway bolted in, just a little coaxing and everything should slide into place. the passenger side should be a breeze, since it was last time i did it.

and...that leaves the bumper, hood, and cowl for tomorrow. memo to self...drill hole for antenna in cowl. bolt the wheels back on, and get 'er off those jack stands.

i'm thinkin...if all holds up and goes smoothly...

...i might be makin' a trip to that little ol' thing called the Dee Emm Vee. .

-Sam.

[Bob 68327]

Looks good Sam!!!

[samwise68]

thanks Bob!

she's coming together pretty quick now.

i just spent another hour out in the garage, since it's still about 20 degrees up here, and got the inner fenders on.

i had to drill a few holes to line up with the j-nuts. but that was my fault when i patched the "new" driver side inner. but, it lined up pretty good. and at the moment, as long as it keeps dirt, snow, salt, small animals...out of the engine compartment. i'm fine with it.

i have a few bolts left on the passenger side, and then that'll be good to go as well.

then...i plan on throwing the rest of the pieces on...and thats that!

well. aside from a few odds and ends. like the driver side window popping out of the rail...i should probably figure out how to get that back in..hmm...anyone? lol.

so, thats where she stands.

i don't want to get my hopes up...but...it's looking like friday may include heading to the dmv...

-Sam.

[Bob 68327]

Yup , About 20 here also and SNOW !!!!!! YUK!!!!!! You need to take some pics of the side of your truck now so we can see it !!! Keep up the good work Sam !!!! Bob