Project "Black Betty" (bam-A-lam)

[Palf70Step]

Glad it is working out. Be good to see progress again on Betty.

[62 short step]

Glad to see some progress!

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Glad it is working out. Be good to see progress again on Betty.

Thanks Bill!

Originally Posted by 62 short step

Glad to see some progress!

Me too! Hopefully a lot more to come soon.





When I was down at my grandparents' a couple weekends ago, I let Webb sit in papaw's old truck ('75 GMC mentioned earlier). Maybe one day it can be his.

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

[greg65]

Start them out early. At this point I ask my fourteen year son questions about the newer trucks. Good to see you are making progress on Betty.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by greg65

Start them out early. At this point I ask my fourteen year son questions about the newer trucks. Good to see you are making progress on Betty.

Thanks Greg. Yes, if he's not a fan of cool, classic/custom trucks (& cars) when he gets older, it won't be because I didn't try.

[likaroc13]

Here are some pics from last Monday, Feb. 20, when the guys picked up Betty:


David seeing what lurks under the hood

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

Ready to load:

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

Strapping it down:

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

Loaded and ready to go:

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

[greg65]

It's only a matter of time now.

[likaroc13]

So, this past Saturday we drove up to David's place which is a little north of Knoxville, TN. I went to look over the truck with him & talk about a game plan. While I want to make a few cosmetic fixes, for the most part we'll be sticking to mechanical stuff. David asked me how long it had been since the truck last ran. I told him over 6 years. I was pleasantly surprised when he informed me that he hooked up the battery & it fired right up! After all that time sitting, I was definitely not expecting that to happen.

Here's a pic I took of Betty sitting in David's shop:

Untitled by likaroc13, on Flickr

[jcramsey]

Six years and it fired right up....that's awesome!

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by jcramsey

Six years and it fired right up....that's awesome!

Yep!

[Grizz1963]

All good news in its own way.

Funny how a pic like the one you took of Webb, can become a yearly photo to show his growth, development and become part of the self fulfilling story of the trucks next life.

Glad the truck fired right up, but then you could expect that in a way.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

All good news in its own way.

Funny how a pic like the one you took of Webb, can become a yearly photo to show his growth, development and become part of the self fulfilling story of the trucks next life.

Glad the truck fired right up, but then you could expect that in a way.

I agree Grizz. It's pretty neat to see all the changes of life. As for the truck firing up, I totally didn't expect it to happen so easily. I'm sure sitting inside out of the elements didn't hurt, but I figured the fuel system at least would need some attention. We still might need to clean the tank, but that'll be determined when the new sending unit goes in.

[likaroc13]

Nothing for me to show just yet, but I thought I'd update a little. So, the plan is to take the engine back to a more period-correct look. I wanted to change to an original intake with oil filler tube, & I also wanted to add the script valve covers. An original style air cleaner was also on the list of wants. I have some other engine parts to be installed, along with wanting to refinish the exhaust manifolds. The initial plan was to try and paint components to match the orange currently on the engine. However, rather than trying to do that with the engine installed, David decided it was probably best just to pull it. Well, that decision changed my game plan.

Since the engine is being pulled, there's no better time than now to do it how I really want. I had looked in the past with not much luck but restarted my search for matches to the original 327 green engine paint. I had almost given up & was planning to just try the late Buick green instead. That's when I came across Kyle's thread when searching the forums here:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=682554

I first posted there in early May & ended up continuing my conversation with him through private messaging. To make a long story short, it took until July 12 for the paint to arrive at David's door. This set me behind over a month, however I'm happy to hopefully have one of the closest matches possible for 327 engine green. Thanks a million to Kyle for doing the leg work to help me out! My goal is to hopefully be able to keep enough to have matched myself (unless formula info is available), so that I can pass along the info to others interested in the original 327 green.

[likaroc13]

I forgot to mention, we're also changing out the Edelbrock carb for a Q-jet. David already had a stock-style intake & Q-jet, so that's taken care of. I'm giving a shout out to Keith "darkhorse970" for helping me out by selling a set of script valve covers he had. I was also lucky enough to find a gentleman locally who had the original-style air cleaner with a 5 1/8" base to fit a 4-barrel. He had a different, smaller one listed on Craigslist, which I contacted him about. That's when he informed me that he had the one I needed. It's good to be lucky sometimes! There are several other little odds & ends that will also be cleaned up/revamped during this overall process.


On a completely different note, Webb turned 1-year old on June 7. My wife did some cake smash pics. I'm including a couple of those, as well as some we took the day of his birthday party. We did a truck theme since we already had so much classic truck stuff. Once we get a room situated for him, it will also have a classic truck theme. We've been gathering pretty much since he was born & have some cool stuff to display. We wanted something he wouldn't necessarily grow out of, so hopefully he keeps interest. We never even taught him, but one day he began making (& still does) "vroom" noises while playing with his toy cars/trucks. I guess it's in the blood!

DSC_0426 by likaroc13, on Flickr

DSC_0437 by likaroc13, on Flickr

My Mother-in-Law & I did the cookies, while another lady local to us here in TN made the cake:

DSC_0576 by likaroc13, on Flickr

DSC_0577 by likaroc13, on Flickr

DSC_0597 by likaroc13, on Flickr

[Palf70Step]

Where's his Chevy ball cap? He is a future truck driver, not Brit sports car.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Where's his Chevy ball cap? He is a future truck driver, not Brit sports car.

Haha, we do need to find him one or have one made! He's not too fond of having them on his head at this point anyway.

[likaroc13]

My pics from the Southeastern All Chevy/GMC Truck Nationals in Goodlettsville, TN a few weekends ago:

https://flic.kr/s/aHsm63HWaf

[geekitupsum]

Originally Posted by likaroc13

My pics from the Southeastern All Chevy/GMC Truck Nationals in Goodlettsville, TN a few weekends ago:

https://flic.kr/s/aHsm63HWaf

awesome pics, hate that i missed the show

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by geekitupsum

awesome pics, hate that i missed the show

Thanks man! I wish I had gotten there a little sooner but decided to make another stop on the way when I saw the rain. Really hoping next year I can attend with something myself.

[flips72]

Trucks looking great always one of my favorites, but I must say I'm extremely jealous and not of your truck but of that fine looking young man you have. Love the pictures of his birthday and the cakes and cookies are awesome.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by flips72

Trucks looking great always one of my favorites, but I must say I'm extremely jealous and not of your truck but of that fine looking young man you have. Love the pictures of his birthday and the cakes and cookies are awesome.

Thank you sir! Glad to see you posting, & thanks for checking in on my slooow build. Hope you're doing well.

[scdude37]

Glad to have found someone else kinda close to my location as well. Live just outside memphis. Went through the whole thread and sorry to hear about your family, and cancer. My mom had thyroid cancer, but thankfully made it through then 2 years later something has popped back up on scans. So I agree CANCER sucks! Glad to see your life keeps moving on and the high spirits yall keep! Maybe one day we could meet up, just picked up a 65 lwb bbw truck!

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by scdude37

Glad to have found someone else kinda close to my location as well. Live just outside memphis. Went through the whole thread and sorry to hear about your family, and cancer. My mom had thyroid cancer, but thankfully made it through then 2 years later something has popped back up on scans. So I agree CANCER sucks! Glad to see your life keeps moving on and the high spirits yall keep! Maybe one day we could meet up, just picked up a 65 lwb bbw truck!

Thanks for checking out my thread! Yes, cancer is at the top of the list of evils in this world. Sorry to hear about it possibly coming back with your mom. I pray that she's able to overcome whatever the new scans reveal. Make sure she keeps fighting!

Congrats on your "new" purchase! I wish I had some updates for you on mine, but I have nothing new to report for now. The guy who has it had some unforeseen setbacks this Summer & hasn't been able to get much done. He's hoping things are better over this Fall/Winter, so that some actual progress can be made. I'm hoping for the same! We're already approaching 7 years of being down.

BTW, if you're on Facebook, you should join the C/10 Club Tennessee page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1604756983132330/

[likaroc13]

First three pics are from this past Fall/Winter 2017. The last pic was taken on an unseasonably warm February day this year.



Always fun when the pizza place gives you play-dough

IMG_2339 by likaroc13, on Flickr


DSC_0871 by likaroc13, on Flickr


IMG_2475 by likaroc13, on Flickr



That look on your face when you drive your first coin-operated car at the mall:

IMG_2434 by likaroc13, on Flickr



Mom was having trouble keeping him occupied in the yard, so she handed him some wrenches to bang on stuff. Maybe one day he can teach me how to use them!

IMG_2778 by likaroc13, on Flickr

[greg65]

Originally Posted by likaroc13

First three pics are from this past Fall/Winter 2017. The last pic was taken on an unseasonably warm February day this year.



Always fun when the pizza place gives you play-dough

IMG_2339 by likaroc13, on Flickr


DSC_0871 by likaroc13, on Flickr


IMG_2475 by likaroc13, on Flickr



That look on your face when you drive your first coin-operated car at the mall:

IMG_2434 by likaroc13, on Flickr



Mom was having trouble keeping him occupied in the yard, so she handed him some wrenches to bang on stuff. Maybe one day he can teach me how to use them!

IMG_2778 by likaroc13, on Flickr

Great looking young man you have there. Don't blink and spend every minute you can with him.