Project Vitamin C-10

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by scotts62

Very good looking truck Alan!! I bet the feeling is great driving it finally!!

Yes, it is Scott. The smile gets bigger every time. BTW, thanks

Originally Posted by likaroc13

gotta love that feeling!

Originally Posted by pdxhall

It's great to see your truck on the street. I've been following since I found this site and your build has given me inspiration more than once to keep going. I knew when I started mine that it would be a long process and seeing your accomplishments helps my motivation.

Thanks for bearing with me during this process. This build will be around for a long time. I say that because, I still have a lot to do.

Originally Posted by FetchMeAPepsi

Same here PDXHall. I've been reading this thread since I joined and it's kind of a "you can do it!" to see him behind the wheel and toodling around town after all the hard work.

Congrats Alan!

When do you want me to drop off mine? Don't want you getting out of practice now

Thanks for the comments

Originally Posted by flips72

congradulations alan, extremely happy for you, cant wait to see it in person.

Thanks, man. i can't wait to see yours as well.

Originally Posted by Strodder

Lookin great Alan. Glad your using good gas.
Now everywhere you go you'll be answering questions about your truck. You won't be able to even go to the grocery store without someone stopping you to talk.

I answer a bunch of questions today. It won't be going to a grocery store unless there is a show in the parking lot.

Originally Posted by 66ChevyMax

Labor of love that you will be telling people about for many years to come. Congrats
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks, and I hope so. Just wish I went with an LS. Your ride will be and already is a conversational piece.

Originally Posted by LEEVON

Alan, the truck looks great (my favorite color). I've enjoyed your build thread over the last couple of years. Hope you get lots of windshield time!

Me TOO!!

I forgot to mention this.

At the muffler shop I had an old geezer tell me I had my bumpers on upside down. I said no and he disagreed saying he just sold a 66 that was all original and his bumpers were right. I just said ok and went on.

Still insearch of a steering wheel. The 15" 59 Impala whell i wanted is $360. i can't do that right now. I found others styles cheaper, but undecided on what would look good for $150, suggestions..........

[XtechX]

Really cool Alan, Glad to see you have it on the road!!! I'm about to get mine on the road too, bolt the seats down, final timing, and alignment and "Hear.. We.. Go!"

[allaboutchevelles]

Hey Alan, Your truck looks so good sitting at the pump, You have done an excellant job on it. Will you be coming or possibly driving your truck to the Charlotte auto fair april 24th weekend??? Me and flips are going to meet up there on saturday. I would LOVE to see your truck in person!!

[Woogeroo]

Woo hoo back on the road and at the gas station, congrats AC !

-W

[duallyjams]

That's a really good stance , looks good with the tinted glass, can't wait see it with the hood on it.Bet that was a fun 7 mile ride.

[shortbed70]

Wow I had to go back and catch up on this and that knock sounded nasty! Glad it was a simple fix or sum what simple. Trucks looking good Alan..
Posted via Mobile Device

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by XtechX

Really cool Alan, Glad to see you have it on the road!!! I'm about to get mine on the road too, bolt the seats down, final timing, and alignment and "Hear.. We.. Go!"

IThanks, I looked for your build thread, I thought you had one.

Originally Posted by allaboutchevelles

Hey Alan, Your truck looks so good sitting at the pump, You have done an excellant job on it. Will you be coming or possibly driving your truck to the Charlotte auto fair april 24th weekend??? Me and flips are going to meet up there on saturday. I would LOVE to see your truck in person!!

I won't make it this year.

Originally Posted by Woogeroo

Woo hoo back on the road and at the gas station, congrats AC !

-W

Thanks Scott!

Originally Posted by duallyjams

That's a really good stance , looks good with the tinted glass, can't wait see it with the hood on it.Bet that was a fun 7 mile ride.

Thanks, and it was pretty enjoyable.

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Running Trucks

Originally Posted by chevy_man5

Way to go Alan!! Congrats on getting the knock problem fixed, and getting her on the road!

We are all going to be expecting a burnout video here soon!! Come on...you know you want to! LOL

Soon, my son. Patience grasshoppa.

Originally Posted by shortbed70

Wow I had to go back and catch up on this and that knock sounded nasty! Glad it was a simple fix or sum what simple. Trucks looking good Alan..
Posted via Mobile Device

Really discouraging at first, but I got over it and it was a pretty simple fix.

My pastor informed me that he will be using me in his sermon today. I didn't know what to expect. I went to the early service to hear it and filmed a portion of it at the 11:00 service. It was tied into the last thing Jesus said on the cross. "It is finished". I wish I could say that for my truck right now and some day I will. Sorry for the low audio, but hope you get the jest of it. It was a longer video. i had to cut it short because I covered the mic on my phone and couldn't hear anything. The last thing he says in the video is one day he can step back and say "It is finished".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrqcHvLesps&feature...

[gimmy 64]

that is crazy funny but true. the only problem we all have is----- IT'S NEVER FINISHED

[Palf70Step]

Running Trucks

[chevy_man5]

Way to go Alan!! Congrats on getting the knock problem fixed, and getting her on the road!

We are all going to be expecting a burnout video here soon!! Come on...you know you want to! LOL

[4dranch]

Very cool Alan...

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by gimmy 64

that is crazy funny but true. the only problem we all have is----- IT'S NEVER FINISHED

Originally Posted by 4dranch

Very cool Alan...

Thanks David!!


Wanted to try to get my alignment a little closer before it gets on the alignment rack.

I used a framing square, but couldn't put it against the tireat the bottom due to the buldge.

Left front was leaning out at the top.



Right front leaning in.



I don't know how to measure caster, but could measure wheel base and get it close. Instead I just set the toe. I wrapped a string around all 4 tires.



I made some toe plates so the tires could move freely. I just used two pieces of metal with grease in between. It does a good job.



i made sure the pitman arm was parallel to the frame.



With all that done the steering wheel was 180 out. I can't just remove the wheel and reposition because the horn button has a fixed contact that fits in a hole in the steering wheel.. I need to undo the shaft and spin 180. I'm not sure if I can do something with that horn contact. I still have spin the wheel 180. The column came out of a late 70's or later truck.

Here are the shims after all this. I know the adjustment is there for a reason, but is this acceptable? I guess the alignment machine might change all of this.

This is the right side.



The left.

[tommys66]

Lookin good! I can't answer your questions on the alignment, but if you can't watch the guys aligning it, then be sure to double check their work. I took my truck to a reputable alignment shop when it was on the road before, and when I got home I could pull the shims out by hand, they didn't tighten the nuts back! But I would imagine you wouldn't just drop her off right?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by tommys66

Lookin good! I can't answer your questions on the alignment, but if you can't watch the guys aligning it, then be sure to double check their work. I took my truck to a reputable alignment shop when it was on the road before, and when I got home I could pull the shims out by hand, they didn't tighten the nuts back! But I would imagine you wouldn't just drop her off right?
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks Tommy, we have an alignment rack in the quick lane at work. I will have one of the guys show me how the machine works, but i will be doing the wrenching on it.

I just wanted it closer so I wouldn't be up there forever.

[likaroc13]

yeah, sorry i can't help with the alignment...maybe someone else will chime in though....on a side note, does it ever bother you to see digital close-up photos that show dirt/dust/water spots/etc. on something you thought was clean?...to the human eye it looks awesome; then you take a picture, and voila! for some reason, your pics made me think of that

[Captainfab]

Very happy to see you on the road with your truck. I can still remember that day with my Suburban, even though it was nearly 20 years ago.

I may have missed it, but have you been able to save that hood?

[Coboyle04]

You have done amazing work
Posted via Mobile Device

[Strodder]

That's normal for the shims to be that much different from side to side. That's a good idea with the string around all the tires to get your toe close. A good alignment machine, and tech will set the alignment to the centerline or, called thrust angle of the truck. A 4 wheel alignment is a must. Your rear axle has to be square with the center line first, then adjust the front caster, camber then the toe. If your rear axle isn't correct the truck will crab, and that will make your steering wheel off also, plus will ware your front tires because you will be compensating the steering wheel to go straight. That means when you turn the steering wheel your front alignment will be out of specs. I hope I didn't confuse you.
After the alignment is done and your steering wheel is still 180 out, turn the shaft at the rag joint, then you might have to go back and set the toe for the minor steering wheel adjustment. I hope this helps you understand how an alignment should be done. I've been doing alignments with the best alignment equipment out there since 1970. I also sold and trained techs after they bought alignment machines when I worked for Snap-On.

[theastronaut]

Progress is looking great Alan! Bet you had a grin you couldn't wipe off all day! I got to put about 100 miles the blue '65 yesterday going to a photoshoot and it was awesome, first time I've really got much "seat time" in a C10.

Have you seen the "2WD C10 Modern/Performance Alignments" thread over in the supension forum? There's some great info in there about better-than-stock alignment settings.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=487363

[chad64chevy]

alan glad you got the oil pan fixed! thats what i tought it might have been! about a month ago we had to cut the baffle out of a oil pan on my friends dads 69 ford truck had a 390 in it took it to a shop to have then rebuild it and they put a car oil pan back on it, sounded the same as yours was sounding! love the picture at the gas station, let us know hows the hood coming, good luck with the alignment!!

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by likaroc13

yeah, sorry i can't help with the alignment...maybe someone else will chime in though....on a side note, does it ever bother you to see digital close-up photos that show dirt/dust/water spots/etc. on something you thought was clean?...to the human eye it looks awesome; then you take a picture, and voila! for some reason, your pics made me think of that

It use to really bug me, but have got use to it now. Once everything is done it will get a thorough wipe down. Most of it is shop dust then I wash it and spots up. I'm really gonna hate it when I hit a puddle.

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Very happy to see you on the road with your truck. I can still remember that day with my Suburban, even though it was nearly 20 years ago.

I may have missed it, but have you been able to save that hood?

Thanks Capt. pic of hood below. I made some progress on it today. I've got 3 weeks before our meet and greet (in signature). I hope to have it on by then.

Originally Posted by Coboyle04

You have done amazing work
Posted via Mobile Device

Originally Posted by Strodder

That's normal for the shims to be that much different from side to side. That's a good idea with the string around all the tires to get your toe close. A good alignment machine, and tech will set the alignment to the centerline or, called thrust angle of the truck. A 4 wheel alignment is a must. Your rear axle has to be square with the center line first, then adjust the front caster, camber then the toe. If your rear axle isn't correct the truck will crab, and that will make your steering wheel off also, plus will ware your front tires because you will be compensating the steering wheel to go straight. That means when you turn the steering wheel your front alignment will be out of specs. I hope I didn't confuse you.
After the alignment is done and your steering wheel is still 180 out, turn the shaft at the rag joint, then you might have to go back and set the toe for the minor steering wheel adjustment. I hope this helps you understand how an alignment should be done. I've been doing alignments with the best alignment equipment out there since 1970. I also sold and trained techs after they bought alignment machines when I worked for Snap-On.

Nahh, you didn't confuse me. Thanks for the info.

Originally Posted by theastronaut

Progress is looking great Alan! Bet you had a grin you couldn't wipe off all day! I got to put about 100 miles the blue '65 yesterday going to a photoshoot and it was awesome, first time I've really got much "seat time" in a C10.

Have you seen the "2WD C10 Modern/Performance Alignments" thread over in the supension forum? There's some great info in there about better-than-stock alignment settings.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=487363

That's awesome that you drove yours 100 miles. I'll be taking mine to work next week which is about 16 miles to do the alignment, paint the silver between the mouldings and hope to hang a hood.

I'll check out the thread thanks for the comments and headsup on the thread.

Originally Posted by chad64chevy

alan glad you got the oil pan fixed! thats what i tought it might have been! about a month ago we had to cut the baffle out of a oil pan on my friends dads 69 ford truck had a 390 in it took it to a shop to have then rebuild it and they put a car oil pan back on it, sounded the same as yours was sounding! love the picture at the gas station, let us know hows the hood coming, good luck with the alignment!!

Thanks Chad, pic of hood below.

I finished blocking the hood with 120 then guide coated it and blocked again with 180. Then primed again.

I also took a pic of the column where the wheel goes. Am I gonna have problems getting an aftermarket wheel and adapter for this? I'm not exactly sure what it came out of. It had a key on the column, but I eliminated it. The guy I got it from said it came out of a truck. I guess 80's.

[flips72]

hood is looking great, i always did like the gmc hood though. and i loved the way your pastor used your truck in his message, that was really cool, mine used my 72 4x4 in one of his one time. he described how rusty and bent the body was but once i got the body off how nice the frame was and what a great foundation it was, just as jesus is the corner stone of our foundation, i thought it was kinda neat as well.

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by flips72

hood is looking great, i always did like the gmc hood though. and i loved the way your pastor used your truck in his message, that was really cool, mine used my 72 4x4 in one of his one time. he described how rusty and bent the body was but once i got the body off how nice the frame was and what a great foundation it was, just as jesus is the corner stone of our foundation, i thought it was kinda neat as well.

Cool story of your pastor as well.

As soon as I saw a GMC hood I knew I had to have one.

I thought I had a plan to copy the holes on a template and mark the holes on my doors. I can still use it, but not it the way I wanted.

I got some contact paper (3M weld deflection paper) and stuck it starting at the crease on the door. I also cut the paper to the edge of the door. I figured that would be a good referrance point. Once I stuck it on my truck they were 1/4" too high to the holes in the cab corner.

Maybe the kit will come with a template, I hope.

I guess I will be pulling a string to get the top rail straight.

[Captainfab]

The hood looks real good Alan

I have grown to like the GMC hoods as well. I acquired one, but it needs quite a bit of work. At least it was free.

[jonzcustomshop]

those levels are handy, I used one to get the top line straight on my 60 build.