Project '64 Cheapskate

[65Gregg]

Will it cool faster since it came off of a Z06? :-) Cool stuff as usual!!!!
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[chevyrestoguy]

I did something tonight that I have never done before. I rebuilt my steering box rag joint. I had been shopping around for a new rag joint, but them little suckers are spendy and I couldn't bring myself to pay $75 for a piece of rubber. So, I started shopping around and found that Borgeson sells a rebuilt kit for $16. It comes with the metal reinforced rubber disc and all the hardware. It was easy. I even wire-wheeled the parts and painted them, and I was done in less than an hour. I'm going to do these rebuilds from now on! Definitely a money saver.

The original grungy rag joint from my '79 Suburban donor. Pretty messed up.


Here's all the parts laid out, cleaned up and painted, with the Borgeson kit (rubber disc and the hardware).


Finished product. The bolts holding the reinforcement bracket on look mismatched, but Chevy used two different sized bolts to attach the rag joint to the column. The steering shaft was two different sized holes to match the different bolts.


I plan on finishing the steering box and column installation this weekend, and I'll post up all the details.

[rusty76]

That's really kool.....and cheap.!

[chevyrestoguy]

Had a little time today, so I installed the steering box and tied it into the column, hopefully for the last time.

Clean and painted the steering box (1979 Chevy truck) and installed the rebuilt rag joint. The intermediate shaft is from the same '79 Chevy truck, just had to adjust the length a little to account for the different style of u-joint.


The steering u-joint is a Borgeson that I got for cheap off of ebay. It's brand new, but the only problem (for me) is that it's a shiny one. I would have preferred a steel one that I could paint black, but for the price I got it for, I can't complain. The steering column is a bit of a "Frankenstein" concoction. I never cared for the stock steering shaft on the 60-66 GM trucks because it's a solid shaft from the steering wheel to the steering box and won't collapse in a crash. So, I took the steering shaft and the lower bearing retainer out of a '67 column that Brad had kept for parts, and with a little bit of effort, got it all to work. I changed out the lower bearing while I had it apart. Man, it operates as smooth as silk, and with the collapsable intermediate shaft, the column is much safer.


Next up: Install the master cylinder, prop valve bracket and prop valve, and start plumbing brakes.

[Dinos63]

I dig your work kat!!

[Low Elco]

Aaaaack! Shiny parts! Looks good, putting things on!
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[chevyrestoguy]

Originally Posted by Dinos63

I dig your work kat!!

Thanks, Dino! I just like my stuff clean and subtle. A lot of the parts I've been putting on have a lot more work done to them then meets the eye, but that's the idea. It's fun to fool people into thinking that it's all factory stuff, when in reality, it's a conglomeration of parts from dozens of different vehicles.

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Aaaaack! Shiny parts! Looks good, putting things on!
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You're right, Chip. Putting things together for the last time is always a great feeling! I'm "Mr. Mockup", and I always wind up assembling everything dozens of times during the mock-up stage in order to get all the little bugs worked out, so when I finally get to the "Final Assembly" stage, I am one happy dude.

[chevyrestoguy]

It's been awhile since I posted. We're slammed at work right now, and it hasn't left me much free time. I did spend a little time getting the engine ready to drop in this weekend, so here it is, ready to drop into place. The trans is done, and they'll both go in together.




It's not as "nostalgic" looking as I would have liked, but because I plan to drive this thing everywhere, I wanted an engine that made good horsepower, and that I could go to any parts store to get parts for. By my estimation, it should make between 360-380 horsepower.

BLOCK
1991 350 factory roller block (1-piece rear seal)
HEADS
Vortec heads, reworked the bowls and transition area, guides milled down for higher lift, 1.5 roller rockers, Comp springs
CAM
GM 846 hydraulic roller. .509/.528 lift, 222/230 duration @ .050, 112 lobe center. Advanced 4 degrees
INTAKE
Air-Gap
CARB
750 Holley vacuum secondary
HEADERS
Sanderson, Cerma-Kromed
ACCESSORY DRIVE
Stock 1992, brackets sandblasted and tumbled in a ceramic bead tumbler.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by chevyrestoguy

It's been awhile since I posted. We're slammed at work right now, and it hasn't left me much free time. I did spend a little time getting the engine ready to drop in this weekend, so here it is, ready to drop into place. The trans is done, and they'll both go in together.

It's not as "nostalgic" looking as I would have liked, but because I plan to drive this thing everywhere, I wanted an engine that made good horsepower, and that I could to any parts store to get parts for. By my estimation, it should make between 360-380 horsepower.

Great looking engine! Has a good mix of modern & nostalgia IMO. Can't beat reliable drivability either. Look forward to seeing it in the truck.
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[Low Elco]

Looks great! Glad to see you among the living!
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[Ta2Don]

Sweet!

[Roadkill58]

Nice looking motor!

Do you have a part number for the serpintine belt?

[chevyrestoguy]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Looks great! Glad to see you among the living!
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Thanks, Chip. Work has had me down in the dumps lately, and hopefully seeing some progress on the '64 will get me feeling more "engaged". Today, we had to make a tough decision concerning the family dog (Pug, 13yrs old) who had been really sick, and even when you think you're prepared for it, you never are. He was my shadow 24/7, and I'm pretty torn up over it.

Originally Posted by likaroc13

Great looking engine! Has a good mix of modern & nostalgia IMO. Can't beat reliable drivability either. Look forward to seeing it in the truck.
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Thanks! I share your comment. I really want to see this truck under it's own power.

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Sweet!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Roadkill58

Nice looking motor!

Do you have a part number for the serpintine belt?

Thanks! I don't have a part number because the belt that's currently on it is the old, original belt. I plan to get a new one and keep this belt under the seat as a spare, just in case.

[Low Elco]

Sorry to hear about your furry friend. Always best to end their suffering. Hope you feel better soon.
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[rusty76]

I'm sorry to hear about your dog. Our pets become our families. On another and happy note more updates. Killer looking motor man! I like updates. Keep'em coming.

[earl84]

Wow, sorry to hear about your dog. I have two pugs that are getting old, about 12 years old now, and I am not looking forward to losing them. They are really good dogs, except for their shedding, aaargh.

[Bomp]

I hear ya about work. My place of employment always has such unnecessary drama going on. They promoted the PITA foreman and we got a new foreman. Imagine that. Life is still not grand.
Sorry about the loss of your shadow. Wifey and I been talking about our Vomit Dog and when the time comes for her. gonna be sad

Your motor is gonna look Freakin' gorgeous when you plop it in there.
Be sooooo nice to motor around under its own power.

[Roadkill58]

"Thanks! I don't have a part number because the belt that's currently on it is the old, original belt. I plan to get a new one and keep this belt under the seat as a spare, just in case."

Not a problem. If you think about it post the part number when you get a new belt.

Sorry to hear about your dog. We went through that last summer.

[Jmorales3181]

Wow, that motor looks great!
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[chevyrestoguy]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Sorry to hear about your furry friend. Always best to end their suffering. Hope you feel better soon.
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Originally Posted by rusty76

I'm sorry to hear about your dog. Our pets become our families. On another and happy note more updates. Killer looking motor man! I like updates. Keep'em coming.

Originally Posted by earl84

Wow, sorry to hear about your dog. I have two pugs that are getting old, about 12 years old now, and I am not looking forward to losing them. They are really good dogs, except for their shedding, aaargh.

Originally Posted by Bomp

I hear ya about work. My place of employment always has such unnecessary drama going on. They promoted the PITA foreman and we got a new foreman. Imagine that. Life is still not grand.
Sorry about the loss of your shadow. Wifey and I been talking about our Vomit Dog and when the time comes for her. gonna be sad

Your motor is gonna look Freakin' gorgeous when you plop it in there.
Be sooooo nice to motor around under its own power.

Originally Posted by Roadkill58

"Thanks! I don't have a part number because the belt that's currently on it is the old, original belt. I plan to get a new one and keep this belt under the seat as a spare, just in case."

Not a problem. If you think about it post the part number when you get a new belt.

Sorry to hear about your dog. We went through that last summer.

Thanks, guys. Our Pug, Yoda, was 13. We've had Pugs (most all were rescues) for 25 years, and he was the best one we've ever had. Great disposition, not a mean bone in his body, never tore anything up, and was an absolute clown. That dog made me laugh every day. They are a great breed, and we'll get another, but right now we need to take a break from animals.

Originally Posted by Jmorales3181

Wow, that motor looks great!
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Thanks! It's funny, that engine's short block had been on an engine stand in my garage for the past 8 years. A couple of months ago, I decided to finish it. It was going to go into another project, but I had a change of plans, and the '64 became the perfect candidate. Honestly, I'm going to start building LS engines for all of my stuff coming up. Those things are amazing.

[chevyrestoguy]

Well, I don't have pictures to prove it, but the engine and transmission are installed. That was a big step, and it opens up a ton of stuff to do. The next step is to plumb the fuel lines, brake lines, and power steering hoses. After that, finish the bodywork and paint on the core support and the inner fenders and get them installed.

I'll post pictures soon. I chipped up the frame in a few spots during the install, so I need to get that handled before I take any glamour shots of the install.

A HUUUUGE thanks goes to Brad for helping me tag-team the install!!

[TommyDuncan]

I thought this was your "go to Lowe's" parts chaser? lol

....it's gonna be nice when it's "done". Projects are only done for me when someone else drives them away and I get a new one. It would be hard for me to let that 55' sit unfinished much longer.

I bought a 63 parts chaser so I could get going on my 63 Nova convertible but it was too far gone to ever be nice. So I bought a 62 GMC that might be too original to be a parts chaser...

...dunno when I'm ever gonna start on the Nova now that I have 2 different truck projects

I saw your pug a few times in the 55 build thread. Always sad to lose a pet.

[chevyrestoguy]

Originally Posted by Jonboy

Sorry to hear about your dog, Alex. I know how that goes; we had to do the same for our Weim last year. Definitely heart wrenching, for sure. He is on the first page of your '55 build for posterity, looking young and fit if it makes you feel better.

Cool about the progress on the '64. Keep it up one step at a time and the whole thing will be done before you know it.

I forgot that 'ol Yoda was in the '55 thread. He had an uncanny way of jumping in front of the camera when you were taking pictures. He was a real clown.

Yeah, the '64 is finally starting to come together under the hood. The drivetrain is the last "big" hurdle to clear, and after that, it's just a bunch of little stuff. It's getting there!

Originally Posted by TommyDuncan

I thought this was your "go to Lowe's" parts chaser? lol

....it's gonna be nice when it's "done". Projects are only done for me when someone else drives them away and I get a new one. It would be hard for me to let that 55' sit unfinished much longer.

I bought a 63 parts chaser so I could get going on my 63 Nova convertible but it was too far gone to ever be nice. So I bought a 62 GMC that might be too original to be a parts chaser...

...dunno when I'm ever gonna start on the Nova now that I have 2 different truck projects

I saw your pug a few times in the 55 build thread. Always sad to lose a pet.

Well, it's still going to be my "Lowes/Home Depot/Hot Rod Parts Chaser", but I want to show up in style. I don't want to let the cat out of the bag, but when the mechanical stuff is all done, there's some stuff planned for the outside that I think you guys will really like.
And I promise, when the '64 gets done, I'll be back on the '55.

[kustombrad]

Was kind of a strange weekend. Was awesome to finally get the motor and transmission in the truck but the dog deal kinda knocked the wind out of the whole thing! Was happy and sad for Alex at the same time!
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[Jonboy]

Sorry to hear about your dog, Alex. I know how that goes; we had to do the same for our Weim last year. Definitely heart wrenching, for sure. He is on the first page of your '55 build for posterity, looking young and fit if it makes you feel better.

Cool about the progress on the '64. Keep it up one step at a time and the whole thing will be done before you know it.