Ian's Tennessee Honey '64 Short Box Step-side - England

[ibrown50]

Update Part B

I have long tube headers which are 1.5” primaries running to a 2” collector, these should give good flow whilst reducing back pressure, this then runs to 2.5” mufflers. So my theory is, as the exhaust gradually increases in diameter this causes a low(er) pressure area at the rear drawing the gases away from the engine??

The first real challenge was routing the exhaust around the panhard bar

so there was loads of this



and this



which resulted in this (can you spot the difference)



but it fits well

[mjh1965]

That's me you and Rian running with a 67 rear bumper then . Looking forward to seeing the exhaust fitted . That's one of the jobs I will be doing in the winter nights , once I get the cab sorted and put back in the garage so I can work on the chassis in the carport.

[MacQuigley]

I'm watching with interest! This really should be job I tackle sooner rather than later and definitely before I put the bed on!

[MacQuigley]

Originally Posted by mjh1965

That's me you and Rian running with a 67 rear bumper then

Well I'm sticking with a 62 rear bumper. 1 because that's what I bought and 2 these 67 bumpers are becoming as common as muck

[ibrown50]

Originally Posted by mjh1965

That's me you and Rian running with a 67 rear bumper then . Looking forward to seeing the exhaust fitted . That's one of the jobs I will be doing in the winter nights , once I get the cab sorted and put back in the garage so I can work on the chassis in the carport.

Yes roll on the winter when there's nothing else to do

Originally Posted by MacQuigley

Well I'm sticking with a 62 rear bumper. 1 because that's what I bought and 2 these 67 bumpers are becoming as common as muck

Yes Bill they're everywhere

[ibrown50]

Tank Install Part 1

I decided a while back to relocate the tank from the cab to the rear of the chassis I’ve started the exhaust but the exhaust and tank install kind of go hand in hand. Ideally, I wanted a tank that was not too deep so that I could still get a spare wheel slung underneath but I couldn’t find anything that would work here in the UK, I know there are loads of options in the US but shipping costs proved too much. I also looked at have one custom build but again the cost was more than I could justify. I bought this 15-gallon aluminium tank off the shelf for a little over £100 ($125),






It’s not actually a bad fit (albeit a little deeper than I would have liked) and comes fitted with a GM sender, sadly 0-90 ohm not 0-30 and AN-10 feed and returns. It’s top fill like most fuel cells, I am going to fit the fuel filler in the wheel well somewhere with a filler door on the rear fender, so I’ll need to convert it to side fill. Oh life (and truck building) is just full of compromises.

Job number one was to get it roughly in position so that I could measure up the brackets, a plank and two jack stands worked out just fine.





For the brackets picked up some 1 1/8” x 1/8” strapping at my local metal super market



To be continued.....

[mjh1965]

More weight over the rear end is always a good idea . Mine is already fitted that's why I am keen to see how you do the exhaust

[Grizz1963]

Very very neat Ian.

Unlike Martin, I will stick with my old rear fitted tank.

[mjh1965]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Very very neat Ian.

Unlike Martin, I will stick with my old rear fitted tank.

Rian you were lucky, yours was already relocated to the rear when you got your truck. Mine like Ian's was in the cab , not a good idea and like I said I wanted more weight over the rear tires . Mind you I think Bill is going to need the most weight over the rear (454) comes to mind

[ibrown50]

Tank Install part 2

The beauty of having the tank in the right position is the measuring and the test fitting the bracket is really easy. I've made a "H" shaped bracket to support the underside of the tank





and simple "U" brackets to hang the tank, this means that there is no load on the aluminium brackets, all bracket were bent up using a bench vice and a 4lb hammer.





I'm going to use this noeprene tape between the steel brackets and the aluminium to prevent any "rub", its cloth backed, super strong and expands between 1/8" and 1" so takes up any gaps.

[ibrown50]

Tank Install 2 ½

I’m converting the tank to side fill, I bought this 2” aluminium tube from a local store that does tuning parts, mainly for German imports and rice rockets, it has a really small dent so I got it for £5.



The plan is to run through the tube through right-hand chassis rail and I’ll put a filler somewhere in the rear fender.




Marked the hole position on the side of the gas tank (measure twice cut one) and cut with a 2” hole saw.



The swage on the tube creates a great positive location. The tube a quite long so my plan is the fit three gussets for support it (better safe than sorry) seen here at the carboard template stage.





Joining the tube to the tank is going to be breaking new ground for me. Firstly, the tank is T6061 which should really be heat treated after welding to prevent cracking etc and secondly, I don’t have access to a TIG welder anymore. I rang Henkel chemicals helpline (they used to supply paints, adhesives and sealers to Nissan and Rolls Royce when I worked there) and spoke to a really helpful bloke called Mike. He recommended 3 options, I am going to used Loctite 3450 mainly because of its resistance to petrol (sorry) gasoline. On the test data after 5000hours of exposure to gasoline it still retained over 90% of its original strength. I have some on order, I’ll let you know how I get on!!

[Grizz1963]

These super adhesives really are game changers.

And a helpful, knowledgeable help desk..... priceless.

[ibrown50]

Tank Install 3

Well my "super epoxy" arrived.



Surface prep was straight forward, key the surface (I used 800 grit) and degrease with a laquer thinner. Its a twin tube dispenser so you can't go wrong with ratio's either.

It's thick enough to form a nice bead, but runny enough flow out to a smooth finish so actually looks ok,



Probably overkill but I knocked up three "braces" for additional support (using the cardboard template) and attached them using the same epoxy




Many moons ago I had the misfortune to have a fabricated oil pan holed by a stone (or something) while out driving, really spoilt my day One concern I do have is potentially suffering similar damage to the tank from stones and the like. It's 11 gauge aluminium so should be OK but it is hanging under the truck. Anyway I had some 16 gauge aluminium lying around so I've folded up a stone guard (very much a work in progress at the moment).

[ibrown50]

Goths and Gasoline

This is a Hallowe'en update rather than build related but there is a link back to this forum eventually, (honest, just stick with me).

On the East Yorkshire coast, about 70 miles south east of where I live is the historic fishing town of Whitby. In the past it was famous for smuggling, was a significant whaling port and still is an active fishing port.





On the East cliff are the ruins of a monastery and abbey, built in the classic gothic style it was destroyed by Henry VIII in 1540 during the dissolution but the ruins are standing to this day, to reach it you have to climb 199 steps, spooky or what






There is one other thing Whitby is famous for.

It is where the Russian schooner the Demeter came into port, all the crew missing except for the captain who was lashed to the wheel, dead for 2 days with a crucifix in his right hand. The only cargo 50 boxes of dirt from Transylvania, yes folks when Count Dracula came to England he landed in Whitby.

[ibrown50]

Goths

Every year on the weekend nearest to Hallowe’en "Goths" (literally from all over the world) descend on Whitby to celebrate their lifestyle and culture and for a couple of days Whitby becomes very colourful indeed. Every genre from Steampunk to Cybergoths are there in abundance.

[ibrown50]

Gasoline

So that’s the Goths…….what about the gasoline? Every year on the same weekend is Whitby Kustom car show. It’s very much a local show, held in the yard of a small school on the West Cliff. The location, combined with the cars, trucks and the goths make it a unique event. Here are some random pictures of some of the cars

[ibrown50]

What car showw would be complete with a General Lee clone



Or a Two Lane Blacktop replica



I did say there was a link to the forum eventually. Well amongst the many cars and trucks was Michaels “patina’d” C10 built by Clem at Tuba Trucks, the build quality of this truck and attention to detail is simply stunning and the Tuba trucks Badge on the rear is so cool it’s worth getting Clem to build you a truck just so you can get one

[Grizz1963]

Great posts Ian.

Having seen the Patina truck in Fayetteville before it came out here, I know you had reason to be impressed by the Tuba Trucks build quality.

Thanks for sharing.

[realvc]

What a great connection with a Tuba Trucks built C10, history, Goth, Halloween. Very cool indeed.

Thanks for sharing the pics.

[Palf70Step]

That is a very cool gathering!

[Grizz1963]

Another short, but in my view, necessary update, report, call it what you may.

This Internet has put so many of us in touch with each other, furthered hobbies, friendships etc.

When I bought my Chevy C10 one of the forums I started to frequent was a dedicated truck forum, for all Chevy trucks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/index.php

On here I along with other people around the world, but specifically in the UK got to meet Dale who was a creative, and driven petrol head and builder. Always supportive, full of advice and gentle, generous and kind in his friendship.

His last amazing build:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=655167

Dale was a Quadroplegic since 1984 after a Motor Vehicle Accident but none of that ever stopped him pursuing any of his hobbies.
As his girls said, he was the tallest man they ever knew, despite never seeing him walk.

Sadly, he died on the 10th of November and those that knew him, lost a great friend and mentor.

Today a parcel was delivered, he and his daughter were collecting very personalised pieces for myself, Ian Brown and Mate Martin who all have C10 trucks in restoration process, included were Ontario plates for 1964, '65 and '66
Thenparcel had been sent to Ian, who then redirected the contents here in the UK.
After his death, his wife and daughter fulfilled one of his wishes, to send out to us the pieces they collected, along with hand written notes from both ladies.

This is incredibly touching and humbling.

It again restores faith in mankind.

I have a new fridge magnet that will hold a significant place in my kitchen and home.








I feel honoured, along with Ian and Martin, to have known Dale.

RIP Friend.

[Palf70Step]

Sad the loss of someone like Dale. Very kool what they did for you guys over yonder.

[ibrown50]

It’s months since I last did an up-date but in fairness, months since I had any truck time. Finally got back to it last week and finished the fuel tank install which included fitting a 0-30-ohm sender which appears to work fine with the gauge in the dash.



For the fuel line I’ve used 3/8 aluminium hard-line which is fine but like copper will work harden and could crack if not securely clipped to the chassis.



I used these plastic clips, they’re a push fit with a cover that clips over the top making them double secure.



I used AN-6 fittings and stainless braided hose to connect the tank to the hard-line

[ibrown50]

It’s always a good idea to install a decent size fuel filter, this one comes with AN-6, -8 and -10 fittings and is has rather pretty red anodised finish,



Of course I couldn’t resist personalising it



The hard-line feeds straight into the underside and the top feeds back to the fuel pump with a couple of AN fittings and some more braided fuel line,



From the tank to the pump to the carb I’d already installed a Summit Racing kit which includes filter, hoses, chrome hard-line and fuel pressure gauge, it’s a decent kit and very good value.

[MacQuigley]

Looking good Ian. Desperate to get back onto mine but I'm not quite done with the Vette yet though I am close.