Wamego: 1949 GMC 150

[8man]

Joe, you got a truck!

[joedoh]

thank you all! I am grateful for all the encouragement.

I got it aligned today, no more squalling. somehow when I did the driveway alignment the first time I toed it out almost an inch. it could have been the hired (and unpaid) help grabbing a different tread block on each side of the tire. thats not important, is it?


I also got the vacuum leak plugged. there is really only one small vacuum line on the motor (besides the two big ones for PCV and brake booster) and it has a check valve that feeds a vaccum ball in the s10 fender and the HVAC vent controls. the check valve usually keeps the vaccum port shut in the case of the line to the HVAC being disconnected, but the line to the check valve was like powder and split. it was a big vacuum leak and I was grateful to solve the trucks case of RLS ("runs like...")

the gas gauge also swung to E from 3/4 tank. I suspected the wiring or the gauge, but to humor myself I checked the impedance. 65ohms. huh, thats empty all right. I almost ran out of gas on the way to the station. but the joedoh rule has smacked me again. the 03 is the only year S10 that has a shuttle valve in the fuel tank, it shuts off the vapor from escaping. well filling the tank was done in a trickle because the shuttle valve would not open. I had this problem on the last 03 donor too, I attributed it to sitting. but this is too coincidental (co-inky dinky), I think it may be the short tube, there isnt enough volume of gas to push the shuttle valve open. I will lube the shuttle tomorrow.

last thing was fiddling with the gauges to try and tame the light output. its so bright it looks like I am using a ring light for a broadcast from the cab, even with the dimmer turned down. CON2R says they will happily sell me a 30 dollar (actually 27.95 shipped) dimmer, but I think a 30 dollar "option" on gauges at this price point is double dipping. especially when the gauges are bright enough to signal aliens without the dimmer. My jaw is set. there will be no other spends, time or money, on this gauge set. I will apply some EE lubrication to the problem tomorrow

[Advanced Design]

Looking forward to the EE lube...they are really bright...like the ones movie actors use when driving at night so the camera can see their faces?

[joedoh]

yeah, its very distracting. I cant believe a dimmer is a 30 dollar option, just mind boggling.

a 1k resistor cut it down, they are barely noticeable in daylight and perfect now at night.




I have almost everything done in the dash now, just need the defrost and face vents built and a glovebox to hold the heater controls.



found a factory mirror in the piles of parts, and got the s10 visor installed. that airbag warning gave my wife a chuckle.

[Advanced Design]

Much better! Interior looks really good.

[OutlawDrifter]

Yes, it was looking a little Spartan before....

[joedoh]

haha yes, I cant stop fiddling with it. I didnt like how the glovebox didnt match the speaker.

IMG_3011 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

took some ad photos today, got a little driving in too.

IMG_3015 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_3020 by Joe Doh, on Flickr
IMG_3024 by Joe Doh, on Flickr

click to play
IMG_3014 by Joe Doh, on Flickr


the speedo is almost dead nuts, I might have to bump it up because its slightly low. the coolant gauge hasnt moved but CON2R said the C is 160 degrees and the stock gauge (installed behind the dash) is at 160 or a little less. I think the thermostat is stuck open which is great because I absolutely LOVE cleaning up antifreeze. both hoses get warm, at least its not stuck shut haha. still need the 100ohm resistor to feed the stock pcm. the fuel gauge is doing a dance, I hope it settles down. figured out how to get gas in, I use a stiff wire to push the shuttle valve open then fill it like a fire hose. I think the stiff wire slipped out of the hanger in the stake pocket in the picture haha, so thats what that is.

tomorrow I will get the defrost vents connected! circling the field!

[oldman3]

joe, looks good, thanks for the ride...Jim

[28TudorAZ]

The big question is did you take the truck over to Wayne who is 93 years young yet?

[8man]

Driving the truck, wow! Looks awesome and the interior is great.

[OutlawDrifter]

Dash looks way better now!

[MiraclePieCo]

Okay, I see it on Ebay and the HAMB. Are the proceeds going to fund a COE build?

[MIKESAD50]

Joe, Truck looks great

[joedoh]

Thanks all.

tudor I had planned to go see wayne today but its a 1.5 hour drive and its raining. maybe tomorrow.


MPC I have most of the coe parts and some of the funds to build it already. I wouldnt normally flip something so quickly, I would usually drive it for a couple weeks to shake out any issues, but I found a time sensitive opportunity that needs cash.


still dialing in the alignment, I am at 0.5 degrees toe in and its still a little grabby, probably the super wide front tires. if you havent done a driveway alignment this is how I do it, raise the straightedges to miss the tire bulge, weigh them down so they dont wiggle, and measure front and back.

[Advanced Design]

Looks really good Russ. Nice way to set toe. Good luck on the flip and the opportunity you mention.

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by 28TudorAZ

The big question is did you take the truck over to Wayne who is 93 years young yet?

today was the day! I expected to do a turn and burn after showing the truck but he was so tickled he showed off his finished ford and then took me around town to show off the truck. look at that grin!




we went by the pasture and looked at some other potentials. I told him I am working on something else for a minute and so we just talked in theoretical terms right now.

[joedoh]

the truck ran flawlessly on the roughly 160 mile trip, mostly highway. it was monotonous listening for non existent problems so I stopped at a dollar general and did a radio install



on the way home I stopped at my favorite photo spot.

[Matt_50]

I had to look back and see how quickly you did this one. I'm so jealous.

Also jealous I don't know an old guy with a pasture of new for me toys...

[OutlawDrifter]

Great update! I applaud the radio solution

Pictures look great!

[oldman3]

Great update to this build. Ok is it joe or Russ...Jim

[joedoh]

haha its russ, joe is a friend of mine that is always doing something galactically stupid or embarrassing, which I love about him. such reckless abandon. he is like a giant toddler sometimes

[rusty76]

Very nice pics.

[northern 49]

Man, you sure are quick with these trucks. And nice work as usual. Wamego looks awesome!

[joedoh]

thanks rusty and northern, I sure have fun.

wamego is headed north this saturday, my hopes for a quick sale were well founded. I did some work this week though to make sure the new owner has an easy time of it.

the first thing I replaced was the thermostat. the new gauge was pegged on C, which con2r told me was set at 160 degrees. even driving to waynes the truck never budged off C, so I figured the thermostat might be stuck open. it is only about a 10 minute job for anyone else but for joedoh, of course it took a while. BOTH thermostat housing bolts broke. luckily on reassembly, and first one then the other after I spent time digging a replacement for the first. given the corrosion on the broken end, I would say they were anxious to fail soon anyway



but the temp gauge moved almost immediately, the in cab heat was much improved and the gauge went right to the center and stayed there. excelsior!



I also built the glovebox. it could be a little deeper but then you could never get it installed. its deep enough for a pair of gloves, which should be the universally accepted depth for a glovebox.



the gas pedal liked flying off. I attached it permanently with a small zip tie on the shaft. then I went and picked up some doors for those cabs wayne has with no doors. just a few.




brad with the 53s called, remember those? the one ton and two ton with outstanding cabs? had I forgotten about him? no! but my time is occupied so I begged for a couple weeks to figure out where to put them.

[Advanced Design]

Congrats on the sale! A one ton and a 2 ton with outstanding cabs? Put them in my shop!