What did you do with your truck today, Part 3

[daveshilling]

Originally Posted by Janky59

Really over the past week, installed a T5 in my ‘59. It all went smoothly, bolted up easily, needed the driveshaft shortened, a great improvement though, a lot more fun to drive.

Man I'd love to do this. I've done quite a bit of searching locally for a used T5 in my area and have failed. I assume you bought a rebuilt unit?

[toymanbob]

Sitting on it's own tires and wheels for the first time! I like the stance, the wheels look perfect, it is full of fluid and ready for the first test drive but.......................When I tried to shift out of park today, there was no connection to the shift rod. I knew it could happen when I took the el cheapo path to obtaining a short steering column. These steering columns, made by Saginaw and shared by GM and Chrysler, can be shortened easily by just applying enough force to collapse the column to the desired length. The problem is internal, the shift connection between the shift lever and the tab that connects to the trans is two tubes that are locked together by nylon tabs that break when shortened. Tomorrow I'll pull the column, try to locate the hidden connection point, cut a slot and mig weld the two tubes together. Anyway, here it is

[mick53]

Originally Posted by toymanbob

Sitting on it's own tires and wheels for the first time! I like the stance, the wheels look perfect, it is full of fluid and ready for the first test drive but.......................When I tried to shift out of park today, there was no connection to the shift rod. I knew it could happen when I took the el cheapo path to obtaining a short steering column. These steering columns, made by Saginaw and shared by GM and Chrysler, can be shortened easily by just applying enough force to collapse the column to the desired length. The problem is internal, the shift connection between the shift lever and the tab that connects to the trans is two tubes that are locked together by nylon tabs that break when shortened. Tomorrow I'll pull the column, try to locate the hidden connection point, cut a slot and mig weld the two tubes together. Anyway, here it is

This might be a dumb question but why do you shorten the column? Is it comfort or function?

[toymanbob]

The distance in the cab from my chest to the firewall where the steering goes through is much shorter than the car that the column came out of. I didn't want to pay $$$$ for a short column so I just shortened mine, Bob

[Rickysnickers]

Nice job! I'd like to do this to my truck, but being 6'-3", and not having much room now, I wonder if it would be a good idea for me or not. How about some pictures of you clutch pedal/master cylinder setup now

[Janky59]

My setup is stock, as far as clutch and brake pedals go, master cylinder under the floor as original. I’m 5’-10”, a 32” inseam. These pics are with the seat all the way back, seat against the gas tank. As far as the trans itself, I’m really happy with how it works. I have a more detailed post over on Stovebolt, FWIW.

[Rickysnickers]

Originally Posted by Janky59

My setup is stock, as far as clutch and brake pedals go, master cylinder under the floor as original. I’m 5’-10”, a 32” inseam. These pics are with the seat all the way back, seat against the gas tank. As far as the trans itself, I’m really happy with how it works. I have a more detailed post over on Stovebolt, FWIW.

That's great, thank you.

[Bridgeman57]

I feel the pain I’m 6’4. Not to excited about the comforts of the truck. so pictures, measurements, ideas would be great ���� thanks

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by Bridgeman57

I feel the pain I’m 6’4. Not to excited about the comforts of the truck. so pictures, measurements, ideas would be great ���� thanks

One good thing about getting really old is you shrink and cab gets bigger all the time

[idbeast]

Went to the Adna Car Show had 157 cars and trucks registered and I won a trophy for Best Modified Truck All Years!

[DransportGarage]

Originally Posted by idbeast

Went to the Adna Car Show had 157 cars and trucks registered and I won a trophy for Best Modified Truck All Years!

I can see that happening! Well deserved!!!

[bosco]

Got my truck back from the local hotrod shop. Had new leaf springs installed (lowered 3") and improved the ride immensely. Plus, the main work done we changed out the fan (electric, and no shroud) system with new fan (with control module) and shroud. Changes to cooling were amazing. To give you an idea of the changes we'll use the following. Outside temp in the high 90's (97 degrees this Saturday).

Old system would run 195 degrees at 70mph, then in traffic would climb to 205-210 degrees (making me very nervous). With the AC running (which we would have to turn off, making my wife uncomfortable).

New setup, with the same outside temp, now runs at 185 degrees at 70mph, then in traffic drops to 170 degrees all with the AC running. AC actually is colder as well. New fan blows like a hurricane pulling so much more air through the radiator.

[mick53]

I got my water pump pulley that I altered back from powder coating today. $20 to strip and coat the pulley and spacer. I dropped it off Friday about noon. This started it's life as a reverse rotation Ford pulley and I redeemed it. This completes my accessory drive. My P/S and A/C is all electric. He did a really nice job. I shaved down the spacer, countersunk the bolts and grooved it for the 8 rib belt. Thank you for your time.

[DransportGarage]

Originally Posted by mick53

I got my water pump pulley that I altered back from powder coating today. $20 to strip and coat the pulley and spacer. I dropped it off Friday about noon. This started it's life as a reverse rotation Ford pulley and I redeemed it. This completes my accessory drive. My P/S and A/C is all electric. He did a really nice job. I shaved down the spacer, countersunk the bolts and grooved it for the 8 rib belt. Thank you for your time.

How many "Best Engine of Show" trophies do you think your shelves will support?

[mick53]

Originally Posted by DransportGarage

How many "Best Engine of Show" trophies do you think your shelves will support?

LOL, I just finished putting up about 50 feet of 4 foot shelving so I should be good. Also a customer of mine bought me all new really nice commercial LED lights for the shop.

[nvrdone]

I like the way you fitted the lift thru the ceiling of the garage. Unfortunately if I did that my wife wouldnt like the lift sticking up into the family room.

[DransportGarage]

Originally Posted by nvrdone

I like the way you fitted the lift thru the ceiling of the garage. Unfortunately if I did that my wife wouldnt like the lift sticking up into the family room.

I don't know... maybe you could make the top of it into a coffee table.

[1project2many]

Originally Posted by DransportGarage

I don't know... maybe you could make the top of it into a coffee table.

Years ago a friend used an ongoing SBC build as a coffee table. He lived in an apartment so had no real workspace. He'd assemble a little of the engine as he had money and time then he'd put a piece of glass on top of the engine when he was finished.

[mick53]

Now that's just funny.

[nvrdone]

that might work.

[nvrdone]

I almost got a lamborghini 12 cyl at an auction. my plan was to use it as a coffee table with a glass top. unfortunatly that didnt work out

[1project2many]

That would have been a cool table!

[1project2many]

Duplicate post!

[mr48chev]

Mick raises the bar a few notches when it comes to detailing an engine out.

[mick53]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Mick raises the bar a few notches when it comes to detailing an engine out.

Thanks, it's a blessing and a curse.