Project Goldilocks, '66 C10 SWB BBW Build

[theastronaut]

Thanks guys! I started cutting the notch out of the crossmember tonight but ran out of wheels for the big cut-off grinder. Will grab more tomorrow and get back at it.

[theastronaut]

Cut the crossmember tonight, and with my amazing blueprint drafting skills I drew up plans for the filler piece. Drawn to exact scale, of course... I'll have a fab shop bend a single piece of 3/16" steel instead of welding separate pieces together. Hopefully they can read my handwriting and get it done this week.

[jdoisher]

Detail is what I think of when I see all of your work, amazing stuff you do!
Jason

[timmytimm3]

Jaws will definitely drop when you pop the hood! Nice work

[duallyjams]

The drawing is all the same color, no contrast

[theastronaut]

Originally Posted by jdoisher

Detail is what I think of when I see all of your work, amazing stuff you do!
Jason

Thanks Jason, I'm still envious of that grill!

Originally Posted by timmytimm3

Jaws will definitely drop when you pop the hood! Nice work

Thanks!

Originally Posted by duallyjams

The drawing is all the same color, no contrast

Hey now, atleast it's 3D!! And the dirty fingerprint marks adds a little color and contrast, that should count for something.

[theastronaut]

Picked up the filler plate from the fab shop today and welded it in tonight.


Fitting it in the notch, had to slightly open up the opening in a few places to get it to drop in.




Cut lines scribed.




Roughly trimmed to shape, edges still need work.






After smoothing out the edges and matching their shape to the crossmember's shape.






Then I removed the plate, beveled the edges for better penetration, welded it in, and started smoothing the welds. Still have to do the back half, ran out of time tonight. I've got a get together at church tomorrow night so it'll have to wait til Saturday.

[Vernski]

Very nice work there the extra effort is stunning..Vernski

[mcbassin]

Very clean work on the filler piece.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Very clean work on the filler piece.

x2!

[Bomp]

Thank you for the brief write up on how you went about matching up the filler piece to the cross member. Then go back and bevel out the edges for good penetration.
Never gets old seeing the quality of work you do along with reading on how to go about it correctly.

[clemdaddy]

x2... looks very good.

[Jeff La]

As usual your work is excellent

[aggie91]

Very nice. Looks good.

[MalibuKasey]

The mad scientist at work.....

[plainred65]

That came out great!

[boonedogs72]

Just went through the entire build love it!!

[theastronaut]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Very clean work on the filler piece.

Originally Posted by Vernski

Very nice work there the extra effort is stunning..Vernski

Originally Posted by likaroc13

x2!

Thanks dudes!!

Originally Posted by Bomp

Thank you for the brief write up on how you went about matching up the filler piece to the cross member. Then go back and bevel out the edges for good penetration.
Never gets old seeing the quality of work you do along with reading on how to go about it correctly.

Appreciate that Greg! Forgot to mention that I tacked it in place before grinding the edges flush so it stays in place.

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

x2... looks very good.

Originally Posted by Jeff La

As usual your work is excellent

Originally Posted by aggie91

Very nice. Looks good.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by MalibuKasey

The mad scientist at work.....

It's nice to be back at work on it! Pretty stoked since Goodguys, I needed some motivation!

Originally Posted by plainred65

That came out great!

Originally Posted by boonedogs72

Just went through the entire build love it!!

Appreciate it!!

[theastronaut]

Slid the crossmember back in place and started to set the engine down... I might need more clearance in a couple spots. I measured the oil pan at it's widest point and added some for extra room... I didn't think about the block being wider.







There are a couple mounting bosses cast into the block that may need to be shaved if they're not used... or I'll have to rework the notch around them if I need to keep them. As it is I can't lower the engine all the way.

[duallyjams]

I think you should change your user name to the MACHINE as it is unbelievable of all the builds you have going at the same time and all of them are over the top with attention to every little detail.

And this is what John does in his spare time, I sent him a air cleaner lid to convert it to a dual snorkel.

[chevyrestoguy]

John is one talented guy, and I always look forward to any updates on his threads. He's my favorite builder on this site because of his attention to detail and the fact that he doesn't run to the catalog when it's time to put something together. He thinks outside the box, and he concentrates on stuff that 95% of the people out there will never catch because it's done so well. My kind of builder.

I have told him many times that if I ever won the lottery, I'd keep him busy until he retires!!

[theastronaut]

Picked up a couple parts, a NOS reverse lens (need a matching one for the other side still) and a pair of new LCA shafts.

I'm not crazy about how much the shafts weigh but I guess there's nothing to do about it. I did weigh the No Limit rack kit and it's roughly 25 pounds lighter than the old steering system, and the CTS-V calipers are surprisingly 2 pounds lighter each than the old calipers. So I've taken almost 30 pounds off the front axle already. The rotors will be much lighter than the originals since they're dual-cast (aluminum hat, iron rotor), and will have separate aluminum hubs compared to the old solid cast iron rotors.






Since I have the LCA shafts, I'm looking into bushing materials for the A-arm shafts. I don't want urethane, it squeaks and I doubt that it's tough enough to use for such a highly loaded bushing. Been searching over the McMaster Carr website and either Delrin or UHMW Polyethylene look like good choices. I don't like that the bushing can rotate against the outer washer/nut so I'm thinking about adding thrust bearings at the ends of the bushing material. That should keep the bushing from binding against the outer washer and possibly loosening the nut over time. It's just an idea for now. I'll talk to a machinist buddy before making a decision.

[jdoisher]

I wish we lived next goor to each other! I'm a good helper and love to learn, you are on a whole other level!!! As always, awesome work!!!
Jason

[Hellion Customs]

Originally Posted by theastronaut

Yes, going to relocate the ball joints to move the wheels forward 1" and tilt the spindle for around 7-8* of caster with that being the center of adjustment. I'm also going to make either a screw jack type bag mount, or just use shims under the bag so I can adjust bag pressure (spring rate) then adjust the bag mount to keep my ride height and alignment in spec. That way I can also balance the corner weights.

Following quality work on an awesome build.... I really like the write up on detail sanding. It shows why quality prep takes time and skill, which cost money.....

Make sure you post up pics of the front suspension setup & build!!!

[theastronaut]

Originally Posted by jdoisher

I wish we lived next goor to each other! I'm a good helper and love to learn, you are on a whole other level!!! As always, awesome work!!!
Jason

That's what's neat about forums, you can see what people are working on from all over.

Originally Posted by Hellion Customs

Following quality work on an awesome build.... I really like the write up on detail sanding. It shows why quality prep takes time and skill, which cost money.....

Make sure you post up pics of the front suspension setup & build!!!

Appreciate it! I'll definitely post the front end build. Can't wait to see the Tahoe build unfold!