Lost My 65

[LostMy65]

Yep, really liking the look.
Jumped in both feet this weekend.
Mixed the flat black real thin and covered her in black.

[markeb01]

That looks great!

[LostMy65]

Thanks Mark.
I'm finding I prefer a very subtle sand through.

[LostMy65]

Pretty happy with how the front clip is turning out.

[Palf70Step]

It is looking good!

[LostMy65]

Okay, had some rain this last weekend.
Decided to take a break on my fauxtina attempt.
This will probably be my last pic outside this year.
I know... I've had the goal of swapping out the sm420 for the th350 a couple winters now. By golly! I'm getting it done this winter!

[Palf70Step]

The paint scheme looks really good as it is, so if you were planning more weathering, i'd let it stand as is. Looks super good. Good luck on the tranny changeover. I am debating the same thing here after October on my 64.

[LostMy65]

Thanks Bill.
That actually helps a lot.
I know it's a tough balance to keep from over doing it.
I've sanded and then should have stopped but sanded too much. - to only have to go roll on a little more and sand some more.
But I do appreciate when someone says 'it looks good, leave it'
Here's the other side :

[LostMy65]

Some shots of how the hood came out:

[NevEno]

Looks really good!

[Palf70Step]

[LostMy65]

I put together a list of 'wants vs needs' to establish a reasonable goal for the winter.
Although I really really want to convert to an Automatic, it is far from a 'Need'.
What I 'Need' is safe and reliable first.
Steering is pretty sloppy and maneuvering around - especially with a trailer is difficult.
So I that's what I'm doing first.
.
In mocking up the pump, I noticed the hole in the Water Pump isn't threaded, but is smooth and open to the back side of the water pump. Rather than running a bolt all the way through and trying to get a wrench in that cramped space behind the water pump, I'm thinking of just using an anchor bolt.
.

[RKS0069]

Sounds like a good idea but it might be hard to get out without removing the water pump. Maybe try a drop in style anchor bolt?

[Captainfab]

The water pumps with a smooth bore in that hole were for use with a different style of PS pump brackets. The pump actually pivoted on that hole with a nut welded to the ear of the bracket on the backside of the pump. If you want to keep that style of bracket, I would suggest installing threads in the hole with one of the thread repair styles available. The ones from Time Sert or e-z Lok do not require any special tools or taps as the Helicoils do.

[jonzcustomshop]

Why not just tap the hole?

also, not in a rush, but when/ if you get some time could you post a straight on pic from the rear showing the taillights, and then get me a couple measurements of where they sit? bed to the edge of the lens center, and upper body line to the top of the lens center would be perfect!
I am going to do a version of the fleet lens on my step fenders as well. ( I wish gm had done this on 60-66 in the first place)

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

Why not just tap the hole?

also, not in a rush, but when/ if you get some time could you post a straight on pic from the rear showing the taillights, and then get me a couple measurements of where they sit? bed to the edge of the lens center, and upper body line to the top of the lens center would be perfect!
I am going to do a version of the fleet lens on my step fenders as well. ( I wish gm had done this on 60-66 in the first place)

.
I should have something for you no later than this weekend.

[LostMy65]

In mocking up for the ps pump, I saw the old GMC V6 Motor mount perch needed to go.
.

.

Also, here is a pic of the micky-rig fix bracket for the clutch linkage my uncle welded to the frame back in 1984. :-) Nostalgia
.

[rickywideglide]

been reading your story, really cool you got it back,i sold mine 20 years ago a 66 stepside, with fleet tail lights and diamond plate in bed,thought it was mine for a second. was curious what paint your using

[LostMy65]

The paint on it when I bought it back was in pretty bad shape. I also have patch panels I need to do.
So, for now I'm doing redneck body repairs and painting over the existing paint using inexpensive oil-based enamel.
Eventually I'll go back panel by panel doing it right with SPI Black Epoxy Primer.
I'm still undecided what direction I'll go after that. I do know I don't want something pretty and expensive where I have to worry about every ding and/or scratch.

[rickywideglide]

yea im still undecided whether to just do rustoleum or get epoxy primer, my truck wont be a show truck just a driver

[LostMy65]

Digging in.
Getting that ol sm420 out so I can get the th350 in.
So excited to finally be doing this swap.

[LostMy65]

The th350 I have came from summit.
Here is a way I've been considering to mount the tail.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...31#post4216931

[LostMy65]

I did check if I have the factory holes for the auto crossmember. Buried under 50+ years of grime.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

...clip....

also, not in a rush, but when/ if you get some time could you post a straight on pic from the rear showing the taillights, and then get me a couple measurements of where they sit? bed to the edge of the lens center, and upper body line to the top of the lens center would be perfect!
I am going to do a version of the fleet lens on my step fenders as well. ( I wish gm had done this on 60-66 in the first place)

.
I was 19 when I did the fleetside lights. I just hacked them in there.
I do have some fleetside light buckets that I eventually will weld in there.
.

[jonzcustomshop]

thanks, that is perfect!
they look like you got them in the right spot.

this will help when I do mine, same as you are planning I am also going to use the fleetside taillight buckets.