Got the truck down street, now questions

[mknittle]

Originally Posted by Denee007

I took the truck (I'll come up with a name for it someday) around the block yesterday evening. I'm getting my courage up to drive it to the muffler shop this morning. When I got it going faster, say 25mph, it seemed to steer fine, or at least hold a steady course and not be so squirrely like at slow speed. The muffler shop is about 3 miles from here and I'm really dreading the drive. I think it's mainly the sound resonating inside the cab, even with ear plugs I can't hear myself think! OH, and I messed around with the adjustable proportioning valve, seemed to make a difference on how it stops. There's no real weight on the back right now and with a harder press on the brakes, the rears start to squeal (rears braking first). So, I read that to test the PV(proportioning valve), one should test on a wet road or loose gravel road, but I don't have that option, eh.
Hopefully traffic isn't too bad~
I'll be back with a report on my exhaust on my build site
wish me luck!
dne'

How did you set your caster and toe on your axle?

[Denee007]

Well, my caster was set by 6 degree shims supplied by Sid@dropped axles, but funny you should mention Toe! I set it by measuring tape while up in the air(on lift) at about 1/8" toe in. I told myself a while back that I was going to have to set it better than with a tape measure! It's our anniversary today, so the truck is on hold today, but I did get the exhaust on this morning, and it's WONDERFUL!
I do have a home made toe in gauge that I need to pull out and will check that tomorrow, probably has something to do with why it's wondering at the slow speed?
dne'
ps: thanks for bringing it up!!

[dubie]

ooooooh now we need some exhaust videos, but not until your anniversary is over.

Enjoy your day together and Happy Anniversary eh

[solidaxel]

I have fount the rear brakes to be too loose which makes a big difference in how they feel.

The rear brakes seem to work best when they are tight (can not move wheel)AND THEN BACK OFF 11 CLICKS wheel should have a bit of drag.

Front discs need more miles to "BED" them in.

I have found the adjustable PV to work best at 2 1/2 turns out on the 55.
Congrats on a lot of hard work

[buggy5872]

Denee you might want to try lowering the pressure comming out of the power steering pump. you can take the control vave apart and add some washers to knock down the pressure. I adjust the pressure in the pumps to give it more road feel. You could also buy one of these but I use washers because they are cheap. http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Mustang-...3f8913&vxp=mtr It makes a huge difference on how the steering feels and reacts. I am running a camaro subframe in my 59 and still knocked down the pressure for a better steering feel.

[Denee007]

Solidaxle, I did what you said, I adjusted the rear brakes and backed off a bit. When coming home from the muffler shop, I did notice the brakes seem to be stopping much better! Like you said, "Bed them in!" Thanks!

Buggy, so that will reduce the pressure going to the steering gear? I think for me, I'd just soon buy the part you so nicely posted If I'm going to have power steering fluid go all over the place, I only would want to do this once! lol Thank you for that link!!!
dne'

[buggy5872]

The one in the link would probly work out best for you. It takes a couple trys with the washer method. Its been so long I can not remember how many washers I used to give you a starting point. I believe I did it back in 1999....

[Denee007]

Thanks Buggy! I just forget what kind of end went into my power steering pump! The link mentioned an adapter in case of an o-ring or other fitting. I'll have to remove the fitting to see what it is. Not looking forward to that, However, I set the Toe on my truck, it was toed out about 3/4", maybe that may have caused the wandering phenomenon~ I doubt it, but if setting the Toe helps, that would be great!

[butchp]

I would think you should set the tow with the truck setting on it's weight after you roll it back and forth a few times. If this is what you did pardon me.

[G&R's57GMC]

Originally Posted by butchp

I would think you should set the tow with the truck setting on it's weight after you roll it back and forth a few times. If this is what you did pardon me.

That would be the procedure for an IFS , but not necessary for a beam axle.

The point of rolling back and forth is to allow the I. F. suspension to settle to its ride height and then the toe would come to its natural state.

[G&R's57GMC]

Congrats Dne' !

How does the rear end sound ?

[Denee007]

Well, I've only driven it, say 30 mph, but all it quiet right now. When I had it up on jackstands, I let the engine run and had the truck in drive~ kind of seating it in? I read this somewhere. There were a few drops of grease coming from where the nut holds the yoke on, not the actual seal. I think it may be leaking from the spine? I guess I need to pull the driveshaft back off and the big nut and figure something out. I hate to take the yoke back off~ it went on kind of difficult. The old one came off really easy. Overall, I think the rear end may work out after all(I hope I hope!).
dne'

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

Congrats Dne' !

How does the rear end sound ?

[OrrieG]

is the molatov gas cap in the videos just there to fill? little bump, little splash of gas on thr shop towel, little spark, big problem.
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[Denee007]

It was just to fill the tank, I have a galvanized pipe over it when I pull the funnel out. I am having problems finding a filler neck however. I have no idea why they put only a 1 1/2" inlet to connect to! I ordered a flip up door/trap door (whatever it's called) from Speedway, then have to come up with a permanent idea for the tank fill.

[itstheshu]

Look at fill caps from a boat. They use 1 1/2 hose as well.
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[OrrieG]

Find a place that makes up industrial hoses. they will have it. Also lots of 1.5 boat fuel hose on Ebay and other boat places. Usually runs about $1 per inch with 12 minimum. Do not use radiator or other non fuel rated hose. Also look at motorcycle pop up type hose bungs and caps.

[roger55]

GATES Part # 23964

It's a 3 ft. long piece of 1 1/2" gas filler hose. It's what I used on my truck.

Here's a closeout price:
I bought mine here for that price.

http://www.afec-az.com/detail.cfm?part=1133346

[itstheshu]

O'reilly auto parts stocks it. Its just finding an employee that knows what it is.
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[Daze57]

Boy u ain't kiddin ^

[roger55]

Originally Posted by itstheshu

O'reilly auto parts stocks it. Its just finding an employee that knows what it is.
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The one I supplied the link to is $13.47 free shipping and no tax for a 3 ft hose.

O'Reilly's gets $15.99 per ft or $47.97 plus tax for a 3 ft. hose.

It's about $27 plus shipping on Rock Auto.

[srengr]

Denee,

Southwest Alignment on Richmond can handle finishing your aligment for you. The owner knows his way around a straight axle. He does a lot of old trucks for the used car dealers along Richmond. Did my '59 TF as well as my '68 Camaro.
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[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by roger55

The one I supplied the link to is $13.47 free shipping and no tax for a 3 ft hose.

O'Reilly's gets $15.99 per ft or $47.97 plus tax for a 3 ft. hose.

It's about $27 plus shipping on Rock Auto.

Make sure it is fuel rated hose. When I was searching for mine, I found one at O.reilllys that the website says it for fuel but when you look at the packaging it is not. The real rated fuel hose they showed me was $16 per foot, min 1 foot.

[roger55]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Make sure it is fuel rated hose. When I was searching for mine, I found one at O.reilllys that the website says it for fuel but when you look at the packaging it is not. The real rated fuel hose they showed me was $16 per foot, min 1 foot.

The Gates #23964 is specifically a fuel filler neck hose.

Rock Auto has it for $9 per foot.

That other link I provided is selling it for half price as a close out. $13.47 for a 3 foot length. I bought one. It's the real deal.