1967 C-50 Dump truck Project

[71'tahoe]

Originally Posted by Airdirect

I have had good success with ordering brake parts from Rock Auto online. All the parts I have ordered have been good quality.

I was just on there looking for drums and shoes.
I couldn't find anything.
I did find a 1977 Chevy Nova I6 H.E.I. distributor I need for my electronic ign. conversion!

[Airdirect]

Can your drums be turned? I would expect you can get the local NAPA store to send off your shoes to get them relined.

[71'tahoe]

I'm going to try and pull the brakes apart this week and check them for thickness.
I agree that I hope my local Napa (who I deal with almost every day) can send my shoes out to get them relined.

[Airdirect]

I took my brakes apart and the drums were perfect, you never know without looking. You may find your shoes are in good shape. Some grooves in the drums should not be a problem. They are much more tolerant than a car. You can see how good the brake shoes were on mine:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=721374&page=5

One thing to consider is using DOT 5 brake fluid once you rebuilt the system. DOT 5 does not attract moisture and is great for collector vehicles or low utilization.

[1976gmc20]

Originally Posted by Airdirect

I took my brakes apart and the drums were perfect, you never know without looking. You may find your shoes are in good shape. Some grooves in the drums should not be a problem. They are much more tolerant than a car. You can see how good the brake shoes were on mine:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=721374&page=5

One thing to consider is using DOT 5 brake fluid once you rebuilt the system. DOT 5 does not attract moisture and is great for collector vehicles or low utilization.

Yeah, the only time I ever had mine apart was to replace a rear wheel bearing seal. The shoes were great except soaked with oil. I cleaned them up the best I could with brake cleaner and put it all back together.

A little while later, I hauled a house trailer over a high mountain pass in Colorado. Coming down the brakes on that side smoked like crazy. I guess I finished cleaning all the oil off of them!

[71'tahoe]

Originally Posted by 1976gmc20

Yeah, the only time I ever had mine apart was to replace a rear wheel bearing seal. The shoes were great except soaked with oil. I cleaned them up the best I could with brake cleaner and put it all back together.

A little while later, I hauled a house trailer over a high mountain pass in Colorado. Coming down the brakes on that side smoked like crazy. I guess I finished cleaning all the oil off of them!

I will hopefully not have to buy any drums or shoes but i'll know more later in the week.
Sounds like you had quite the adventure.

[71'tahoe]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/attachment.php?attachmentid=1895544&stc=1&d=1555380020

Here is the busted axle U-bolt saddle. I need to find one of these or weld this one back together.

[71'tahoe]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1555380153
Here is another view.

[71'tahoe]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1555380241

And now we have an oil seal leaking. I hope to be able to find this part also.

[71'tahoe]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1555380349

I am not one for painting everything black. I had some IH white so I thought I'd see what the head light rings looked like sprayed an off white. I like it well enough to paint the rest of the grille and possibly the wheels.

[71'tahoe]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1555380539

How about those custom seat mounts?
The radio hole is hacked but at least its all there and may be fixable with a little effort.Which would be nice to not have to buy a repair panel to fix it.

[71'tahoe]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1555380777
The option sticker is almost readable.

[1976gmc20]

Originally Posted by 71'tahoe

I will hopefully not have to buy any drums or shoes but i'll know more later in the week.
Sounds like you had quite the adventure.

Oh, that was only one of many adventures of that sort. It wasn't near as exciting as hauling a D-2 Cat on a no-brakes rented trailer over the same pass behind a K-10 pickup. It did fine going up but not so well coming down!

Good luck with your project. I keep forgetting that these 1960's 2-ton trucks are now 30-35 years older than they were when I was running them.

[CarolinaHD]

I didnt spot the 10 lug 7000lb front axle in the first post, nice heavy medium!

[71'tahoe]

Originally Posted by CarolinaHD

I didnt spot the 10 lug 7000lb front axle in the first post, nice heavy medium!

Thanks! I'm trying to keep the ole truck alive. I'm hoping to find some solid body panels. My cab is about shot. Front fenders are almost to far gone to repair but I may have to if I can t find any decent ones for a decent price.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by 71'tahoe

I agree with low gears! My 1992 Peterbilt 379 has 3:90's and a 9 speed. I mainly haul grain with it so pulling out of some of these midwest fields loaded to the max, I fully understand low gears.

I have a good friend who owns a tire shop and i'm going to have her look for tires. The ones on it are not bad per say but they are really old and I have experienced blow outs on steer axles and drive axles..Neither one are fun or safe.

Brakes seem soft. I'm going to take the wheels off soon and try to remove the drums and inspect them. I know it has two wheel cylinders per side. I'm not sure if I'll be able to even find rebuild kits for them. I believe I do have a bad line/leak somewhere. I plan to do a hydro boost swap soon to do away with the single pot master cylinder and vacuum booster. I'm basically planning for the worse, that's all.

The suspension I have a couple rusted U-bolts which are no issue but the one rear axle saddle is rusted in two. Ill post photos tomorrow.

I was talking with a friend today and I believe my new plan is to find a Top Kick/Kodiak that has similar length and do a cab and bed swap. I still plan to work the truck in it's current condition pending I find no real issues with the brakes and I can find a axle U-bolt saddle.

Lastly the main reason I bought the truck is because it's an old 1967 dump truck, I do not want to loose that part of the build. Sure I could just go buy a small dump truck and keep moving but it wouldn't be as cool as a 1967 C50 dump truck. I know to some it may not make a lick of sense but to me to be able to build a cool old usable dump that I can enter into the local car show or draw attention to my shop..why not?

That’s why this hobby is so cool. It ain’t gotta make sense!

[71'tahoe]

Originally Posted by 67_C-30

That’s why this hobby is so cool. It ain’t gotta make sense!

Agreed. I know when I ask for advice or opinions on this board,That I will always have plenty of both.

[71'tahoe]

So here are some of my current situations with the truck.
One of the ears is broke off. I have been welding for 24 years so I think I can fabricate another hole and then gusset the axle saddle and not have an issue,If I can't find a replacement. I'm curious if I could use a regular style U bolt and then use a flat plate on top of the springs.

[71'tahoe]

I also have an oil or brake fluid leak.

[71'tahoe]

This is why I'm thinking about running an air spring rear suspension. This spring pack looks like it has had several extra springs added to it. Of course I can always remove several springs.

[71'tahoe]

I'm also hoping to find a good cab and front fenders/extensions. As you can see below My cab is a little far gone to save. I did figure out with a bit of trimming a one piece floor for a C10/20/30 will work but my kick panels are also gone as is the steering wheel floor bracing.

[71'tahoe]

I don't know why these photos won't post right.. I rotated them when I uploaded them from my phone onto my computer.

[1976gmc20]

Wow, looks like the engine, transmission, and bed/hoist is about all that's worth saving.

[71'tahoe]

Originally Posted by 1976gmc20

Wow, looks like the engine, transmission, and bed/hoist is about all that's worth saving.

I would agree to that. That's why I'm looking for another body. I bought it to redo. So with that said,I know I've seen trucks that are way worse than this one.

[Pvmt-Pndr]

Since you're in Ohio. I came across a 69 C50 350/4speed with a nice body and flat bed on Facebook awhile back no engine in it at the time but the guy would reinstall it for $2500. It was a bit of a pain to find and I don't remember what town it was in but I know it's just north of Lynchburg. $1800 bought the truck the way it sat without the motor and if you bought it I'm sure you could sell off what you don't need. I'd be interested in the flatbed, extra cab and saddle tanks on it