64 C10 Stepside "Jaybird"

[bj383ss]

Radiator is installed along with new B&M trans cooler. Used some premade brake lines to make the fuel line and trans lines. Everything is buttoned up except I was 2 clamps short on the trans cooler.

20160929_075312 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

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Have some massaging to do to get the top bracket to fit properly. It seems the Champion radiator is quite a bit taller than the stock one. It fits fine without the rubbers in.

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[TJ's Chevy]

Nice!!!

[Ta2Don]

Looking Great Bret!!!

[clemdaddy]

very clean work… nice job pal.

[bj383ss]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

Nice!!!

Thanks TJ.

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Looking Great Bret!!!

Thanks Don. You almost road worthy?

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

very clean work… nice job pal.

Thanks Clem. You are about to have a lot of fun in a week or so.


Couple more pictures. The gas gauge works. I never had it hooked up before the resto so happy about that. Need to clean all the sawdust off of it.

IMG_20161001_180951 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

Got all the wiring done for startup and installed the coil and bracket. I forgot to run a wire from the MSD box up into the cab for the Tach so working on that too what a pain that is after I have everything buttoned up.

20161001_200000 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

Everything is just about hooked up just need to fill the tank with gas and go through and double check everything. Still need to hookup vacuum from distributor and the pcv valve.

20161001_200058 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

Got the battery trickle charging so it will be nice and hot with plenty of juice.

Bret

[bj383ss]

So I started on Monday to start this thing and after 2 lower radiator hoses leaking and then the weep hole in the water pump leaking. I had to order a new pump. I bought one from Amazon a brand new AC Delco because all the parts stores had was store brand rebuilt. So it arrived yesterday and of course I had to paint it.

20161008_093409 by bjohnson388, on Flickr


This morning I fired up Jaybird without a hitch. First time it has been started since July of 2013. Couple of reference photos from that time.

DSCN6792 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

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DSCN7613 by bjohnson388, on Flickr




My wife wanted to start it. After all it is her truck. So here is the video. One happy mommy. Couldn't have come at a better time either because tomorrow is my birthday and I just earned all kinds of brownie points. Only downside she asked if we could drive it around the block and I had to tell her there are no brakes! Next on the project list though.

&feature=youtu.be

[clemdaddy]

Originally Posted by bj383ss

Thanks Clem. You are about to have a lot of fun in a week or so.
Bret

Man, I wish you could meet up with us next Saturday… anyway, next year we'll get to meet your truck. Bet we could find you a couch???

[bj383ss]

Originally Posted by Bomp

Congrats, saw this great moment on Fb. Awesome.

Thanks Greg

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

Man, I wish you could meet up with us next Saturday… anyway, next year we'll get to meet your truck. Bet we could find you a couch???

Clem I would love to come. Hopefully in the near future. Your place is so fantastic. I would have a grinectomy from spending time there.


Well I haven't done anything to Jaybird. I have really run out of steam and just have no motivation to work on it. I did however have a new windshield put in and the original back glass installed.

This guy was a pro. 17 years installing vintage auto glass. He had both installed in under an hour in the first try.

20161020_093516 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

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And my favorite thing a before and after pic. This before pic was taken right when the tear down started July of 2013. You will notice there is about 6 inches on the bottom center of the gasket that is gone. One of the things that prompted to take the windshield out. And when I took it out it fell apart.

Windshield BeforeAfter by bjohnson388, on Flickr

Bret

[Bomp]

Congrats, saw this great moment on Fb. Awesome.

[Mjminino]

[NevEno]

Looking good!

[Grizz1963]

This is all so good to see.

I know what you mean with running out of steam.

Side projects help though.

I restored a 63 VW beetle 25 years ago and ran out of steam just as I bolted the front and rear bumpers back on, fortunately all that was left was the hubcaps.

My life is a bit screwed right now, but I do look forward to phase two of my trucks build, there may also be a phase 3,4,5 but that OK too.

[bj383ss]

Have few updates for the truck. I will be honest I ran out of motivation to work on her but after not doing anything for 11 months I finally got some "Mojo".

I lost my storage spot for my old car so I had to move it home to my garage. This is what brought my mojo back. She wasn't running. In order for her to take my wife's parking spot she had to run and drive so I could move it around.

20170817_103528 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

She barely fit.

20170817_111816 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

I remedied that by tucking the bumpers.

20170903_143356 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

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I got her running and driving so she can be moved around. Still needs a new trans.

20170910_121528 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

Ok on to the truck.

Started off by installing some parts I got for Xmas last year. New dual horns, chrome TC cover and the front brake lines.

20170907_190823 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

Also bought new rear shoes, MC, and rear axle brake line. Took me 2 hours to locate this box of parts for the rear brakes. They have been patiently waiting in this box for 3 years now.

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Next I finished up the passenger door. It is about 95% there.

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Door installed on truck. It fits pretty good. I just watched on youtube how to get that lower corner pushed in some more. Will give that a try when I get a chance.

20170917_141504 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

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to be cont'd

Bret

[Grizz1963]

Great to see you back Bret.

If you stored those brake parts in my shop for three years they would be perfectly patina' by now.

Door looks great as do tucked bumpers.

[bj383ss]

Next thing to work on was the all original pass fender I got from CustomCab66.

Very minimal rust a few dents to knock out and trim holes to weld up. I also had to fix the stripped out lower nut. Here's how I did that. I tried to drill out the stripped of bolt but the nut came loose from its weld.

20170921_125741 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

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Yes my weld is ugly but it plenty strong.

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Filling the trim holes next.

20170921_143812 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

Not to bad for a amateur welder I mean grinder.

20170921_154805 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

Had a very small cancer hole at the bottom I drilled out with a bit and welded in a nail head. Worked great.

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Cleaning the inside next.

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Rust encapsulator on the places I couldn't reach and etching primer on the rest.

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Some Metal 2 metal for all my welds and a few small dents.

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Had to work in the shed on Friday due to the rain.

20170929_145054 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

In primer. Almost there. Just needs some high build and some blocking.

20170929_175530 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

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High build.

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While I was waiting on that to dry started on this disaster again. It warped on me pretty bad even though I only welded a few spots far apart and gave it time to cool. This door is junk but for now going to make it work.

20170930_113032 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

Bret

[TJ's Chevy]

Glad you got motorvated again man! Looks great and keep up the good work!

[Mjminino]

[Bomp]

One of the hardest things is motivation. Glad to see you're hard at it again.
Totally understand about doors. They push a guy to the limit. Mine have anyways.

Following,,, always was and still am.

[bj383ss]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Great to see you back Bret.

If you stored those brake parts in my shop for three years they would be perfectly patina' by now.

Door looks great as do tucked bumpers.

Thank You Rian. I was mildly upset trying to find them as I pride myself on being very organized.

Originally Posted by Mjminino

Thanks Mike.

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

Glad you got motorvated again man! Looks great and keep up the good work!

Thank TJ.

Originally Posted by Bomp

One of the hardest things is motivation. Glad to see you're hard at it again.
Totally understand about doors. They push a guy to the limit. Mine have anyways.

Following,,, always was and still am.

Thanks Greg. Well the driver door beat me again but third time is the charm.

Bret

[bj383ss]

I didn't get as much done today as I wanted but I made some progress.

I started the morning with the driver door and came to the realization that I messed it up too bad for myself to fix so I ordered a whole new door skin. Third time will be the charm I hope. My plan is to just replace the bottom half right below the bottom belt line in the crown.

I did a block sand on the passenger fender and then fitted it to the truck to see where I am at.

The front fits very good. The lower back will need a few more spacers to bring it out even with the rocker and I will need to massage the bottom of the door in with the hammer and dolly just a little bit.

20171001_113232 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

After I took this pic I realized it was just a little bit too low to the front panel.

20171001_113249 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

20171001_113252 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

Once I bring the fender out and massage the door a little bit I think this will all look about right.

20171001_113341 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

The door needs to be moved forward just a bit as well.

20171001_113350 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

20171001_113304 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

It feels really good to see the door and the fender back on and very close for the first time in almost 4 years.

20171001_113403 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

So while I wait for the door skin to arrive I tackled the driver fender patch.

20171001_141311 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

20171001_141315 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

Following some tips from a youtube video from Gibson63. I took a bunch of measurements to make sure I get back in the same place since my patch is rather large and I have to replace in the bottom of the inner brace.

20171001_142153 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

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This is the original color of my truck Fawn. I am not a fan.

20171001_142704 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

Scribed a line on the patch a little oversize so I can sneak up on the fit.

20171001_161736 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

I was getting the patch close and my parents stopped by and before I knew the afternoon was gone.

20171001_164210 by bjohnson388, on Flickr

Will pick back up on it in the morning.

Bret

[mjh1965]

Glad to see you back at it Bret , as they say progress is progress . Shame about the drivers door , but the wing is looking good

[clemdaddy]

Nice work on the right fender and the door. Looks like everything will fit together just fine though sometime the micro adjustments can drive you crazy. Keep after it Bro.

[Ta2Don]

Bret,
Glad to see you back in the groove... Looking good. I too used nail heads to fill holes, worked great.

[Grizz1963]

Just loving this Bret.

Fender repairs are part of my futur.

[bj383ss]

Originally Posted by mjh1965

Glad to see you back at it Bret , as they say progress is progress . Shame about the drivers door , but the wing is looking good

Thank You Martin. I will get the driver door sorted shortly.

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

Nice work on the right fender and the door. Looks like everything will fit together just fine though sometime the micro adjustments can drive you crazy. Keep after it Bro.

Thank you Clem. You got that right. By the time I figure out how to get everything just right I will have to blow it apart and paint it.

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Bret,
Glad to see you back in the groove... Looking good. I too used nail heads to fill holes, worked great.

Thank you Don. I stole the Nail head idea from you my friend.

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Just loving this Bret.

Fender repairs are part of my futur.

Looking forward to future endeavors Rian. HeHe.

Bret