1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver

[Coach529]

Two steps forward........3 steps back.

My axle is at Sid's getting lowered and I am progressing as fast as my family and checkbook will allow. Both available time and available cash are equally strained.

Napa had a water pump on hand.....so I tried to replace that last night. Should be a pretty straight forward......I have done one in the past. Bolted it up, but somehow must have wrinkled the gasket, because the bugger leaked. Steady stream out the bottom on both corners of the block. Damn. I didn't think a guy could screw it up....but I did.

Also found out my radiator is leaking. Double Damn!!

Pulled the radiator and new water pump. Smashed my thumb pulling off a heater hose. Nice black and blue thumbnail this morning.

Radiator is going to the scrap yard. Ordered a new water pump gasket from Rockauto as well as some plug wires and a side cover gasket.

Saving my pennies and will buy a Alum radiator off Ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-ALL-ALUM...83c501&vxp=mtr

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Coach529

...Radiator is going to the scrap yard. Ordered a new water pump gasket from Rockauto as well as some plug wires and a side cover gasket.

Saving my pennies and will buy a Alum radiator off Ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-ALL-ALUM...83c501&vxp=mtr

You know that a brass radiator is superior at heat transfer than an aluminum, don't you?

Are you certain your stock one isn't worth having boiled & rodded-out or re-cored? Is it other wise screwed up?

On my '55's radiator the top tank is a little caved-in but I had it redone anyway. I kinda regret not getting a new top tank for it now because it doesn't look as good as I'd like.

Your truck is awesome. Keep up the good work!

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

You know that a brass radiator is superior at heat transfer than an aluminum, don't you?

Are you certain your stock one isn't worth having boiled & rodded-out or re-cored? Is it other wise screwed up?

On my '55's radiator the top tank is a little caved-in but I had it redone anyway. I kinda regret not getting a new top tank for it now because it doesn't look as good as I'd like.

Your truck is awesome. Keep up the good work!

Yes I am aware of that. The local shop says due to the condition of the radiator a whole new core would be necessary. Labor would be more than a new Alum unit.

[focusedontheprize]

Originally Posted by Coach529

Yes I am aware of that. The local shop says due to the condition of the radiator a whole new core would be necessary. Labor would be more than a new Alum unit.

Did the same route you are doing - I pulled my radiator and as much as I wanted to keep the brass financially it was better to get a new one. Didn't get the one you have, but same thing - went to eBay and snagged one.

In the end the key is your moving forward. Just think it will all be worth it when you go for the first cruise.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by focusedontheprize

Did the same route you are doing - I pulled my radiator and as much as I wanted to keep the brass financially it was better to get a new one. Didn't get the one you have, but same thing - went to eBay and snagged one.

In the end the key is your moving forward. Just think it will all be worth it when you go for the first cruise.

Yeah, I kinda figured that was the true reason behind going aluminum. I can relate.

I've seriously thought about selling my good but not great looking original for an aluminum. Ad I'ven thought about going to a shorter, crossflow unit so I can install some sort of sheet metal topper to make the install look more "finished." But part of me thinks that's a little too billet, too un-traditional, I don't know.

[NEWFISHER]

We share the same frustration friend. Good news here, it's the only day in 3 weeks that its not raining, but will start again tomorrow

I keep telling myself " it's just nuts and bolts and better than watching TV"

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

We share the same frustration friend. Good news here, it's the only day in 3 weeks that its not raining, but will start again tomorrow

I keep telling myself " it's just nuts and bolts and better than watching TV"

I was thinking about your last couple posts before I posted. I feel bad complaining about my stuff..........I feel bad for ya.

My wife keep trying to reassure me that this is to be expected on a 60+ year old truck.......but I am still bummed.

[NEWFISHER]

Originally Posted by Coach529

I was thinking about your last couple posts before I posted. I feel bad complaining about my stuff..........I feel bad for ya.

My wife keep trying to reassure me that this is to be expected on a 60+ year old truck.......but I am still bummed.

LOL they are supposed to be easier than the new ones to work on right? Thats why we love them.....the trucks and the wives!

[El Campo]

Looking good! Good idea with taking to radiator shop. I never even thought of that.

[cleanshaven84]

Are you a photographer on the side? Lol, I like your creativeness with the pics. I usually just snap what I can with my phone and be on my way. Half the time they come out blurry but don't notice it until I post it on here. Keep up the good work.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by cleanshaven84

Are you a photographer on the side? Lol, I like your creativeness with the pics. I usually just snap what I can with my phone and be on my way. Half the time they come out blurry but don't notice it until I post it on here. Keep up the good work.

I am actually an electrician by trade, but photography is a huge hobby of mine.

Thanks!!

[wood1]

There are some fair priced radiators on ebay. I bought a 4 row alum. with the fan for $300. Performance -Cooling was the seller. Very happy with it and looks every bit as good as the $600-$700 ones.

[Coach529]

Things are looking up.

Gulfstream87 over at H.A.M.B. is sending me a stock radiator for the cost of freight. Pretty damn excited about that. Nice to know there are still good people in this world!!

Sid shot me an email, my axle is done. He is waiting on my steering arms which I sent a couple days later.

[Coach529]

Not much headway lately. Just collecting parts and saving cash.

Got my dual master cylinder with prop valve, new water pump gasket and some new spark plug wires.

Sid called, my axle is done and steering and pitman arms are modified. Decided to just send him my spindles and have him install new bushings and line bore everything with new king pins. It will arrive ready to bolt on!!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Coach529

Maybe I missed it but I've been meaning to ask: What's going on with that rotted out signal light? Is it "fixable"?

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Maybe I missed it but I've been meaning to ask: What's going on with that rotted out signal light? Is it "fixable"?

It is on the punch list to be fixed or replaced eventually. I really have not looked into it lately.

[Coach529]

OK......a little more progress.

Behind and under the seat scrubbed, etched and painted with KBS coatings, satin black. The stuff seems pretty easy to use. Not to foul of a odor even in a small area. Prep was the toughest part. 62 years of dirt and some surface rust is what I started with.

A wire wheel on a grinder would have been quicker.......but would have made a hell of a dusty mess in the garage. Decided to use a really stiff bristle brush and some hoat soapy water, rinse and repeat until clean. A wet dry vac was used for clean up.







While I was at it the back wall and doors were scrubbed since I have decided to leave the inside the way it is. My wife and I went back and forth on whether or not to paint the interior........we decided the current paint/ wear/ rust combination was too cool to cover up. Patina Rules!!



Before I scrubbed the doors the weather stripping was pulled and a wire wheeled the glue away. All ready for new stuff.



Next on the agenda was the Mouse Toilet. I needed to strip the seat cover off the lower seat. Yuck!! 30+ years of heavy mouse activity was tough on it!!



Proper PPE was used.



After a little cutting and swearing the cover was stripped and disposed of properly. Ready for my homemade mexican blanket seat cover!!



Next step the heater hoses were installed.



Done for another day!!

[NEWFISHER]

looking good! Who's dual master did you end up with? Ill be watching that project as I want to upgrade mine next. Good decision on having Sid do the king pins....I did the same thing and was easy peasy install.

[Coach529]

The master cylinder and prop valve is from Performance Online. I needed to add a prop valve since I am putting discs on the front so I figured I might as well update MC's.

[Coach529]

Got a couple hours of precious garage time today.

Water pump is back on with a new gasket.

I bought a new 12V heater fan motor from Classic Parts. Not impressed. Bolts did not line up so I was forced to redrill for them. Diameter is dfferent so the rubber gasket on the firewall does not fit tight.

Installed a new 12V fan switch as well.



All works great!!

The defrost/ heat cable is seized up. That is tomorrow's task.....one of them anyway.

[mr48chev]

You've been pretty busy and making some of us look like a bunch of slackers
Keep up the good work.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

You've been pretty busy and making some of us look like a bunch of slackers
Keep up the good work.

Thanks.

[NEWFISHER]

Did you get your axle stuff yet?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

Did you get your axle stuff yet?
Posted via Mobile Device

No not yet, but that is my fault, not Sid's.

I need to send my spindles to him for king pin installation and final assembly, but did not feel like fighting the Post Office the week before Christmas.

[El Campo]

Looking great! The interior looks great in that truck. I agree about not painting it