Lucy - My 1968 SWB

[tdave00]

Yeah, I am gonna keep the intake. I am not gonna change much on the engine now. Just clean it up and put a new water pump, fuel pump, and maybe change the timing chain if needed.

I am gonna put a hidden hitch on it. I'll probably drive it like this for a few years at least. I wanted to go ahead and do the frame right this time around so I wouldn't have to bother with all of that when I do get ready to paint the body.

[tdave00]

Originally Posted by FRENCHBLUE72

On the front crossmember you can use oven cleaner and it will clean and strip most of the paint off it for you.

I've already pressure washed it once or twice when it was on the truck with the motor still in, but I guess I am gonna do it again with some oven cleaner and then some naval jelly.

[gcburdic]

ahhhh....progress....looks good Trai!

[RCbowtie69]

looking good, keep pictures coming

[CheyenneShop]

Just found the build thread and can't wait to see more. What drop are you going with? I have a 68(clone 50th) that I am getting ready to convert (5-lug) and drop 4/6 so I'd like to see what you do. It looks great!

[VA72C10]

Looks like a really nice start to the project

[tdave00]

Thanks guys. Funds have been tight recently, so no major updates. Still cleaning on the frame and motor. Need to finish getting the control arms blasted too.

As for the drop, I am going with 18" wheels and 50 or 55 series tire, so whatever drop it takes to just get those wheels to tuck the fender is what I will do. I am gonna run bags all the way around, so I 'll just adjust til I get it where I need it.

That's a cool 68!

[vexvader]

I will be following your build. I like what I see so far. I am doing something similar

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=320847

No air bags but probably a 4/6 drop and some 20's

Vex

[tdave00]

I got a flux core wire welder for Xmas and I got to try it out today. This is the first time I have ever welded anything. I practiced a few times on a thick piece of metal and laid down a nice little bead after a few tries, so I decided to cut up a bad fender and try my hand at some sheet metal.

I cut off the front cup off the fender and then welded it back on. I burnt through the metal a few times and had to fill it back in. All in all I was pretty pleased with the results. The cell phone pics aren't that great so it's hard to see the details.

[thelonerife]

That looks good Trai

[tdave00]

Thanks. Got any tips about how to keep from burning through the sheet metal? Do you use gas with your welder?

[ripdog28]

To keep from burning thru thin metal try a smaller wire gauge. .20(if your not that small yet) or so and lower the volts/temp a little at a time. I would use that scrap panel and stick a bead. If it burns thru lower the volts a little till it looks good. On sheet metal do not run a bead/line. Just spot weld it spreading it out as you go so you do not build up heat and warp the metal. Stick a spot every 5-6inches till it is filled in. I use c25 gas on sheet metal. That just keeps the weld cleaner. Flux coated is fine just make sure to wire brush it a lot.

[ATT]

Looking good.

[tdave00]

Originally Posted by ripdog28

To keep from burning thru thin metal try a smaller wire gauge. .20(if your not that small yet) or so and lower the volts/temp a little at a time. I would use that scrap panel and stick a bead. If it burns thru lower the volts a little till it looks good. On sheet metal do not run a bead/line. Just spot weld it spreading it out as you go so you do not build up heat and warp the metal. Stick a spot every 5-6inches till it is filled in. I use c25 gas on sheet metal. That just keeps the weld cleaner. Flux coated is fine just make sure to wire brush it a lot.

I think the smallest flux core wire they make is .30. Correct me if I am wrong. I didn't run any beads on the sheet metal. I just tack, tack, tacked. Unfortunately the welder that I have only has 2 settings - low and high. I have read that allowing a longer stickout on sheet metal will reduce the heat because it reduces the arc?? I will keep messing with it. Just trying to get some info that will save me some time and headaches. Pretty pleased with a first try though.

[Bruce88]

Originally Posted by tdave00

Thanks. Got any tips about how to keep from burning through the sheet metal? Do you use gas with your welder?

You didn’t say but I guess your using a MIG auto wire feed welder. I’m not the best at welding but have learned a few things that help with burn thru for me. I’ve used flux core wire and found that using gas (75% Argon 25% Dioxide) gives me a cleaner weld. There are some MIG welders that just have 4 or 8 settings for welding power and are not infinitely adjustable between settings. Recommend that you use settings recommended for your unit for the gage steel so not to get a cold weld (cold welds never hold good and break easy) good weld penetration is what you want. If during welding a hole starts don’t chase the hole let it cool and then work at repairing the hole, if you chase the hole it only gets bigger. Recommend that you spot weld about 2 inches apart working from the center of your welding seem outwards let the metal cool and then spot weld between the previous spot welds let the metal cool and continue spot welding between spot welds until there are no gaps between welds. Then you can grind the welds down and see if there any spots that need more welding. This method does take some time but it helps prevent over heating the metal and warping the panel. I also use copper backing plate or flattened copper tube for backing up the holes I’m trying to fill when there is access to the back side (the weld will not stick to copper). All so recommend using a automatic dimming welding helmet it makes knowing wear you are starting the weld easer. Welding is an art that you will get better at the more welding you do, I’m not the best but have learned some things from others and hope this information helps you out. I took a quick picture of my MIG welder with the copper backing material that I use and some welds (front and back) of the light buckets that I’m installing in the fender. The bucket welding is not complete ran out of gas but you can see the spot welds and how more will be needed to finish the job.

Just read thru your build thread, Nice build you have going there

[tdave00]

Tonight I started on a little rust repair. This little box behind the vent was rusted out pretty bad so I cut out all the rust. I cut it out all the way back to the cab. I brushed on some rust inhibitor/converter and let it dry while I was cutting up the metal to weld back in.

I made a template and cut some sheet metal out of an old fender. I put it in a vice and put a 90 degree bend on it to match what a I cut out. Took me a little bit of grinding to get it to match up, but I finally got it right. I even bent up a little curve at the end so it would match up. I clamped it and tack welded a few places and then lined the other side up and tacked it in place. Alot of tacks later it was really strong. I had some holes that I couldn't fill, but I think I am just gonna just gonna fill them with seam sealer and call it done. I should have taken some before, during and after pictures. Oh well.

I got to come back tomorrow and fill the seams with seam sealer then I can cut out the piece for the the front and weld it back on.

Here's what it looked like before I started. You can't see it but it was rotted this bad underneath too.



This is all the crap that came out of that little box.

[tdave00]

Got a little done tonight. Still have a few holes to fill, but it turned out pretty good.

[Bruce88]

Looks like you’re getting a handle on your welding it just takes time and practice working with what ever tools that you have, keep up the good work

[phipp13]

looks great trai, i'll be following this build my friend. phipp13

[tdave00]

I went over tonight after the Titans game and worked on my Truck a little. I finally pulled the doors off the cab so I could take a look at the rockers. Man this is gonna be some work . Slow and steady.




Sorry about the crappy pics. Didn't have my cell or my camera. Had to borrow someone's cell to take the pic.

[msgross]

getting there, your vent boxes are better than mine... I had to replace the metal behind that area too!

[1LoC10]

coming along great so far...... Nice dedication with the name too...

[jljohnson3579]

I think I'm gonna take a short welding class....I'd like to buy a welder, but I'd hate to post of puff of smoke on the site where I blew something up...!

[tdave00]

Originally Posted by jljohnson3579

I think I'm gonna take a short welding class....I'd like to buy a welder, but I'd hate to post of puff of smoke on the site where I blew something up...!

The only thing I had ever welded before that vent box was cutting a cup off an old fender and welding it back on . I think it will be easier, and safer, than you think. That being said, I should probably take a welding class myself .

[67'sgota454]

Piece of cake, take your time and practice welding with different heat's and wire speed's.Before you know it you'll be laying down some nice bead's.Proper amount of penatration is key to a good weld.Good luck were ALL watching the build.