Super Duper Haggis Hauler II - The Resurrection

[Low Elco]

Fine work, Sir!

[MacQuigley]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Fine work, Sir!

Kind words, thank you.

Got the wing and quarter paned blocked back this evening and a last coat of primer on. Should get some colour on tomorrow night.

Got the radiator boxed up and I'll try and get it to a friend tomorrow who can arrange for the brackets to be repositioned. One day I'll need to spark up my TIG and learn how to weld aluminium. But not today.

[MacQuigley]

You know what, I really am beginning to thing there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

Although only hung there temporarily and to keep them out the way as I'm sorting out the garage, there are signs of a finished truck beginning to peep through.







Even got the transmission cross member installed



And now I have had the radiator brackets moved Ive as much space as I can get between it and the water pump.



Think I will see if I can order the fans this week.

[Grizz1963]

Just great to see this truck progressed so far.

You really have done an incredible job there mate.

If you look at a pic of what you started with it should make you smile.

Light at the end of the tunnel indeed.

[MacQuigley]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

If you look at a pic of what you started with it should make you smile.

Cheers Ryan.

I was looking at the pictures last night and I'm pleased to say that there is no comparison. That said I'm not happy with my painting but then again I'm an electrical fitter to trade not a painter!

Also, got the Vette in the garage yesterday for its winter hibernation. In truth if I could get the truck in there it would be in but the door is not tall enough (a small modification is on the card though and I'm sure a removable panel can be sorted out).

Once the dolly's were used I could get a nice path down the side. Not sure what I'm going to do with it over the winter but I do want to get some essentials done like checking all the suspension and brakes, handbrake, make some kind of shield to stop the exhaust getting hit or alter the exhaust (Id like to fit new silencers/mufflers as its only got two cherry bombs fitted and they are too loud). Really need to sort out the seatbelts as they don't work properly. But I'm also considering a respray. Nothing fancy just a stop gap as the paint really is crap.

However, truck comes first but even that may hit a wall soon as my dad has to go back into hospital to have his hip replaced for a 3rd time. Not quite sure where that is going to take us both right now. He will probably be in for 3 months this time but its when he gets out and what condition he is in. I'm likely to have to stay with him a bit. But there are positives in that. I can do some work on his Cobra and try and get him a step closer to fitting the 509 into it. We will see.

[MacQuigley]

Remember how I said the truck would come first after putting the C3 in the garage. Well it didn't quite work out that way!

This is what I'm left with at the moment





A cracked body reinforcement lead to a stripped body mount (by someone else) and the next think I know the body was off and engine out.

This will be a "quick" tidy up - I hope.

Normal truck service will resume shortly.

(At least this will give Martin a chance to catch up :-) :-) :-) )

[ibrown50]

Careful Bill that’s a slippery slope you’re on there, you’ll have to paint the frame while the body is off, and there’s sure to be some bushes or brake pipes to do. Before you get turned round it will be next Christmas
Still as you say it gives the rest of us a chance to catch up

[mjh1965]

I think we all get sidetracked sometimes. But Ian is right at least it gives the rest of us a chance too catch up

[MacQuigley]

I think Ian is doing OK. You on the other hand Martin.......... Too many holidays!

Sadly Ian you know me too well! I'll post pictures later (as I'm just in from a round trip to Inverness) but brake pipes. fuel pipes, tank, front suspension are already off. Engine is partially stripped and 1/3rd of the frame already primed. New front bushes arrived to day - and if you think C10 parts are expensive don't buy a fecking C3! £600.00 for a full set of front and rear RUBBER bushes! Needless to say I didn't but a full set!

[mjh1965]

Bill don’t forget I live in the same village as Corvette centre if you get stuck

[MacQuigley]

Not sure where to start guy's but here are a few pictures which probably tell it all!







This is NOT a full project. It started out of necessity but it doesn't make sense not to tidy up the chassis while body is off.

All I wanted to do was paint it and now I'll not have time. As it was Id come to the unfortunate realisation that my garage is too narrow to paint a full car and as a painter friend of mine wasn't one of my rifles it looks like a swap will be done (should say he also has a license just in case anyone things I'm up to no good!) for a nice deep candy red with a black stripe.

I just want to be driving it and working on the truck!

[Captainfab]

I see some aftermarket capscrew rods and possibly an aftermarket crank. Is this a 350 or a 383?

[MacQuigley]

Well spotted. 383ci

[MacQuigley]

I'm not going to hijack my truck thread here but I thought Id just update you on where I am with the C3.









Its getting there! If all the parts I'm waiting on arrive when I'm expecting I should have a rolling chassis by early Jan.

Now, I have a question. I want to fit a high torque mini starter to save some space. I keep getting asked if I want a straight or staggered starter but I didn't note the fixings of my starter when I took it off and that's an issue as it has 3 possible fixing points as does the block.

I have tried the mini starter off the trucks 454 and it fits and its a straight fitting so I have to assume that in this case it doesn't matter which I go for but I could do with knowing is there anything more to these types of fittings ie is the shaft in a different position for example or is it just a case of different mountings?

[ibrown50]

Hi Bill the Vette is looking great but as I said earlier it’s a slippery slope If your block has both straight and staggered bolt patterns ( many do) it’s entirely down to your flex plate is it 168 tooth or 153 tooth? Normally the small ones are straight but I would check your flex plate before you order ( or just use the starter that came off and spend the cash you save on the truck )

[MacQuigley]

No flex plate on mine Ian, its a mans car with a flywheel! 4 speed manual, none of these girlie auto gearbox thingies:-)

Original starter is HUGE and not in great condition plus its so tight round about it the cabling is just off the hot exhaust and no more. May as well make the change when I have the opportunity.

Slippery slope! I reckon someone spilled 5 gallon of 10W40 at the top of it then let me to the edge!

[ibrown50]

Being a Geordie it's not often I'm accused of being soft southern shandy drinker but hey ho
I think the rules are the same for flywheels, they come in 153 and 168 tooth variants, so you need the starter that suits your ring gear, it's almost certain to be 168 but I can't be 100% certain as I've never been man enough to own one

[MacQuigley]

Yer still south to me but lets say soft lager tops drinker! After all there was a time Northumberland was part of Scotland! Yer almost a Jock!

[ibrown50]

Most of the time I wish it still was !!

[MacQuigley]

I'm not so sure these days. What with wee Jimmy Kranky in charge and here latest tax hike proposals, your probably better where you are.

[Captainfab]

The staggered bolt starter is typically for a 168 tooth flywheel and the straight across bolts for a 153 tooth. Although I do not know if that holds true for the mini starters.

[MacQuigley]

Thanks John. I knew there was probably a difference other than just the bolt pattern. I will need to check the flywheel to see what I actually have.

[MacQuigley]

Had a quick look on Summits website and some of the mini starters are listed as straight 153 or staggered 168 but most don't seem to have any tooth configuration listed. I think its worth an Email to them to find out if this applies to all or only some.

[MacQuigley]

Evening All.

No Ive not given up on the C10 and taken up with a new model, though I have been having an intimate affair with the C3 for the last 6 months. However, she is all back together and just about to head of to be painted, so its all hands back on the C10 pump - well almost! Ive actually got an ex military Land Rover to tart up and sell and Ive promised my 81 year old dad I'll help him put his 509ci powered Cobra back together, but other than that its all hands back on the C10 pump!

Actually my mate dropped in this evening with a couple of aftermarket Land Rover seats he no longer wants as he thought they may be OK for the truck.

Colour not withstanding, I'm not convinced!



Sorry, no matter what I do I cant get this to rotate!

[ibrown50]

Hi Bill, great to see you back on the truck, I really must get back to mine, life really has been getting in the way recently

Each to their own, as they say, but I’m not a fan of individual bucket seats in a truck, I much prefer a traditional bench seat the more modern ones with fold down arm rest/cup holder thingys.

You’ll have to post some pictures of the C3 when you get it back from paint