Nik's 62 build

[62stepside longbox]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Those are Ultra Cool.

Never even seen them.

Great gift.

Yep they are pretty cool. Turns out that they are from a 73-75 gmc not a 61-63. They have a vey similar look though. Here is what I thought they were

[62stepside longbox]

Here is what the ones I got will look like when done. It doesn't bother me, they are close enough and still cool looking

[62stepside longbox]

Wrapped up both of the upper control arms today. New energy suspension bushings, sleeves and balljoint boots. Painted them up too look all pretty. Been having trouble getting lower control arm sleeves out, any tips would be appreciated.

[62stepside longbox]

Also cleaned up and painted the $15 Swaybar and installed the new moog Swaybar bushings so that when I'm ready to bolt it on its all ready to go.

[AJCK87]

Hey Nik,

How's the progress coming on the 62?

[62stepside longbox]

Originally Posted by AJCK87

Hey Nik,

How's the progress coming on the 62?

Hey Anthony, been Getting lots of things done just haven't been posting lately.

The lower control arm sleeves were in ok shape but I had new ones in the kit I bought so I thought "well if I have them might as well use them" and boy they were the most difficult thing I have ever done on my truck. After about 4 hours of hammering and air chiseling I got them to collapse and come out. For the other 3 sleeves left to do I decided to just use the old ones as it wasn't worth the effort to change them

[62stepside longbox]

And then got the control arm all cleaned up and painted with the one new sleeve in there. Once I finish the other lower control arm I'll get started on pulling the old suspension and putting the new crossmember in

[Bomp]

Could you use a press on those?

[62stepside longbox]

Originally Posted by Bomp

Could you use a press on those?

Not really, there isn't anywhere to press on. If you pressed them they would only go like 1/8" until whatever block or cylinder you're using would hit the control arm. I suppose If you had a cylinder that was exactly 1/16 smaller than the sleeve itself then you could use that with a press but I don't have that or a press

[62stepside longbox]

Well plans have changed like they usually do, I was trying to avoid pulling the motor and work around it but I decided that it would be best to remove it so I can install the crossmember much easier and it'll give me the opportunity to clean up the engine and make it look pretty with some paint. It's amazing how nice and simple these trucks are, in 30 minutes I had all of this removed, radiator, core support, grille support, grille and all wiring removed. I'll be borrowing a neighbors engine hoist and pulling it out in the next couple days

[Ronzo]

Yeah, probably be glad that you did in the long run. Give you a chance to detail everything and clean it up nice. No offence to the other post comments, but a 4x4 on the fenders sounded like a train wreck in the making to me...

[62stepside longbox]

Originally Posted by Ronzo

Yeah, probably be glad that you did in the long run. Give you a chance to detail everything and clean it up nice. No offence to the other post comments, but a 4x4 on the fenders sounded like a train wreck in the making to me...

Yeah I'm sure pulling the motor will be worth it, everything will look nice and pretty after. That method with putting weight on the fenders did indeed sound like a train wreck, I don't even think evel knievel would try a stunt like that, Well you never know...

[TJ's Chevy]

Lotta work ahead...better get to work buddy! lol! Looking good! Man....while that 6 banger is out I'd be replacing gaskets and giving it a chevy 6 blue paint job. Maybe even order me a set of fenton headers and offy dual intake.

[62stepside longbox]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

Lotta work ahead...better get to work buddy! lol! Looking good! Man....while that 6 banger is out I'd be replacing gaskets and giving it a chevy 6 blue paint job. Maybe even order me a set of fenton headers and offy dual intake.

Yep I plan to get it out sometime this week, I don't know about Fenton and offy (I'm a bit too cheap) but it'll definitely get a clean up and some nice blue paint , Tj I know you have removed at least one straight six, do you mind giving me some tips on say where to attach the chain to the block when lifting it out. Thanks

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by 62stepside longbox

Yep I plan to get it out sometime this week, I don't know about Fenton and offy (I'm a bit too cheap) but it'll definitely get a clean up and some nice blue paint , Tj I know you have removed at least one straight six, do you mind giving me some tips on say where to attach the chain to the block when lifting it out. Thanks

I pulled the engine and tranny as one piece so it might make things a bit different. I cradled the back with a chain and then bolted a chain on the side of the motor where the A/C brackets would go. The 235's don't have those holes there that I am aware of. Another thing I did was wrap chains around the motor mounts. Hey....62 Barnfind would know lots about pulling 235's!

[62stepside longbox]

Thanks for the advice Tj, I talked to John on the phone today for a while and he gave me some tips. First I removed everything that was needed such as driveshaft, shifter, hydraulic clutch lines etc. Then I built some L brackets that attach to the head bolts.

[62stepside longbox]

And she's out!

[62stepside longbox]

Tomorrow I'll start cleaning all of the dirt and grease off and getting it prepped for paint. I'm thinking the original alpine green

[TJ's Chevy]

Cool! Glad John was able to help.

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by 62stepside longbox

Tomorrow I'll start cleaning all of the dirt and grease off and getting it prepped for paint. I'm thinking the original alpine green

Original is a great colour.

I would vote for it, but of course it is your truck, so your choice.

[62stepside longbox]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

Cool! Glad John was able to help.

Yeah that's why this forum is so great buddy!

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Original is a great colour.

I would vote for it, but of course it is your truck, so your choice.

I definitely do want to go with the original colour but that's only if I can find it in high heat

[Palf70Step]

Nice!

[62 Barnfind]

Glad you got it out! The green is going to make that engine stand out. Get ready for a bunch so scraping and cleaning. It's all in the prep work!

[62stepside longbox]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Nice!

Thanks bill

Originally Posted by 62 Barnfind

Glad you got it out! The green is going to make that engine stand out. Get ready for a bunch so scraping and cleaning. It's all in the prep work!

Thanks John, yep the alpine green will look good I just need to find it in high heat

[62stepside longbox]

Decided to try some buffing on the original paint on the firewall. Here is before