Project "Black Betty" (bam-A-lam)

[64C10Fleet]

Almost made it through the entire build without realizing you're in Charleston. Looks like us Charleston area guys are slowly taking over. I'm in Summerville.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by 64C10Fleet

Almost made it through the entire build without realizing you're in Charleston. Looks like us Charleston area guys are slowly taking over. I'm in Summerville.

...thanks for checking out the build!...I think I spoke with you through PM's...gotta love this Spring weather in Charleston right now, lol...We've been here almost 2 years, but I'm honestly not sure how long we'll stay. I know we'd like to be a little closer to our families when we start to have a family of our own. 10.5 hours is a little far for grandma & grandpa's to drive apparently ....I had high hopes of "Black Betty" making it to SC, but I'm not so sure anymore. Car show season is just around the corner again, so maybe I'll see you around

[64C10Fleet]

Originally Posted by likaroc13

...thanks for checking out the build!...I think I spoke with you through PM's...gotta love this Spring weather in Charleston right now, lol...We've been here almost 2 years, but I'm honestly not sure how long we'll stay. I know we'd like to be a little closer to our families when we start to have a family of our own. 10.5 hours is a little far for grandma & grandpa's to drive apparently ....I had high hopes of "Black Betty" making it to SC, but I'm not so sure anymore. Car show season is just around the corner again, so maybe I'll see you around

Yep, you're right. Sorry, I have the memory of an 80 year old and the attention span of a 3 year old.

[likaroc13]

For anybody who can help, I posted this over in on of the power steering conversion threads, however I haven't gotten any feedback.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=438509&page=3

My dad is working on my truck in MS & is having some issues with the idler arm. Now I went the more unconventional route I suppose. I have the original '66 centerlink, a new '66 idler arm, new '66 outer tie rods (for inner location), new '72 outer tie rods (for outer location), new '72 pitman arm, POL conversion sleeves, & new '72 P/S gear box.

My dad says that the idler arm won't hook up to the centerlink correctly. He said it puts the centerlink in a position so that it hits the crossmember. I saw where this was questioned towards the end of page 2 & top of page 3 on the linked thread above. From what I understand, the '66 idler arm should work. Can anyone shed some light on what he might be doing wrong? Thanks!

I'm excited that progress is being made once again & don't need anything slowing him down!!!

[clemdaddy]

Originally Posted by likaroc13

For anybody who can help, I posted this over in on of the power steering conversion threads, however I haven't gotten any feedback.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=438509&page=3

My dad is working on my truck in MS & is having some issues with the idler arm. Now I went the more unconventional route I suppose. I have the original '66 centerlink, a new '66 idler arm, new '66 outer tie rods (for inner location), new '72 outer tie rods (for outer location), new '72 pitman arm, POL conversion sleeves, & new '72 P/S gear box.

My dad says that the idler arm won't hook up to the centerlink correctly. He said it puts the centerlink in a position so that it hits the crossmember. I saw where this was questioned towards the end of page 2 & top of page 3 on the linked thread above. From what I understand, the '66 idler arm should work. Can anyone shed some light on what he might be doing wrong? Thanks!

I'm excited that progress is being made once again & don't need anything slowing him down!!!

i tried the later pitman so the splines matched the box and found it was a little too long, about a half inch. made the tierod rub hard on the crossmember, so i took the pitman to a pro welding shop and they cut it down and welded it back together. i didn't trust my little mig to do the job.

hope that helps...

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

i tried the later pitman so the splines matched the box and found it was a little too long, about a half inch. made the tierod rub hard on the crossmember, so i took the pitman to a pro welding shop and they cut it down and welded it back together. i didn't trust my little mig to do the job.

hope that helps...

hmmm...thanks Clem...I wonder if that's what mine needs, or if the problem could be cured with a '72 idler arm as opposed to the '66...i'm thinking it would probably be cheaper to just modify the pitman if that's indeed the problem...my dad would have to get somebody to do the welding as well...maybe some others will chime in before we go that route...I thought the setup I have would work, at least from what I've read...but we all know how these things go

[flips72]

thats the exact set-up on my truck, mine is close to the crossmember but it dosn't rub, i have 65 drag link,65 inner tie rods, 72 ball joints and spindles, 72 outer tie rod ends, 72 pitman arm on 72 steering box with 65 idler arm. i used ccp steering box brackets, original adjusters, dang, not sure whats going on, got any pics?

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by flips72

thats the exact set-up on my truck, mine is close to the crossmember but it dosn't rub, i have 65 drag link,65 inner tie rods, 72 ball joints and spindles, 72 outer tie rod ends, 72 pitman arm on 72 steering box with 65 idler arm. i used ccp steering box brackets, original adjusters, dang, not sure whats going on, got any pics?

yep, that's what I have, except with Captainfab's brackets & POL adjusters....I asked him to snap some pics for me & will post them as soon as I can...thanks!

[likaroc13]

Well, no more worries. He got it figured out! ....said it was really close to the crossmember, but not touching (like yours flips)...he said he rotated the gear box all the way left & marked it, then rotated all the way right & installed the idler; when he got it rotated back to center he got the pitman arm in place & tightened it nut snugly to the gear box to pull it all into place...at least I think that's how it went ....needless to say, it will work if you tinker with it a little

[flips72]

Good deali
Posted via Mobile Device

[likaroc13]

Dad snapped these for me today. Not great quality, but what can you expect from a regular ole camera phone...just glad I finally have more pics to add




And for anyone needing to know, the nut on the P/S gear box shaft is 7/8". The new '72 gear box didn't come with one, so I had to do a little research.

[flips72]

looks good give ole dad a really good fathers day present for all the hard work he's doing for ya.......hope my son reads this and gets some ideas

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by flips72

looks good give ole dad a really good fathers day present for all the hard work he's doing for ya.......hope my son reads this and gets some ideas

haha, well technically he owes me considering he sold the blue '64 that was promised to be mine...not to mention I agreed to selling the '79 Vette so that he could buy a Harley again several years ago. So, I'll call it even now, ....Seriously though, I do really appreciate him working on it for me, because it was supposed to be a tag team effort until I moved to SC. I acquired some extra stuff that I'm giving him for his '66 chop top build, which will hopefully get underway once mine is finished up.

[likaroc13]

Had a slight mishap with installing the frame sway bar brackets backward. However, everything is corrected now & looking good!

This was a factory 1.25" sway bar from a '72, which I bought from member Tom (t korinek). Factory style frame brackets are from member Keith (darkhorse970), & the Energy Suspension greasable bushings/brackets are from member George (GMan69). Thanks to those guys for their contributions to "Black Betty!"

[darkhorse970]

Looks good Philip! I'm happy to help out, even in the smallest way.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Alan's Classic]

Phillip, I thought i was subscribed to this thread. Anyways, I am now. Trucks looks good as well as the progress.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by Alan's Classic

Phillip, I thought i was subscribed to this thread. Anyways, I am now. Trucks looks good as well as the progress.

Thanks Alan! You were probably subscribed to the old thread. My pictures in the other thread got messed up due to rearranging on Photobucket. Since there's no way to go back and edit posts, I was told to just create a new thread. It actually worked out better since I was able to go back in time & add some things not mentioned in the old thread.

[flips72]

sway bar looks great.....hmmmm you aint been hanging out with Marty McFly have you, i mean with this going back in time stuff, if so give me a shout on haloween night 1993 before 5 pm and tell me to park my 70 c10 so i dont total it

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by flips72

sway bar looks great.....hmmmm you aint been hanging out with Marty McFly have you, i mean with this going back in time stuff, if so give me a shout on haloween night 1993 before 5 pm and tell me to park my 70 c10 so i dont total it

funny guy ...Halloween huh, "Runnin' with the Devil?" ...definitely sounds like a nightmare!...I was probably out trick-or-treating.

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by likaroc13

Thanks Alan! You were probably subscribed to the old thread. My pictures in the other thread got messed up due to rearranging on Photobucket. Since there's no way to go back and edit posts, I was told to just create a new thread. It actually worked out better since I was able to go back in time & add some things not mentioned in the old thread.

I believe your right.

[likaroc13]

Well, just a little update. My dad said he got the new power steering hoses attached. He said getting the one attached to the back of the pump was a PITA, but it all worked out well. He also picked this up from the "junk" yard:

Next, I gotta get my Captainfab booster bracket ordered to continue progress.

[likaroc13]

Been wanting to post a few more pics, but my laptop cooling fan died. Just been playing with the wife's Ipad until I could get back to my old school gadget. I ordered the Captainfab booster brackets for the firewall. For anyone not familiar, these allow you to bolt up a booster without having to drill extra holes. "This bracket fits 1963-66 Chevy and GMC Pickups, Suburbans and panels and is 100% bolt on using holes already in your firewall. The booster side of the bracket has a 3 3/8" x 3 1/2" hole pattern. Boosters with this pattern are commonly found on S10's and full size pickups, Suburbans, Blazers and Tahoes from 1988 to at least 1998."

Since I vow to always acknowledge anyone who contributes to this build, so I'm linking you to the booster bracket thread:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...hlight=booster



and pics of the bracket:

[likaroc13]

My dad said he got the booster mounted. Still gotta hook up the vacuum line & run brake lines. He texted today that they're headed for Key West, FL on the bikes. Hopefully he'll come back someday to finish, if he doesn't trade it in for a whole 'nother' world with a pirate flag & island girl.



Dad's a member of the American Legion Patriot Guard Freedom Riders, which do a lot to honor our nation's Veterans & various other special causes. A couple months ago they participated in the ceremony bringing a slain soldier back to my hometown. My dad can be seen in the video background a couple times, as well as riding Corporal Wooley's mother:

http://www.wmctv.com/story/21831731/...4#.UY9BUf4mpK0


And another pic of him & the bike:

[McMurphy]

Originally Posted by likaroc13

Dad's a member of the American Legion Patriot Guard Freedom Riders, which do a lot to honor our nation's Veterans & various other special causes. A couple months ago they participated in the ceremony bringing a slain soldier back to my hometown.

I hope you wont mind my chiming in here.
I have had the grave honor of being on the Funeral Detail, and have had the opportunity to perform in this capacity twice.
Once at a planeside.
Once as the NCOIC at a chapel service.

On the planeside, we removed our fallen brother from the airplane in a small Northern Mississippi town, and escorted him to the chapel. Not only did the Freedom Riders show up at the landing strip, they also escorted the procession to the chapel, and were already in place when we arrived.
I can honestly say they do much honor to our brothers and sisters in arms, and I could not be more proud to serve a nation that behaves in this manner.

On the chapel service where I was the NCOIC, I will just say that delivering the folded flag to the survivor, and giving the "On behalf of a grateful Nation" speech is probably the hardest, and most honored thing I have ever done in my life.
ESPECIALLY when "Taps" is playing in the background.....


After both those experiences, when people stop me in the airports and restaurants, and thank me for my service, I shake their hands and reply with, "It is an honor to serve."

On behalf of all of us who serve, please thank your father for us, we dont get the chance to do so very often, and never after we have fallen.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by McMurphy

I hope you wont mind my chiming in here.

On behalf of all of us who serve, please thank your father for us, we dont get the chance to do so very often, and never after we have fallen.

Thanks for sharing McMurphy, & will do! Thanks for your service & all others as well.

It often brings a tear to my eye to witness pretty much any patriotic event, whether it be for fallen soldiers, those returning home, or those being honored. My grandfather (dad's dad) served in the Army. I have an uncle on my mom's side who has served a lifetime (still contracts I think) with the Navy (submarine). His son also served in the Navy & still contracts some as well. Another 1st cousin (mom's side) serves with the Air Force & flew with the Thunderbirds at one time. My dad's 1st cousin serves with the Army & was/is a helicopter mechanic. My older brother served in the Navy aboard the USS John F. Kennedy. Those are just a few, most of whom have given a lifetime of service. My dad didn't serve, but it makes me proud to see him selflessly honoring those who did. I can't/couldn't serve due to medical reasons, but I would've loved to do so in some capacity.