Project "My Happy Mess"

[litew8]

Took the truck out for her maiden voyage today! VERY NICE!! Lots of pep and torque! Nothing but the wood in back, so it looked like a flatbed driving around. I punched it at around 20mph and broke the rear free. I got a couple of small videos but nothing really worth sharing. My camera battery died on me so I couldn't take more.

[litew8]

It's a great feeling when you can honestly say "We built this ourselves." - not an outsourced engine build. Not store bought/buit.

[litew8]

True workmanship.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by litew8

It's a great feeling when you can honestly say "We built this ourselves." - not an outsourced engine build. Not store bought/buit.

Awesome work! congrats on the drive. Nothing better than doing all the work then getting to enjoy it.

Ready for the video

[litew8]

Thanks Mike The two video's I shot weren't great. Just one of it pulling out of the drive and another of it from afar. I'll see about getting them posted, but they aren't very exciting.

[Mr Chevorlet]

Very nice build, great color. You have done a great job.

[litew8]

Thanks man! Almost there.

[litew8]

Okay, lets try a video.

[litew8]

First drive

[oldman3]

First drives are always the best...Jim

[litew8]

Especially when afterwards there are no leaks or issues needing addressed.

[litew8]

A change of mind to not mix&match the engine's top-end hardware, installed an Edelbrock carb for her first drive.

Notice the slightly different config







More Iowa autumn shots. That's not a real squirrel on the left




Zoom 1



Zoom 2



Blue Jay, one of the coolest.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by litew8

Okay, lets try a video.

Video is good! Man, the engine looks great too

[litew8]

Thanks Mike. The Edelbrock carb seems to brighten the engine as a whole. Like the NFL cheerleaders at the end of the video? They are cheering the first drive Youtube automatically compiles related videos to show after the video ends, annoying, I decided to tag the video with NFL cheerleaders

[litew8]

[67_C-30]

That bad boy is coming along nicely!

Originally Posted by litew8

Improved heavy duty fix.

Just a friendly note, and you may already know this, but if you leave the bolts like in the pic above, they will hit the cab when the truck flexes. I can't tell you how many trucks I've had that the factory bolt head on the top (the one that threads into the bedside), I always but a button head allen bolt in that one, and put the bolts with nut side in the bed. It doesn't look that great, but that is the way they came from the factory.

[litew8]

Thanks man! Yes, we are aware. He put them in that direction because it was easier at the time.
It's all disassembled now (as seen in the video). He'll be edging all the peices and then we'll reassemble for the last time and he'll finish painting.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by litew8

Thanks man! Yes, we are aware. He put them in that direction because it was easier at the time.
It's all disassembled now (as seen in the video). He'll be edging all the peices and then we'll reassemble for the last time and he'll finish painting.

Can't wait to see it. I love that color combo!

[litew8]

Thanks! I think it's a nice industrial look. Paint probably won't be for a couple weeks if weather stays decent.

[litew8]

Posting this video here in case some didn't have a chance to view: 1969 vintage video

[litew8]

Found a (rear shot) picture of my truck before starting restoration efforts. Funny thing (or not funny to privacy), this picture was taken by Google and I just happen to visit street view to find this sitting in my brother's driveway:

pre July 2011

[oldman3]

Like the tailgate latch system, you going to patent that..Jim

[litew8]

Yes, patent pending. I'll be selling it for a mere $400

[litew8]

I'm covering my ass, or think of it as a belt holding up her breeches

[litew8]

To Jim and anyone else that may be still following along: Hopefully we'll get this project wrapped up soon (think spring/summer)!