Project - '69 4x4 named "Patches"

[sdailey]

Originally Posted by msgross

hope the job situation works out... you can always reenlist!

Funny how that tank resembles mine... now!

Mike,

We're all laying low right now at work. The good thing is I guess that everyone's '09 budget's finally got approved apparently, because within the past 2 weeks we've been going wide open. Corporate even approved overtime if we needed it to complete jobs in a timely manner. So hopefully we can keep our heads above water.

Yeah, the tank is almost a spitting image to yours huh. Go figure. That's why you don't mess with a good thing.

Originally Posted by Jtrux

Build looks great, I may have missed it but I thought you were going with a 72 front end but you bought some 68 front end parts. Also, did you use the original frame, or did you get one that wasn't cut?

Jtrux,

I'm still going with a 71-72 front end. I bought a bunch of new repro parts a guy had and it was an all of nothing deal. The deal included new 67-68 fenders and (2) 67-68 take-off grilles. That's why you saw the 67-68 parts in my thread.

The "original" frame was a hack job, so I looked around till I finally found an original, unmolested swb frame. After tearing this thing apart I made it one of my goals to start with a solid foundation and go from there. Once again "hind sight is always 20/20.

[msgross]

Originally Posted by Jtrux

Build looks great, I may have missed it but I thought you were going with a 72 front end but you bought some 68 front end parts. Also, did you use the original frame, or did you get one that wasn't cut?

This is an original Transfer Case "numbers matching" truck!

[sdailey]

Don't forget the transmission, it's original as well. This is the true definiton of a ground up restoration.

On a side note the cab we discussed last year here locally is still available. I talked to the guy yesterday and he asked if you still needed a cab or not because the other guy never picked it up. I told him you were set with a cab.

[msgross]

Originally Posted by sdailey

Don't forget the transmission, it's original as well. This is the true definiton of a ground up restoration.

On a side note the cab we discussed last year here locally is still available. I talked to the guy yesterday and he asked if you still needed a cab or not because the other guy never picked it up. I told him you were set with a cab.

This is a MIDDLE OUT RESTORATION not a ground up!

that cab is available...what a joke... He said that the guy was coming over that evening to pick it up... I'm in Orlando right now if he wants to bring it down! LOL

[msgross]

You could have made all our gas tanks Shannon!!!! nice work...

I assume that you were able to clean up the holes that Boyd welding left all messed up...

[sdailey]

Originally Posted by msgross

You could have made all our gas tanks Shannon!!!! nice work...

I assume that you were able to clean up the holes that Boyd welding left all messed up...

Thanks Mike. I welded full time for 8 years prior to my current job.

Yes, I cleaned up all of the holes while I had the bottom off. I still have to fix the vent tube and filler neck. The vent tube was supposed to face the same way as the filler neck. The filler neck was supposed to be double mitered instead of the 45 deg cut like it currently has now. I think the 45 will have a negative effect when filling it. I could be mistaken about that, but I'd feel better if the neck had a smoother radius in it. Also, depending on what late model fuel door setup I go with I may have to change the diameter of the filler neck itself to match the diameter of the hose from the donor fuel door.

What are you doing to vent your tank?

[Jtrux]

Build sounds awesome, I was wondering about the welding too. Nice job. I can't hold a candle to that, if it can't be MIG or stick welded I can't do it.

[msgross]

I'm doing a straight fill neck with cap that "shouldn't" need a vent since it won't be going through a long hose.

I am going to add a bung to vent the outgoing fuel so it doesn't create a vacuum when the engine is drinking the fuel.

[sdailey]

Originally Posted by Jtrux

Build sounds awesome, I was wondering about the welding too. Nice job. I can't hold a candle to that, if it can't be MIG or stick welded I can't do it.

J,

Thanks. I only welded the bottom plate back on. I didn't weld the entire tank up. Back when I welded for a living, I primarily tig weld with a little mig every once in a while. I used to weld stainless all the time and aluminum is like a treat for me. I'd rather weld it than stainless.

[sdailey]

I'm still here working on the '69 here and there in between this crazy Georgia weather. We just had snow and tornado warnings in the same week.

Anyway, I found another good deal on Craigslist here locally for a new repop unstamped Chevy tailgate for $100. The guy was restoring a '69 and lost interest in it. I'm not sure if I'll keep it or sell/trade it for a stamped gate. Many thanks to Alan's Classic for forwarding the Craigslist link to me.




I also took on the task of rebuilding my steering gear box. Advanced Auto wanted $190 for a remaned one with $65-$75 core charge or $45 for a rebuild kit. So being that I had 2 gear boxes I figured I could rebuild one and if that went south I at least had one to use as a core still.

This shot was after I degreased everything and shot some etch primer on the housing.



Here's the part number for the rebuild kit from Advanced Auto.




Here's an article from 4-Wheeler magazine that I used for the rebuild. I didn't take pictures of every step in my rebuild because this article has some good ones already.

http://www.fourwheeler.com/techartic...ild/index.html

Here's a shot after final assembly.



Poor Man's paint booth



Of course, there was a honey-do list since I was painting already.



Then here it is installed.



It's small progress but progress nonetheless. At least that's what I keep telling myself.

Stay tuned.

[msgross]

I'm sending my steering box to you! I was wondering where the pictures frames installed on the truck

I have a pretty nice tailgate when you get rid of that tin can piece.. better hurry up and start that engine before the warranty expires too!

So how hard was the power steering build? I know your a smart engineer type guy so i'm not sure that I have the gray matter to attempt it.. oh wait, Marine..never mind i'm game!

just messin with you...

[msgross]

I just ordered that kit from rockauto.. I also got the pump kit so we'll give it a shot..

[sdailey]

Mike,

The rebuild went fine and was easy even for a Marine. That tech article was really detailed and helpful. Feel free to call if you need help.

I'll keep the gate for the time being. It was just too good of a deal to pass up. I admit it was alot stronger/heavier than what I had anticipated based on everyone's opinion of repop sheetmetal, granted it's still lightweight compared to an oe gate though.

The motor is next on my things to do list as well. I'm ordering one of Skip White's distributors this week. I've been holding out for a new GM Serpentine Kit, but I may end up going the junkyard route on a serpentine set-up. I've also got to order my hydraulic clutch kit from Novak so I can mate the tranny to the engine. It'll be running before the warranty expires I promise you.

Good luck with your gearbox rebuild.

[msgross]

If you check out my latest Ebay purchase I picked up a GMPP HEI for $90.. I know another board member with the same one for $125.. I thought about the skip white setup but would rather have the black original GM looking cap...

[sdailey]

Originally Posted by msgross

If you check out my latest Ebay purchase I picked up a GMPP HEI for $90.. I know another board member with the same one for $125.. I thought about the skip white setup but would rather have the black original GM looking cap...

Mike,

FYI, Skip White offers a black capped hei now.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SBC-B...mZ270373455731

[msgross]

durn... oh well..

[sdailey]

With warmer weather being here now I've been keeping busy with yard work and various honey-do items around the house. I've still got a pretty decent sized honey-do chore of installing hardwoods floors in the living room. I've been avoiding that job for about 4 months now, but I think it's time to face the music and get it over with, especially since we've had the flooring that long already. So with that going on the truck has been getting neglected more so than ever before. At least I look at it eveyday when I come home from work. Does that count for anything?


I recently sent various small parts out the TXFirefighter (Kevin) to have them powdercoated and was pleasantly surprised with the results. (A shameless plug for a fellow board member.)





I wanted to send him my core support to get coated as well, but it wasn't cost effective. Plus at this point Kevin has to sub out larger items, like core supports, to get sandblasted. Anyway, I had a local guy here do the core support and I was able to pick it up this past weekend. It turned out pretty good, but it doesn't have the attention to detail like Kevin's parts has.





All in all I'm happy with the parts and I'm still here making progress.

[msgross]

i'm watching still...

my honey do list is still there too,

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=343258

[Alan's Classic]

Do like I do, hide the honey do list.

[sdailey]

Originally Posted by msgross

i'm watching still...

my honey do list is still there too,

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=343258

Thanks for the support Mike. I'm still checking in on yours as well. Keep up the good work.

Originally Posted by Alan's Classic

Do like I do, hide the honey do list.

It's hard to hide the list when the material (hardwoods) is laying in the floor in the boxes still.

Ain't it funny how the honey-do list gets longer when you have time/money to make progress on your projects/hobbies?

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by sdailey

Thanks for the support Mike. I'm still checking in on yours as well. Keep up the good work.



It's hard to hide the list when the material (hardwoods) is laying in the floor in the boxes still.

Ain't it funny how the honey-do list gets longer when you have time/money to make progress on your projects/hobbies?

Put some plants on the boxes and decorate to make it look like furniture.

[msgross]

tell her you have to let that wood floor acclimate... for about 6 months usually or you'll run into troubles in the future!

which powder was that 50-60% gloss black?

[sdailey]

Originally Posted by Alan's Classic

Put some plants on the boxes and decorate to make it look like furniture.

Yeah I do that and I'll have to move into your shop.

Originally Posted by msgross

tell her you have to let that wood floor acclimate... for about 6 months usually or you'll run into troubles in the future!

which powder was that 50-60% gloss black?

I believe my acclimation "excuse" has run out at this point. She caught onto that excuse after the first 2 months.

It's 60% gloss.

[JPCY72]

any updates

[sdailey]

Originally Posted by JPCY72

any updates

None to speak of at the moment. I've been trying to sell extra parts lately to raise truck money. Thanks for checking in.


On a side note, I did call Novak last week to finally order my hydraulic clutch setup. However, they are in the middle of a design change and they didn't have any in stock....no old design or any new designs. How can a company redesign their product line and not maintain the old product until the new one is tested, approved and in service??? Anyway, they told me to check back this week for an update. Oh well, what can you do? I don't guess my 350 will mind staying on the engine stand for another week.

Stay tuned.