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

[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.

[likaroc13]

As I mentioned before, I want to give a shout out to everyone that contributes to the build. Along with various reputable vendors, there are also many great members here whom I feel deserve the recognition as well. It allows newbies & other members to see the true character of this site & the generosity of many fellow forum members. That said, a huge thanks goes out to Mark (markeb01) for a set of original-style mirrors. They'll allow me to get rid of the "Dumbo" style aftermarket mirrors currently on the truck, & it'll add to the factory exterior appearance I'm going for. No idea as to when they'll get installed though, because that will require some professional bodywork. The old holes will need to be welded up, & the new mirrors will have to be mounted. Considering both doors need a little attention anyway, that means new paint will be necessary.

Couple pics:

[flips72]

great score on the mirrors and you are right about the people on this forum,really a bunch of great guys.love your dads bike by the way and his respect for the troops, they defintly deserve all the get and lots more.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by flips72

great score on the mirrors and you are right about the people on this forum,really a bunch of great guys.love your dads bike by the way and his respect for the troops, they defintly deserve all the get and lots more.

Thanks man! You got the red beast out roaming the hills of TN? or maybe tearing up the streets?

[McMurphy]

Originally Posted by likaroc13

The old holes will need to be welded up, & the new mirrors will have to be mounted. Considering both doors need a little attention anyway, that means new paint will be necessary.

Couple pics:

I will have to look to be 100% certain, but I am pretty sure that the doors are built with interior bracing for these style mirrors.
You may want to take a peek inside the door before you start welding up all the holes.
I am mounting sport mirrors and the back braces I made may need to be modified to work around the interior bracing of which I speak. I happened to notice the internal structure yesterday as I was starting to fit everything up.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by McMurphy

I will have to look to be 100% certain, but I am pretty sure that the doors are built with interior bracing for these style mirrors.
You may want to take a peek inside the door before you start welding up all the holes.
I am mounting sport mirrors and the back braces I made may need to be modified to work around the interior bracing of which I speak. I happened to notice the internal structure yesterday as I was starting to fit everything up.

Thanks Murph, yeah that's what I've read as well. I haven't looked to see if they're there. I do know the holes for the current mirrors are not in the same location, so all of those will indeed have to be welded up. The holes for the original mirrors are not visible & were filled at some point in time.

[likaroc13]

Please read:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=583365

[65 Fleetside]

Hey Phillip, I really enjoyed reading and seeing the progress of your Black Beauty! I like the fact that you removed the bed rails and I have thought many times of adding the "Custom" plates back on the cab of my 65. Kept the badges off for the look mainly, but those plates still look so cool to me and add to the cab I think, especially on your black truck.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by 65 Fleetside

Hey Phillip, I really enjoyed reading and seeing the progress of your Black Beauty! I like the fact that you removed the bed rails and I have thought many times of adding the "Custom" plates back on the cab of my 65. Kept the badges off for the look mainly, but those plates still look so cool to me and add to the cab I think, especially on your black truck.

Thank you for taking the time to read through. Wish I had more progress to post, but I haven't gotten any updates in a while. We'll be making a trip back to South MS on Aug. 23rd, staying a week with the In-laws. Then we're heading up to my hometown in Northeast MS for my grandmother's 100th birthday party on the 31st. I'll be swinging by my dad's to visit, & I plan to snap a few new pics of "Black Betty."

I agree that it definitely looks better without the rails, & I'm definitely a fan of the Custom cab sails (especially on trucks with trim). I plan to eventually get '66 badges onto the fenders & ditch the '65 ones on the cowl.

[65 Fleetside]

Maybe one day I'll add the sails back, if and when I repaint the truck. I go back and forth on this one thing constantly. So many other things I want to do it first. New shocks, power steering, nope it doesn't have power steering. And maybe some decent speakers for my sound system.

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by 65 Fleetside

Maybe one day I'll add the sails back, if and when I repaint the truck. I go back and forth on this one thing constantly. So many other things I want to do it first. New shocks, power steering, nope it doesn't have power steering. And maybe some decent speakers for my sound system.

Honestly it looks just fine without them, especially with everything you have smoothed/shaved. And that paint looks really nice, so I couldn't imagine repainting for a long time! I can't wait to drive mine again to see the difference with power steering. I still gotta figure out a sound system for mine as well. I can only stand hearing the wife sing "Black Betty" for so long! With no working radio, she used to do that when we'd take it for a cruise.

[likaroc13]

Well, Grandmaw's b-day party went great! Hard to imagine being around for 100 years, but she's doing it & doing it well!

[likaroc13]

I also had a chance to stop by and visit with "Black Betty." She's doing just fine. Not much to show for progress. Since my dad's '66 C-10 chop top got stolen, he admitted he's just been too discouraged lately to mess with mine. I understand, as I've been just as upset about the whole deal as him. Just sucks to know there's really nothing we can do; just gotta hope luck is on our side. However, I think he's already determined to move on & build the 4-5-6 Burb.

I did snap some pics of the brake booster mounted with Captainfab's bracket. They're not the best pics, but I guess it's better than nothing!

[greg65]

Looks good Phillip. It's always good to go home.

[64C10Fleet]

Lookin' good man! Hope to be rippin' up the Lowcountry streets with you in the not too distant future!!

[Alan's Classic]

Glad you had a great trip. 100 yrs old wow!
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[Jmorales3181]

Looking good man! 100 yrs old that awesome!
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[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by greg65

Looks good Phillip. It's always good to go home.

Thanks Greg, I agree! We've started looking for opportunities to move back a little closer to our hometowns. Main reason is so we'll be closer when we decide to have kids. Apparently 10.5 hours is too far for grandma's & grandpa's to drive!

Originally Posted by 64C10Fleet

Lookin' good man! Hope to be rippin' up the Lowcountry streets with you in the not too distant future!!

Cool, bet you can hardly wait! Hope to see you around sometime.

Originally Posted by Alan's Classic

Glad you had a great trip. 100 yrs old wow!
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Originally Posted by Jmorales3181

Looking good man! 100 yrs old that awesome!
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks guys!...my wife's grandfather is 94, & her grandmother is 86(7)?...my grandparents on my dad's side are early 80's, & my great-grandmother on dad's side lived to 95...my grandfather on my mom's side would've been 90 a month after he died....So, longevity is on our side! A lot of life to look forward to if the Good Lord is willing. Just not sure I can put up with my better half that long, lol!

[markeb01]

Originally Posted by likaroc13

. Just not sure I can put up with my better half that long, lol!

It's easy. Just sit her down and give her a darn good listening to!

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by markeb01

It's easy. Just sit her down and give her a darn good talking to!

Good idea Mark!