1952 1 Ton Rebuild

[mechanixman]

I decided to paint the grill,
If you look through the mess, you can see a 327 on the left, and an LS 5.3 on the right under the hood.

The Cam, lifters, and push rods are in the lowes bucket, the Crank is covered with the rags, and block behind all that good stuff.

There's a 350 behind the shelf on the right, out of sight.

I plan on using the 327 it's the most complete, and it seems like it'd be a fairly unique and cool motor to use

[mechanixman]

I met a very gracious man on Sunday. I had emailed him, hoping to trade my motors for some AD parts like fenders, bedsides, and such.
He called me back and said he could hook me up. Somehow I managed to get it all in the HHR. I got a couple fenders, some running boards, a grill, a manifold (both intake and exhaust), fuel pump, and some other misc pieces.
The generator looking thing in the last picture, was one of the cooler things I got. The man who sold it to me actually took it to a shop, and had it rebuilt as an alternator.
After getting it home, we fit it all together and it's looking good.

[coralhead]

good deal. Is this grill a bit straighter than you original?

[mechanixman]

Yeah, it is quite a bit straighter.
Here is the best picture I have of it at the moment.
It looks as though it's all surface rust too, so it should clean up nicely. (Key word: should)
But I can't thank that guy enough. he was showing me his truck, and explaining that he bought 2 3100's out of Tennessee for $1000, and he's selling what's left of the parts.
Honestly, I kind of feel guilty; I didn't want to take advantage of his generosity..
But seeing all those parts started to get the gearz cranking in my head, and these really cool ideas started forming.

For instance: One of the tailgates I found just sitting in the mud has cancer all over the "outside".
So what I'm going to do, is cut the tailgate in half, and use the inside piece as the back of the bed, so it says Chevrolet on either end of the bed.

[mechanixman]

I don't think I described that very well.
here is the tailgate I was talking about.
I'm going to make part #2 except have it say Chevrolet instead of the bow tie emblem.
And all with original metal.

[mechanixman]

Oh yeah, I almost forgot.
I made this at school yesterday.
Maybe some of the machinists will recognize it.
For everyone else, this is the first NIMS "test" to demonstrate your knowledge on turning parts on a lathe.

If anyone's interested, I can post pictures tomorrow of what our Machine shop looks like.

[coralhead]

Nice lathe work. On you bed I am assuming that you are going to splice to make you bed longer as well as the runningboards? If you are doing this you will be able to center the rear wheel in the fenderwell and then fab your running boards to match the fenders. Typically the rear wheels seem too far forward but that's the way the designers wanted them for some reason. On a side not you can reposition the stake pockets to cover any verticle seams in the bed sides.

Looking good and take your time.

[mechanixman]

Thank you!
I do plan on splicing the bed, but I thought I'd give it a try with the running boards. if not, I can still try to get my hands on the super long running boards. I remember you mentioned something about that on an earlier post. I moved the bed forward (for now) so the wheels will actually fit in the fenders. This is what I plan on making the wheel placement.

[Denee007]

I like that white grill! I'm tagging along with you!
dne'

[mechanixman]

Thanks! I'm thinking I'll keep it that way till I get it chromed.
I sanded and painted the bumper, I guess I need a picture.

Almost forgot!
I found a Sirius satellite radio at Goodwill for $20. I thought it would make a nice addition to the truck.

[Denee007]

Nick, does that little radio require an antenna? Without me having to search back through your entire thread, which I have read btw, are those bullet holes in the glass?

So what are your plans for when you are graduated from HS? you obviously have great talent already, but what's in store for you?
dne'

[mechanixman]

Originally Posted by Denee007

Nick, does that little radio require an antenna?

Yes it does, I found out I can fit in behind the dome light at the back of the cab.

Originally Posted by Denee007

]Without me having to search back through your entire thread, which I have read btw, are those bullet holes in the glass?

Yes indeed! My dad and uncle are still debating if it's a 30.06 or a 410 with a slug.
Something isn't it?

Originally Posted by Denee007

So what are your plans for when you are graduated from HS? what's in store for you?

Well right now, I plan on getting a summer job at one of the manufacturing places around here as either a design engineer, or a cnc operator. In a couple years, I plan on going to Milwaukee School of Engineering, and getting a master's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
For now, I just want to get her running, so I can have a daily driver during the summer/next school year.

[coralhead]

Originally Posted by mechanixman

Yes indeed! My dad and uncle are still debating if it's a 30.06 or a 410 with a slug.
Something isn't it?



Well right now, I plan on getting a summer job at one of the manufacturing places around here as either a design engineer, or a cnc operator. In a couple years, I plan on going to Milwaukee School of Engineering, and getting a master's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
For now, I just want to get her running, so I can have a daily driver during the summer/next school year.

Is there an exit wound in the back of the cab? If not I'm thinking a slug as I would think a 30.06 would punch through the back of the cab unless the set stopped them.

On going to engineering school, a big thumbs up. Learn as much as you can on how to machine things and the different ways it can be done. Pay close attention to the wire edm. That is one machine that came out after I was in the shop and had not hands on. I went to trade school in High School and learned to be a machinist and then worked my way into a Engineering degree. I currently am a Machine designer for a local Electronics Connector company and love my Job. I have always felt that the in order to be a Mechanical engineer you need to be able to know how to make the things you design.

PM me, we are always looking for Good co-ops .

[mechanixman]

Originally Posted by coralhead

Is there an exit wound in the back of the cab? If not I'm thinking a slug as I would think a 30.06 would punch through the back of the cab unless the set stopped them.

There aren't any exit holes in the back of the cab (thank goodness) But the door windows are shot. Literally . There's almost nothing left of either one. We think someone shot at the windshield at an angle, and it shot the side glass out. My dad and I both think it's the rifle, because the hole doesn't seem nearly big enough.

Originally Posted by coralhead

On going to engineering school, a big thumbs up.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by coralhead

Learn as much as you can on how to machine things and the different ways it can be done. I have always felt that the in order to be a Mechanical engineer you need to be able to know how to make the things you design.

That's something our teachers have repeatedly stressed, and I believe I have a grasp of it. Considering when other kids need help, I'll explain it all to them: "no, the mill can only move in 3 directions. You'd have to turn the part on it's side if you want to engrave your name."

Our High School has 2 CNC 3 axis HAAS TM-1 mills, 2 HAAS CNC lathes, a plasma cutter, a CNC router, and someone just donated a Bridgeport. I'm pretty excited about that, now I can learn to machine without having to look at a damn computer screen for a couple hours.

[Denee007]

Well Nick, I'm excited for you! You're thinking ahead and paving the way for a good and prosperous future! Horrible to say, but more money means more fun!. Just don't lose site of your real goals as these old trucks have a built in curse; they drain you bank account!
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[mechanixman]

Thank you! I think I've found that out first hand.

Well I got the truck running!!!!!
My coil burned up because I didn't have the resistor between it and the battery. So we replaced it and got a resistor. The serious problem was that the jumper cables didn't send enough juice to get the motor turning. So we swapped them out for some new cables, and we got it turning.....and backfiring right away! So the neighbor helped us figure out the distributor was advanced by one plug. So we just changed the plugs all the way around, and it started right up!
Here's a link to a video of it running.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS1Yy...ature=youtu.be

We pulled the brakes off while we were frustrated with the motor yesterday. So We decided to pull the drums off and see if the wheel cylinders were alright. This is what we found....


No cylinder, and a zip tie holding the brake shoes together.

[Denee007]

Well congratulations on getting it to fire!!! As for the brakes, at least the drum came off without a torch. But that is an interesting surprise the way it was zip tied!!
What's next?
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[mechanixman]

Get the radiator cleaned, and get it to the point I can have it running for many minutes at a time.
I just got some brake cylinders, So now I just need to make sure my brakes actually work.
From there? Test drive!!

[coralhead]

You can get those shoes relined at a good brake shop. As for the drums hold onto those since they are pricey to replace. Hopefully they are still in shape to use. Did you get "Huck" or "Bendix" cylinders? Luckily the PO on my truck went through the brakes before I bought it.

Looking good.....

[Root2812]

You can never be to safe with the brakes on these old trucks. With a single master cylinder if you lose 1 wheel of brakes you lose all breaks. I had 1 leaky wheel cylinder and the other 3 were old so I swapped out all 4 for safety. That will be the best $200 you can spend if you plan on keeping the stock brakes. While you are at it take a good look at the lines too. I put in the wheel cylinders, a new master cylinder, and new shoes. I made it 15 feet and blew a brake line. It rusted out.

[mechanixman]

My shoes look new..ish.
Coralhead, I'm afraid I don't know what you mean by huck or bendix cylinders.

I plan on putting new cylinders in all the way around. Fortunately, at Pepboys the cylinders are $13 a pop. I'm not putting in a new MC because Once I really start to pull the truck apart, I'm going to switch it to a dual master cylinder/proportioning valve. I'm definitely concerned about the lines. I've been throwing brake fluid in the master cylinder. and pumping the brake. So far no leaks.

[ChevyBrad]

I would definitely recommend running new lines just for piece of mind.

[mechanixman]

Alright,
will do!

[mechanixman]

Just a quick update.
I'm still waiting on the brake cylinders to come in.
Meanwhile, I sandblasted the thermostat housing and water pump.

[Tx Firefighter]

Forgive me if I've missed an explanation along the way on this issue. But, why not blow the suspension off of the frame rails and roll it forward the proper amount to get the wheelbase proper for the bed length ? Then cut the excess frame off behind the back of the bed. That gets your bed up close to the cab without having to build a super long bed or any of that. I thought I'd read you mentioned the frame rails on this truck were straight and flat. Perfect to just move the entire suspension forward and bolt it into whatever place it needs to be.
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