Rusty76 and his '76

[rusty76]

Thanks for reading about my rust bucket. Last Sunday I was sitting by the grill talking about my raga muffin and he asked when are you going to do something. Well I felt ashamed honestly. I had just made plans then me, myself and I got in my own way. I really feel the need to do something. Something other than standing idle. Thanks for the kind words and looking in.

[Dads79GMC]

rusty76, I love your truck just the way it is! Subscribed! Nice patina - get it running and then work on the issues below the trim line, if that's possible. I taught myself how to weld because I was taken back by the price to replace corners/inners/floors etc..purchased a little Hobart and then just went to town? Best of lucking. Motivation.

[rusty76]

Thanks for taking the time to look in. I haven't really done anything really. I knew from the get go it might take me awhile to get things rolling, although I had no idea it would be this long. Like everyone life gets in the way. I'm going to start working on it as soon as I get the wasp spray ready and I have a few days off in a couple weeks. From there it is going to be on. I do promise some updates. As for the patina it is more rust than patina honestly. I found another 73-76 square same color for what seemed close to what I'd pay for a parts truck. That would make the patina(rust) somewhat better. In hindsight I should have done a better job taking care of the ole truck. So stay tuned for some updates coming soon. Thanks again.

[rusty76]

So I had every intention of spending some time with my truck Thursday and Friday. At least part of each day. But God had other plans and a sense of humor. Two days before I was to go on vacation my mother called me at work and said that her car wouldn't start. So when I got there I beat on the starter and it fired right up. Bad starter. Went to Autozone and got a starter for her car. Told her to just drive my truck while I'm gone and I'll change it when I get back.

Thursday morning I woke early to get started. Pulled car into my garage, jacked it up and got to working. Took some work to get it out. Got it out compared it to the old one and it looked the same. So fought it to get it in. Hooked battery up and turn of the key.......zingggggg. You got to be kidding me. Took it loose messed with it some more and zingggg. What the heck? Tried everything I could think of and nothing. So I took the new starter back out and the old one to Autozone. They put both on their testing machine. New one was good and old one was shot( really?).

Went back home installed the same new one again and zingggg. Well crap. Had enough of it pulled the starter out and put old one in. Fired up and backed it out of the garage. Called it a day, had to leave. Friday came and then it went. Honey do day. Worked on Saturday didn't get home till late. While all this was going on I looked up the part #. Sure enough they gave me the wrong part #. Went this morning got the right one. Fired right up. Geeezz next time maybe the parts guy will listen closer.

[hewittca]

Man that's a bummer! There's nothing I hate more than putting a part in, taking it out, putting it in, etc. only to find out it was the wrong part! What were you planning on doing to the truck had things gone according to plan?

[rusty76]

Well for starters I've got to clear a path around the old boy. Then I was hoping to start a real assessment of what all I need to get cracking on. Give a really good scrubbing and knock some of the wasp, birds nest and other things out. Be surprised how and where a bird will build a nest.

[cknfrmr]

I hear ya. GOD does have a sense of humor. Gets me quite often too. Gotta love those curve balls of life. Makes you wonder what he was preventing you from that day. Oh well at least you got it all worked out in the end. Now your mom has a working safe car and you can work on your truck and do extra stuff to it if you want to.

[rusty76]

God is really funny. I know little about newer cars, hers is a 2000 model Oldsmobile. I figured in my head two bolts, two wires and done in no time. I've got an old sketchy jack but do have jack stands. Small miracle getting the car up so I could crawl under. I had to use a flashlight for light because I couldn't find my trusty work light. My advise buy several good lights. Patience is a virtue but be honest with yourself. You'll never have enough extensions for your sockets. I really need to organize my tools and work area (well at least so it doesn't take thirty minutes to get everything together). I'm not super mechanically inclined but I do have a small understanding of things. Life is both humbling and gratifying. Oh me back to the grind tomorrow.

[lower50's]

Post #106 LOL "Well for starters" That sucks, very frustrating when you have a plan in your head and life gets in the way. But at least it is now starting.

[rusty76]

I'm glad to be caught up with Mom's car honestly. She inherited from my aunt and while it's been an ok car, I just know one day it's going to give up the ghost. I fussed at the car and got rather aggravated with it until I finally figured out what was the problem. Moving on now.

[LT7A]

Was just talking to a buddy last night about this kind of stuff, Rusty. No offense brother, but it doesn't take a day off to use the wasp spray. Start doing things like that on days you don't have off. And then maybe at some point you want to spend part of the day off working on the truck. My tendency in life is always to think about what I want to get done before I will get started. That turns everything into an "undertaking". Quite honestly, it also makes it feel like work. It's when I do the little things that seem inconsequential that it makes a difference. Like I walk out the next day knowing that some of the wasps are dead. Then maybe after another 3 days I've encouraged a few of the birds to move on. And then somehow I don't mind getting the hose out and rinsing off the dust. If I've let go of specific goals, then I'm free to make progress. And as strange as it sounds, 10 minutes here and there, will eventually make a difference. Good luck man

[rusty76]

Thanks for the words. I've actually been digging the ole truck out. Nothing note worthy but here and there I've been doing bits. Thanks for looking in.

[68Timber]

The only time I get bummed about a project is when I let it sit. As long as I'm giving them any attention at all I'm good.

[lower50's]

[Jrgunn5150]

Agreed, I try to do something at least 3 times a week, no matter how small. I don't always document it, I don't always post it in my build, but I do something.

Yesterday I just soldered and heat shrunk some wires, no biggie, but better than it was before.

[rusty76]

Appreciate all the kind words and everybody checking in. Hopefully I'll get some time in this week.

[Franked]

Ok, so I just read this whole thread, and realized it stopped last year, any progress?? I don't have a square body, but I bought 5
1951 5 window project for my wife. I gave it to her last christmas. I have only worked on it a couple hours in the last year, and I feel the frustration.
There are too many projects in my life, I hope to get working on it after we moved into our new house where the truck is located .

[rusty76]

I’ll be honest here. I’ve lost my motivation. I used to be a really motivated person. But something changed. I’ve got a list a mile long of things that need to be done between my house and my moms. A job I’ve worked for 16 years that I’m slowly losing interest in. I’m grateful for my job. Blessed beyond comprehension. But something isn’t clicking. I work 40 plus hours a week. Then work almost every weekend doing events and festivals around our area. When I am home I don’t want to do anything.

Right before we moved into our house I drove my 76 to my buddies house. Tore the motor out and well it sat at his house. Then when we bought our house I brought it to my house. Slid it under the carport. I eventually started messing with it. Piddling at best. I cleaned out the cab and bed. Took a pressure washer to it and that was it. Then the house needed a roof. Then my mom needed help and so on. I’ve learned to take care of everything else kinda.

It is depressing to know that I worry what next? I do feel the need to do something with it. Good or bad. Driveway art isn’t really my thing. I’ve owned this truck for many years. I never hated it. It was simple, fun to drive and relatively fast. I drove everyday until gas got out of hand. With the seat springs biting me in the rear and the worst driving vehicle in the rain. Ran like crap when it rained. I have no idea why.

I can’t give you advice. But I will say this don’t loose faith in what you want to do with the 51. If you have the skills to do most of the work your well ahead of me. If not you’re not far from the shops and people who can make it happen.

I’ll probably shut this thread down eventually. I’d like a do over. Seems funny but truly I’m ready to start doing something. It’s going to happen. One way or another. Take care and thanks for looking in. Good luck.

[Whamo]

I feel ya on finding it hard to motivate...I just push through...

I'd probably start with the seat springs

Don't shut the thread down, Brother! Good stuff in here! I've left and restarted my thread and build a bunch of times cause of life happenins...just remember, the only left to do is everything else...

[rusty76]

Man been over two years since I posted on this thread. So let’s start catching up. First I hope all is well in truck land. Things are starting to happen with my crusty 76. My buddy called one day and said what are we going to do with this 400? At first we thought about another engine for it. Truck hasn’t moved in over ten years what’s a few more days months right? Two months after speaking with my buddy he said I hauled the engine to the machine shop. Sweet. He said they were busy but eventually they’ll get to it. All good. Two weeks ago they started machining it. Now I’ve got to get cranking on this thing. Honestly I’ll have to make time in between everything else. I’m in no real hurry but I do want to be driving this thing before this time next year.

This isn’t going to be a restoration or big money build. Just a solid driver and fun weekend warrior, more on that later. I plan to lower it. That’s been the plan since 1997 when I got my square. It’ll be somewhat fast and tons of fun. The focus will be on attitude, safety and drivability. I need to be able to drive it to work or to the grocery store without care. I’m keeping things pretty basic. Keeping the toolbox, CB radio and my highliner. I’ll post up pics and report progress. So stayed tuned. C ya.

[lower50's]

Good to hear you are getting back to working on it. Good plan with the truck it will be real nice being able to drive it when ever. If you get it driving by sept next year we will have to go on a cruse, as long as we are able to make it down to the states.

[rusty76]

Sounds like a plan. I have every intention to be driving by then.

[rusty76]

So today I worked on the truck some. Not much to brag about but I did manage to get something accomplished. The tires on the truck have held air despite being dry rotted. They were getting low so I decided to put some air in them. Because today I wanted to get the truck rolling. As in movable. Seems simple right? Knowing that even low tires can make it hard to move a vehicle especially when working by one’s self. I put air in the front tires. Moved to drivers side rear and then proceeded to passenger side. After splitting the valve steam (dry rotted) and trying three different sets of wheels and tires my last tire would be the one. Four tires later I had one that would hold air. Good grief I didn’t really realize I had two steel wheels for spares. Glad to know. I thought one came off an S10. But luckily it did not. After making sure the rear tires moved freely and getting the front end unfroze. I nudged it a couple times, rocked it a few and 12 inches later it moved. I’ll be. This truck hasn’t moved in ten years. It has set in the same spot in the same position for ten years. It seems silly that those few inches make a difference to me but it was nice to see that it’ll still move.

So you ask why does this matter? What’s the big deal? My goal this coming week or weekend I plan to move it from the spot it has held for the last ten years to another spot so I can give it a good cleaning and inspection. I want to take inventory and get some sort of bearing on what’s what, what is needed and where to proceed. I need to take some measurements. All in all today was a win for me. I’ll take them where I can. See ya.

[rusty76]

Trying this picture again. Yes this is an old whites wagon spokes wheel. Wished I still had the other two. Oh well.

[400/400]

Nice work getting it moving! Hopefully your inspection goes well.