My 66 Project

[Ta2Don]

athe joys of old truck fandom!!! Rock on Chris!

[Cape Codder]

Make sure your pulleys are clean, rust on pulleys will heat, stretch and chew belts up.

[ChrisDollins]

So far it hasn't left me stranded. Still would like to put together a leather roll to keep anything that could be roadside helpful. The pulleys are clean, actually kind of polished now lol. The ps pump would stop when you started to turn. I had the hood open and could see the pulley stop while it was running. That poor belt was wore thin. The pump was a junkyard find a few years ago, so I can't complain.

Chris

[Cape Codder]

I only mentioned the pulleys as we took a camper that had been sitting a few years to Hershey one year and had a belt loosening every 50 miles it seems till it finally broke as we were getting into NYC. We stopped at a part store replaced the belt after sanding the pulleys with 220 grit paper and never had anymore trouble.

[ChrisDollins]

I'll definitely go over them while I've got it all apart. Thanks for the tip. Anything to keep from having trouble is a good thing lol.

Chris

[ChrisDollins]

Finally got everything changed and seems to be working good. Nice not having to fight that wheel pulling into the parking lot. My Mom took some family pictures over last weekend. Of course the truck had to make it into a few too.

Chris

[Ta2Don]

Very cool pic!!! Enlarge and frame!

[northern 85]

Awesome picture!!!!

[Grizz1963]

That Ian lovely mate.

Happy New Year to you and your family

[ChrisDollins]

Thanks guys! Happy New Year to yall too! Picture will definitely be on the wall soon.

[ChrisDollins]

Worked on the truck yesterday after work. I changed hoses, waterpump, and went with a 180* thermostat at the same time I changed the power steering pump. I ended up with a couple of small leaks. Finally had time yesterday after work to tend to it a little. The gasket surfaces were a little rougher than I wanted to see. I didn't use any sealant, which may have been the issue last time since I didn't give it enough time to cure. Anyhow, here's a couple of pictures of the surfaces. I wire wheeled them clean and so far all is well. Don't mind the crusty engine bay, she's my daily, so it doesn't stay clean lol.

[ChrisDollins]

Here's a picture of the truck the morning it started complaining. All frosted over, I complained too. Work stinks haha.

[ChrisDollins]

Our 5 year old Carson loves to ride in the 66 to school. Mostly because I take the long way and pass by our local lake. There's always ducks and geese out there that he likes to look for. Today we stopped and fed them. Here's a few pictures from the outing.

Chris

[clemdaddy]

looks like you have a wonderful family and a son who loves old trucks... life is good.

[ChrisDollins]

Thanks Clem! Yea, he loves the old truck and even the old crusty GTO. Might make a car guy out of him after all lol.

Today was kind of a big day. My younger brother is flying to Africa for his second deployment. Today was his flight. Just kept hoping it would get cancelled. Just keep him, and all the men headed, in your prayers.

First thing this morning me and Carson took the classroom "Teddy" on an adventure. The gigantic teddy bear goes with a student over the weekend. We took him to feed the ducks and a truck ride.

We also finished his Valentines Day box for school. Did an Army jeep and put SGT DOLLINS on the door since that's what his Uncle (my brother) is.

Anyhow, here's a few pics from the day lol.

[ChrisDollins]

Finally ended up having a snow day this year! Had to take a couple pictures of the truck in it. Thankfully didn't have to drive in it though. As I was talking some Carson was dancing around in the background just excited to get to play in it. Turned out to be my favorite. And I'll throw in a couple from our morning duck feedings through the week.

Chris

[Ta2Don]

Great Pics!!!

[Bomp]

Looks like great times.

[ChrisDollins]

Used the truck to carry a couple bucket loads of mulch and plants over the weekend. The new owner of the nursery couldn't believe I was going to dump it in the bed lol. I did lay a tarp down to help though. But she still gets used as a truck from time to time.

Chris

[ChrisDollins]

Bought a new stable mate for the truck and GTO last Thursday. A friend of mine had it and was ready for something else. Priced it right so I took it. It's a 2000 Formula WS6 6 speed. Cam and heads and has a Moser 12 bolt already. Pretty clean little car. Never had a Formula before. Owned a '01 Firehawk, '01 TA WS6, and a '00 Z28. This is the first one that's a hardtop too. Anyhow, had to post it somewhere lol. Carson loves it and the way it sounds. But I am going to have to quiet it down some. Took him to school in it Friday. I felt like a kid again driving something this loud and rowdy haha.

Chris

[northern 85]

NICE, looks like fun!!!

[oldarky66]

Hey Chris, I've really enjoyed reading through all your updates. You and all the others on here that take the time to share are a source of motivation for those of us who are on the brink of giving up on our projects, so thank you.

I know your area has taken a big hit with this flooding and I hope you and your loved ones are all well. If there is anything you need please let us know.

Wade

[ChrisDollins]

Thanks Wade! The whole flood fiasco has really been a mess. Luckily all of our stuff was in the hills. But my dad lives just north of us and it got really close in '11. We went ahead and moved all the expensive toys and put everything else up high. Thankfully it didn't get in their house, but it sure got close! I was sad when they came to get their cars back haha. Shop was a gear heads paradise lol.

Chris

[Ta2Don]

Glad to hear y'all fared well during the flooding...

[oldarky66]

Good deal Chris, glad everything worked out ok for you guys. That is a good looking group of vehicles.