Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Step

[Low Elco]

Supermatic! To be truthful, we had a 350/700r4 in Yeller before, So I was running under the assumption that the transes were ballpark the same length. So I reused the driveshaft and set everything from there. Plus, y'all have no idea how bucks-down Yeller really is. We really didn't want to cut the shaft. Irony is, 6 months later I got one for $27 from PNP. Anyway, In hindsight, the motor'd be a lot closer to the firewall if I had it to do again. Looks killer, Vic!

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Supermatic! To be truthful, we had a 350/700r4 in Yeller before, So I was running under the assumption that the transes were ballpark the same length. So I reused the driveshaft and set everything from there. Plus, y'all have no idea how bucks-down Yeller really is. We really didn't want to cut the shaft. Irony is, 6 months later I got one for $27 from PNP. Anyway, In hindsight, the motor'd be a lot closer to the firewall if I had it to do again. Looks killer, Vic!

Thanks, Chip. The cool thing about Yeller is that it doesn't look like a "bucks-down" build, even though I know you spent countless hours scrounging the yards for parts. I worked for a guy who liked to say, "Anyone can smother a fire with money... takes a clever person to put one out using just their smarts." I'll end up with more in Crusty than I planned, but unloading Maybelline was the price I had to pay. When it came to setting the engine, I essentially did the same as you. Didn't want to pay to have the driveshaft modified, so the rest of the drivetrain is based off it. Lucked out and had holes in the right place for the trans crossmember, plus the motor mounts had just enough adjustment to fit the towers. Next up is dropping the cab onto the frame to check the bellhousing clearance. If it's good, I'll mark where everything sits and hope it all goes back together during final assembly.

I called Leroy's Frame Works again yesterday and he assured me he hasn't forgotten me. He mentioned he'd been in the hospital a couple of days and was still catching up.

[Vic1947]

Set the cab in place on the frame and it looks like the engine placement will be fine. Maybe move it forward 1/4", but I need to fine tune the body mounts to know for sure. The coil covers miss the firewall by about 3/8" and it looks like the HydraStop unit will clear with no issues. There's plenty of room between the tunnel and the transmission also. Can't think of much else right off hand, but if something comes up, I'll deal with it at the time.

[Low Elco]

Thanks for the props. Glad to see it all fits. I'm almost surprised you're not notching the firewall to get some of that good "racy" weight dist. They leave a nice generous pocket behind the motor, don't they?

[Vic1947]

I've made an appointment for a week from Wednesday to finally get the frame straightened. Found some nice folks in Grain Valley with the equipment and willingness to put it back right. Fingers crossed that this is the one.

[Low Elco]

Is it the Kustoms guy by I-70? Heard good things about them. Sorry Jim Didn't work out. Holler if you need to haul it.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Is it the Kustoms guy by I-70? Heard good things about them. Sorry Jim Didn't work out. Holler if you need to haul it.

Yup, Bill at Kustom Cruisers. When your dad talked to Jim, he was absolutely covered up and I don't fault him at all for putting his business first. Just glad I stumbled across these folks. When your website has a blown Chevelle, a Harley and a custom truck sitting in front of the shop, it's a good sign they're our kind of peeps.

[Jason7121]

If you don't mind me asking what diameter driveshaft are you running and steel or aluminum

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Jason7121

If you don't mind me asking what diameter driveshaft are you running and steel or aluminum

It's 3.5" and steel. Saw some of the carbon fiber ones made by QA1 on Power Tour last month and did some serious drooling.

[Elliot949]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

It's 3.5" and steel. Saw some of the carbon fiber ones made by QA1 on Power Tour last month and did some serious drooling.

Those are big dollar shafts... I saw them here in Wichita Power Tour... Like you I was drooling all over them... I am going to go with a 4"Aluminum shaft...

[Vic1947]

UPDATE:

The shop called yesterday to say the frame was done so I rustled up a truck and trailer and went to get it. Talked at length with the tech that did the work and could tell from what he said it was unlikely the frame moved enough to fix the problem. I got the impression that the pulls he made were right at the limit of his hydraulics. When I got home and unloaded it, the preliminary measurements indicated it had moved some, but not nearly enough. I took my time this morning laying out a centerline and setting up the laser tool and confirmed that the issue is still present, albeit to a slightly lesser degree.

I think what's happening is that, separately, the front and back halves of the frame X out perfectly, but when you measure from all the way in the back to all the way in the front, the frame has a banana or shallow hockey stick shape. By focusing on just the front half or the back half, the big picture is overlooked.

The list of options looks pretty slim. 1) Find another shop with sturdier equipment and make another run at fixing this frame. 2) Start over with another shortbed frame/truck and hope the problem isn't even worse with different parts. 3) Align the cab and front clip to fit this frame, then remove the steel bed floor and replace it with a wood floor that will allow me to fudge the bedsides to match the cab. 4) Pick up a long bed frame and convert it to a short bed like others have done on the forum. 5) Go completely off the deep end and buy an aftermarket frame.

I'll keep you posted as I mull over what to do. My next move is to reinstall the body panels and see how far off they are after this most recent thrash.

[Bubba4spd]

I know I'd trust whatever decision and direction you go Vic.

[Elliot949]

Glad it is all coming together Vic... can't wait to see it rolling along again.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Elliot949

Glad it is all coming together Vic... can't wait to see it rolling along again.

Thanks, Dan! I'm past ready too. Chip may have to break down and trailer me out to the Nats one final time, but it absolutely, positively will be under its own power next year.

[Elliot949]

When are the Nats there

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Elliot949

When are the Nats there

Weekend of September 9, 10, 11. They've had a rod run on Friday night in the past, but it wasn't mentioned on this year's flyer. I'm guessing it was just an oversight. Saturday and Sunday are show days and awards at the end. Cookouts mixed with burnouts in between.

[Elliot949]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

Weekend of September 9, 10, 11. They've had a rod run on Friday night in the past, but it wasn't mentioned on this year's flyer. I'm guessing it was just an oversight. Saturday and Sunday are show days and awards at the end. Cookouts mixed with burnouts in between.

Thanks... not sure the 67 will make it this year...

[swamp rat]

Good news Vic!

[Run Away]

I've just finished reading all 66 pages over the past few weeks and I just wanted to let you know your thread has been a HUGE inspiration to keep the drive going for my own truck.
It really helps to see all the work done to replace rusted panels.


Hope you get the frame situation sorted out soon.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Run Away

I've just finished reading all 66 pages over the past few weeks and I just wanted to let you know your thread has been a HUGE inspiration to keep the drive going for my own truck.
It really helps to see all the work done to replace rusted panels.


Hope you get the frame situation sorted out soon.

Thanks for the kind words! Hope to have some good news on the frame this week. My brother dropped off my old car trailer this morning, so I'm ready when they call.

[Bubba4spd]

Vic:

Have you ever considered contacting Leno for a job? With your talents, you could be saving Cords, Packards, and Ferraris.

Bubba

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Bubba4spd

Vic:

Have you ever considered contacting Leno for a job? With your talents, you could be saving Cords, Packards, and Ferraris.

Bubba

Bubba, I'm older than dirt! It would kill me to have to go back to a real job.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

Bubba, I'm older than dirt! It would kill me to have to go back to a real job.

I got a picture that says otherwise!

[Elliot949]

Awe Vic... Working for Leno would be a play time for ya... LOL

[Elliot949]

Wow... that really blows..