CRGRS 66 – Winter Build Thread

[CRGRS 66]

Will get some pictures up tomorrow, but I now have an assembled roller with engine and trans installed. After getting some pictures loaded up it will be a little while before I have much in the way of updates as I need to get the house in order for the move. We will need to get settled in a bit before getting back to wrenching. One thing I have not mentioned to date is that I have moved my cab to my buddy's shop, more on that when I post up pictures tomorrow.

[siggyfreud]

Congrats on the new home!

I'm about where you are in the build, except I don't have wheels and tires. I just got done with the front suspension a few weeks ago and it was the most pain in the butt experience so far.

I too got frustrated with the LCAs, and ended up ordering new ones after I bent one trying to get the bushings in (I have pressed bushings on mine).

Glad to see another getting their front end done . I'm excited to see picks of your roller!

[pdxhall]

Hey man, nice progress on the truck. On the lower shock mounts I had the same problem but I just bent the mount out a little so they would fit. It didn't take much, just a big crescent wrench an a little tug and they opened up enough to fit.

[CRGRS 66]

Originally Posted by siggyfreud

Congrats on the new home!

I'm about where you are in the build, except I don't have wheels and tires. I just got done with the front suspension a few weeks ago and it was the most pain in the butt experience so far.

I too got frustrated with the LCAs, and ended up ordering new ones after I bent one trying to get the bushings in (I have pressed bushings on mine).

Glad to see another getting their front end done . I'm excited to see picks of your roller!

Where did you get your control arms, were they repops from LMC/Classic, or the like?

Originally Posted by pdxhall

Hey man, nice progress on the truck. On the lower shock mounts I had the same problem but I just bent the mount out a little so they would fit. It didn't take much, just a big crescent wrench an a little tug and they opened up enough to fit.

I was thinking I would do a little bendy wendy as well, the passenger side needs to be teaked, but the driver side was a good fit.

Well, I am essentially where I need to be to make the move go smoothly. This unfortunately means that it may be a month or 6 weeks before I get back working on the truck. The only thing I will do before the move settles out is have the drive shaft shortened and toss it in. Also dropping my starter off for a rebuild, no idea what condition it is in, so may as well have it freshened up so it is not a potential concern.
Thanks for checking in guys!

[CRGRS 66]

What you are looking at there is the 260HP 350 crate engine (same as markeb's minus the cam upgrade... maybe one day down the road...), stock bellhousing, camaro T5 trans with S10 tail shaft. Probably 260HP is borderline for the T5, but I am not a racer, just want to cruise and look good doing it.

I have a question on my harmonic balancer, does the space between the balance and the timing cove look normal to you guys?

[CRGRS 66]

One more tid bit, ordered these babys on ebay, plan to mount them on the front fenders where the 66 C10 badge would go. I think they will look cool there.

[CRGRS 66]

To all who have served, I offer a heartfelt thank you.

God bless those before us who made the ultimate sacrifice for our liberty.

[CRGRS 66]

Going to be dismantling the bed soon, and just doing a little research. I understand that there are 2 welds on each side, one that is about an inch long and another about 4" long. I have easily located the shorter weld that needs to be cut, can anyone help me locate the longer weld?

[clemdaddy]

looks mighty sweet. complete roller= easy mover.
how's the new garage/shop?

[CRGRS 66]

Originally Posted by Johnny_Lamebridge

Hi CRGRS 66,

I've enjoyed backtracking thru your build thread over the last couple months. Your 66 will be a real beauty when you get it all re-assembled.

It was nice bumping into you on Friday. Funny actually, when you spotted me in my 63. It was good discussing mods with you, since I'm still planning what I want to do to my truck.

Keep up the good work!

Great to meet you too John, you should pop by with your truck sometime, we could have an ale or two and talk trucks. Give me a call on my cell.

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

looks mighty sweet. complete roller= easy mover.
how's the new garage/shop?

Just nicely into the new place, moved the roller over this past Wednesday. Garage is insulated, just need to get some wallboard up and get it painted. Don't expect to have any truck time for a little bit yet. We have downsized by about 800 square feet so still figuring out where all the puzzle pieces fit in the house.
Thanks for posting.

[Ta2Don]

Lookin Good!!! Those 283 Badges are sweet!!!

As for the balancer… I would check to see if it is seated on the crank fully. You should be able to see the balancer and the crank snout flush together without any bolts installed in the balancer or pulley...

[CRGRS 66]

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Lookin Good!!! Those 283 Badges are sweet!!!

As for the balancer… I would check to see if it is seated on the crank fully. You should be able to see the balancer and the crank snout flush together without any bolts installed in the balancer or pulley...

Thanks Don, I kind of happened across those 283 badges by accident.

I think I will take the balancer back off, take some measurements, and reinstall it.

[markeb01]

I think your crank pulley is okay. The best I can tell, it looks like mine. This is the best photo I can get with all the other parts in the way:





Also love the 283 emblems. Those were so popular back in the 60's that's why I added the 327 emblems to mine.

[Captainfab]

That balancer is not on all the way. You should not be able to slide your fingers between it and the timing chain cover. There should be only ~3/8" gap. The end of the crank should not be flush with the front of the balancer either, it will be recessed some.

Are you installing the balancer with an installation tool?

[CRGRS 66]

Mark & John, thanks for posting on the balancer, I would estimate that there is about 3/8" between the balancer and the timing cover, and I actually cannot get my finger in there. I did use a proper installer tool, but I will however remove the balancer and take some measurements to make sure that when I re-install it that it is ALL the way on. Measure twice, cut once men!

Thanks for looking in. Going to be pretty quiet until the move is done.

[Johnny_Lamebridge]

Hi CRGRS 66,

I've enjoyed backtracking thru your build thread over the last couple months. Your 66 will be a real beauty when you get it all re-assembled.

It was nice bumping into you on Friday. Funny actually, when you spotted me in my 63. It was good discussing mods with you, since I'm still planning what I want to do to my truck.

Keep up the good work!

[Ta2Don]

Glad to see ya pop up out here... and to hear you will be back after it soon...

[CRGRS 66]

Camping this weekend near Sauble Beach (on lake Huron, one of the great lakes if you weren't aware), only about 20 minutes from MartyZ, so we paid him a visit. Great to meet you and your lovely wife Marty, enjoyed the visit, truck looks great! Hope to see you again soon.

[Bomp]

I knew you all live a long ways away but I didn't realize it was so far that you were on the other side of the planet upside down. lol
Cool that you met up with a fellow board member.

[MARTYZ]

Bomp we only had one rum, so alcohol did not effect picture, great to meet you folks too Craig, hope the weather straightens up for you. We will meet again hopefully for a cruise sometime.

[CRGRS 66]

Well, it has been a while. Finally getting settled in to the new pad to the point that I have time for the truck

I have completed the rear differential upgrade, no modifications, just blasted and painted all exterior surfaces, and had Klotz Auto install all new bearings and seals. Time to get back on the front end and get that completed and settled away, mostly parts to remove, clean paint and re-install for good.

On another note, hope this isn't deemed political, but yesterday was a dark and tragic day in Canadian history, no where near the scope of 9/11 thankfully, but a massive wake up call for our nation and our security. There were two particular hockey games in the US last night, each between two US based teams. Before each of these games the Canadian anthem was performed, and tribute was paid to these affected here in Canada. Reminds us of the strength and importance of the great relationship between our two countries. The picture here was the scene @ the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh (I have actually attended a game here in the past). Thanks to my American Brothers for standing by us... always.

[Ta2Don]

Thoughts and Prayers for your fellow Countrymen...

[CRGRS 66]

Couple shots of my refurbished differential. I had painted up the cover bolts, but forgot to bring them with me to the shop, they used plated bolts, washers and lock washers.... should I install the original painted bolts, or leave it as is?

[CRGRS 66]

Spent this past weekend with 9 friends in Cleveland, went to the R&R hof Saturday, and to the Brownies game Sunday, awesome trop! Had placed orders to ship to the hotel to avoid duty and brokerage charges with LMC, Classic Parts, Truck & Car shop, and Summit. Also picked up an order @ Advance Auto Parts. Pertronix distributor, stock look plug wires, fule pump, power steering pump and pulley, and a few other bits and pieces. All in all a very successful weekend.

[clemdaddy]

sounds like a fun time. i used to go to sabers games when i lived there, always had a blast. didn't really understand what was going on in the game but the fans were crazy.
i vote for the original bolts in the reared if you haven't already decided.
and smart thinking on the parts delivery...