'66 Longbed 327 w/AC project

[cortcomp]

I almost don't want to install the parts, because they look so good! Just refurb all the parts and organize them and say "that's the cleanest truck you'll ever see, in that pile right there!"

[88Lt1wagon]

Hahaha, they'll never be that clean again

Originally Posted by cortcomp

I almost don't want to install the parts, because they look so good! Just refurb all the parts and organize them and say "that's the cleanest truck you'll ever see, in that pile right there!"

[cortcomp]

I hate to even cut them down and put my hands on them to install them!

[cortcomp]

Got the front clip done in por-15 today, got it all over me even though i was trying to be careful, going to spray the rest because of the mess brushing it on was. Got captain fab's power steering bracket on right before i painted.

[duallyjams]

That's a lot of work no matter how you do it.

[cortcomp]

It really is, this stuff gets everywhere, and with all the nooks and cranies in the bench area, it's a pain. Going to get some more long checmical gloves and some por-15 and thinner, and ruin a $30 paint gun i've had for years but never used. I've sprayed por-15 non-thinned before, with pressure at 100 and volume all the way up, but it lays like a factory matte black (like really factory). Since part of the frame is already gloss, i'll have to thin it with their thinner and spray the spots i didn't get to. And cover up in 18 layers of clothes and paint masks. Hopefully get that done and the a-arms painted today, then the backing plates and spindles clean and painted tomorrow, so i can assemble a little at a time this coming week.

[cortcomp]

Suited up, new mask, hate, giant gloves, paint suit, and got everything done. Took a couple hours, but i think i got the entire frame, all the little brackets, etc.

Hung the A arms outside and got those done as well.

[jayoldschool]

Looking good. I just realized I own an adjustable painting rack! Thanks!

[cortcomp]

Oh, yes, the dual model crane/painting rack binford 3000!

[Captainfab]

Looks good

Yeah, painting a frame with all it's nooks and crannies is a pain. But it does look soooo good when it is done. It's almost a shame to cover it up with a body.

[cortcomp]

One side ready to assemble, some parts painted cast (they're darker than they look in this photo) and rest black. Other side is on rack primer/paint drying now...finally done scrubbing all that grease and prepping, and can finally assemble!

[88Lt1wagon]

Originally Posted by cortcomp

Oh, yes, the dual model crane/painting rack binford 3000!

I don't think so, Tim.

Those parts are looking good, though
Posted via Mobile Device

[cortcomp]

Thanks! It's always nice to assemble new and clean parts, makes the job easier, and i feel i need to paint everything, even in clear, to keep rust stains, etc from showing up later. I know it only lasts awhile, but better than rust first week!

[cortcomp]

Both sides spindles/steering link/brakes/backing plate assemblies done tonight, and both hubs have new inner and outer bearing races installed.

[cortcomp]

Only had about an hour tonight, so started getting the drivers side together with CPP 1" lowering springs on front.

[cortcomp]

Busy as i could be this weekend. On the back got new control arm bushings in, new panhard bushings in, new CPP lowering springs (3" if i recall), all new brakes finally done (from cylinders, to lines to flex hoses to drums, everything.) On the front, captainfab's conversion done except had a minor idler arm issue i'm sorting, other than that, all is done there. All 4 new shocks in with new hardware (standard monroe ones, nothing special).

[cortcomp]

Been making progress but haven't posted many updates. Suspension and brakes done all around and truck back down on it's wheels. Rear brake lines and new rear cover and gasket installed. Front end put back together aligned and centered as best i can in my garage. Used some advanced auto parts heavy duty engine degreaser (Very little used actually, was barely spraying it so i wouldn't get it inside the holes to the cab). After that, razor blade took most of the black paint/grime off, and then coarse steel wool. Then denatured alcohol and paper towels got most off. The worse was the channel above the firewall up top. After all that, the DA turned on high with 320 grit pads. I have to get some areas done by hand that the DA can't get to. Anything under the inner fender wells i don't care about, because it will be undercoated (which i've done most of the inside of the outer fenders with, and the inside of the front clip, except above the inner fenders; i used flat black there.)

Goal is to properly mask and paper the cab, sand it and clean it, and sealer primer it. Then, seam sealer where needed and scuff it so it can be painted. Then paint likely just the firewall to a logical seam, so i can put the inner fenders back in, core support with new AC stuff, battery tray, radiator, etc. Then i should be ready for the motor, which is a few weeks out at the machine shop. Then i can do the tranny, get the shifter fab all done, and start with the new wiring harnesses etc. Then we'll likely finish panting the cab, doors, fenders, etc and save the bed for last.

After all that...i think we'll be done? Is there such a thing as done?

[cortcomp]

Before and after of firewall, and a number i found under the OEM paint in the brake booster area, seems like it was done during assembly.

[cortcomp]

Been working but not many updates...masked a lot off, did the roof finishing touches, then some etching primer then regular primer in the roof ditch area. Have some touching up to do on some minor spots related to roof work, but quick and not in the ditch, and need to do seam sealer on inner door jamb and vertical rain gutter seams, but got the roof drip rail done with fusor 122ez tonight, and it does work well. I was a little thick at the bottom of the sloping parts, i'll be sanding there, that's my bad for not being more careful. I just masked the drains underneath, and then i'll take the tape off and clear them with a small drillbit.

Borrowed a manual gun from a local parts store, i will try the fusor 2 part non-leveling seam sealer next. Here's pics of current status, plan is to paint the white part of the cab, then everything but fenders so we can climb over them, then do them and front clip last. Cowl area and fender extensions and hood will be painted separate. That will leave the bed, which i think will be the most prep work personally.

[cortcomp]

Last of today's work.

[Bomp]

That went in nice.
I see you filled in the seams above the windshield too.

[theastronaut]

That looks great, just like it's suppose to!

[cortcomp]

Thanks guys! It did hide most of the work i did in repairing the seams and taking the roof skin off and on, so overall i'm very happy now. I do have to sand it down near the bottom of the sloping areas because i wasn't cautious enough there, but i can't think that will be too hard. Thanks for the pictures and tip on the brand to use astronaut!

[cortcomp]

Found a softspot (about the first 4 inches i did) and cut it out (was gooey in the middle) and about an inch or so into the cured areas on each side. I think i didn't put enough out of the tip to get a good mix. Everything else is rock solid. It was a REAL pain to cut the cured stuff, even with a razor blade and hook knife. Made a nice clean area to re-seal, in an easy part in the center back of the truck. Will likely do that, and try a really thin bead on the A pillar drip rails. Doing some 3M on the door jamb upper seams this weekend. hope to primer late next week or next weekend. Mildly annoying buy pretty sure it's my fault (like how i overfilled the ditch where the sloped area levels out and the rear drains are punched), not a show stopper, i'm sure once i fill it, it will mate well with the existing.

[duallyjams]

We all learn the same way, by doing , don't fret your doing a good job, how's that for a pat on the back