'64 C-10 Stalled Project Rescue

[Arne]

The new radiator and fan are on their way, ETA late this week. Will probably install it over the weekend.

Spent some time cleaning the truck up a bit, even waxed it. Then took it for a short drive in the last sun we are likely to see here for the next week or so.

Self-nominated my truck for ToTM. Doing surprisingly well, so far. There's some really great competition.

[Arne]

New radiator is delayed by weather, darn it. I was hoping to have it for this weekend to have something to do, but it's been stuck in Colorado since before sunrise Wednesday. Nothing I can do but wait, and watch the vote count for ToTM.

[Arne]

The radiator and fan are now said to be arriving tomorrow. Installing the new radiator should be simple, wiring up the new fan controller not too much harder. Will be nice not having to worry about engine temps going forward. Between the original 2-row radiator (probably full of scale) and no fan shroud, I've been pretty careful to not work it too hard.

[Arne]

The radiator did indeed arrive today, and I have to say I'm pleased with it. It is from Auto City Classics, and has nice, stamped tanks rather than the typical cut-n-welded origami radiators. A whole lot cleaner appearance, IMO.

I bought it on eBay rather than their website as it is $50 cheaper on eBay. On the website, you can add a custom shroud and/or a 16" electric fan as options. On eBay they offer only the bare radiator, or a complete package with fan and shroud.

Website - https://www.autocityclassic.com/pick...iator-r6366pu/

eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/29152280530...sAAOSwMmBVsmWw

The radiator and shroud are nice. The fan is a bit on the cheesy side, but since I still paid less for the whole package than just the rad and shroud (no fan) cost on the website, I'll live with it. Later it can be replaced with a nicer one if needed.

Fitment is nice, I'm going to trim the upper rubber mounts just a little, and you need to watch the lower cradle on the passenger side for interference with the outlet tube. So not quite a straight drop in, but close.

Tomorrow I will finish the rad install, go get a new rad cap, and then start on the fan controller/relay wiring with a kit I got from Summit.

[Braunschweiger]

That looks very good

[bigmoe]

I like the look of those stamped tanks. Resembles the stock ones. I don't see any options for the LS guys like steam port inlet or optional inlet locations.

[Arne]

Originally Posted by bigmoe

I like the look of those stamped tanks. Resembles the stock ones. I don't see any options for the LS guys like steam port inlet or optional inlet locations.

Yeah, they definitely cater to old school stuff, and stock replacements.

I mostly finished the install today. Found that the indents in the top tank don't match the original top saddle mount, so I had to trim some on the rubber isolators to get it to fit. But that was about it for fitment.

Then I wired the fan controller and fan. Doing that tidily took a little time. All I have left is to make final adjustment of the thermostat-relay on the controller. Will handle that tomorrow or so. New billet rad cap is not here yet.

So time to pick which item on my list is next. Probably not the new bed wood, as I want to wait for warmer weather for finish to cure.

[Arne]

Well, about 24 hours left on ToTM voting, and my green stepside is a solid second. Pretty sure there won't be enough late votes to make up the gap to first. That's OK, it still shows some popularity.

Next up - power brake upgrade...

[Arne]

The knurled aluminum radiator cap arrived today, and it's fine. Got notice that the booster/master kit I ordered (which was shown as being in stock when I clicked the "order" button) is backordered. Grrr. Waiting on an ETA now.

[Arne]

And the answer to the ETA question is...


4-6 weeks. Groan. Gonna have to find something else to work on for a while, I guess.

[Arne]

Disassembled, cleaned and lubricated the clutch linkage starting yesterday, finished this morning. Used some nasty, sticky, high-load grease on all the link points. Had to drill out and re-bush the pedal arm end. Also found that the worst squeak on pushing the clutch in wasn't the clutch linkage, it was the seat. So I had to re-lube the seat track on the driver's side as well. Much quieter now.

Got fed up with the glue-on door seals that came with the truck. Tired of having to slam the doors, and the dang things don't want to stay glued in place either. New push-on seals should arrive sometime this week. I've also got a new steering wheel on its way. Stay tuned...

[88Stanger]

looking great sir!!

[Arne]

Originally Posted by 88Stanger

looking great sir!!

Thanks, Jeff. I'm pretty pleased with the results so far, especially since so much of the appearance (body work, paint, color scheme) was done by the PO long ago.

Of course, it's not perfect, or in the same class as some of the really first class builds I see here - yours, Rod's, SkinnyG's, etc. But that type of show quality work was never my goal. I'm hoping that when it is finished and sold that the next owner will put it to some use, regularly.

[Arne]

New steering wheel arrived today...

[Arne]

I drove the truck across town yesterday afternoon, and left it with the body/paint guy I've used on my last couple of projects. He's going to do some touch-up on a couple of the more obvious paint flaws. Luckily, I still have the remainder of the gallon of green paint that was used, so this should turn out fine. Should be done by middle of next week.

Side note - really pleased with how the steering feels and responds to the new smaller diameter wheel.

[Lokin4AReason]

Its coming along nicely
A long way from when you recieved her in , imo . . .

[88Stanger]

Great to hear about the steering!! I am excited to one day get mine out and see how it. Great job!!

[Arne]

Originally Posted by 88Stanger

Great to hear about the steering!! I am excited to one day get mine out and see how it. Great job!!

I highly recommend a 14-15" steering wheel with the power rack, Jeff. The larger OEM 17" makes the steering slightly fussy feeling.

[Arne]

The truck is back home after the touch up work. Also had the hub cover for the new steering wheel painted while the painter had paint in the gun. Much better than the black in the last picture.

[Braunschweiger]

This looks great, it's the details that make it beautiful

[Arne]

The next bunch of parts is supposed to arrive today. One task that will enable is to finally refurbish the gauge cluster. A few other details will be attended to as well.

[Arne]

The parts arrived as promised today, which gave me things to do this afternoon. The truck now has a horn, proper large-head carriage bolts for the steps, a throttle pedal, and one of the pair of fender emblems. More to come tomorrow and Monday.

[Arne]

More details today. Tailgate is now finally dressed, and the glovebox is installed.

[Arne]

Installed the second fender emblem today, and boy do I hate drilling holes in nice paint! But it's done, and they are good.

Then I re-wired the steering pump to run it off a separate fused circuit straight from the battery. Seems like it pulls enough power to justify a separate fuse.

I next made some tweaks to the glovebox hinges, to take out some of the slop. And while I was in the cab looking at that, I bumped the wheel and the horn went off, and didn't stop!

Pulled on the horn button, no change, so I got out and unplugged the horn.

Left the horn unplugged, but connected my multimeter to the horn wire so that I could see when the relay went cold, and started taking apart the horn button and steering wheel.

Horn button removed - circuit was still hot. Disconnected the horn button wire - still hot. Removed the steering wheel - still hot. Pulled the little spring-loaded contact out of the steering hub - still hot.

Next I unplugged the turn signal switch from the main harness, and finally the circuit went cold.

So obviously the little black wire that runs through the column and into the turn signal switch was grounded somewhere. Grrr.

Plugged the switch back into the harness, circuit went hot again. Started to remove the signal switch, and as soon as I loosened the lower right screw the circuit went cold.

Pulled the switch the rest of the way off and found that the black horn trigger wire had been misrouted when the switch (new repro installed a couple months back) was assembled and it had been pinched by the tabs on the upper end of the column when I tightened it down. Rerouted the wire, put it all back together and all seems to work fine now.

So it's all good now, but it did keep me from starting on the gauge cluster today. Soon, though...

[350TacoZilla]

Two steps forward and one step back kinda day huh? I think we all have had those but seems like you got it sorted pretty quick. Onwards and upwards!

I'm just waiting on bit warmer weather and maybe few helping hands so I can try to at least get my truck to my house and fit it in my garage.