Restoring Rusty

[Gregski]

then I visited this '73 where I thought I could score the radiator core support, it looked all shinny and black, I was guessing the truck was recently repaired in the front, but... only to remove every bolt but one, you guessed it the rusty one under the battery tray in the bottom lowest corner, that's when I realized that although all the metal is there, the lip in the corner is paper thin, the rust has already gotten to it, so I passed on it, although unscrewing all those 50 screws was hecka fun

I did walk away with this junction block, but Greg we didn't realize you needed one? Well I sorta drove the truck to work with the wiring harness loosened up from the firewall and I smelled plastic burning on the way home, and then I found out it was my old junction block melting on the ol' exhaust manifold

I also picked up a proper Positive Battery Cable ($2.50) with a RED terminal, I wich the entire cable was red, but I will settle for at least a red tip, that way if the wifey has to jump start me one day she won't cross the jumper cables

[Gregski]

so yeah, six parts how ever small they may be I only paid $10.05 and had a fun scavenger hunt at what I call the Adventure Theme Parking Lot

[greg64]

Awh, sh1t, I didn't know you were looking for that clutch spring. I'm nearly certain I have one in my parts bin I could have shipped you.

I notice your battery cable is for a side terminal battery. I know GM used the side terminals a lot, but in my opinion, they're crap compared to a top terminal. When the corrosion starts on the side terminal, it's hidden by the wire and you're not aware of it. Not so with the top terminal, and the connection surface area seems larger too.

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by greg64

Awh, sh1t, I didn't know you were looking for that clutch spring. I'm nearly certain I have one in my parts bin I could have shipped you.

I notice your battery cable is for a side terminal battery. I know GM used the side terminals a lot, but in my opinion, they're crap compared to a top terminal. When the corrosion starts on the side terminal, it's hidden by the wire and you're not aware of it. Not so with the top terminal, and the connection surface area seems larger too.

Agreed on the terminals. I much prefer top post with marine clamps and then make my own 4g wiring.

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by greg64

I know GM used the side terminals a lot, but in my opinion, they're crap compared to a top terminal.

My friend I hate those things with a passion, they get stripped, they are terrible for jumper cables, I hate them more than you. I may be thinking of a conversion to top terminals at some point, but I just bought that battery brand new and it don't have both and top terminals just the lame side ones.

[greg64]

Originally Posted by Gregski

My friend I hate those things with a passion, they get stripped, they are terrible for jumper cables, I hate them more than you. I may be thinking of a conversion to top terminals at some point, but I just bought that battery brand new and it don't have both and top terminals just the lame side ones.

Bummer. I was thinking your new battery was side terminal only.

[Gregski]

considerin' these ugly spark plug wire booties for my too close to the headers problem, saw this pic on Craigslist today - please don't let me do it, they are ugly as heck

[Titomars]

They may be ugly but they work. I run a set on my 454. Only need them for 2 wires but it looks dumb unless it's a complete set on the engine. Also they look a bit better if they are not that tan color. I went with black ones.

[69heavychevy]

Thanks for the pics Gregski, very clean install BTW

[albertgen]

You sure did a good job, I wouldn't begin to know how to do all that! Al

[rusty76]

Congrats on the score. Now find me a core support as well. Good luck. Mines not only rusty but bent as well......

[SkinnyG]

Originally Posted by Gregski

considerin' these ugly spark plug wire booties for my too close to the headers problem....

I have MSD plug wires and they are withstanding headers really well.

I buy those braided heat thingies individually, take the ring out of them, and use them as a "TIG Finger" for welding.

[hatzie]

Originally Posted by Gregski

still staying with the '79 I decided to see if I can find a similar black ground wire like the loose one in my truck and see where it bolts up to

I found a similar wire so I unscrewed the loop end and cut the other end where it splices into the wiring harness so I can graft it in properly to my own, score

That 6 disconnect ground buss bar mounted to the E-Brake pedal bracket is 1978-91. 1973-1977 use a ring terminal direct to the sheet metal under the dash. The 78-91 part is nicer to deal with. Nice scores BTW.

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by hatzie

That 6 disconnect ground buss bar mounted to the E-Brake pedal bracket is 1978-91. 1973-1977 use a ring terminal direct to the sheet metal under the dash. The 78-91 part is nicer to deal with. Nice scores BTW.

Yeah I grabbed one of those 6 disconnect ground bars myself but I discovered to use it requires a special type of connector to use with said bar.

Or maybe I just ned to use larger female spade terminals?

[hatzie]

Originally Posted by enaberif

Yeah I grabbed one of those 6 disconnect ground bars myself but I discovered to use it requires a special type of connector to use with said bar.

Or maybe I just ned to use larger female spade terminals?

The 12004267 female Packard 56 singles look pretty but a quality disconnect terminal will work fine.
If you have the 12004267 plastic housing the Packard 56 Female terminals are easy to find.

[rich weyand]

For the battery side terminals, I used two brass side post adapters with the studs on the back, but I used the ones for the double-wire setup, so they are longer on the battery end. I screw it through the cable so it just dead-ends in the battery, to catch all the threads, then tighten a nut down onto the cable. The studs off the back side give me something to connect accessories to, as well as jumper cables. I should have a picture here somewhere.

Here it is. I cut the ring off that held the old clamp bolt captive. The yellow residue is from some 3M weatherstrip adhesive I used to glue a cap on it at one point. But you can see how the clamping bolt is not all the way down, there is a nut clamping the cable.


This is the part you want. Note the "LONG" in the description. That is because some GM side post setups had TWO cables on one clamp.
http://optimatrays.com/viewitem.php?type=accessory&id=5

Anyway, this way you engage *all* of the threads in the battery, and won't strip it, and those big hexes are a lot easier to deal with than the small ones.

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by jeremybadeker

Are you sure that's a v8 tach and not for a 6?

not sure Jeremy but it does have a 4 Wheel Lock light on it (under the speedo) so I'm assuming it came off of a V8 truck since I don't think they had 6 cylinder 4x4s, please correct me if I'm wrong

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by motornut

Maybe the black could be seat belts ?
Among everything else grounded they usually went down to one wire about a foot from the cluster plug in

Kinda late to reply to this one, and I believe we settled it that indeed it is ground, but just for foresuredness (lol) and Keith may correct me, I don't recon they had electronized the seat belts back in 1974 as I don't think they even made shoulder belts mandatory yet back then

the new gauge cluster circa 1979 does have a seat belt light under the tachometer

[Gregski]

Sunday Morning
to the tune by Maroon 5

Sunday morning, truck is calling
Spin some wrenches, scrape some skin
Clouds are shrouding us in moments unforgettable
You twist to fit the part that wont go in
But things just get so crazy, fixing rust gets hard to do
And I would gladly hit the road, get up and go if I could
That someday it would bring me back to you
That someday it would take me back to you
That may be all I need
In darkness, my truck is all I see
Come and test your skills with me
Driving slow on Sunday morning
And I never want to leave
Fingers trace your every outline
Paint your body with my hands
Back and forth we sway like branches in a storm
Change the weather (stripping), hold together where it bends
That may be all I need
In darkness, my truck is all I see
Come and test your skills with me...

[Gregski]

today we hope to complete the 74 => 78 gauge cluster swap

below for high level comparison I included a picture of the old 74 printed circuit board (top pic) and below it a picture of the old 78 printed circuit board

the idea is to just give you an idear that they is different, we do not expect you to use these fotos to trace and compare the actual circuits

also this is what they look like to Superman ie if you could see through the blue housing this is what they look like facing you the way the gauges face you naturally, I find that when you turn the cluster over and are looking at the back side, things are super confusing because right is left and left is west, you git the idear

[Gregski]

Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.

~ Abraham Lincoln

and so we prepare and prepare for this cluster surgery, just tracing these boards on paper and making these drawings was a great exercise to acclamate to what lies ahead

I present to you the Anti Schematic Wiring Schematics

Pic 1 - 1974 gauge cluster with mechanical oil gauge absent tachometer

Pic 2 - 1978 gauge cluster with electronic oil gauge with tachometer

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by Gregski

Kinda late to reply to this one, and I believe we settled it that indeed it is ground, but just for foresuredness (lol) and Keith may correct me, I don't recon they had electronized the seat belts back in 1974 as I don't think they even made shoulder belts mandatory yet back then

the new gauge cluster circa 1979 does have a seat belt light under the tachometer

My 74 is a Canadian truck with only lap belts and yes the ground for the harness is to the metal on the dash where the 6 prong bar goes later.

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by enaberif

My 74 is a Canadian truck with only lap belts and yes the ground for the harness is to the metal on the dash where the 6 prong bar goes later.

Thanks, so in '74 there is no 6 prong bar, that came later? I don't have one so I don't know if I am missing one or it never had it, thanks

[Gregski]

took my time and removed and labeled every single wire from the gauge cluster connector plug

here they colorphabliclly

Light Green - Hi Beam Light Bulb

Gray - Five Cluster Illumination Lights

Black - Ameter

Black with White Stripe - Ameter

Pink - Positive Switched Ignition Power

Tan with Black Stripe - Brake Light Bulb

Tan - Fuel Gauge

Dark Green - Water Temp Gauge

Black - Ground for Water Temp, Cluster Lights, Fuel Gauge

Dark Blue - Right Turn Signal Light Bulb

Light Blue - Left Turn Signal Light Bulb

Dark Blue - will be Oil Pressure Gauge once installed

[Gregski]

now we're playing with Power, no literally we're actually playing with... ah you get the joke

now Greg why in the world did you tear up this fuse box panel thing

two reasons:

1. We had to A. castrate the dangerous Ameter wire(s) and B. graft the new Electric Oil Pressure wire

2. I was curious how all this wiring works and what's behind the fuse box, because starring at wiring diagrams just gives me a headache