Green Gus the 68 shortbed convert

[rusty76]

It is actually 20th if anybody else is interested. I understand how it goes. I really hope one of these fine days I'll be driving my ole pickup to the show and not just working. Lol. I think if you keep at it you'll do good.

[hewittca]

And the results are in: The timing set WAS changed, but the pan was never pulled. After pulling everything apart I discovered a scored damper and mangled bottom edge of the timing cover that were both contributing to my oil leak, a very loose timing chain, and a "custom" grooved cam gear! Overall I'm glad I decided to inspect this stuff because it all needed attention.







Fortunately, I finally reached the end of the parts destruction and started reassembly. Ultimately, I had to replace the rear main seal, oil pump (Melling M55), pan gasket, timing set (Cloyes 3001K), and rework the timing cover, but the bottom end should be sealed up nicely now.





I also noticed that my truck has entered the stage of the project where it begins to be absorbed by it's surroundings and become a place for additional storage in the garage. At least it's still getting used as a truck I suppose...





And lastly, some fitment motivation. While the truck's up on stands, I somewhat mocked up where the rear will be once I finally add in the drop blocks. Even with only 4" backspace on the 9" wide rears, I still think they are tucked a little too deep. I'd really love to throw the wider rear end in there with the 6 lugs from '69, but for the meantime I am going to put in some longer studs (Moser 7/16-20 x 2 7/8") and 1/2" spacers. I ran spacers for years on my Malibu, and with the Moser studs I think I'll be alright. I don't beat on this truck anywhere near what I did to my Malibu.



Next up is getting the transmission reassembled and installed. I hope to have that done within the next month. Then maybe I can actually get back to painting the bed.

[hewittca]

Originally Posted by rusty76

It is actually 20th if anybody else is interested. I understand how it goes. I really hope one of these fine days I'll be driving my ole pickup to the show and not just working. Lol. I think if you keep at it you'll do good.

My schedule cleared up for this weekend and I think I will try to make it out to the show (without the truck of course). I was going to go to the VW show at Farmington Dragway, but since I've sold my Beetle and have moved on to the truck, I think I'd prefer to attend this show. Where will you be working at the show?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by hewittca

....I also noticed that my truck has entered the stage of the project where it begins to be absorbed by it's surroundings and become a place for additional storage in the garage. At least it's still getting used as a truck I suppose...





And lastly, some fitment motivation. While the truck's up on stands, I somewhat mocked up where the rear will be once I finally add in the drop blocks. Even with only 4" backspace on the 9" wide rears, I still think they are tucked a little too deep. I'd really love to throw the wider rear end in there with the 6 lugs from '69, but for the meantime I am going to put in some longer studs (Moser 7/16-20 x 2 7/8") and 1/2" spacers. I ran spacers for years on my Malibu, and with the Moser studs I think I'll be alright. I don't beat on this truck anywhere near what I did to my Malibu.



Next up is getting the transmission reassembled and installed. I hope to have that done within the next month. Then maybe I can actually get back to painting the bed.

Nice investigative work on the motor. Prob extended it's life significantly because eventually there would have been a brief starvation issue that likely would have taken out a bearing or two.

As for the rear wheel being too far in, it looks good from the pic posted (and I am picky about it). It could be the angle but again, looks right to me. On the 'wider' 69/later 6-lug housing... Seemed the change to the wider housing happened sometime in 70. That's where there were 2 different length 6-lug housings. Measure the distance between the backing plate & T/A perch on your current housing to ensure you're getting a longer one if you go shopping around.

[rusty76]

PM sent

[warbird1]

Originally Posted by hewittca

Judging by the work you're doing on your truck, I'm pretty sure you could pull it off. I do really like the setup you are currently running, but your truck would look amazing on a set of big steelies. The guy I got my wheels from can do a 5 lug conversion for you, just sayin'

do you have this guys contact info? i would be VERY interested in a set of transits in 5 lug

[hewittca]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

As for the rear wheel being too far in, it looks good from the pic posted (and I am picky about it). It could be the angle but again, looks right to me. On the 'wider' 69/later 6-lug housing... Seemed the change to the wider housing happened sometime in 70. That's where there were 2 different length 6-lug housings. Measure the distance between the backing plate & T/A perch on your current housing to ensure you're getting a longer one if you go shopping around.

Great, thanks for the correct year to look for. I knew it was sometime during the 69/70 model years. You're right, from the photos I posted it really doesn't look off at all, but I like to have the rear wheels as tight as I can get them. I have about 1 1/8" on each side and I'd like to get it down to at most 1/2". Any more than that and at certain angles the rear wheels just don't look right to me.

[rusty76]

It was great meeting you today. I wish it would have been a little cooler. A few more trucks did show up. This year seemed to be off. I feel the heat and the race down in Charolette may had something to do with it. Either way we still had fun and saw some cool stuff.

[hewittca]

Just wanted to update my thread to mention that I have had the title changed to better represent the project through the title. For some reason, the build thread was actually duplicated with a new title and my old thread titled "Introduction, nostalgia, and 68 build, oh my" is still active, but I will not post in there anymore.

As far as the truck goes, I am hoping to get it running again this weekend. I am running by to pick up some parts (for an unrelated project) from Larry (GR8-68) on Saturday morning, and then getting to work on the truck. An update will hopefully be posted soon.

[webberjames95]

loookin amazing dude. fitment is sick

[rusty76]

Bought time you changed the title. Lol.

[NewType72]

I'm definitely going to look into those moser studs. I have 20 x 9.5's all round and they severely lack width in the rear so I see spacers in my future lol

[hewittca]

I had a chance to work on the truck last night and get it back down on all fours to test everything I did to it. Ultimately, we rebuilt the transmission, replaced the rear main seal and oil pan gasket, and replaced the timing set. After rolling it outside, we topped off all the fluids and started it up.



I'll be honest, I was a bit nervous because we fixed a number of issues at once and messed with all the fluid carrying components (oil, coolant, and trans) so the possibility for at least a leak was present. Diligence paid off, however, because she started right up, everything sounded and looked right, and there was not a drop of fluid leaking anywhere. After warming up, it was time for a test drive and again, everything felt great.





The trans shifts firmly and quickly now and the engine idles smoothly with no inconsistency like it used to. The only thing is that I've had the cobbled together exhaust out and in 3 times now since I got the truck and it's on its last leg. With the worn out glasspack and 2" single pipe exhaust it sounds like a tractor, but I plan on doing exhaust soon. First thing's first though, I think it's finally time for some paint!

Idle

[knomadd]

Sounds pretty good for a tractor! Nice job so far.

[GR8-68]

Sweet !!! Great to see it back on the ground And it sounds great

[preacher anthony]

Good job! Changing cam and lifters in mine. Had a Comp cams 282S, solid lift. Truck needed a 3k stall and low gears. Way too much for cruising around w/ the grands.

[hewittca]

And here she sits as yard art at my dad's house until I can find some time to paint the bed. The tailgate is off in preparation for paint. She also gets to hang out with my dad's '75 dually for a while. He has had this truck since 1988 or so and before that it was a PA state utilities truck.

[lolife99]

Wow. What a thread!
I just read this from start to finish.
Excellent EXCELLENT work.
Love the pics and all the info.
I can't believe I hadn't seen this thread before now.

[rusty76]

Glad to see Gus back together. Can't wait to see it in person one of these fine days.

[Derek@AccuAir]

Sounds good! For some reason nothing sounds as good as a small block with a cam to me.

Can't wait to see it with the bed painted!

[hewittca]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Wow. What a thread!
I just read this from start to finish.
Excellent EXCELLENT work.
Love the pics and all the info.
I can't believe I hadn't seen this thread before now.

Thank you, that means a lot!

Originally Posted by rusty76

Glad to see Gus back together. Can't wait to see it in person one of these fine days.

I keep saying to myself, I'll make it to next months round of cruise-ins, nope now next month, etc... I originally planned to make it to the first cruise-ins of the year, now I'm thinking I might make it to the last.

Originally Posted by Derek@AccuAir

Sounds good! For some reason nothing sounds as good as a small block with a cam to me.

Can't wait to see it with the bed painted!

Thanks! I agree. I had a 383 with a 3" x-pipe in my Malibu and it sounded lethal. I loved that thing. Maybe I shouldn't have let it go... oh well, I do love the truck too.

Idle

[Derek@AccuAir]

Yeah, that's the sound I'm talking about! I've heard a lot of built LS stuff, and never heard one sound like that. What brand were the mufflers on the Malibu?

[hewittca]

Originally Posted by Derek@AccuAir

Yeah, that's the sound I'm talking about! I've heard a lot of built LS stuff, and never heard one sound like that. What brand were the mufflers on the Malibu?

It was a Pypes x-pipe kit for the Malibu that came with their "street pro" mufflers. I bought it for the pipes mostly, but ended up liking the mufflers too, so I kept them.

[NewType72]

I would say Gus has some really nice company at your dads place for sure!

[MojoZA]

Wow...fantastic read. That 2.5" drop on the bin/chassis is the business, truck appears to be lowered but retains the std suspension. Brilllant.