Pontiac Nut's 63 GMC ProStreet Build

[66-PMD-GMC]

OK,
I am nearly done with my 66 build and now into my 63 ProStreet build.
I am thinking I didn't do that great of a job getting photos onto my other build thread maybe I can do a better job this time.
Here is where I am going with in this build.
63 GMC. The frame has an Alston Chassisworks back half kit welded in, coil overs and a narrowed 9 inch ford with a posi third member hung on a 4 link.
All of that is done now and pulled back apart so I can get the frame sand blasted again. The high tech primer that was used after the last sand blast/seal failed and I am having it redone. The rust can be seen coming through in the photo. I had the frame stashed there in the weather and was assured it wouldn't rust. By the way, that big mess is gone too. I have been pretty busy lately and it got bad.
I have a 63 GMC cab that needs some TLC.
I only have a photo of the dash so far but it is a photo...
I am not a huge step side fan so a step side isn't in the future for this truck even though it came with one.
I am thinking 58-59 bedsides for this 63. It is a short bed.
I have a 440 inch Pontiac motor for this truck. It is a 400 block with a 428 crank and .060 over flat top pistons. 6X-4 heads, 2.11/1.77 valves, a roller cam and valve train, dual quad intake and twin Holley carbs. Hooker headers take care of exhaust. I havent figured out the rest of the exhaust yet.
The motor dyno'd at 631/683, (H.P./Torque)
I have a 5 lug front disk set-up from a 73-87 donor truck and am currently scronging the local wrecking yards looking for a set of Mark V lincoln rear disks for the 9 inch. This keeps front and rear 5 on 5...
Haven't figured out a trans yet but I do have a TH400 and I am keeping an eye out for a 200-4R trans for the overdrive.
Tomorrow I should figure out how to move photos from my old laptop to my new so I can load more photos.

[66-PMD-GMC]

Short update,
If anyone is following my thread.
Bunch of stuff, too much to list, back from the blaster.
Seal and paint everything is on my list of things to do for the next couple of days.
Anyone know of a "GOOD" long lasting tarp that I can use to cover my frame during the assembly?
I have no garage or carport at the house so I need to cover anything that will suffer from the weather. Every tarp I have used so far disintegrated in a few weeks in the Arizona sun. Especially the blue type from home depot. They suck and you will spend weeks sweeping up the blue crap once they come apart.
My goal is to have this truck ready to drive on the Hot Rod Power Tour that starts June 2 this spring/summer.
For you photo hoe's (lol) I have some photos that I am working on. I found out i can edit them so what happened above doesn't happen again. No need for massive sized photos.

[1963c-10]

Sounds like you've got a good truck in the works.

[jimmydean]

Can you use a tent, or do you have a HOA to deal with? We got a 10x15 from Harbor Freight that worked awesome and it rains 9 months out of the year here.



It's $200, but you can break it down and store it, or sell it on CL when you are done with it.

It's a shame to see that frame rust like that.

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Sounds like you've got a good truck in the works.

THANKS!

Originally Posted by jimmydean

Can you use a tent, or do you have a HOA to deal with? We got a 10x15 from Harbor Freight that worked awesome and it rains 9 months out of the year here.



It's $200, but you can break it down and store it, or sell it on CL when you are done with it.

It's a shame to see that frame rust like that.

Never thought of a tent however, I am building a roof over my build area in the next few weeks so a trap that would cover everything work fine. The tent may be too high, but it is something I sure hadn't thought of. Thanks for the suggestion.

[jimmydean]

The one we used was pretty durable, I was surprised as how well the zippers held up. We eventually turned it into a portable spray booth. You could easily cut down the overall height, too. But if you are building something, then just go to Home Depo and get the thickest ones they have.

[McMurphy]

Originally Posted by 66-PMD-GMC

Anyone know of a "GOOD" long lasting tarp that I can use to cover my frame during the assembly?

If you have an Army Surplus joint in town try there. See if they have any of the canvas flat tarps, truck canopy tarps, or even a GP Medium tent. Any one of those should work exceptionally well for you and not disintegrate in your insane sunshine.

Good luck, cannot wait to see more pics of your work!

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by McMurphy

If you have an Army Surplus joint in town try there. See if they have any of the canvas flat tarps, truck canopy tarps, or even a GP Medium tent. Any one of those should work exceptionally well for you and not disintegrate in your insane sunshine.

Good luck, cannot wait to see more pics of your work!

I have stashed all of my painted sheet metal parts, wrapped in newspaper in my storage room in my house. I have my wheels and tires there too.
Everything that gets bolted to the frame has to stay outside so that is why I needed something to cover it with.
My buddy is a painter and he gave me a huge used tarp he has used for years.
It's heavy and coated in paint and works great.
I just want to keep the frame as clean as I can.
I have a bunch of photos on a SD card that I misplaced yesterday.
I cropped and resized a few photos.
They are mostly pics of the frame and parts.
Pretty boring.
I think setting the cab on the frame, installing suspension pieces and setting up the 4 link photos will be more interesting
This is going to be my own personal build to end all personal builds.
I want a solid flat 10 second truck that I can drive on the street.
Tomorrow - I will be taking care of as much of the floor repairs as I can on the cab. I want/need that cab on the frame asap. I also need to round up some crappy tires and wheels to roll this rig around on once I have the suspension installed.
Thanks for the heads up on army surplus.

[66-PMD-GMC]

OK, I have a update on my little build.
My first plan was and still is to us a fleetside bed for this prostreet truck.
However, I have a stepside that I could use as well.
I am a little torn. I am not a huge fan of a stepside on the 60-66 trucks.

I will be assembling my front suspension, 73-87 no big deal 5 lug disk stock suspension, and wrapping it in 3 mil trash bags.
I have a narrowed 9" that I need 76-79 lincoln rear disk brakes for.
I also have 3 mil plastic sheet.
I really need to find time and $ to finish my shop/addition...
At the point of all of this being done I will be wrapping the whole thing up and tucking it away until the shop has a roof over it.

That is my update, more for myself than anyone...

[66-PMD-GMC]

Worked on my column that I am putting in my Pro-Street.
Using a column from an 81 GMC box van and the entire wiring harness.
High amp, internal regulated charging system and the key on the dash are only 2 of the advantages of this system.
I am mocking this all up on a stripped cab I have so I can just bolt it into the painted new cab. That's the plan.
Also making a mid shaft, sort of like what a 73-87 truck has, for this column to go between the column and the gear box.

[LostMy65]

Good idea.

I wasn't thinking when I dumped my stripped 79 donor.
There was still other things I could have used.
Such as the fuse panel and harness.

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Good idea.

I wasn't thinking when I dumped my stripped 79 donor.
There was still other things I could have used.
Such as the fuse panel and harness.

The tank switching setup is going to come in really handy as well.
I plan on doing the Hot Rod Power tour so I am putting a tank in the front of the bed under the tonue cover to work along with the tank behind the seat.
I want to be able to go a minimum of 500 miles between fill ups...
With a 600+ HP motor
Wait ...

[66-PMD-GMC]

I think I am going to put this build on the back burner for the time being.

I need to concentrate on getting my 66 done and find homes for other stuff lurking out on the side yard.

I have the frame ready to paint on the pro-street. I am going to get that done, assemble the suspension and stop there. To continue means pulling the tires and wheels out of their bags and putting them on
OR finding some 5 lug wheels and tires to make it a roller and frankly, I don't want to spend any more $$$ on this build than I need to.

I also found a solution for my roll bar delema and I need to get that welded into place too.
Wish I had more hours in the day to play but alas, I don't.... gotta make a living too...

[66-PMD-GMC]

Took a huge step forward... or ...backward, depends on how you look at it.
Have the suspension on the frame, set the cab on the frame to make room and then the bed.
Got to looking and realized that with the bed in position the frame rails stick up above the bed sides.
Checked and rechecked.
It looks terrible so I cut the back half kit off the frame.
I am not into "laying frame", air bags or any of that nonsense and do not need the frame rails that high at all.
Sooooo....
Going to go a totally different way on the frame now. What way... don't know yet.
Original plan was to cover the bed with a fiberglass tonue cover. Can't do that with the frame rails 4 1/2 inches above.

[C@rnut001]

Sounds like a neat project. I was just re-reading your thread postings here and realized that you said you wrapped your painted parts in newspaper. You might want to check them and switch it out, as I have had the news print come off onto the paint before after having done the same thing (probably depends on the ink). Anyway, good luck with your build on this truck. I love prostreet trucks!

[C@rnut001]

Oh, and I have to add that I love Pontiac power too!

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by C@rnut001

Oh, and I have to add that I love Pontiac power too!

Thanks! I got a friend to bend up some 3X4 frame rails without the huge bend the Alston Chassis-works rails have.
Will still use coil-overs and I am considering ladder bars instead of the 4 link.
The Pontiac motor is not an option, it is a must have...

[AZ66GMC]

Hey Chris, sounds like you got your work cut out for you did you get your work area shade complete? The heat is coming soon



.
Posted via Mobile Device

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by AZ66GMC

Hey Chris, sounds like you got your work cut out for you did you get your work area shade complete? The heat is coming soon
Posted via Mobile Device

I have cleared out a LOT of truck parts and will have footins and columns done by the end of this weekend.
Working today, the heat is here......

[66-PMD-GMC]

Started tacking things together on the frame.
My original plan was a fleetside. I have a stepside but after considerable thought while working today and I just can't make a final decision on this.
I just can't get past the fact, in my mind, that the lines on the stepside just don't go with the 60-66 cabs.
They just dont look right......

[66-PMD-GMC]

Updates on updates....
I have gathered together the parts I will need to build a chassis jig for 63-72 GM truck frames.
The jig I was using was originally made for GM A body cars.
This jig should be done soon and I am taking photos with my digital camera.
However, before I can make any headway on my frame jig, I will be doing block work.
Not on the engine but on my carport and home shop.
I am not working in the sun this summer...
I will be building block columns to hold the carport roof and while I am at it pouring footings for the shop.
Life long dream coming to fruition...
Photo chronicle to come

[66-PMD-GMC]

It has been 9-10 months since I did an update.
C@rnut001... I should have listened to you about the newspaper..

All of my projects were moth balled for a while.

1-I didn't listen when the guy at Alston Chassisworks told me there might be clearance issues with the frame rails that I bought.. there were
2-I didn't listen when my friend told me that the sealer I bought would rust through.. it did.
3-I didn't listen when I was told not to wrap my freashly parts in newspaper... now resprayed.

Here is some progress I have made...
1-built a 7 foot bench/jig to use in cutting down 60-66 bed-sides from long to short.
2-The footings and some block (masonry) work are completed for my shop/garage.

Money and work schedules are my only obsticles in completing everything.
The economy has hit me hard so I do what I can when I can and hope to eventually complete one project.... baby steps I am told...

[markeb01]

That's it. I'm afraid most of us have suffered either financial setbacks or work related difficulties. Any progress is progress. Looking forward to the next photo update.

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by markeb01

That's it. I'm afraid most of us have suffered either financial setbacks or work related difficulties. Any progress is progress. Looking forward to the next photo update.

I have spent the last 6 days organizing my 5 trucks and piles of parts to ready the space I am doing my initial construction.
First the garage columns and roof structure go up, then the shop walls and roof behind the garage.
Materials are there, just need to make a place to work and because of many things, the garage goes first.
The garage will be a drive through with a garage door on both the front and back and a breeze way between the shop and garage.
I have learned the hard way that I can't do any quality work outside and I need a shop for my machinery. Mill, lathe, welding equipment etc...
Currently, my friends shop houses much of my stuff... time to move it home.
Since it is only me doing this.. it will take time.

[66-PMD-GMC]

My 66 GMC is sold and gone along with most of my extra parts and parts trucks.
I am down to my wife's 63 Chebby step side and my 63 GMC pro-street Pontiac powered super truck.
The fastest non-Chevy powered 63 GMC in the southwest..
(maybe in all the world bwwwuuuuhahahahahaha)
Of course, finishing it will be a good first step..
Seriously
I built a new back half, coil over rear suspended section and should have it all together soon.
The frame is at sand blast and it is coming back with a fresh coat of chassis coating.
Yes, photos will be posted
I kept the best stuff I had to put my truck back together...
Motor is done and I am working out what to use for a trans..
Thinking 4L80E but not sure how I would get it to shift.