Getting ready for first trip out after 4 year Build.

[72MARIO]

Well I finially got the 67 running and the motor broke in. I happned to be out when I installed the dizzy the first time. After changing the oil there was some sparkles in the oil is that normal ? I managed to drive it up the driveway like 150 feet.After changing the oil. I was so nervous Well the only thing bad is the drivers wheel cyl. It was brand new and never used 2 years of sitting and it leaks Kinda annoying. I still have to polish 15 more bolts for the stainless strips get a front end alignment and some other small things. That are not really important.

So my question or debate is:

After I drive it about 200 miles local think I could take it out of town for a good 4 hour away from home trip ? Everything besides the starter and Rad is Brand new. The entire truck other that theos 2 parts. Tranny, motor diffirential...... Everything

I cant see a reason why not. Besides the one wheel cyl there were not leaks.
If anyone is local and would like to stop by and take some pics shoot me a P.M.

[stllookn]

You are likely to have many small problems including perhaps new parts that fail. The best way is to drive it on lots of short trips to see what happens first and don't get too far from home or help. Drive on short trips but don't shut the engine down so that your total run time equals what you would be doing on the long trip. This will tell you plenty about heating/cooling issues and bolts/hoses/fittings coming loose under longer running conditions. Eventually you will gain the confidence in the truck to make longer trips.

BTW...that metal in the oil is never good in my opinion. Change it again and see if it disappears...keep an eye on it for sure.

[72MARIO]

I am going to drive it home from the alignment shop it's about 15 miles then change the oil and filter again. After another 200 miles change again. I want to make sure it all came out.

[shifty]

Metal in the oil? Do you think it could be from the distributor? I remember reading something about someone's HEI setup...something to do with the gears being ground clean on the dizzy. Does this sound possible with your setup?

[72MARIO]

I called Jim the builder. He said it's normal. I am taking him the oil filter to have it cut open to doubble check.

[TN70C10]

Any time you break in a new motor you are going to have some fine flakes. The rings are seating, to make a seat they mate to the cylinder boar with the initial wear. This is why you run the engine for a hour and change it. You will still probably see some the next couple of oil changes. Some people run magnets on there oil filters to catch more of this metal debris during break in and normal wear afterwards.

[72MARIO]

I am thinking of getting a magnet for the filter. We cut the break in filter open and there wasnothing to be concerned about. I just got back from my first trip out I think I woke everyone up. Sure does handle nice considering the tape measure toe in job.

[gregfull]

72MARIO,

Let's see some pics! It's exciting when a fellow board member finishes a truck. I'd really like to see your 1 Piece windows, and get some feedback on them. Good luck on your trip.

[mocwon]

Magnetic drain plugs work wonders too...

[Jason71k10]

pics man, PICS!!!! you gonna be around this weekend, i wouldn't mind checking it out

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by Jason71k10

pics man, PICS!!!! you gonna be around this weekend, i wouldn't mind checking it out

and

[Gray Ghost]

I didn't have any metal in mine. The new motor now has 10k on it and is working very nicely. I was told by a good friend who's built many motors to drive it at varying speeds for the first 500 miles and stay close to home in case anything happens. It worked for me.

[Robert1970C20rstbukt]

You shouldn't have any problems with your truck since most of the stuff is brand new. When me and my Dad drove my truck on a 200 something mile round trip, I never had any problems, except that it ran a little hot. I was doing about 60 or 65 the whole time though, the engine screams after 55 and 65 is pushing it. Other than running kinda hot everything went great, I just kept checking the engine and radiator hoses, checked the brake fluid, and made sure the transmission fluid was full.

[72MARIO]

Thanks for all the help and advise

. Jason I will be in Huntsville his weekend in the 67 if you wan to come down and have a look/ snap some pics Tuesday night that would be cool.

I put 250 miles on it yesterday. When I get to huntsville I will have to do a oil change. (3 hour drive) I will and have been driving at various RPM . This truck movers. the 1st to 2nd shift squaks the tires at 2500 rpm. I love it ! I have a massive tool kit but I dont think I will need it. I have had no leaks besides the rear brake line flare on the wheel cyl. I just tweeked it a bit tighter and it's good. I love driving and watching peoples heads turn around 180 degrees.

Later Mario


The 1 piece window kit is nice lots of work getting it to fit right. It will extend the resto time bye a day atleast. If you buy the kit I wil PM you a tip list to help you out with thing not noted in the install papers. It's not a perfected kit by anymeans. There are lots of flaws you need to fix/live with. With the window 3/4 up it wobbles pretty good. But I knew that when I bought the kit it does not bother me at all. The windows are either down or up all the way when I drive. It's just my style.

[John Fabris]

Cool Mario!!!

I am slowly coming along with my truck. Working on the inside of the cab, but still need to find some correct A/C parts that are not broken. I am getting ready in the next week to start installing my one-peice windows, and any tips you have would be great!!!!

[70c10]

We need pics!. Congrats on the truck Mario!!!

[72MARIO]

Oky well I just got back form a 700 mile shake down. I need to correct the pinion angle a slight shake around 85 MPH+ and the speedo cable is leaking inside the cab ... Good thing the carpet did not show up friday it would have been a stinky mess. Other than that it was flawless. I knew I built it well.

Thank for the congrads. I will get pics soon.


I cant believe how manny people were all over it.

At some stops I thought they were going to join hands any pray for it.

[N2TRUX]

Enough of the chit chat, where are the PICS!!!! Glad to see everything is coming together for ya.....

[Jason71k10]

oh yeah, congrats btw man.

tuesday is no good for me....we have our final home inspection at 6. I move in on the 31st, you could always make a drive up to my place sometime after that. we could take pics of our trucks in the drive way....your pretty one and my fugly, primer gray one

have fun, and keep 'er rubber side down

[Purs]

Congrats on the successful road trip. I hope my maiden voyage goes as well. I'm not suprised your truck got alot of attention. Not to be a bother, but I too would like to see some pics!

[jescates]

After a couple of thousand miles, I would give it a real good look over, check all the bolts and lines. After 2500 miles on my new trany, I started noticing little spots of trany fluid in the driveway. Didn't think too much of it until I was driving home from work one night. I guess on the way to work, a cooler line vibrated loose enough. When I got in to come home, about halfway, the trany started slipping. I pulled over and found the line almost completely off. Thank god I didn't do any damage to the trany. After that, I checked crossmember bolts and found some where loose. It pays to check bolts and hoses. The biggest question I got is where are the pics man????

[72MARIO]

Well on the way home the pressure line coming out of the tranny came loose. I made it home fine just above Add. But my exhaust looks horrible. All black burnt fluid.

I will try and get pics. I am meeting James (Big Dually Ext cab) at a show wednesday. Mabye he cant shoot some pics. I have just run out of money and needed to spend what was left on the truck.

[Gray Ghost]

Congrats on the shakedown cruise!