Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Nuke,
Your right about the learning experience! For both of us! Anyway, this project is kinda on hold for the weekend......I am starting a new project with him. LINK HERE Not hyjacking but, Check it out:
1986 SWB Purchased for $600 on Craig's list (needs Motor)
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...ck/86chev1.jpg

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Nice build me and my dad are building my truck too and we're from OK too

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Good that you're doing this with your son. I'll let you know one thing that really ticks me off so you can try and avoid it with your son, and that's listen to what he has to say, even if it may sound stupid. I've found the solution to different problems many a time while my dad has basically ignored me and wasted 30 minutes trying to get me to do what he thinks is the solution to the problem.

It's been a huge learning experience, I had never worked on a vehicle until a year and a half ago when I started my project. Now I'm proud to say I know more about cars than 95% of my friends. Plus I've got to spend countless hours of quality time with my dad, which is a nice treat for me, and I'm sure for him as well.

The build is looking good so far!

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

progress is progress....

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Thanks Dylan,
I will definetly keep that in mind about listening to him.

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Have you all started on the engine swap?

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

We pulled the engine out of the donor and I haven't had time to get back on the project. Hopefully, this weekend we will stab it back into the truck. I've got to buy gaskets and seals first.
Mike

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

I will be watching this thread, I am in process of my 69 project and will be curious on the progress. From the pictures posted so far it looking good.

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Your son will always remember that truck and the bonding experience. Lucky kid whether he knows it or not yet.

The JB weld, it reminds me of a story. I had a 1991 Honda CR250 Dirtbike that took a 2" stone to the aluminum crankcase; putting a 3/8 inch hole in it. Rode a buddy's bike back to the truck and grabbed whatever we could find to fix it. Ended up tipping it on it's back, cleaned it with electrical contact cleaner, carefully put a wad of JB weld on a piece of duct tape and placed it over the hole. Re-filled it with one quart of automotive 10W30 and removed the tape 20 minutes later. Rode it out (15 miles) thinking I'd replace the case. Got it home and realized it had sealed perfectly and I really didn't feel like re-casing it. So I changed the gear oil, Dremelled the repair smooth and rode the darn thing for 3 years before selling it. Never leaked again...LOVE that stuff! But I don't know that I'd try fixing a chevy auto block with it...

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Your right this will be a memorable buid for my son...just hope it's not for the wrong reasons. LOL....I have blown my cool a few times on this mechanic work. I guess I'm just too out of shape for this kind of work. I purchased my first brand new truck in the fall of 1995 and haven't done any real wrenching since then. It has been a learning experience for both of us.

If I hadn't found it on the engine removal we probably would have just drove it that way and maybe never noticed it. More than likely it would have developed a major leak at the worst time.

Your story about the bike reminds me of one of my old toolmaker buddies....he acquired a mid 90s ford ranger for $400 knowing it had a hole in the manual tranny housing. He cleaned it up with a die grinder and plugged the hole with JB weld. As far as I know he is still driving with the patch job...not leaking. I guess it really depends on what and where the patch job is done.

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

For the wrong reasons? Time with the kid is always good. Don't know why but I think JB weld likes aluminum better than iron for some reason. BTW, I forgot to mention I saw an older guy on that bike on a trail 2 months ago...still running.

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Any progress, or updates? :D

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Nate,
We made a little progress before we started working on the 86. I didn't get any pics, but we finished pulling the front end and rear end off the long bed truck. The plan is to clean up and re seal the rear end, and rebuild the front end parts. Then start the build up on the rolling chassis. After that we will address the cab not too sure about which one to use yet...I have several to choose from. (4 or 5 I think...I have been collecting parts since 1987)

As of now we have been focused on getting his 86 engine install done. Hopefully, I will finish all the mechanical this weekend and get going on the wiring.
The plan for the 69 power plant may have changed....depends on how this TBI install goes. So far so good but we have a long ways to go. One good thing, we should be able to move one of these projects to the shop since we have cleaned about half the junk out of there.


Mike

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Its always good to get to work the kids.. no matter what it is!

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

How are the projects coming?

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Man i dont know how i missed this thread but its a good one! Keep up the good work! :metal:

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Any updates?

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

We are still focused hard on the 86. I have a few things to wrap up on it before we can back on this one. I am looking for a 5.3 engine for this one now.

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

just checked out your page,.. holy crap j b weld! you've got a lot of work ahead!

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

No Doubt! I found a replacement engine (5.3) but it seemed a little too shady of a deal for me. Still looking for another motor/tranny combo. I am starting to gather parts to rebuild the front end and cab components. It is moving slow because we are working on the 86 when we have free time. JB is good stuff if you use for the right application.

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Sounds like progress whether it's the 86 or 69

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

lucky kid!!!!...Does he realize hes fortunate?

Sweet build, how're you going about cutting the frame down?

Ok guys, hows the legality on the 'frame cutting' all the folks around here tell me NO because your changing the frame etc.

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Thanks for the props (no he doesn't have a clue how good he has got it).
As far as the frame goes, we are using a donor short frame and wide bed, no cutting required. I am going to decide which cab to use we have a few. Basically, all the truck will retain is the vin plates, front clip, front and rear axles (which were changed to 5 lug before I purchased the truck). As far as how legal it is? I don't know what the law says, I will be using the original title.

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

Thanks Heath.

Re: 1969 Short Wide
 

im definately not shooting down jb weld but.. C'MON!!! on a block??? ha ha