Re: Kell's Two Cents - 1946 build
 

thanks man I appreciate that. you know, we get to knowing our builds so in depth that we're aware of every single wire, every bolt. you get to knowing it so much farther than the average person or somebody who didn't build their ride, it's kinda crazy

Re: Kell's Two Cents - 1946 build
 

well I could wait no longer... I literally tore the truck down as soon as I got it so even I have been curious how it was going to look once it came back together. I just kinda pieced it together at the moment, still needs miscellaneous adjusting and finalizing but here it is.

I'm hoping my metal guy can roll out some of the body work on the lower front and clean it up, I have the valence, and the rear fenders need to be dropped down and finalized.

I have been hesitant to do much of anything to the patina but I'm starting to think it's probably about time for a thorough sponge bath and see how it comes out

Re: Kell's Two Cents - 1946 build
 

Looks great! I think the only thing it needs is a front bumper. And a windshield:lol:

Re: Kell's Two Cents - 1946 build
 

that is a patina from the patina gods. engine doing ok? def don't want to rush stuff like that. it takes alot of time cleaning the block and threads. Just food for thought, any engine I get or build I typically do a compression test. Just helps to know what each cylinder is doing. You could also do a leakdown test on your cooling system just to make sure there is no cracks in the head or block. I doubt there is, but its good to rule things out.

Re: Kell's Two Cents - 1946 build
 

SHADES Thanks for the fauxtina reminder, definitely turned out to be the right route

The guy selling this truck actually called me right when he listed it, apparently he saw some ad I had on CL, probably flipping 46 parts, and hit me up. I was heavy on the hunt for a nice patina after I wasn't liking the direction the first truck I bought was going, so I jumped all over it. Funny how that stuff works out... I couldn't be happier with mine but as far as patinas go I think the real gems are the nice even ones like your 51.

Good call on the engine testing, I can't believe I hadn't jumped on that for curiosities sake. I haven't gotten to the leak down yet, but I ran the compression test one evening and I think my numbers are looking pretty good. I let the gauge jump up 4 times, and typically did 2 tests per cylinder, sometimes 3 to make sure I was getting a good reading. Each cylinder came in between 110 + 120 psi, so if I'm not mistaken I think that means I'm doing alright

Re: Kell's Two Cents - 1946 build
 

So what else I've been up to...

I had a real scare starting up the truck one day and had a gnarly metal on metal clank. I tried it again and it started right up. The very next day pulled it out the garage and had that crazy sounding clank again... and then again... My online research had me ready for anything from a bent rod, to hydrolock, to loose flex plate bolts, loose torque converter bolts, bad starter,etc, etc...

So the next day I started a troubleshooting sequence and sure enough the first thing I found was that one of the bolts had come loose on the starter somehow, and when trying to engage would make all kinds of raucous. Tightened it up but I'll be keeping an eye on it, I'm just glad it wasn't something worse

Speaking of keeping an eye, I knew I had a bit of a clearance issue with one of my crossmember and had been debating whether to actually fix it or to run a pretty heavy bump stop. I decided I was gonna go ahead and fix it... This is on the cross member that goes across where the front spring perches are for the rear leaf springs. I put it up as far as it would go while staying under the bed. I figured I might as well over do it because as of now I have next to no money into my rear suspension setup, aside from 4" blocks. As the truck gets up and going here I am open to considering some options for a more permanent setup, so we'll see

Beyond this crossmember, a less dire yet similar situation is apparent in the crossmember right below the rear of the cab. I checked it out and looks like if I move it forward a couple inches there is area under the cab that I can kick the tubing up and gain probably 3 inches of clearance which should be plenty enough for now. I've yet to do it as it seems like a PITA working under the cab like that right now, but I'll for sure be getting to it

As I was finalizing my running boards I had this crazy gap along the bottom of the cab and running board. I measured my rear body mount and it was almost 2 inches in height. This seemed too big but since I had purchased the whole cab mounting block kit together I never paid it much mind. I put a call in to Chev's of the 40's and the guy found the dimensions that he had on file coming in more like 1 1/16". I went ahead and pulled the bushings and cut them down to size and now my body line is looking right about where it should be

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Re: Kell's Two Cents - 1946 build
 

I've got about 50 miles on the truck by now, just around town and though my paperwork and insurance is legit, and even though the breeze feels damn good cruising around with no windshield, I gotta try to focus on what's going to get it road worthy

I took it down to the parts store last week to have my alternator checked out as it was simply the one that came with the engine, if I needed a new one I'd just pick one up. There was an electrical clip on the side of it but I just figured it was for the computer and I ignored it. Obviously I didn't realize how alternators actually gauged charge or what a voltage regulator did, but I do now. After some research I found all the 2 wire alternator to CS alternator conversion info and found this nice connector made by AC delco. I cut the extra plug off then the red wire goes to the positive battery (I used the post on the alternator) and the yellow wire, with resistor included, goes to ignition power. Now my alternator tests good!

It's taken me about 2.5 years to figure out/decide how I was going to run my taillights. I even ordered the original reproduction brackets, but decided I wasn't crazy about them. I had these little brackets that I turned sideways and somewhat got the taillights to mount on them and I think I'm gonna keep em

For the windshield frame I followed the Trucks! fauxtina how to and used 220 to cut through the heavy paint I had applied, then switched to 320 as I was getting close and putting in the final work. I tried to keep in mind the pattern of the paint that remained on the body around the windshield and sanded accordingly. Not mind-blowing or anything but I think it does it's job rather well. I got the rubber on, the brackets on, and now have a functioning windshield!

I had initially painted the inside of the window frame black but in the end decided to sand it all off and clear coat the bare metal instead. I had done the same thing on my firewall and I think I would incorporate more bare metal into the truck if I had the chance to do it all over again, I really like the look. I pulled my side windows and sealed them with urethane sealant as well, as previously I had installed them with setting tape all the way around.

At this same time I sanded the front valance that I had picked up a while ago. I was thinking that the red was just a top layer, and it proved to be the case. I think I could add some white on it to make it really blend in but really my goal was just to get the red off to make it more subtle. My front needs a little bit of work to get it all coming together right but I think this will do

I swear I was getting all glares + stares when I first began this build, but now when people drive by I get all kinds of thumbs ups and waves. I wish I could be tucked away in a shop somewhere building this thing, but no, everybody gets to see the progress. I had one of the neighbors I had never met before stop by with his 51 Ford today though. Seems you end up meeting a bunch of good guys owning a truck like this

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Re: Kell's Two Cents - 1946 build
 

if you dont mind me asking where did you get the brake booster and the extended reservoir tank thing for it. also what radiator did you use!?? thank you

Re: Kell's Two Cents - 1946 build
 

looks so good! I missed your last update somehow, great job on matching the paint!

Re: Kell's Two Cents - 1946 build
 

Just went through your build pic and discussion. Great project! Thanks for all the great pics. Good ideas