46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

here ya go Chizz! I just had to do it:lol:
:wop:

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

I'm in!
I've been watching project moonshine so I'll be watching this one too :)

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

Ok lets get er done! So anyway about 3 years ago now I took what i thought would be a harmless ride over to our local Tractor Supply Store on a Sunday afternoon. At that time being the owner of any kind of custom truck was the furthest thing from my mind. However I must admit that its always been something that i wished I had.

So as I was just about ready to leave the parking lot, in rolled this really cool looking truck. Not knowing that it was for sale at the time, I waited for the owner to go into the store so I could walk over and take a closer look. After doing a couple of walk a rounds I noticed on the tail gate in very small letters "for sale". Now me being the idiot that I am my next move was to walk inside and track down the owner and ask how much. Well after hearing the price I went home and pondered it for a few days. After about a week of trying to talk myself out of buying the truck, this is what came home one Thursday afternoon.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_3347.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_3345.jpg

Now at the time I thought the only thing I would really do to the truck was take care of a few visible things I had seen that was wrong, and just use the truck as a coffee or breakfast runner on Sundays with the wife for a year or two. Then the plan was to do a semi- resto to clean the truck up enough so I could paint it similar to my work truck (I'm a self employed house painter) take it to the local Friday night cruises and advertise my business.......

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

So as I was saying.......I drove the truck around for about 2 or 3 months and on each occasion I noticed or felt a few things that just didn't suit me or down right scared me (no sense in going into detail but lets just say ...nah never mind). LOL.
So a little more detail about the truck. The guy I bought the truck off of is not the original builder. The truck had a 350/350 tranny combo when I bought it. Unfortunately the motor had as much oil spewing from it as Saudi Arabia because the previous owners did not believe in a PCV valve. They were both WAAAAY to old school. The other issue the truck had was a worn out AMC Pacer front end in it. So I new up front the truck had some issues.
so fast forward to November of 2011. this is when I decide to take the ole girl off the road and begin what I thought would be a 1-3 year make over.

Time to put her away for awhile and give her a face lift
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_0570.jpg

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

Awesome truck! Love the Art Deco trucks. I wish I could have found one that was complete and driving. I have a 40' like Chizzler's truck that I bought as just a cab on a chassis and a few misc parts. I'm collecting parts and getting there but it's slow going.
Looking forward to see what you have planned for the old stovebolt!
Lot's of pictures :)

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

Ok so the first order of business was to strip the nose off and see just what was going on underneath the hood. At this point I was not really planning on getting to involved with something like a frame off rest, but as we follow the bouncing ball you will see that it is somewhat necessary.
Everything looks kind of normal right????????????? NOT
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_0583.jpg
One of the first things I had to investigate was the fact that when ever i reved up the motor it seemed to twist a little bit more then what I had ever seen in other V8's. Upon closer review I found that out of the 4 bolts that held the front motor plate (Hurst style) on.....2 bolts were broken off in the block.....1 bolt was missing .....and the last one was being SUPER BOLT!!!!!!!!
Here's the bolt that was missing (look for the screw
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_0585.jpgdriver tip)
Here are the 2 bolts that were broken (they look pretty good at first don't they)?
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_0586.jpg
NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_0602.jpg

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

Now I know what you guys are thinking.....He broke thos 2 bolts when he went to take them out. Nope! Not a chance! It still amazes me to this day that the tops of the bolts rode around in the motor mount for who knows how long. It doesn't surprise though as they were not even hardened. Now after that little surprise I believe I went inside and had quite a few cold ones if you know what I mean:lol:
After killing the initial pain of the broken bolts it was back out to the garage to take a look at a few more things. I figured why not pull the valve covers and spark plugs.
Well that looks pretty normal for a motor from the late 60's
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_0584.jpg
Next the plugs...That didn't look pretty normal for a late 60's engine!
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_0584.jpg

And you guys wonder why I drink:alky::alky::alky::alky:

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

opps here's the plugs
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_0575.jpg

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

Those plugs will be indicative of what this truck has had thrown at it in its past life as we will all go on to see in my future posts.None of this really bothered me all that much due to the fact once I had the nose off the truck the plan was to have the engine rebuilt anyway.

Now that the motor was out I could take a better look at how the Pacer front end was installed.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_0599.jpg
Other than being somewhat ugly it served its purpose to a point however, When I had the few opportunities to drive the truck, the steering wheel never wanted to come back straight by itself after going around a corner, indicating that there was some kind of alignment issue. Now remember this initially was just going to be a clean-up resto of sorts.
A couple of months after I bought the truck I had a chance to buy a complete rebuild kit for the Pacer front end on the cheap. So My first thought was rebuild it, align it, and the just drive the sucker. After more drinking and further consideration I realized I may have a more serious issue with the steering. Perhaps the whole front cross member was put in wrong the truck would never steer correctly even after the rebuild. so another decision had to be made.

Well you guessed it.. After measuring, measuring some more, and then marking the center line of the wheel hubs on the frame, it was out with the old ......
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_0653.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_0654.jpg

And in with the new with a call to Scottshotrods.com
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_0672.jpg

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

Now before I go any further let me just say that if anyone reading this thread is considering a new IFS for there project, although I had some issues with my front end, I would highly recommend Justin and the gang at Scottshotrods!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The quality of the fabrication is immaculate, and the customer service is second to none.
So I'm not going to bore you guys with all the details of an IFS instal. theres hundred of threads covering this. But I will say this when you get a cross member from Justin, .....It fits almost perfect with hardly any trimming.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_1025.jpg
Now here's where one of the problems occurred. Fro whatever reason the frames are slightly different on the 46' as they take a nose dive just after the cross member. this caused problems with the sway bar as I didn't have enough room for the mounting blocks and it put the bar to low in realationship to the pick up points on the lower A arms.

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_0997.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_0984.jpg
After a call to Justin, I had a new off set sway bar in my driveway in 2 days.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_0998.jpg
that got me closer but I was still short on frame length.
So we just decided to add a piece to the front of the frame.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_1024.jpg
Obviuosly I will need to trim off the excess and re work the front bumper mounts. but I will have to wait until i can re hang the bumpers to see where its at. Now I'm going to ski[p over one very large issue I had while installing the front end. But lets just say it was a stupid rookie mistake and according to Justin I am not the only one to have done it. In fact after talking to Justin and hearing some other stories I don't feel all that stupid as some other are. For now I am going to let you guys stew on that, and lets Hope Justin doesn't spill the beans but lets just say A WHOLE LOT OF DRINKING WAS DONE THAT DAY!:alky::alky::alky:
but anyways after a lot of hard work and frustration here's what I have.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...IMG_1714-1.jpg

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

truck looks great.i would like to hear more about the rookie mistake but all in good time.i do remember reading a kinda heated argument about the color of your truck and you wanting to paint it to show your skills and i agree 100% percent.if i could show off my plumbing skills i would bolt a toilet to my hood and let everyone see the kinda work i do.looking forward to following your build.

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

LOL I remember that heated argument too, for some reason (especially nowadays) people think that anyone who owns a business has an unfair advantage. Its been about 3 years since I have bought this truck and to this day I have not written off a dime on my business for a tax break nor do I ever intend to. its not worth the risk.

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

i agree.i feel the advantage to owning your own business is that you can provide a quality product to customers on a personal level.i am also a owner/operator.

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

Bout damn time you started a build thread. After that dogpile on the HAMB, I've been waiting on you to do this over here. I don't imagine there will be any hate or discontent in your thread over here.

Like I said before, both here and the HAMB, I like the hell out of that truck. I wish I owned it.

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

Hey Tx! I see my thread over on the HAMB got shut down. O well it was fun while it lasted. The guys over here are much cooler!
By the way I got my rear and springs out of the truck. going to take the springs tomorrow to get a price for a re work.

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

My local spring shop works cheap. It seems to be a trend in that business. They charge me 6 bucks per bushing to replace, and that includes the price of the bushing.

125 to 150 gets me a full rebuild with de-arch (to lower) with all four new bushings. New center pin bolts, clamps and everything. They also make new u bolts for 7.50 each. Just take you old one in there for a pattern for them. If you have them de-arch yours to lower it and do away with the lowering blocks, they will need to make you new u-bolts that are shorter to do away with the lowering blocks added thickness.

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

Not quite following you on the de arching of my springs. I mean I understand the concept of taking the arch ou to not have to use lowering blocks but my springs when they were in the truck with a load on them looked pretty flat already. sorry for sounding stupid but thats what i do best.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ps4ce3d0b6.jpg

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

Here's the skinny...

Your old blocks were what, 2 inches ?

Your options are to either build a new set of 2 inch blocks to replace those old junky ones and reuse your springs.

Or, you can have your shop de-arch the springs 2 inches and do away with the lowering blocks so the rearend sits directly onto the springs. This will need shorter u bolts of course.

Don't sweat the springs going into negative arch. It's very common really. Many custom cars run negative arch springs once lowered down. I've even paid big bucks for brand new street rod springs that were negative arch right out of the box.

The route you take is totally up to you. 6 on one hand, half dozen on the other kind of deal. You just need to talk to the spring guys about their opinion. For economy, you're way ahead to not dearch your springs and to re-use your old u-bolts. But, you'll have to go to the trouble of building new blocks. If you'd prefer to spend some coin, they will drop the springs for you and build shorter u bolts so it would be an easier (yet more expensive) job since you don't need to build any new blocks.

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

Gotcha! I think at this point I am leaning towards just installing new lowering blocks, and keeping the springs the way they are. I'm sure the spring shop will tell me they can't guarantee they won't brake the springs when they de arch. And Knowing my luck....

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

Ok moving on, so lets see I finally got the scott's IFS finished up around august of this year and it was time to make a decision on what to do with the motor for this rig. Originally the plan was to stay with the 350/350 combo. I have an engine shop about 2 miles away that said they would love to rebuild it for me.

The only problem is that I tend to go against the grain sometimes, and after going to a few car show over the summer and seeing nothing but belly buttons with chrome on them, I knew I wanted something different. So I hearkened back to the good ole days when I was 21 and was able to buy my first brand new truck. It had a 250 inline 6 that I couldn't kill. Back then I was heavily involved with racing karts on the weekends and I drove the piss out of that truck driving all over the damn place to different tracks!!!! So off I went a search for an inline. I was lucky to come across an engine right in my back yard that was in a 71 Chevy Nova. the Kid who owned it wanted to put your typical V* chromer in it to impress the chicks. So after hearing it run for an hour, $250 later she sat in my drive way.

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_1742.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_1741.jpg

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

I've had a bunch of those inline sixes and love them to death. But, I have three letters for you.... HEI. Best thing you can do for a six cylinder. Easier starting, smoother running and idle, better economy.

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

And of course it was time to put her in her new hole.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_1794.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_1795.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ps439a6fd3.jpg

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

nice choice.gonna be sweet

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

Funny you brought that up Tx. Knowing that I wanted a *****in little 6 I wanted to have someone rebuild the motor that knew what they were doing. Unfortunately everyone I talked to in my area didn't have a torque plate for the over bore and just wasn't familiar with any performance combinations the 6's require.
Now I'm sure you inline guys are familiar with Santucci's book inline Power Guide. You know Santucci is the guy that has the spliced V8 head on his 292 drag motor....turns out the shop that did the work is about 3 hours from me in Connecticut., and they are about 10 minutes from one of my wife's favorite weekend getaways, Mystic Seaport and Mohegan Sun Casino, see where I'm going with this? Hmmmm pics to come perhaps??? Lets just say we went on a road trip a couple of months ago to have a look around;)
That's enough for tonight guys that should give you something to chew on for awhile. I have to get up early tomorrow and push a paint brush and roller around a clients bedroom.

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

OK so that chronicles the trial and tribulations of this truck up till now. From here on out it will be all current updates as to the progress I am making. Sso with the motor in place I wanted to get it completely mocked up as to not have to deal with any issues after the painting of the frame. So i got all my brackets from Davis Speed for pump and alt in. next I wanted to get some of my exhaust in however it looks as if this will be a problem.
Due to the fact that the Clifford intake will put the carb and air cleaner directly inline with where the stock master cylinder would need space it looks as if my only choice would be to go with an under cab brake booster. Well thats fine except that it would leave very little room for my 2 exhaust tubes to go under the cab on the drivers side.
So I think my solution (or at least as of now) is to make a set of custom split headers. Ones will allow me to run one set of pipes under the oil pan and down the passenger side of the truck. and the other under the drivers side. Now what I hoped for was that true dual exhaust look. I am thinking about doing something like this. either through the bed of the truck or have them come out under the running boards.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psce969b05.jpg
However, after talking to some guys over on inliners.org they seem to think the truck will sound like crap if I don't keep the pipes side by side. So I am still trying to decide what to do. myabe I will run both pipes under the pan to the passenger side and run the out the back. so I am kind of at a stand still on the front of the truck until I can figure out what to do with my exhaust. Any way heres the link to the company that will be doing the headers.
http://www.stainlessheaders.com/index.aspx

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

So while the front of the truck is at a stand still.I decided to remove the bed and tackle all the junk that that was thrown at it by the PO's. the one thing I noticed when I originally looked at the truck was the Hokey set up that was used for lowering blocks. Pretty much what ever was laying around on the garage floor is what they used as blocks. check it out.
drivers side
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ps43a16376.jpg
passenger side
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...psc87745d0.jpg
and of course the PO didn't believe in shocks as he said the truck rode to stiff so heres how it looked when the bed came off
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ps673d87ac.jpg

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

The other problem that I have to deal with is the back of the cab. Who ever did the original body work either didn't know what he was doing, was to lazy or didn't have the money to do it right. So instead of fixing the back of the cab he just went and pop riveted a piece of stainless sheet metal over the blemishes.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...pse8900307.jpg
Now what I was hoping to find was a treasure map or something buried under the panel but no such luck. What i did find was a whole lot of bondo and some waviness.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...pse8900307.jpg

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

oopps sorry double pic.
I guess its time to start drinking again LOL!
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ps19c9ff2e.jpg
Now this is where I really run into trouble as I have never done any type of body work before. My dilema is, should I just go and fill in the holes with my mig, grind them down, and lay a few coats of bondo on the back or......cut out the whole piece and stitch a new one in.

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

You can't really see it from the pics but in the lower center of the cab is a pretty wavy area that is kinda of indented, you can push it in and it will come back out. I'm concerned that if I just run bondo over that area it will crack in time. Any experts out there that can give me guidance.

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

I'm no expert on body work but I think you could try shrinking the metal where it's "oil canning" and maybe some hammer and dolly work to try to get in better shape.
I'm sure there are other experienced members who can give you better guidance.

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

Whilst I ponder what to do about the back of the cab I pulled the leaf springs in hopes of getting them rebuilt. But much to my dismay I was told it would cost about $175 per spring to get them back looking like new. And then I would still have a set of spring that were over 60 years old. So it looks as if a new TCI rear leaf kit is in order. In the meantime I decided to pull the rear diff cover off and take a look see. a simple 10 minute task turned into an all afternoon project as one of the bolts holding the cover on had a rounded head and I couldn't get a socket or wrench to get a hold of it. finally I was able to grind 2 flat spots on the head and get a pair of vise grips onto it and break it loose. I expected the worse when I got the cover off, but was pleasantly surprised to find everything looking pretty good except for oil that looked like it was from 1946. all in all everything looks good no chips or slop in the gears. 3.73's by the way
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ps95b507a4.jpg

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

Can you further explain the "shrinking" yelr?

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

Anybody know the difference (if there is any other then the price), between this rear leaf kit
http://www.premierstreetrod.com/deta..._LEAF_KIT.html
and this kit
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/TCI-19...Kit,47159.html

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

From what I've read it's a process of heating up the area you want to shrink with a torch and then cooling down rapidly with a wet cloth. I'm sure there is more to it than that but it's a starting point.

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

Well I had the chance to work on the truck Sunday for awhile. figured I try my hand at filling the little pop rivet holes with my mig. Seeing as how I've never done a lick of body work in my life I think it went fairly well.

Although I don't know if I did it right, or wrong. I think it will look fine once I grind them down smooth but I want to wait until I have a chance to strip off the 1/4" of bondo the last rank amateur put on the cab.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ps5261d7df.jpg

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

Forgot to mention that I am also waiting on the big brown truck this week to deliver a rear leaf spring kit I ordered from TCI. It just didn't make sense to rebuild the old leafs at $175 each, and then still need all new bushings for the hangers at another $80 per side.

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

I had a chance to get some stuff done this week at night. I made a new toe board since the original one looked like a piece of swiss cheese. A few weeks ago I bought a Flamming River column and got that in. I also got a new tin floor board but I'm not sure if i'm going to use it or make one another one out of oak veneer plywood.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_1921.jpg

I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do about my exhaust. If I go with the Clifford or Langdon exhaust I am cramped for space between my brake booster and tranny.
My original plan was to make custom headers and route both pipes under the pan to the passenger side of the truck where i have all the room in the world.
Or I can try and use an under dash brake booster and solve all my problems but I'm not sure it will fit as I think the bump out in the fire wall will be in the way.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...7/IMG_1911.jpg

Re: 46 pickemup in NJ "the Rebuild"
 

lookin good.what im gonna do is run the exhaust under the frame rails till just past the back of the cab then into mufflers then 90 down.i also though about exiting through the bed to running board filler but have changed my mind.my booster is about the same and we bent the brake pedal arm over about 3" to make room for the gas pedal.