Project "What was I Thinking" 68 SWB

[Bennett68C10]

Originally Posted by jlsanborn

Looking good man! So this'll be your first crack at a paint job?

Thanks, yeah it will be my first attempt at painting even though my father has painted before. I'm sure the paint gun will end up in his hands a lot

Originally Posted by Rusbuilt

Nice! what did you paint the rotors with?

I just painted them with Duplicolor Semi-Gloss Black high heat engine paint.

Originally Posted by screaminchevypickup

Looking good!

Thanks Kyle, man I really going to be wishing I had your skills when I'm trying to finish the paint and body. Everything you do looks amazing.

[screaminchevypickup]

Thanks Keith! Just take your time and it will turn out great.. When you get to that point if you have any questions just ask..

[Bennett68C10]

Originally Posted by screaminchevypickup

Thanks Keith! Just take your time and it will turn out great.. When you get to that point if you have any questions just ask..

Thanks Kyle, I'm sure I will have plenty of questions for you.

[CC69Rat]

Did you do the McGaughys rear kit too? IF so, you'll need a specific emergency brake cable. ACDelco Part number 18P5. It's off of a 70 F*rd Torino if I recall. (ACDelco makes it?? That's what I said too.. ) That's what I used on another truck in my previous life and it fit perfectly.

[Bhelton]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

Did you do the McGaughys rear kit too? IF so, you'll need a specific emergency brake cable. ACDelco Part number 18P5. It's off of a 70 F*rd Torino if I recall. (ACDelco makes it?? That's what I said too.. ) That's what I used on another truck in my previous life and it fit perfectly.

That's great info to share! Thanks

Keith those brakes look great

[Bennett68C10]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

Did you do the McGaughys rear kit too? IF so, you'll need a specific emergency brake cable. ACDelco Part number 18P5. It's off of a 70 F*rd Torino if I recall. (ACDelco makes it?? That's what I said too.. ) That's what I used on another truck in my previous life and it fit perfectly.

Nope I'm going to be using Wilwood 12" rears with internal parking brake. I don't like the rear McGaugheys kit because I feel if I spend money on a rear kit I shouldn't have to make it fit. I also like the way the parking brake cables mount better then the stock setup. Plus eventually way down the road after my truck is done, I will be upgrading the front brakes to the Wilwood 13" 6 piston brakes. Just wanted to clean up my McGaugheys kit to make it look better.

Originally Posted by Bhelton

That's great info to share! Thanks

Keith those brakes look great

Thanks, they look much better now and don't make my eye twitch anymore

[CC69Rat]

.. make it fit, referring to the center bore on the rotors? Yes, I had to get the axles machined down a little to fit and had to use a couple extra washers to get the calipers to index properly. I know what you mean. I wouldnt use their kit again either. It's not what I'd call BAD, it's just kinda pieced together. 2000+ Silverado calipers (F) 1996 Grand Sport Corvette rotors, and I'm not sure what the rear calipers are from. I had to get longer wheels studs too. The front pads don't take advantage of the full surface of the rotor either. Dont get me wrong, their 4 wheel setup will put you through the windshield if you stomp on it but .. the kit could be so much better. Just my opinion. You'll be glad you painted them too. Mine were rusting bad, just washing the truck will cause them to get that orange cast to them. (in places other than the pad surface contact.)

Wilwood for me on my next one too. Not knocking your brakes man Just agreeing the kit could be better.

[Bennett68C10]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

.. make it fit, referring to the center bore on the rotors? Yes, I had to get the axles machined down a little to fit and had to use a couple extra washers to get the calipers to index properly. I know what you mean. I wouldnt use their kit again either. It's not what I'd call BAD, it's just kinda pieced together. 2000+ Silverado calipers (F) 1996 Grand Sport Corvette rotors, and I'm not sure what the rear calipers are from. I had to get longer wheels studs too. The front pads don't take advantage of the full surface of the rotor either. Dont get me wrong, their 4 wheel setup will put you through the windshield if you stomp on it but .. the kit could be so much better. Just my opinion. You'll be glad you painted them too. Mine were rusting bad, just washing the truck will cause them to get that orange cast to them. (in places other than the pad surface contact.)

Wilwood for me on my next one too. Not knocking your brakes man Just agreeing the kit could be better.

Yeah when I say make them fit I'm talking about having to machine the axles. To me this is ridiculous, how long has the kit been on the market? They couldn't come up with a better solution. Like maybe make a rotor that would fit before they send it to you.

All in all I think the front kit is a very nice kit, especially for the money and will work good for me until I can afford the Wilwood front kit. I know that is going to be years down the line so it better

[Bennett68C10]

Got some odds and ends done today. Installed the gas struts on my hinges so now my hood stays open on its own. I blasted and primed my original door latch assemblies and installed them in the doors. I also made up my radiator hoses and put on my black billet specialties water neck. All in all it was a productive day.

[Bennett68C10]

Hood pic:

[Bennett68C10]

Hoses

[sduckworth13]

Trucks coming along real nice Keith, the engine looks great.

[Bhelton]

Engine looks very very nice!!

[shawno72]

Black and orange look great on the engine. Where have I sent that before?

[Bennett68C10]

Originally Posted by sduckworth13

Trucks coming along real nice Keith, the engine looks great.

Originally Posted by Bhelton

Engine looks very very nice!!

Originally Posted by shawno72

Black and orange look great on the engine. Where have I sent that before?

Thanks guys I really like the way the engine is turning out. If my paint and body turns out anywhere close to the way the engine has I should be in good shape

[70LonghornCST]

Beautiful work!

[Bennett68C10]

Originally Posted by 70LonghornCST

Beautiful work!

Thanks, it has been a long road but it's getting there

[Bennett68C10]

Today my brother and I started making the last piece to my drivetrain puzzle. First we made up a 2" spacer for the carrier bearing and then started to modify a 2 piece drive shaft my brother just happened to have sitting around out of an 80's Suburban with a big block. Definitely a heavy duty shaft with 1350 ujoints throughout.

First we removed the old nasty carrier bearing and installed my new one. Next we mocked the front portion of the driveshaft up in the chassis, connected it to the tranny yoke and took some measurements. Turns out it was 3 3/8" too long so we proceeded to cut it down and tack it back together. Once we confirmed it was the right length and was nice and straight, my brother finish welded it. We ran out of time for the night so next weekend we will finish off the rear portion of the shaft as that has to be shortened too. I also had to order a 1350 pinion yoke tonight, hopefully it will come in for next weekend so there are no delays.

I have to say it was a learning experience for me. My brother has built 20-30 driveshafts so he knew what he was doing. I just helped him hold things and watched I was pretty amazed that he could do that.

[Bhelton]

Now that's some beef!!

[screaminchevypickup]

Great job on the drive shaft!!

[Bennett68C10]

Originally Posted by Bhelton

Now that's some beef!!

Thanks, I think that big block needs some beef

Originally Posted by screaminchevypickup

Great job on the drive shaft!!

Thanks, I can't take credit for it I was just the second pair of hands

[Bhelton]

Originally Posted by Bennett68C10

Thanks, I think that big block needs some beef

I agree!! It's looking good

Thanks, I can't take credit for it I was just the second pair of hands

4 hands 1 shaft.....I'll leave this alone.

[Rusbuilt]

They make conversion u-joints to go from that 1350 to your factory rear end.

[Bennett68C10]

Originally Posted by Bhelton

4 hands 1 shaft.....I'll leave this alone.

I actually did laugh out loud on that one

Originally Posted by Rusbuilt

They make conversion u-joints to go from that 1350 to your factory rear end.

Yeah I know but I want to keep the 1350's throughout the entire driveshaft. I saw them on Denny's driveshaft. Even my trans yoke uses 1350's as it is the heavy duty truck bolt on style. I don't plan on being easy on this drivetrain so I hope it is as stout as possible

[shawno72]

Very nice Keith.