Canadian Rustbucket 66

[clemdaddy]

shes gonna be sweet... that mill looks great. do we have to wait till next week to see paint? arrrrrggg the anticipation, it killing me.

[lenguini]

Can you post a couple close ups of the frame notching for the front bumper bolts?Id appreciate it as it will make my life alot easier !

Cheers,
Ed.

Originally Posted by rustbucket66

I just cut the head off some grade 8 1/2 inch bolts, then welded them to the bumper with some of the bolt sticking slightly above the hole. I think they were 1 1/4 long, then ground the weld as flat as I could. You will have to notch the frame in the front on the top two holes, because you can't install it on the front with the studs on the backside. The rear one mounts easy because it has brackets that mount the bumper to the frame.

[kgmunro]

Where did you get that cool looking bracket on the front of the engine?

[rustbucket66]

As for the bracket, it is the bracket for the A/C compressor. The system I bought is from Old Air Products, and that is the bracket the kit came with. Has been powdercoated silver. Got the thing out of the paintbooth today, and my other car has a minor breakdown. It is taking up garage space, parts should arrive any day, then I can get it out to put the truck in. A bit frustrating. It will have to sit in the trailer for a day or so. There is a pic as requested, for the notch in the frame ends where the bumper attaches to. To have a filled bumper, and to have studs on the backside, I had to notch the bottom holes, so the bumper can be installed. No way it will go on without doing this. Next is a picture from the front, with the new grill that has been looking for a home. Can't wait to get started again. It has been away from home for a couple months.

[rustbucket66]

Got the thing unloaded, and ready to push into the garage. The cab had been painted before, but once we put the fenders and front sheet metal on, there had to be some fixing. The front clip was white before, but it was a one stage white primer. In a nutshell, it is all painted now, ready to put the glass back in, moldings, wiring, get the engine in, on and on. This is where it gets fun, putting new peices on, and seeing it get better and better. I suspect I will be out in the garage most of the winter, no place I'd rather be.

[rustbucket66]

Here is the centre piece of a deluxe steering wheel. The insert I have is in poor shape, and has a crack in it, as you can see. I made up a little giblet of aluminum, the same size and thickness of the plastic insert, and had an air brush artist paint what you see here. I'm not sure if you can buy that plastic insert new. Anyway, here it is in the second picture mounted in. I like it better than the one GM put in there.

[lenguini]

Thank you,Pictures are worth a 1000 words!

Cheers,
Ed

Originally Posted by rustbucket66

As for the bracket, it is the bracket for the A/C compressor. The system I bought is from Old Air Products, and that is the bracket the kit came with. Has been powdercoated silver. Got the thing out of the paintbooth today, and my other car has a minor breakdown. It is taking up garage space, parts should arrive any day, then I can get it out to put the truck in. A bit frustrating. It will have to sit in the trailer for a day or so. There is a pic as requested, for the notch in the frame ends where the bumper attaches to. To have a filled bumper, and to have studs on the backside, I had to notch the bottom holes, so the bumper can be installed. No way it will go on without doing this. Next is a picture from the front, with the new grill that has been looking for a home. Can't wait to get started again. It has been away from home for a couple months.

[rustbucket66]

Got the grill on with some messing around, the repo header panel doesn't have the holes in the right places to mount or start the bolts. Some die grinding the holes open, and got the thing to align. Another small victory.

[chazlll]

sharp truck ! when you get to the gas filler please post some pictures. i see you used a blazer type set up on you'r gas tank. this is the same rout i'm going & need some good ideas. thanks for all the pictures.

[clemdaddy]

very nice. like the white with silver. like the 57 too.
truck is really coming around.

[rustbucket66]

Got the glove box door mounted in the dash to see what it will look like.

[rustbucket66]

Next, installed the rear window, peep mirrors, and the new side moldings. Put the headlights in the grill, and the front bumper. Will have to get the bumpers to the platers soon.

[rustbucket66]

Here is the wiring kit from American Autowire. It appears to have everything, switches, senders, and instructions seems straight forward. I've heard from others that this is a very good wiring kit. Get this installed, and get the engine and trans in the truck are my next projects. Got to get the engine and trans in just for the room around the garage. Not much area to store an engine and trans, may as well be in the truck.

[CRGRS 66]

glove box
trim
looks like you are in the home stretch, truck looks amazing

[noonzor]

very sweet! beautiful ride!

[Bomp]

Like what I see!

[rustbucket66]

Big day today, for me anyways. Got the engine and trans ready, a 283 powerglide, bolted together and ready to go into the truck. Been looking forward to this day for a while.

[CRGRS 66]

don't leave us hangin dude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rustbucket66]

Got it in there, and all the new mounts are tight. A long way to go, and a lot of pieces to attach from here. Nice to get it in there, and have an idea what it will look like. In the last two pics the air cleaner is just sitting on some wood blocks to mock where it will sit. The carb is being rebuilt right now. I am using the original 4jet carb with this cast manifold. I will need to find an adapter between the carb and air cleaner, as the diameter of the air cleaner base is larger. the 4jets have a small diameter for the air cleaner base. Pretty stock, this thing won't be a tire burner at all, mostly a driver that I can just put in gear, and drive it.

[CRGRS 66]

looks beautiful, realy, really, beautiful, your hard work shows my friend

[66farmer]

Ok I,m liking that air cleaner housing where can I get one. You realy nailed the under hood look. I feel like I better get back out to the shop to keep up with you.
Keep up the good work.

[wannabelower]

Looks very nice!
I love the pinstriping on the valve covers and air cleaner.
Mind me asking who did it? Once I have my truck finished, I'd like to get a bunch of things pinstriped on it, and I live relatively close to you.
Great build again!

[northern 85]

Looks great!

[63sbssbbw]

Awesome work RB!!
Like everyone,I also love those wheels.
You're the same Rustbucket on Cdn Rodder??
T

[rustbucket66]

Thanks for the nice comments guys.
In answer to your questions -1. The air cleaner is a 50s Cadillac air cleaner, it is a reproduction, and I think if you google the thing, there are several places to get it. Can't remember who I got it through right now.
2. The fella that did the pinstripping is Gary Millar from Calgary. He calls himself GAMboogie, and has done several other things for me in the past, including my glovebox door, the trim on the 57 Chevy golf cart I built, and the valve covers on my car. He is a very cool cat to talk to and has been doing this kind of stuff for years. Well known around Calgary. His website is www.gamboogiekustom.com, you should be able to get a hold of him from the website. 3. No I don't think I am the rustbucket guy from Cdn Hotrodder. I just called myself that because my truck was a real rustbucket to start with. If I had to do it again, I would go to Portland swap meet, or somewhere across the border, and buy a good truck with a mostly rust free cab. I'd be way ahead in both time and money. I just learned the hard way, like a lot of other things.