What did you do to your truck today part IV

[shp4man]

Originally Posted by coopdog

should leave the rain on windows to dry, looks killer the way the wipers cut through water!!!!!! sweet truck

Thanks!

[wolfsden]

Picked up a set of 22 inch transit wheels. Painted them white with Duplie-color color match and clear coated them with Spray Max 2K. Installed a set of Lionhart LH-EIGHT 265/35R22 tires and picked up and installed a set of Chevy Wheel Dress Up Kit with Polished Collar from Billet Proof Designs.
Changed out my broken speedo cable and ordered a new gas gauge.
Next I will be dropping it with SS-7 Bags, Drop spindles and a C notch.

[Northwest Outlaw]

went "Shopping" for a grille insert at a local yard. Found a complete '61 grille intact but the lower parts were pretty rusty, good thing i only needed the "Chevrolet" insert. Drilled out the rivets and was able to massage the aluminium back to straight enough.
Picked up extra bed fenders for future tubbing and a "non antenna" corner cowl.

[Northwest Outlaw]

Started work on the new exhaust system. Stole some company time to model up the 1961 X-Frame and get an idea for routing the 2.5" pipe and placement options for the crossover pipe and Thrush Welded mufflers. Spent another 2 hours laying under the truck pulling pieces of the Speedway DIY Exhaust Kit in and out to get a real layout of angles and measurements. I should start making cuts and getting a full mock up this weekend.

[forestb]

Originally Posted by Northwest Outlaw

Started work on the new exhaust system. Stole some company time to model up the 1961 X-Frame and get an idea for routing the 2.5" pipe and placement options for the crossover pipe and Thrush Welded mufflers. Spent another 2 hours laying under the truck pulling pieces of the Speedway DIY Exhaust Kit in and out to get a real layout of angles and measurements. I should start making cuts and getting a full mock up this weekend.

Have fun with the rear track bar. That was what I always had problems with when running the exhaust over the rear axle on these trucks.

[Northwest Outlaw]

Originally Posted by forestb

Have fun with the rear track bar. That was what I always had problems with when running the exhaust over the rear axle on these trucks.

There seems to be enough room between the track bar and the axle, at least on the drivers side. With the truck lowered 3" in the rear I'm hoping there is clearance. Worst case would be exit to the sides before the rear wheels, but I would like to exhaust out the back.
Is it unheard of to run under the axle?

[65chevysub]

Ran some wire, a heavy duty flasher and now I have 4 way flashers on my 65 Suburban with a 72 tilt column.
Job went easier than I thought.
Also changed my ign. lock cylinder and added "sleepy eyes" on my headlights(half shields). Going out for knee surgery soon so have to get all my little things done. Next is my gas sending unit.

[irvan]

I took off my front bumper guards and then went looking for bumper bolts, couldn't find any here in town. I started digging through an old coffee can of bolts my Dad had (passed away about 22 years ago) and found 2 old bumper bolts. It brought tears to my eyes thinking he was still watching out for me.

[Llay R. Rac]

I put my gas tank back in the truck.
i had taken it out because i was sure the 12 year old gas in it had turned to gum, and the sending unit wasn't working. It was surprisingly clean inside, some really fine dust and a small amount of sand, and only some small rust spots, about the same amount when i last pulled the tank 25 years ago.
the sending unit was fixed by cutting out the 2 sections that pack rats had snacked on.
I'm a happy camper, its been a while since i had a working gas guage.

[rvrfoot]

Installed my bed.

[Northwest Outlaw]

Built my exhaust from Speedway's Mandrel Bend Kit, 2.5" and was very please with the result. This was my first attempt and exhaust. Now all i need to do is weld things together and hang it!

[TJ's Chevy]

Today I put some more chrome braided sleeving on the hoses.

[rvrfoot]

Got a new carb today and installed it.

[msgtmac]

I see you have the Clifford intake and headers. Did you do anything to the motor, ie cam head ect. or is it stock?

[Clyde65]

Stripped Clyde down yesterday for some paint work and metal repair.

[Railroadman]

Finally got the intake manifold off the 283. One of those 20 minute jobs that took far longer - had 2 bolts rounded off and hard to get at.

Can already see the next "fun" - tried a couple lifters, and they don't want to come out of the bores. Not sure yet how bad the bottoms are mushroomed over. The truck itself has either 247,000 or 347,000 on it and I have no idea what work, if any, the engine has had over the years.

But that's what makes it fun!

[forestb]

Yay got new tail light brackets installed. Boo the tail light don't work. The blinker and the break light do but the not the tail lights. I think it is not getting a good ground but am not sure.

[Victweezy]

Most importantly, I got it started for the first time with this engine!

What didn't I do this weekend would probably be a better questions. Because I made all the AN lines, installed power steering, Wiring, dimpling, wrapping, bracket making, more wiring and throttle linkage, rad plumbing, installed the starter, seats and dog house, exhaust, and only a bit of tuning... I took Friday off work to try to get out on the road that night for a cruise, and was derailed by a leaking thermostat housing, and a dead battery. Had to do the push of shame one last time back into the garage.

But as you can see the front clip got installed too. Today when I wake up it's time to tune it up, and she should be on the road again.

Thinking I'm going to rock it with out a hood for a bit, so I don't have to cut up the double hump hood just yet.

[Northwest Outlaw]

didn't fix my alternator issue, so i didn't drive to the car club BBQ...

[Northwest Outlaw]

Originally Posted by Northwest Outlaw

didn't fix my alternator issue, so i didn't drive to the car club BBQ...

Figured out the problem, the '61 dash wiring didn't have the resistance wire circuit for the '63 external regulator wiring. Once i go to the bottom of the problem i tried to make my own patch, and smoked out the regulator. Went with the internally regulated, single wire alternator. Took the front wiring harness and stripped out the un-needed wires, re-taped and have half the bulk with just the horn relay

Then i drove her around all afternoon for the longest driving session with the new engine, trans, suspension and brakes.
https://youtu.be/tNjguboyxIs

[robber grin]

Technically it was yesterday... but I drove it to work.

[Northwest Outlaw]

Installed a Sunpro Voltmeter in the already molested dash cluster. Had to widen the opening for this 2" gauge to replace a 1.75" Ammeter that was there before.


I also cleaned up the cluster harness on the back, removing unused warning lights and water temp leads, then taping it all back up so it's "tidy".


Luckily for me the truck came with an unmolested dash cluster that is fully intact if i ever want to go back to original.

[DPowers]

Pulled it out of storage. Need to clean it up and get the my mirrors back on it.

[TJ's Chevy]

More sanding...hoping to prime tomorrow.

[shp4man]

Finished respraying both doors. Dash is next.