My new project truck!

[HIGHWAY BY THE SEA]

QUOTE=Andy4639;8376884]In your picture you have the battery ground cable attached to the exhaust manifold. I would add another cable to the frame also and make sure the cab is grounded to the frame and the block. You can't have to many grounds!

Glad to see you got it running. [/QUOTE]

OK, I will try that. Thanks!

Originally Posted by AussieinNC

That battery ground lead you have on the exhaust manifold will be a problem sooner or later due to heat soak from the exhaust...

If you look on the top of the alternator bracket, you will see two threaded holes, bolt the ground lead to one of those bolt holes...make sure the ground area is cleaned of all old paint and rust.

Andy4639 is totally correct...you can never have too many ground straps...

Stay safe young man...

OK, I will move it to the alt bracket. That manifold bolt is where the old one was when I bought this. Thanks!

[Andy4639]

I don't think it will ever be a problem from heat. The rust on the manifold may cause some though. As long as you have a good clean connection you should be fine no matter where you end up putting it.. Normal grounding straps where on the back bolts of the valve covers to cab but if they are in place you should be Ok. If not add some to the motor to cab and frame.

[AussieinNC]

I've had two people bring me trucks recently that had bad ground issues....
both had ground cables direct from the battery to that bolt on the exhaust manifold...

Both had burned up the connection crimping and one had been subsequently been soldered,,,and the solder had melted out again from the heat...

I simply replaced the ground cables, attached them to the alternator bracket, added two more grounds engine to chassis and cab to chassis, and both are now working fine...

You can never have enough grounds....

[HIGHWAY BY THE SEA]

Today I temporarily installed the gauge pod, after I wired the gas sender for the first time. I wired the temperature gauge weeks ago after I repinned the gauge plug. The temperature gauge works perfectly, as does the gas gauge (no more surprise dry tank!). But the battery gauge did not move at all that I could tell. The needle of the one in my 68 stays directly in the center, but never moves. I wired the battery gauge with one wire on the alternator, and one to the junction block. I wonder if this is normal?
Next up is to find a place on the engine to install the copper oil pressure line. I have had trouble locating one so far.
Stay tuned!

[AussieinNC]

The oil pressure switch port is located at the rear of the engine, top, just to the drivers side of the distributor....

see attached pic

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by HIGHWAY BY THE SEA

Today I temporarily installed the gauge pod, after I wired the gas sender for the first time. I wired the temperature gauge weeks ago after I repinned the gauge plug. The temperature gauge works perfectly, as does the gas gauge (no more surprise dry tank!). But the battery gauge did not move at all that I could tell. The needle of the one in my 68 stays directly in the center, but never moves. I wired the battery gauge with one wire on the alternator, and one to the junction block. I wonder if this is normal?
Next up is to find a place on the engine to install the copper oil pressure line. I have had trouble locating one so far.
Stay tuned!

Check for blown 4A fuses on both sides of the wire harness in the engine bay. With one or both blown, that circuit is open.

[HIGHWAY BY THE SEA]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Check for blown 4A fuses on both sides of the wire harness in the engine bay. With one or both blown, that circuit is open.

Ok, I will check them tomorrow weather permitting.
And thanks to my new NC Australian friend for the assist in finding the oil pressure hole. There was an old aftermarket gauge brass fitting attached to the engine coated with oil and dirt that hid it rather well. I just hooked up the oil pressure gauge, and it works! The oil pressure looked good!

[HIGHWAY BY THE SEA]

Ok, I checked the battery gauge wires today, and when I started the truck it works! Apparently it was working last night, but I did not see the needle move in the dark (gauge lights were not working).

Here is the battery gauge with the engine started cold.



Here is the oil pressure gauge started cold.



Here is the temperature gauge. Had to wait until the engine warmed up for this picture.



Now all the gauges work except the speedometer.
The speedometer has NEVER worked. I noticed that the mileage on the truck title was exactly the same from 20 years ago as it was when I bought it. So today I got under the truck, disconnected the speedo cable, and spun it with my fingers while my son held the other disconnected end. The cable spun freely. So this means that my speedometer drive gear is going to be checked next. It must be damaged or something.

Years ago a forum member taught me how to repin the idiot light plug to work with gauges. I sure am glad that he did, and I always use the charts on here to assist with it.

[HIGHWAY BY THE SEA]

Yesterday I drove upstate to buy the GMC radiator core support from the same man that sold me the 67 front clip, and to view the doors that he has for sale. This radiator support is FAR more solid than my battery-destroyed one, and needs minimal work.
Imagine my surprise when I got to his shop and he showed me a GMC grille, and lighting harness that he had removed from his own truck! He has been installing a Chevy clip on this GMC of his, and these were the leftovers. The doors are in far better than average condition. They have a rusted out seam on the very bottom of them that should be easy to fix, but the rest of both doors is dent-free and even has working window rollers, good glass, and arm rests.
So I bought the radiator support for $160, the grill for $40, the intact wiring harness for $20, and am returning to buy the doors later (ran out of room in the wife's SUV, and money). This seller was going to charge me $200 for these matched doors, but due to the rusted seam I found, that price is now $150 for both.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Ganga!

[Andy4639]

Those are some good finds for sure. That water temp gauge seems a little high for normal. It could be from sitting still though but you may want to check it when driving. Normal would be over by the hash mark close to the C.
At least on all the ones I seen and drove.

[HIGHWAY BY THE SEA]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

Those are some good finds for sure. That water temp gauge seems a little high for normal. It could be from sitting still though but you may want to check it when driving. Normal would be over by the hash mark close to the C.
At least on all the ones I seen and drove.

I have not topped off the coolant yet, checked the thermostat, or installed an overflow bottle. Maybe it is time to...
This thing DRINKS gas. It went through four gallons in NO time only in the driveway.

[68Gold/white]

Originally Posted by HIGHWAY BY THE SEA

I have not topped off the coolant yet, checked the thermostat, or installed an overflow bottle. Maybe it is time to...
This thing DRINKS gas. It went through four gallons in NO time only in the driveway.

............................................................................................I remember

[HIGHWAY BY THE SEA]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

............................................................................................I remember

Ha! That first time it was 2 gallons. I put 4 gallons in after that and it did not last either! Definitely not gas efficient!

[HIGHWAY BY THE SEA]

This 69 - 72 gauge pod was not good enough for my truck...



So begins the cleansing process...



Painting the gauge needles...



Yes!! This is much better!! The 68 bezel makes all the difference!!



Green LED-lit at night!!

['68OrangeSunshine]

Nice. GMC liked to paint the dash panels the same as the interior.[ I would never have known however since my '71 Jimmy was Copper originally with a Black interior. Now it's been repainted a Medium Metallic Blue. With a Black dash, I just figured it was like Chevys, always with a black dash.]

[HIGHWAY BY THE SEA]

Now that the (CENSORED) rain has finally left, it has turned COLD. So progress on this project has been slow.
I finally bought a new steering wheel puller (my old one was never found) and removed that unholy abomination one that came with the truck. The turn signal switch was SCREWED (no surprise there), and there was mud wasp nests INSIDE the steering wheel. Installed my first 67-72 turn signal switch (New AC Delco from parts store) and now I need to buy a 67-68 steering wheel.

Abomination steering wheel...


Old turn signal switch...


New switch installed...


There is NO way I am putting that incorrect steering wheel back on this, and I have a lead on a 67 one, so stay tuned!

[HIGHWAY BY THE SEA]

I meant to post this sooner! My son and I drove the truck on the road for the first time this past week! I finally insured and registered it, and we took it for a short spin around the neighborhood. It has had two more short trips, and as soon as other mechanical issues are worked out, these trips will be longer! Until then, neighborhood only! AAA three-mile towing is a good investment in case of emergency!

Here is the new steering wheel and NOS horn cap.



No pictures of us riding in it though, as we were both busy choking on exhaust fumes! Muffler shop, here we come!

[Andy4639]

Well hopefully we can get a good day of weather when I come down your way to have a look at the wiring.

['68OrangeSunshine]

For pure driving ''feel'' there is nothing like a well set-up original vintage steering wheel. It feels right in the hand, has good balance -- even in Manual -- and puts the nose of the truck exactly where you want it, without even thinking about it.

Leave the Grant wheels to the 3 Stooges -- it's funny when the wheel comes off in Moe's hands while driving. Not so funny when it's you in the real world.

[HIGHWAY BY THE SEA]

Went to Georgia to buy the one-piece rims from Madkidd007. We had a good time, and I LOVE the diesel engine in his K10! It is quite unbelievable!

Us looking at the wheels. I am the one on the right



Yep! We have a deal!



A free gift of a heater box, lug nuts, and tail light harness! Thanks buddy!

[kazoocruiser]

Cute kitten. I have a gray Bengal too.

[kazoocruiser]

Originally Posted by HIGHWAY BY THE SEA

Now that the (CENSORED) rain has finally left, it has turned COLD. So progress on this project has been slow.
I finally bought a new steering wheel puller (my old one was never found) and removed that unholy abomination one that came with the truck.

Abomination steering wheel...


There is NO way I am putting that incorrect steering wheel back on this, and I have a lead on a 67 one, so stay tuned!

Since you want to sling the old wheel to the wind, can you send it to me for postage. It would be better on my truck than what is on it now.

[HIGHWAY BY THE SEA]

Here is the prepped radiator core support with all the new lights installed. It eagerly awaits the truck's return from the brake shop!


One of the fenders painted and ready to install on the truck.


The cowl painted and ready to go.


And here is the truck at the brake shop with the nice, safe, one-piece wheels installed. (Notice the old split-ring junk ones on the bed)


Tomorrow the other fender is going to be painted, barring any inclement weather. As soon as this gets back from the brake shop, the front clip assembly begins.

[72GreenMonster]

Good work! On a great project!