Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

I'm back from Florida, struggling with how to run a sewing machine, trying to find the right thread, needle, stitch spacing, tension, etc. so I can have a chance at reupholstering this steering wheel. Making progress though. Pictures coming once I have something to aim the camera at.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

I'm envious both of your ability to sew a steering wheel and your trip to Florida!

I installed my intake manifold today. Tomorrow will probably drop in the distributor and do a static valve adjustment. No pics, this is all standard SBC procedures.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

I'm picking up my Leaf springs and hangers along with the cab and the rest of the body panels from the blaster. Everything is in primer and will all be in one place to start the reassembly. Starting with the rear end and brake rebuild and then on to the drive train placements.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Most commercial sewing machines use a size 92 thread. You can find several colors here https://www.thethreadexchange.com/

As far as stitch spacing, longer stitches are better on leather. If there too close it will basically cut through the leather.

Unfortunately I have never made a steering wheel cover. I think the hard part may be stitching it on the wheel . You would probably want to use a leather punch like this
https://www.harborfreight.com/leathe...caAnZIEALw_wcB

Then stitch with a much heavier thread like 270. Which is available from the link above.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Thanks for the tips and encouragement, jweb & DD. I made the loop this morning and I'm pleased so far with this relatively easy part. The right side of the first pic shows my machine-stitched seam. I used something called "extra strong nylon Upholstery Thread" made by "Coats & Clark". Bought it at Walmart, so it should be good. :confused: "ART-AD64-18" was the only number on it other than the SKU. My wife said it was thicker than what she would normally use on her household machine. and I couldn't break it with my hands. I showed it to a lady at Joann Fabrics and she said "that's good stuff." I wish I would have read your post first. I would have used a longer stitch length. I'll probably scrap this first attempt, so I can do that on the second try! (...or third, or fourth...)

The hand stitching will be done with thicker "Bonded #277 Nylon...for Upholstery Outdoor Leather Canvas Bag". It's what the YouTube video said to use. For those who are crazy enough to try this, here's the link:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bonded-277-...item3cd27ca6e1

I made the gang punch in the third picture so I'd be able to get even spacing. I'll break that down to a two-hole punch for the curves. I'm going to try following that with an awl, but if that's not a big enough hole I'll get a HF leather punch.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

That's neat stuff Bob, thanks for posting it.

Brian

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

^^^ We're way above my pay grade here!

I performed static valve adjustment, installed distributor, exhaust manifold, spark plugs and dipstick. Ran out of daylight.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

MPC, you're getting so close to firing it up...Jim

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

I'm starting to realize that! At the pace I'm working I thought it would never happen! My bad back limits my work time, but also my discouragement with having to tear down the truck after it was already on the road. I enjoy building cars, but I HATE repairing them.

Today I re-installed the fan, the alternator and some wiring. Tomorrow will be trying to track down my carb leak before installation.
Thanks again for your support and encouragement!

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

MPC, I've been through the same things, once it's back running, you will forget all the bad stuff...Jim

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Many of us have this aversion. I have it so bad that, when I finished my '55 sedan in 1982, the radio didn't work. To this day, the radio does not work. My GTO factory gauges have the same disease (but the under-dash aftermarket gauges work).

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Wasn't it you who had the deer collision shortly after getting your truck on the road?

1982? Yeah, that's pretty bad but I have you beat: I once sold car because the alternator light stayed on...:lol:

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

You win!

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Yes I did hit a deer, but the truck had been on the road about 13 yrs. It took a lot longer getting it back on the road than it should have, but I had health problems that side lined me for almost 7 months...Jim

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Made some garage art from the old painted grille...

https://youtu.be/lWSdzjhIWBI

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Cool Black Sheep, there are LOTS of things that can be made from these old parts, I have fun doing stuff like that.

Got a little done on the truck today, all because I mixed to much epoxy primer for my brothers dash and I CAN'T throw out stuff like that. So I prepped the heater box and got it primed. I also went over to the hardware store and bought this basket to cut the bottom off for the grill in the heater. It's a miniature version of the stuff that will cover the headlights as the 53 Corvette had.

Brian

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Busy day, Got the motor mount to frame bolts in and torqued down, then got the transmission cross member reworked and fully welded and repainted, then installed the headers and torqued them down and finished up by putting the A/C compressor, Alternator and belt back on!

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

I got my heater cleaned up and primed and the grille cut and fit.

Brian

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

wwwowww !!!

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

drove it a little bit. it was a busy weekend so I didn't get much time but it was fun as always.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

I took the day off to enjoy some spring-like weather with my wife. She's been great about being a garage widow and supporting my truck build fanaticism. While the valleys are fogged in and 34*, we went up on the mountaintops for sun and 75* temps. I actually sweated!

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

Yeah I got out and drove my truck down to the shop to work on a shop project that has turned in to a nightmare but it is a Volvo and not a fun project.

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

At least you drove your truck - I'm envious! Really nice truck!

Today I replaced all the gaskets, seals, o-rings, washers etc. on my leaking carburetor. Sheesh, shouldn't have to do this to a brand new carb.

Tomorrow should be the big day: take it off the jacks, add coolant, prime the float bowls and test fire. Only a 2 month setback, grrrr. Wish me luck and a dry garage floor!

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

I only say this to make you feel better. I'm two months away from getting back into the garage (but I'm working as I can in the basement). It'll be -3 degrees tomorrow night. (Fargo, ND will have a wind chill of -65 degrees tonight!) A third of my 184 wires are strewn all over the place; the others are on the spool. I might run this year, but it's looking doubtful. It's still the best hobby there is!

Re: What did you do with your truck today, Part 3
 

I'm going to nickname you "Aristotle" because all your comments are so profound!