Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

very nice interior work. I also love the shifter and the Indian knob.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Thanks! I appreciate it. Everytime I shift gears, I love the Indian knob more.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

OK, so I took my truck back into the shop that did my A/C work...the A/C isn't working. THe compressor isn't coming on...I think it is either too much freon or not enough. Anyway, they are going to fix it...and there were runs in the dash clear coat that they are going to clean up which should have been done before I got it back.

While the truck is gone, I thought I would look at my spare tire hanger. Fortunately being a LWB I don't need the fender cutout, but it is going to be a close fit so it will have to be hung exactly in the right spot. I have on original stepside hanger for a 6 lug wheel. My truck was converted to 5.

The top stud on the hanger could/should work fine...do I just cut off the other 2 studs and weld 2 new studs in place or cut off all 3 studs weld a slightly larger piece of metal on and then weld 3 studs in place?

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Ordered new PML valve covers today...Can't wait to get them so I can paint them and install...going to dress up the engine bay so good. Got them from www.lyonsperformance.com on a great deal...saved about $150!

this ppicture is from www.yourcovers.com (PML)...the great deal was on "corvette" covers...going to paint them light green to match the other bits in my engine bay.

https://yourcovers.com/valve_cover_i...26_cast_lg.jpg

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

OK, so I started driving the truck at Thanksgiving...had 360 hundred miles on it when we left today. Took it out on it's mayden day trip today...we did about 250 miles round trip...have 609 miles on the truck now! Did some pictures...just cruised and had fun. Truck did great. Here are a few pictures from the trip.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Here are some more my wife took.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

That’s awesome man! Truck looks great, can’t wait to drive mine around like that! Such a fun time driving the old trucks around

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Nice work.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

My wife made this comparison picture...one before the restoration started and one this weekend...quite the difference in the interior dash.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Heck yeah man! All that hard work payed off!

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Thanks Christian!

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Started painting my new valve covers today...will get finish up in the next few days...going to get some black on it tomorrow.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Looks great man! good to see you getting it out and enjoying it. On the spare tire thing I would put 3 new studs in that are same thread as your lugs and mount the spare using 3 lug nuts like what the truck uses, that way if you need to change out the tire alongside the rd and drop a lug or two you have spares. Heck even if you drop all 5 you will have 3 and can throw the flat in bed. I would also make a secondary lock that is easy to use but hard to defeat if you know what I mean, a simple plate with loop sticking through that covers the lugs is effective. I like the puck lock type of system.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Thanks...it feels so good to be able to drive it again. So would you cut off the existing studs and weld new ones on the faceplate using threaded rod of the right thread pattern? I like the idea of a lock on one of them...thanks, good thinking!

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

OK so I started painting my new valve covers...here are some of the progression shots of the process.

I took the raw aluminum and sanded it so it wasn't as rough as the original sand casting. Not enough to polish it...but enough..went from 40 grit paper to 220 on all surfaces. You can see some "rough" spots around the Corvette script and between the fins where I did not do any sanding of the original casting. Wasn't worth the effort IMO. I then painted green (3 coats) to match the bits under my hood. I let that dry overnight. I scuffed that up a little on top so that black paint would adhere better. I then masked off what I wanted black....then shot the black. Once the last coat of black was laid out I pulled the tape off so there were no hard lines. The next day, I sanded off the raised fins and script with 220 grit on top. Where the black paint rolled to the side and faded out I used lacquer thinner and a micro dabber to get the black paint off the fins and shape the black where it stopped. I then hand sanded any bits that the lacquer thinner wouldn't get. If I sanded too much I touched up with a micro dabber. I still need to clear coat it all tomorrow...and polish the top fins and script... I love the result.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Basically the way I would tackle it would be to cut off and grind down the existing studs then drill the holes for new and use G8 bolts in correct thread pattern, push them through the holes then weld them on the back side. For the lock you could use a matching wheel lock to the truck if you can find a company that will send 5 matching ones if you want it cleaner looking than the more commercial style lock I mentioned before lol.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

The valve covers look great! :metal:

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Exactly how I was thinking--cutting off and grinding them down and then drilling and using a bolt of the appropriate size from the backside welded in. Thanks!

Thank you sir...since the truck is drivable, now the fun part of making some pieces nicer looking can begin.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Beautiful work! Just awesome work so far. Love the valve covers... how many sets of like those i have had over time..... lol

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Glad to see the truck back together and driving.
Those valve covers came out nice too.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Valve covers look good. The effort shows.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Thanks guys...I appreciate the kind words. I clear coated the valve covers this week. Just waiting on the clear to cure then I will spot wet sand and polish them. A little bit of trash in a place or two...but I do love them. Hope to get them installed this weekend.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Haven't been doing a whole lot on the truck other than driving it and trying to fine tune the Fitech. I want to paint the rally wheels soon also. However, today I finally swapped out my valve covers. I love the new ones...dresses up the engine bay so well. Here are a few pictures...a before and after.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Those covers look really good in there. Gorgeous engine bay!

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Beautiful engine bay!

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Love the look, great job!!
How is the FiTech working out for you?

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Those valve covers really tie in the whole engine compartment. Nice job!

I like your battery cables. Did you make those? I still need to do this.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Looks great, Andy! Once I bring my truck back to Milly, I might have to make a day trip to Savannah!

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Those look AWESOME Andy!!!!!

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Thanks! I do love the engine bay...

Thank you sir! the covers look better than I ever imagined.

Thanks...The Fitech is a weird thing. I plan on doing a write up soon about it. I am still fine tuning mine. I still haven't been able to figure out cold start where I don't have to give it throttle to start it..and let it warm up like a carburator yet, but I think I am getting closer. Some peoples fitech runs great out of the box with little fiddling and some don't, but I have heard all aftermarket EFI are the same. The truck runs good though once warmed up...just little things at this point.

Thanks...I agree on the covers tying in the entire compartment. I bought the battery cables from www.batterycablesusa.com. with Military Ordnance Style Battery Terminal Adapters. I also bought my grounds for the engine to frame from them also...4 gauge.
My battery cables are 2 gauge. They are USA made with fast shipping..I highly recommend them.

Absolutely...or if there are any car shows this year in Milledgeville, let me know and we will come up!

Thanks John! Much appreciated.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

I took some better pictures for you of the cables and post...I also got my alternator cable from www.batterycablesusa.com and ran it to the battery instead of the starter. I like the military style posts a lot.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Thanks for the pics and info!

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

I know you are off on another project but I have a question. We have a very close setup with engine position, etc. If you care to share I would like to know what upper radiator hose you used. It looks like it would fit my setup.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

No problem, happy to help. And we have VERY similar build. Info is below.

I will still be adding things/tweaking this one...this is my DD, so I have to keep everything running smooth and in good shape.

Just happen to have the hose information in my phone (in case I ever needed one for an emergency)

Upper hose is Gates 23464
Lower Hose is Gates 20475

Disclaimer***For anyone else...these hoses work for pdxhall's truck and my truck because we moved the engine to the forward mounting position...so these hoses would not work in the stock OEM position***

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

That's a great idea on how you ran the Alt cable.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Thanks....just made sense to me...so the cable wasn't running near any exhaust or heat...and I think it is cleaner....60" cable.

I think I am going to upgrade it to a thicker gauge wire though... 1/0. This one is only 4 gauge. I am not getting the charging I want when my electric fan comes on...coupled with my 170 amp alternator. I never get more than 12.8 volts when the engine is running.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Finally decided on a color for my wheels....graphite gray from Duplicolor. I painted my spare tire wheel today...I think my rally wheels will look good with my new beauty rings and I cleaned up my center caps. Will get pictures of those once I paint them.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Thanks for the info on the hoses. That color on your wheels is nice.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

You are most welcome! I hope to get all 4 wheels painted next week.

Re: 1965 LWB Stepside Build
 

Gave the truck a bath today...first time in a long time! She cleans up pretty good for being 56 years old!