UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

Hi all,

My name is Mike - I used to be a huge Jap car lover and drifter, and ran a UK forum with about 4000 members - I gave all that up a long time ago and now prefer the quiet life with my girlfriend Carla and my 4 1/2 Month old baby Elvis (Costello not Presley).
Some of my car history is

1990 Ford Ranger American Truck
R32 GTR Skyline
RX7 TT Bathurst
Supra Mk 4 TT
Several MR2 Turbos
MX5 Turbod Mk1
Audi TT Mk1

And lots of other tinned junk (love them all really in their own way)

My job and my passion is custom bikes, tattoos and loving life

May as well start a build thread for the 3rd love of my life as I intend to keep my truck for a long time. So much character, I just love it.
I bought this from a guy in the UK who had it for a couple of months after it was imported from Cali. Its a 64' 327 SB Fleet.
She runs a two speed auto box, has no handbrake, has dodgy wiring, no heaters etc - does have a switch for air con though :sumo:

Here are some pics from the advert I found state side (It had a manual box then - that was swapped by previous owner, leaving me no hand brake)
Spec is thus in the USA advert

C20 Vintage Camper truck Long Wide Bed. The engine is a Good Running SBC 327 V8, with 12V wiring, New12V battery, New 80 amp one wire alternator, New HEI Distributor with plug and wires, Rebuilt 4 barrel Quadrajet carburetor on a stock manifold with chrome air cleaner and steel valve covers.
Original bed (with a couple of holes) This half ton truck sits on new 16” Radial Fat White wall Tires with 8 lug Gold Steelies and drum breaks in the front, 8 lug Gold Steelies and drum in the rear. A lowered ride with 1/2 Ton lowering coils in the rear, 1/2 Ton Lowering coils in the front.

First impressions - the brakes SUCK (But getting used to it now)
fuel leaks into the cab
+ the issues I mention above.

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/Nzg0WDEyOD..._id=880000500F

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNj..._id=880000500F

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNj..._id=880000500F

She now looks like this:

https://photos-6.dropbox.com/t/2/AAA...00&size_mode=2

https://photos-4.dropbox.com/t/2/AAC...00&size_mode=2

https://photos-5.dropbox.com/t/2/AAD...00&size_mode=2

https://photos-3.dropbox.com/t/2/AAB...00&size_mode=2

https://photos-2.dropbox.com/t/2/AAB...00&size_mode=2


After a good clearcoat over the patina (I like old and ratty), new interior, hurst shifter (that im cutting as its not a good fit) and small wheel (so I get a work out at the same time as driving)

Im about to put a nice coffee sack roof lining in her this evening. And then onto a load cover which I will custom make and reclaimed wood storage box in the back. I love it. Here in Brighton Uk I have had people taking photos etc.

My boy Elvis loves it and fell asleep in it within 5 minutes of being on-board - so that's good. Just need to make it louder, safer and cooler haha

Hope to post regular updates

Mike

Re: UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

Welcome aboard , you have come to the right place . I have been doing my rebuild as well as helping Rian (Grizz) with his , and the guys on here are very helpful . I believe you have already spoken to Rian on the phone . Keep the pictures coming and we will keep looking
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Re: UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

Welcome Mike

You have certainly chosen the right place to post up and show your Green Machine.

Shout if you need me.

Re: UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

:hi2: and welcome aboard...:metal:

Glad to see another ol Chevy in the UK...:mm:
Rian and Martin will be dropping in on me in a fortnight, and as Martin said, keep the pics coming…

Re: UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

Cant see all the pictures but looks like a good start.

Welcome aboard Mike!

P. :D

Re: UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

Hi Mike,

Tattoo's, custom bikes and a Chevy truck, your definately in the right place :welcoem: from the frozen North (East), looking forward to more pictures

Ian

Re: UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

Thanks guys - Ive already been chatting to Rian - Im about 30 pages into his build thread haha. Then on to Martins.

Thank you for the welcome. I have so much to look at on this site at the weekend

Cheers guys

Re: UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

Got home and got busy printing

https://www.dropbox.com/s/uvw055oz37...39.31.jpg?dl=0

Hmm tried 5 times now - won't display my pic :(

Re: UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

When you take a look at my thread you probably see I like bikes as well . It's funny they seem to go hand in hand with these trucks . I myself chose to get a long bed as bikes fit in the back .

Re: UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

Thats cool chap.

I have restarted an old photo bucket account now as Dropbox linking is frustrating to say the least. I cannot seem to edit previous posts - so here is my truck at the moment
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...r.jpg~original
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...a.jpg~original

And the ridiculous shifter that I was saying about.
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...r.jpg~original

Re: UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

Shifter now gone in the bin, and looks like this hillbilly stick
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...z.jpg~original

Re: UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

My other great passion is Tea - so I noshed this out when I got home from work the other night

Got to have the right tool for the job
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...t.jpg~original

Re: UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

After a long drive today it is clear that the brakes, just don't work properly. I am stamping on them and its taking a good 10 meters to slow down.
So I need to source some new cylinders from somewhere for the front drums - as I have had a look and they both appear to be leaking out of the drum. FAIL

It now changes gear lovely - before it was really hard to go "all the way forward and one back" on the auto box.

Also, I tried to wire up a new horn and washer motor to two new switches in the dash, but I must be dumb as I put the switch in line with the positive and even though I was not pressing it, the horn and the washer motor were permenently on! What am I don't wrong?

It should be simple

Re: UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

Welcome to the forum.

from experience rewiring my triuk it appear the switches are wired so that when they are pressed they earth out. Normally it would be wired 12v to the switch and when pressed its supplies 12v to the equipment.

I think it is done like this to reduce current flow through the switch.

try Topspeed in UK for brake cylinders

Re: UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

In the event you want to reuse that shifter, Mark in Spokane, Washington has a write up within his thread concerning a spacer plate to relocate the shifter to avoid that issue… Here's a link to his thread…
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444502

Not sure what page it's on, he's a great guy so if you are interested in it, PM him, he may know what page it's on…

Cheers!:mm:

Re: UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

Thanks for the Electrical tips and the shifter tip.
I will give the electrics another pop at the weekend using the switch in line with earth.

As for the shifter, to be honest it was a bit "bling" for me anyway. So its in the bin now - Thank you though.

The nights a drawing in here so by the time I finish work there is no daylight :( so no playing with the truck.

I have noticed that the previous owner bought and fitted new (original) exterior locks and handles - however they do not lock. I was chatting to a guy the other day who said "they never lock, you have to take them apart and take a bit out - then they work".

Is this true ?

Just ordered my military canvas for the rear bed.

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...7.gif~original

Should be fun fitting and cutting it

Re: UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

Mike,

Have you thought of how to attach the canvas?

Mine had some sash window rope sewn into one end and that then slid into a slotted, fixed C shaped groove.

You can buy DIY brass tent/groundsheet eyelets from Camping International or online to create a row of eyes to thread some rope through and then fix to hooks around the edge, unless you are able to create some kind of framework.

I like this sort of modding as its off the normal pace.

Re: UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

Hi Grizz,

Well one of two ways - Im either going to put one bungy along each length of the canvas (I will add a few eyelets in to help secure/tension it) and the use simple riveted hooks on the body work or use a bungy ball on each eyelet - and again with the hooks

Once I get it I will have a look and see what is A) Most practical B) What is in keeping with the patina look C) What isnt going to be a huge job that never gets finished before the winter.

PS - Thanks for the photobucket hint. Bloody dropbox :waah:

Re: UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

Like the look of your truck. Looks like a good project.

Re: UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

Thanks Palf.
My other car isnt getting a look in at the moment

Re: UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

I no that feeling . I have two bikes with a list of jobs , and two cars I haven't touched for ages .

Re: UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

Here is some pics of my other beast. A low mileage 300c - fully blacked out.
Absolutely mint condition - I love this car.
(Its not the Hemi - dont tell everyone)
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...t.jpg~original

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/k...a.jpg~original

They get a bit of a bad rep for issues, but this one is perfect. Had the rims refirbed too - I do have drop springs to go on it, but as the roads here in Brighton are terrible Ive never fitted them.

Thinking about selling her soon and getting something as a runabout, as my girlfriend cant get insured on this

Re: UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

300C

My Father in Laws favourite car.

He always loved big cars and this is his Lottery car.

Re: UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

Its actually dead good on fuel too - for what it is.
Trouble with having a younger girlfriend is the insurance though. Im an old man so its cheap.

Re: UK Ratty V8 327 Mean Green Machine
 

Which by implication means that you have a very young girlfriend......:uhmk: