Time Machine

[Houch]

Enjoy reading all the builds on the forum. Debated on whether or not to start one because it's going to be a very slow build. The truck is a short wheel base 70 Chevy. The name came about because over the years I've had a hand full of hot rods and have been away from them for the last 10+ years. My favorite and first was a 70 GTO. Lots of good memories there. I've always wanted to build one of theses trucks. I chose the name "Time Machine" because I hope that one day it too will supply many good memories. I guess the fact that it's going to take along time to build it appropriate also.

I bought this truck because the previous owner had already replaced the inner and outer rockers. Thought I was getting ahead of the game. After closer inspection I discovered that the upper corners of windshield are rusted severely. So I need to either find a new cab or roof.

[lewisaric]

Welcome to yhe addiction.

[Houch]

Got it stripped down to the frame. Need to get socket to remove trailing arms. Trying to decide if I want to buy a sand blaster. Or find someone to do it.

[culp7]

i'd invest in a cheap sandblaster. you'll make what you put into it real quick

[Houch]

Originally Posted by culp7

i'd invest in a cheap sandblaster. you'll make what you put into it real quick

That' the way I was thinking.

[Houch]

Guess the name of this project is more appropriate than I realized. Cant believe it's been over a year since I've really done anything to it. I Really got discouraged over the condition of the cab and even tried a couple of different projects to try and replace this one. An 86 Chevy Swb that I bought and drove for awhile then sold to buy a 1970 Nova that needs lots of TLC. The Nova is going to require even longer than this truck to restore. I need a fix to my hot rod addiction so I've put the Nova on the back burner and placed the truck as #1 on my building list. I still haven't found a replacement cab or roof but have purchased a sand/soda blaster from Eastwood to tackle the frame, Cant wait to see how that baby works.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Most of the builds on the board are slow but its not a big deal just shows how much work and cash these things eat up..

[Houch]

Seems every time i get motivated to work on my truck something comes up and puts a snag into it. My wife lost her job, luckily she found another quickly however it is at a substantially pay. This income reduction has reduced my truck budget from small to nonexistent, I had just about given up on it. Fortunately my love for these trucks keeps me coming back to this forum to look at and read about the great trucks members have and have built or are building. As often mentioned, any progress is progress.

So yesterday back out into the shop i went. A while back I'd purchased a sand blaster to do the frame. Unfortunately I don't have the funds for a regulator and a water separator for my air compressor. So the old fashion way of sanding and grinding it will be.

One of the bolt holes for my steering box has small cracks around it. Got that area cleaned up real good and the holes stopped drilled. Just need to grind the cracks then weld them up. Anyone have any ideals on tools or the best way to do this?

[FRENCHBLUE72]

I would do what you did and drill the stop holes and then weld it up..

[Houch]

Do i need to try and grind a notch in the welds to get better penetration of the weld? Or would it be okay just to weld it as is?

[FRENCHBLUE72]

If you have something to make a v type groove in the crack area and then weld it that would work out great.

[Houch]

Originally Posted by FRENCHBLUE72

If you have something to make a v type groove in the crack area and then weld it that would work out great.

Thanks. I'll see if I can come up with something.

[XxCHEVYMANxX]

Welcome to the board, try to stay motivated and have fun!

[Houch]

Got Steering box mount cracks welded up and welds ground down. Removed spare tire brace, bump stop brackets in preparation for notch kit when time comes. removed trailing arm mounts so they can be flipped. Got 90% of the frame cleaned up and about half of it primed, Trailing arm brackets all cleaned up and painted. I'm using Eastwood's Extreme Chassis Primer as well as their Extreme Chassis Black Satin.

[XxCHEVYMANxX]

Man that is looking good. nice work Greg.

[Houch]

Originally Posted by XxCHEVYMANxX

Man that is looking good. nice work Greg.

Thanks. Funds are tight. Hopefully I can follow your lead in detail to keep me busy.
Posted via Mobile Device

[wicky]

Looking good so far keep up the work and try to stay motivated. Hell if average joes like us waited till we had enough time and money to build these trucks we would never even start one keep at
Posted via Mobile Device

[Houch]

Originally Posted by wicky

Looking good so far keep up the work and try to stay motivated. Hell if average joes like us waited till we had enough time and money to build these trucks we would never even start one keep at
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I need them to stay motivated.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Houch]

Didn't get much done this weekend. When my truck was built the left rear shock mount didn't have a hole for the rear rivet. The factory's cure... weld it on and heck while we're at it let's weld the rear of the right one too even though it had a rivet. Lol. They were a big pain but I did get both of those removed.
Posted via Mobile Device

[XxCHEVYMANxX]

It's funny how you can start with a simple plan of taking something apart, and it turns into big job. Here's to making it right!

[XxCHEVYMANxX]

Hey Greg any progress this weekend. nudge nudge.
pics? Hope you had a good one anyway.

[Houch]

Originally Posted by XxCHEVYMANxX

Hey Greg any progress this weekend. nudge nudge.
pics? Hope you had a good one anyway.

No progress to report this weekend, wish there was. You on the other hand are kicking butt.
Posted via Mobile Device

[XxCHEVYMANxX]

You'll get there Greg. I know for me once everything was stripped down it seemed like the project slowed to a standstill. you just have to do one thing at a time. Ok I'm no good at motivational writing . We can do alot with a little time/money.

[Houch]

Finally got the the last coat of paint on the frame. Got the bed torn a part so i could get rid of the rusty bed floor and make room in the shop. Started on trailing arms, got old bushings out and started cleaning on them. Even gave the shop a much needed cleaning. Moving slowly but as often stated on the forum "progress is progress" keep telling myself that to keep motivated anyway.

[XxCHEVYMANxX]

Lookin good Greg.