41DegreesSouth Build Thread

[ERASER5]

I presume you know there is a specific set of pulling tools for power steering pumps. Without the specific puller it is near impossible to remove the pulley without damage.

The interference really should be OK, unless the pump/pulley are mismatched by type. Once you are ready to re-install (presuming you are going to remove the pulley), get a can of spay duster. The kind you get to clean you computer key board. That "air" is not air, it is freon. Turn the can upside down and fog the pump shaft several times. This will freeze the shaft and shrink it. You can also spray the pulley hole. Freezing it will enlarge the hole. Yea, I know, that sounds wrong, but it is true none the less. Anyway, freezing both parts will reduce the interference as much as possible and make a tight fit at ambient temperature.

Great build. That is a lot of work to get right hand drive. Labor of love I suppose.

[Billhilly]

Originally Posted by ERASER5

I presume you know there is a specific set of pulling tools for power steering pumps. Without the specific puller it is near impossible to remove the pulley without damage.

The interference really should be OK, unless the pump/pulley are mismatched by type. Once you are ready to re-install (presuming you are going to remove the pulley), get a can of spay duster. The kind you get to clean you computer key board. That "air" is not air, it is freon. Turn the can upside down and fog the pump shaft several times. This will freeze the shaft and shrink it. You can also spray the pulley hole. Freezing it will enlarge the hole. Yea, I know, that sounds wrong, but it is true none the less. Anyway, freezing both parts will reduce the interference as much as possible and make a tight fit at ambient temperature.

Great build. That is a lot of work to get right hand drive. Labor of love I suppose.

Yeah I figured there would be some puller to fit the 'grooves' on the pulley. Just a question as to whether I do the take it off thing, or the continue on thing. Don't know if I could find someone with that specific puller set down here.
I have some 'freeze in a can' stuff already. Might be able to get enough on the shaft/pulley as is. I'll consider that first.
I've certainly made the build as complicated as possible! Well it feels like that some days. Commited now (or should be commited!) so just have to finish it up now.

[RCbowtie69]

Hey Billhilly,i work in a machine shop,.005 isn't that much for press fit.Some are less,if you have pulley puller it should come off,i like about .0035 press fit,good luck & keep the pictures coming

[propanemudtruck]

I would agree that you "could" press .0035 to .005 but I'd lean towards swamp rat's .0015 to .002. More than that and you will just cause headaches for no apparent reason.

Billhilly, does your pump have a tapped hole on the end? Maybe use a crank type press tool on a bearing threaded into the shaft.

[Billhilly]

Thank you gentlemen. Appreciate your prompt responces.
I will take it off (somehow), get an accurate measurement and take it from there. I think less may be more in this case!

[blacknorange]

nice build im thinking of converting mine. what steering box did you use? mine is a 2wd but i will probly have more questions as i go for tips if you dont mind. thanks a lot

[Dub_X]

Subscribed! Right-hand drive conversion? Can't wait to see it finished! Lookin' good.

[1985-GMC]

Hows the truck coming Billhilly?

[Billhilly]

Originally Posted by 1985-GMC

Hows the truck coming Billhilly?

Hey 1985-GMC. One word for you, slowly!
Embarrassingly slowly. Every part of every part of this project is gonna fight till the very end !
Shortly after those last posts I got my bedsides out of the corner of the shop and sat them on to start eyeing them up. I knew they were bad, but had conveniently forgot how bad they were. So after going round it ten times, you know, buy patch panels, cut the rust out etc, etc I decided dollar for dollar it was better to buy a new (secondhand) bed. You guys think shipping is bad around the lower 48? Try down to the 41st Parallel! And I don't mean North! At this stage I have a bed (minus tailgate) sitting in a warehouse in Compton. (Thanks Budnikguy). Still looking for a decent tailgate, and saving to buy some tyres and rims, and then pay for freight. Will get it under way early next year I hope. (If anyone has a decent 69-72 GMC gate let me know!). Any budget figures are so far gone now.....but I am to far up the garden path to stop!
Winter was pretty slow, work has been slow as well. Yeah yeah, cry me a river! Anyway I am trying to get motivated again to continue on with all the myriad of little jobs that are still required.
For example, that power steer pulley. Got it off and found the measurments wern't to far away from a push fit deal. Saw a picture of a proper like pusher thing, so got a thrust bearing and a piece of threaded rod turned up proper. Got some time just a couple of weeks back. Started winding it on and it was still tight! Kept winding and yup, broke the rod where it stepped down to go into the pulley shaft. I just laughed. A friend had said about a guy he used to work with actually taking the back of the pump off and pressing the pulley on. With nothing to loose I took the pump off the motor, pump out of can, back off the pump, and pressed it on the last couple of mm in the press. Reverse the above, reinstall and refer to comment above about fighting till the end!
So it's coming, but it certainly ain't gonna be done by this Christmas! Thanks for the interest. I will update as I get things done. Have the front clip off at the moment again and just painting alt and aircon brackets so I can finally button that part up as done. Then back on to finishing up the inner guards, and then outer guards.
Me and my good ideas huh?! One day I'll have a fun work truck!

[1985-GMC]

Well I haven't been making any progress on my truck lately so I can't blame ya. Anyway good to hear you haven't given up on it, and keep up the great work!

[Billhilly]

Originally Posted by 1985-GMC

Well I haven't been making any progress on my truck lately so I can't blame ya. Anyway good to hear you haven't given up on it, and keep up the great work!

Thanks Tony. I hope next year is easier!

[mjensen]

Yeah, I'm in! Great job so far! I think it's cool, and can't wait for more progress! Sure makes my build look easy

[1985-GMC]

How close are you to that volcano that erupted Billhilly?

And any progress on the truck?

[Billhilly]

Hey Tony,

Volcano was about 125 miles North of here. Wind was westerly so didn't even smell anything till the next night. More a burp (fart?) than an eruption. And this just in....."Scientists say there is still a 50/50 chance that Mount Tongariro could erupt - and it could be at any time." Seriously, just cut that out of the local rag! Idiots. But yeah, it had been quiet for hundred years. Stuff happens when you live on a tiny island on the edge of a couple of plates.
I actually saved this photo out of the paper the other night. Cause it happened at midnight no real photos.
What actually caught my eye as well was the westerly blowing over the mountain range to the south and how straight a line the cloud formed over the mountain range.
Oh, one last thing, that black shape on the upper edge of the white circle is Lake Taupo. Interesting thing about that is, even though it ain't stickin up like a volcano, it's the 'cone'(?) vent thing for what is one rather large volcano! Apparently 'they' say there is just as much chance that it will be the next one to go...

Truck pic's next..

[Billhilly]

So yeah, I make progress. Finally got the new bed landed down here in April. Because I felt bad shipping 'air' I filled the entire thing with 'stuff' I couldn't do without! Brought a set of Goodyear Duratrac's and Wheel Vintiques steel rims. And a bunch of other things!! Bed looks good but haven't got the paint off it yet. Tailgate will need straitening, waiting to paint the rims white and get the tires on.
As it currently sits I am up to final panel alignment stuff. Sounds like I'm getting somewhere but as with everyone in this position there are issues. Repro guards are generally ok but the right side is good from the top down to the body line then dives in over quarter of an inch. It will need 'opening up' I guess. Left side is more interesting. Over all contour is 'better' but the body line is quarter inch high! Some one with much more skill required to magic that down the required amount!
I have made progress finishing up the work on the inner guards. Longer shocks, RHD, auto linkage cable, all added to the mix! Came up ok though.

[Billhilly]

Around the engine bay I have wrapped up pulleys/brackets/belts, I think! Tranny cooler lines are done, as are heater lines and hot water to the propane converter. Lower steering column done with Borgenson bits, radiator hose joiners are next on the list. Must get the carb rebuilt, and do something with those rocker covers! Rolled it out to get some Vit D the other day.

[Billhilly]

Of course when I put the hood on for fit up, the hinge pivot's are worn! So that is another issue to sort. Cowl still needs to get the chop for RHD wipers, so plenty to do before panel is done ready for disassembly. Bed needs new wheel wells and front panel (which I have), but wondering about leaving the sides/floor bolted together and just paint stripping/cleaning instead of the complete dismantle sandblast deal. Never wanted a show truck.
And a little progress on your truck too?

[aussiejohn]

Originally Posted by Billhilly

Lower steering column done with Borgeson bits, radiator hose joiners are next on the list.

Billhilly,

Just found this post today and have read most every entry. I like it a lot. I have a '67 GMC pickup but intend to leave it stock for now. One thing I'd like to do is relocate the fusebox to the inside of the glove box for ease of inspection/replacement. The old bones groan when I have to go under the dash for anything!!! I'd like to contact the company that supplied your wiring loom and see if they'd make one for my application. Who are they?

BTW, I am the Australian distributor for the Borgeson product range and although I don't stock anywhere near the range of U joints that are available from the manufacturer, I do carry a few of the popular sizes if you need anything in the future. Look me up at www.pro-steer.com.au. I also have LHD integral power steering boxes for any of your mates who want to stay left hook.

Keep up the good work and,

Regards from Down Under.

aussiejohn

[1985-GMC]

Good to hear your pretty far away from there, even though mot much happened. Everything looks great, I like how you modified the inners!

The hinges are worn on my 78 also and someday id like to rebuild them with some brass bushings somehow but wont happen anytime soon I guess i'll have plenty of time think about it.

Yeah Ive got a few things done on my GMC in the last couple of months, I just haven't updated the tread in a while. Im gonna try to finish up a few things tomorrow and maybe monday then I get up some pictures.

[Billhilly]

I found these guys http://www.hoodhingerepair.com/services.html and wondered if their replacement rivets were the way to go. Some pictures round of broken reproduction hinges. Who knows, just another job to do!

[1985-GMC]

Wow those look good, I wonder how much they charge for that.

[1985-GMC]

I found these too: http://www.chevsofthe40s.com/detail/21945.html

[1985-GMC]

The guys at http://www.hoodhingerepair.com/services.html said they would rebuild 67-72 and 73-80 hood hinges in bare metal or primer for $125 plus shipping or in any color powder coat for another $75.

[Billhilly]

Yeah probably a fair price if you factor in all the time involved. If only I didn't live 20 light years away from your continent. I will ring them and see what the deal is for just buying some rivets.

[Moto Moto]

Very cool build.