The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Re: What did you get done on your 'Bolt today?

I'm in the process of establishing a budget and figuring out what I need to buy. I'm trying to avoid as many, "I cut it off twice and it's still too short!"s as I can. I posted about my 292 build just a minute ago too...

Brakes are done in my 51 3100. I spent the day painting interior in readiness for my new headliner. Tomorrow I'm going to begin floor repairs.---Jack

I'll bet it looks good too. Got pics Jack?

I didn't realize quite how dirty my truck had gotten... until I was trying to scrub it all off again today.

yeesh!

I got the front end done, mostly and the bed sides and tops... gotta get after the roof tomorrow.

I ran out of daylight today.

*is that dirt or rust? hmmmn*

-W

Not yet. It's still pretty rough.---Jack

Today I got the window channel pieces cleaned, painted and ready to install with the new window regulators. Also got the hood hinges and springs bolted back on. installed a new hood to cowl weatherstrip and got the driverside vent back in place!

Finally installed the new grille assembly. With a truck this old it was a challenge to get it all lined up correctly, but am happy with the fit overall.

http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/calli005/51Grille-1.jpg

Almost finished welding the drivers side inner kick panel back in.

installed new front leaf spring today. now the truck sits level and doesn't drive like crap. very happy will save up and get the other one.

Today I drove up to Morrisville, PA (next to Trenton, NJ) with Mike Roache and Hambone to visit AmtrakJoe and pick up the 4:10 ring and pinion gear (out of a '69 3/4-ton Chevy) for Ole Charlie, the Stovebolt.com flagship.


John

After 70+ years of owner add-ons the firewall had a strong resemblance to Swiss cheese. So I added diamond plate.

http://s783.photobucket.com/user/jo...l2_zps481f1475.jpg.html?sort=6&o=104

Also been cutting on the inner fenders to fit over the IFS.

I threw a junk bucket seat in the truck yesterday and took it for a ride. I had taken the bench seat out to finish up the interior.Oh do I hate waiting for ordered parts.It runs great. Gotta take a look at the front end next,a little sloppy there.
I had this baby sheltered from the white stuff all winter long and figured it was safe to take it outside. Last night we had a little surprise. Got a thin coat of white frosting on everything around here.
I hope the link works.---Jack frosting coated AD

Brought home a 261 to be rebuilt for future replacement of the 235 in my TF one ton.

I finished tweaking the driver's side door panel and will try to start on the passenger side Monday. I'll try to add some pics tomorrow.

Finally found a squeak I had been hearing ever once in a while. Turns out the rear sway bar I installed was barely rubbing one of the U-bolts. Loosened a couple bolts and a good whack with the hammer.....no more squeaks!

Double checked the rear end lube for an upcoming road trip and replace one of those cheap flashers that come in the wiring kits.

Have my "lighter" wired and ready to install so I can use a converter for my C-pap when on a road trip.

got the new parking brake cables installed and adjusted and working today!!

Have had power steering installed. Many would disagree with this but since I had a small stroke it's much easier to steer at slow speeds...

Also had an under bed tank made and put in...my tank in the cab made me nervous and it also always smelled of gas..

Entered in a local car show next weekend.. !

Don't worry about the "many" that might disagree, until they start sending you checks for your Bolt.

Found a few spare minutes Saturday while the kids were playing outside. My intent was to install the fuel pump and run the line to the carb. Got the bolts hand threaded and realized I'd forgotten the gasket. Then realized the gasket was gone from the box. It's several miles to the parts store to get the $1 gasket so that project had to wait.

Figured out there was now way to run my fuel line without removing the air brake old bendix westinghouse compressor that powers the air horn. After some toil and covering myself in grime...got it pulled out. The bracket it sat on was bolted to the engine via studs in 3 head bolts. Not what I expected but pretty cool. Guess I'll have to figure out how to remove those now. But they aren't in the way.

A couple weeks a go I got my "new" old rims blasted. One had several bends in the outer lip so I got that straightened. Powder coater called me Friday and they are done. Excited to pick them up tomorrow.

Got another step closer to curing my handling problems.
Rear end complete after removing the shoddy 4-link installed previously and installing a Danny's Original Customs 4-link.

After i've had the exhausts moved(again)I installed urethane bumpstops,ran the rear end through it's full range of motion and nothing hits,rubs or binds anymore. Halleluyah!

Now onto the front,due to badly aligned strut rods,the inner lower arm bushes have tried to eat themselves and were causing huge bumpsteer problems not to mention accelerated tyre wear.
I'd purposely bought part worn tyres 'til I was happy with all the geometry,thank goodness although they are still road legal assuming I correct the problem now.

Cure? New tubular style lower arms.

AAGH..... More money!

I know your frustration John. When you've finished your project or parts of the project and then have to go back and redo what you have already invested blood, sweat, tears and $$$ in, it ain't fun. While not as sizeable as what you have had to do, I've got eight or nine areas I'll need to return to in the next few months.

To be honest Jim,the handling problems had taken the wind out my sails somewhat.

I knew taking on a project like this was going to be a rollercoaster ride,I just didn't expect it to drive like one too!

As usual the level heads that are the Stovebolt community have come to the rescue in obtaining the correct parts and advice to beat these gremlins. Shelling out more cash to rectify this has dented my plans for body and paint this year...it still looks like cr*p but most importantly at least it'll be safe to drive.

Today
Replaced horn relay,

Over the last 5 days
Replaced broken speedometer
Replaced broken front shock mount.

Hook up a connection so I can use a converter for my C-pap machine when I travel.
Did some wiring on the 700R4 for the lockup...my nephew did most of it!!

I hope you are not planning on sleeping while driving.

I got my Federal moved back up by the house so I can do some more work on it when time allows. Fired up then promptly died. Needed a jump to finally stay running.

...looks like a great truck for a project.

Thanks, so far very little has happened other then actually getting it running. Hopefully I can finally get the capital together to finish putting it together.

Changed the oil and bypass filter and put around 80 miles on it afterwards. The brand new oil is still honey brown.
Must be finally getting the innards cleaned out

Dave

Sanding, sanding, and more sanding! Getting the bed wood ready!

Went to the junk yard and pulled the front end from a 78. Came home and took it apart. Planning on converting to front disc brakes. Painted upper and lower control arms and front and rear springs with POR.

What ya putting it in?

Got my gas tank back in, and took the truck for a spin around the neighborhood!

Also installed my newest part. Newest Truck Part

Received my US radiator and installed in my Good Humor Truck. Also just about finish with the wiring.

Radiator pic

Steve,
That's some remarkable work you've done. What kind of oil filter set-up is that.

Fuel pump bolted up.

Spent a couple hours "modifying" the prebent stainless line I got from Carter. I don't think it was meant for the glass filter pre-carb. My first time bending line. If I had to do it over I would start with a straight piece and bend my own.

Pic

Was a significant pain in the rear but also a good feeling when I finally got it right.

Hey Jim, Thanks, its been along road. When I bought the
truck the filter canister was mounted on the firewall. The lines were on backwards. I assume the oil canister was on the manifold and the previous owner had it on the firewall. I measured the lines and had House of Hose make the lines stainless braided lines.The previous owner must have pressed out the mounting ends on the oil filter canister to mount it on the firewall. I used press-on insert threaded rivets to easily remove it if needed. I like it on the firewall. Steve

It looks good where it is Steve. I just couldn't figure out if it was a standard oil filter or a Franz Oil Cleaner.

Finally got around to dropping the oil pan and peeping around the bottom end, it was surprisingly clean considering the mileage on it. The original speedo show 99K and I've put on another 6k since I got it running.
There was alittle crud in the deepest oil pan chamber but otherwise it was pretty clean also.
My oil pressure has dropped along w/the outside temps so I decided to plasti-gauge the mains to see if the clearance was getting to big. They were all .002 to .003 and it's a good thing because there were no shims on them. Rods were at the highend of the specs and there were no shims on them either. Looks like someone has been in there and adjusted it previously. Might explain why it was as clean as it was.
Hindsite being 20/20 I now wish I had ordered that oil pump rebuild kit and replaced those gears and relief valve & spring while I was in there. Pulling the pan one ones back w/engine in the truck was no picnic but I may revisit that oil pump later.

My warm temp oil pressure is now only about 11-12 psi and I'll estimate idle is at 6 or 7 psi. I just put in new 15w40 and I'm probably going to try 20w50 on the next change to see what I get.

Looks like I'll be on the hunt for a buildable 235 or 261.
Dave

Over the last 3 days I have pulled the old Hot Rod Air evaporator and the unknown vintage condenser from my '56 and am installing the new Old Air unit I bought.

I finally got sick of trying to make that Hot Rod Air unit work. I think I'll use it for target practice before it goes to the scrapper.