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

when I finished my build I took it to a front-end alignment shop. They tinkered a bit but didn't need to make much change. It might be a good idea to have yours looked at before the insurance company signs off on it. Your experience has me keeping both hands on the wheel.

That goes without saying Jim,i'd already had the alignment done on three separate occasions without much success,that's with me even providing the correct settings.

It still had a tendency to 'track' the tyres.
i.e. uneven wear on the inside edges indicating a toe out situation.
Trying to find someone round here actually to do it properly requires the skills of Indiana Jones seeking the Holy Grail!
Big,fancy $40,000 alignment rigs that no-one seems to be able to use properly.
I even had to intervene to find the settings for a Mustang 2 set-up for one guy,which the thing had in it's database!
The usual (standard)response is "we've just set the toe to zero,keep an eye on your tyres"

My most recent response to that was "in that case i've also set my bill to zero as you haven't performed the job properly!"
They didn't charge me......

Jockbolter50,
really frustrating!
Time to screw the "correct settings" and make it work.
Nothing with rear wheel drive should have 0 toe in. Set it at 1/8" and see how it feels. It shouldn't hunt and the tire wear should should go away or begin to show on the outside. If it does, reduce it to 1/16". If it doesn't cure it, something else is wrong and you eliminated toe in.
Other reasons for your symptoms are too much negative camber (top of tire in)
loose wheel bearings (doubt that you would miss that)or soft or worn A frame bushings.

Today was a fairly productive one considering only an hour was spent on the truck. In that time we got the master cylinder and hydrovac remounted, will get all connections and bleeding done soon. Also got the brake lights working now and was able to start and idle the truck... it now goes, just need to get it able to stop and I can get it on the road!!

Got any pics of that firetruck?

Tell me about it!
Thanks for your input Jim,the bearings have under 8000 miles on them,i've re-greased and adjusted them,the 4 MII arms will be new with urethane bushes as will the steering rack mounts.
The chassis has been checked it's 'square' too.

I've since found a place near to me that builds successful race/rally car chassis' etc so in theory they will at least have an idea what they are doing.
They set up suspension systems on a daily basis from scratch,rather than me relying on underpaid,poorly trained 'grease monkeys' at the big tyre stores,who frankly don't really (care).
If you take anything other than standard 'Euroboxes' in for work you can almost see their brain shorting out...

The cynical part of me also tells me the big chains are in business to sell tyres after all....!

John,
I couldn't help but laugh when I read down to the bottom of what you last wrote and saw the reason Cletus edited your post. The reason, "language". Now I know you talk funny, lol, but you do speak English. However I couldn't very well blame your for a few four letter words in this case.

OK... I'm wanting to venture more than a block from the house and had a vision of a hose blow-out after I get a mile away. Since I know nothing about the hoses on this thing except that they're hard as PVC, I used a multi-function tool (handiest thing since NiCad battery tools) to cut away the hose clamps. Drained the coolant, removed the top hose and heater hoses and was about to extract the thermostat for an inspection/replacement when I got interrupted. I was a little surprised at the crusty corrosion at the top radiator neck... I would have expected it to be a non-corrosive material. Looks like iron.

I didn't think that one was stepping out of line too badly given my frustrations.
It's obviously a very fine line.
That one was relatively mild Jim,normally I could make a Marine blush......

Started the 292 in the 71' GMC
Minor adjustments made and it purrs like a kitten.
still have to hook up some gauges, nice to end the weekend on a high note.

Finally solved the stuttering issue with the Stovebolt Flagship this weekend!!! Carburetor icing due to the flapper valve being stuck open... Wrapped the Carter W-1 with aluminum foil and the issue was solved instantly! Made a 230-mile trip to the Tidewater gathering yesterday on a cool, rainy day without a single issue!

Changed the oil, lubed the spring shackles, and noticed the nuts on the rear lower shock mounts were rubbing the inner sidewalls of the rear tires (a new issue since lowering the truck). I replaced the nuts with ones not quite so long/tall, and shortened the studs a little, which gained quite a bit of clearance (3/8" - 1/2"?). Good to go now.

Got new kingpins installed and the front end checked and aligned. Ride and handling has improved 100 fold.

The new std sized kingpins fit the axle races hand tight with no noticeable side play but couldn't say the same about the spindles bushing races.
Found a machine shop that drilled out/trued up the races then custom made up the over sized bushings to fit in the spindles perfectly and accept a std sized kingpin.

It weren't cheap but the truck is a driver and I trust the front end now.
In comparing the difference I can't believe how worn out they were.....
Now the only play is a little in the steering box.

Dave

Replaced all the radiator and heater hoses today.

As an aside, when I got the truck, it had a short piece of hose recirculating the heater circuit, so I assumed the heater core was bad. As part of the heater restoration, I took the core to a shop to get it cleaned and repaired... they said it tested good... don't know why the heater was disconnected.

I also suspected the thermostat was stuck open... discovered today it didn't have one (same effect, of course). Need a radiator cap, now. Up next... temp gauge test!

got my wiper transmission arms all installed, new bushings, grease fittings installed on the pivots (no more squeaks ever!!) got the electric 2-speed motor back in and new switch all wired in (now I need to get the squirters installed!). Put the new speedo adapter vacuum diaphragm on and screwed the gauge cluster in. Also got the transmission floor plate and seals in an polished the aluminum holder for the top of the rear end shifter cable. Re-routed the choke cable (cleaned it up as well while I had it out) and put a new grommet in the firewall where the choke cable and PTO cable go through. Now I need to go mow the lawn and do some yard chores!

I'VE GOT BRAKES! Sorry for shouting, but it's been a bit of a journey. Ended up getting original parts rebuilt. Then when bleeding system blew a line that had looked good ( all except in boxed area of frame by engine mount apparently). So now its starts and stops. Now for wipers ( they keep running regardless of switch position.), signals, and heater blower. Then I can see about safety and get plates on it!

Brakes are a good thing!! on my list next!

It can not be said too many times. When rebuilding the brake system in an antique vehicle replace everything. Brake fluid captures moisture causing brake lines to corrode from the inside out. Don't be fooled by lines that look good on the outside.

No work on the actual truck as such but I did collect some of my parts,a new grill,splash apron,bumper and mounts from my new friend in Edinburgh.
He collected them for me from the NSRA spring swap meet last weekend in south England.

The only second hand part is the right front fender (my choice).

To say I am stunned by it's condition is an understatement,it's hard to believe it's over 60 years old.
Yep,that IS an original.
The fella I bought my truck from sourced and supplied it.

Had a glass guy come to the house on Friday and install my weatherstrip for the windshield. I'm glad I paid someone to do it, as I'm sure it would've taken me 3x as long as it took him (assuming I would've managed to get it finished on my own). I got to hang out and watch him work, and have an idea of how to do it now, should I ever need to do it again.

Brought the 37 home from winter storage,tried to yesterday but the battery was low so I let it charge over night and it fired up after sitting 4 months.

My truck started steering left when I applied the brakes. Went to adjust the front brakes when I discovered brake fluid on the inside of the RH wheel.

Replace that wheel cylinder and new brake shoes up front. Bled the system and now have monster brakes. Awesome stopping power and the truck stops straight.

Now I'm ready to haul more tan bark for the yard.

fixed my ahhhoooga horn and re-installed it this morning. Wheel had come loose from the motor inside.

Cut the first bracket off my S-10 donor frame

Just put new uni joints in driveshaft and replaced diff after pinion bearing went a while ago great to have back on road nothing like taking chevvy for a run funny it heads straight to bottle shop

got all of my sheet metal on Mater sandblasted today!!!!!!! now starts the real bodywork and hopefully It will be painted and reassembled by may 20th, my last day of school

Finally ordered a gasket set and freeze plugs for my engine! Prepping to paint it and get it back in the frame! Also psyched cause i found a brass expansion plug set instead of steel. not a big deal but i kind of preferred brass and they were only $2 more than the steel.

Next gotta find easiest place to order engine mounts and decide if i use rattle can paint or not.

Tj

Installed my the 261 I rebuilt into my 62 gmc 920 (3/4 ton) had some issues trying to install the trans but will try again tomorrow, I will get a second hand. It's hard to line those up without proper jack.

put the lettering on the grill on my 58 today. Did not seem to fit as well as I thought it should, will look and see if the big bolt letters are different than the 1/2 ton on 58/59 Chevrolet grill.

finally installed the cab mounts and rear shackles on the '50, even had the wife help!

Cut the heads off of long bolts and screw two into the clutch housing as "guide bolts".

I made my own temporary tail light bracket. For some reason, the right side bracket is back-ordered everywhere so I threw together this one so I could drive my truck.

bracket

Looks like one of those temporary fixes that could become permanent. Looks good.

Dennis

I think you should make one for the driver side. Not only will it be different but looks good and "one off". I like it.

Saturday I pulled out my caster shims, cleaned up a second set of caster shims, had my buddy weld them together, and reinstalled them to adjust the caster so my truck's steering is a little less "lively" going down the road. Truck is driving better now.

Went out and bought a hammer and dolly set to try my hand at body work. Not too shabby for my first time out. Still takes some time. Ear plugs and a steady work area would have made it a much better experience and possibly better results. Thankfully, I'm not in this for a show truck!

Good to see you finally getting something done to Heina. The report at the GabFest wasn't very reassuring. Ready for Smalltown Weekend?

I'm ready...the truck ain't tho

got the cab and hood in epoxy primer today, since the primer is black it shows every little dimple in the truck, which is fine with me because I want everything to be perfect!!!

got the master cylinder out and rebuilt it on my 58. Will put it back in tomorrow and then replace the line going back to the Hydrovac. (starting at the master cyl and working back through everything.