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

Finished polishing my bell housing from American Powertrain to put my Tremec TKO 600 on my 292. Ready to bring her in the shop and start the frame off.

Heater has not put out warm air since I purchased the ‘62 C-10 last year. Figured the thermostat was missing . Decided to dig into it in preparation for Oklahoma Bolters GabFest 2018 coming up on the 24th. To my surprise the thermostat was there just wedged open by a broken spring. New 180 degree thermostat installed. Now I’ve got heat. Now if it doesn’t rain I can drive the truck to meet up with the gang.🛠

I am in the process of painting the 7 wheels on my 1948 two ton. They are one piece that I had Stockton wheels custom make. They were painted silver, but the truck was outside, but under cover and on gravel, but still got surface rust. They already have tires on them, so I made a lazy susan to mount the rims on to make it easier to work with them. I am just rattle canning with primer and Rustoleum Fire Red after I clean them up. First one I tried brushing the paing on to see how it looked, but spray can is looking better. I also made a set of tongs that fit into the tire tread so I can use my engine hoist to pick them up with. I made the tongs fit into the tread so that I don't have to put hooks into the holes in the rims and damage the paint. I may make a tire jack when I get ready to install them.

Well today I finished stripping the parts off the frame and started degreasing.. if I have a 5 pound coffee can full of old grease does that mean the frame is 5 LBS lighter. 😁
Went by the shop where the cab is getting floor and cab corners repaired/replaced and also filling all the holes in the doors from numerous set of mirrors that were installed and of course they never use the same holes. Started taking the leaf springs from the front end apart found one that’s broke need to replace that one, and then start on the rear but the rear set with 14+ leaves is going to be fun. Installed new key cylinder in ignition switch SortIt all my parts making sure I have everything to start putting it back together got to get all the bolts together that seems like a monumental task.

I just finished rebuilding the engine in my '62 C10 last month. Since then, I have been chasing leaks in my radiator. While the engine was out, I fixed the main leak I knew about in the top tank. It was a horizontal crack that was approximately 3/4" long. That hasn't leaked since, but it seems I have been chasing pin holes all over the place.

This is an original 1962 radiator, and it seems to be about dead. I have decided to bite the bullet and so I ordered an OEM style reproduction all aluminum radiator. Should be here sometime next week.

I drove my daily truck beater, like I do almost every day, weather permitting.

Put the three rear windows in my 5 window. Three hours and three bloody fingertips.
Loved every minute of it.

Radiator came in early. It got here on Friday morning. I had time to paint it and then install it before I needed to leave the house.

Like almost every reproduction part I have ever purchased, there was a fit and finish issue. The core was just a little shorter than the original, so I had to trim my fan shroud just a bit to make it fit.
Not a big deal.

I've been driving the truck all weekend and no leaks! I good with that.

Just finished up a sm420 rebuild and install. Converted from the standard 3 sp on the column to now down on the floor. The drive went well and 4 sp trans worked perfect. This trans is one really built unit. Sad that I took the original 3sp out that had been in there for 65 years, now out for the bigger brother.

Going to adjust the front brake shoes today. Might also work on the battery hold down bracket,,,,,,,,unless the meat smoker calls my name.

I changed the oil on the '62 C10.

It had 500 miles on the break in oil from the fresh rebuild of the 327. Fresh filter and another 5 quarts of 10W40 and she's back on the road.

Fired up the ‘50 early this morning and it immediately started running rough. Pulled out the tool kit and promptly pulled, cleaned, gapped, and reinstalled all 6 spark plugs. Runs smooth as silk again.

Lubed the choke cable, rod, and all the hinge points in the mechanism. It was having trouble coming off of high idle and this solved the problem. When I was investigating the reason behind the bad behavior, I found it was sticky and not moving freely. I just love a low/no cost repair. :-)

Last weekend I got my 53 back from the doctor's office with the 3.55 r&p swap, all new bearings and seals, everything fresh in the axles and to the front of the driveshaft. I LOVE IT. This guy only charged me $250 to install it all and I couldn't be happier with that either. It easily travels 60 mph on the highway now.

This weekend I put the truck on the lift and greased all the lube points and inspected the steering connections. Then I swapped sides with the push button door handles so my lock cylinder would be on the driver's side. It took all of about 5 minutes since I haven't installed the new interior door panels yet. I've been walking around to the passenger side of the truck to lock the doors for 5 years...smh. It was literally a 5 minute fix. As 62Stick said in the post above this one, I just love a low/no cost repair.

Marcus,

You have push button door handles?

Yes, stock '53 handles

My eyes must be playing tricks on me. I saw your signature and picked up on the 31, but instead seeing 51, and thought you had swapped your "51" doors for 52 or 53 doors. lol Boy, getting old is interesting.

I just changed my signature since the photo hosting site I had on there didn't seem to work anymore.

Back on topic Gentlemen.

Started up the Beast today as its been in storage for the winter. Started right up, idled perfectly for 10 minutes then I took it down the road and back.Tucked it back into storage as I noticed big black clouds coming my way. Will take it out again in a couple weeks.

Took off the cover,checked all fluids,Fired it up. Ready for the road.

I found some loose fender bolts and tightened them up. I'm starting to eliminate rattles and squeaks. I'm expecting a shipment of parts today that includes seat belts. I hate to drill holes in the cab but my little boy is intent on riding in the "thity three chevy". Can't say no to that.

It rained pretty good here this afternoon. After it stopped it felt like a good time to wash the old truck. Hadn’t been washed in several months. Sure looked pretty when I was finished!

On Sunday I continued working on changing the King Pins on my 54 1/2 ton. I had no luck getting the old ones removed. After several hours of heating and beating on the old King Pins they would not come. out. I made the decision (or it was made for me by 60 plus years exposed to the environment). I completely removed the axel and I am dropping it off at a local machine shop today. They are an old school shop and do this all the time and knew exactly was I was talking about even though it is a 54.

I've been working on the front brakes on my LCF, lucky to find no leaks in either side, just frozen wheel cylinders. Cylinders and pistons are ready for the rebuild kits when they arrive. Now I have to gut the old lines and start bending and flaring. Shoes are in decent shape. I was surprised to find no wheel seal on these, just a slinger to keep the lube from reaching the drums.

I had a vibration in the drive train. I thought it would be U-Joints, but no, the pinion bearing was going out. Pulled the third member and dropped it off at the shop yesterday. Waiting to hear back from them today.

Mounted the camper , ready to go away to the Winchester swap meet this weekend

Dusty,

Take some pictures. We would all like see what a swap meet looks like in New Zealand.

I finished putting the rear end back together in my '62 C10. With the third member rebuild, new U-Joints, and switching from 3.90:1 to 3.38:1 gears, it drives like a completely different truck.

That pinion bearing must have been going out for a long time. The vibrations are gone, the whine is gone and the engine doesn't sound like it's screaming at speed any more.

Completed the installation of a bracket and micro-switch on my '46 1/2 ton transmission for the eventual purpose of lighting up reverse back-up lights.

I had spent a lot of time searching the forum for a solution but saw most folks had resigned themselves to simply installing a manual toggle switch. I was inspired by a photo which depicted a switch mounted directly onto the base of shift lever. The switch was activated only when the shifter was placed in reverse. I recognized the clearance between the shifter and floor pan was tight and that anything protruding above the floor pan would have to fit under the shift boot. This micro-switch setup met that criteria. I also installed a shifter repair kit from Jim Carter to tighten up the free play in the shifter. I dug up a used horn relay which I'll use in conjunction with the switch; the micro-switch will only activate the horn relay whereas the current for the lights will run through the relay. Took plenty of pictures in case anyone thinks this may warrant a tech article.

In other news... I also installed my glove box and the door. Had a few sunny days so I wet sanded and primed the interior cab skin; I'll paint at the next warm opportunity!
Meanwhile, I'm still trying to persuade the interior door panel screws to turn so I can remove the skins to refurbish the window regulators, handles, locks, etc.

Can't say enough good things about this site.. the more I do, the more impressed I am by those who do more! Thanks again to all who make it possible.- gld

Still arm wrestling with getting the proper fit on my glove box door on my AD. After lunch, out come the flux core welder.

Ridiculous design on the AD glove box door mount and bad alignment. Now I see why the went to the hinge plate in later years.

Pressed out all four front spring bushing and installed new ones and hangers, then installed a new headliner both went really easy!

'65 C10

was on the way to work last night and noticed the blinkers blinking slowly, so electrical system...

checked it out today, no charging from the alternator... found a broken wire going to the alternator... jumped it with a wire and some alligator clips, suddenly charging. ok... a broke wire, I can fix.

So, new butt connector and all is well again.

old trucks are fun.

-Woog

[quote=MarcusT53]I found some loose fender bolts and tightened them up. I'm starting to eliminate rattles and squeaks. I'm expecting a shipment of parts today that includes seat belts. I hate to drill holes in the cab but my little boy is intent on riding in the "thity three chevy". Can't say no to that.[/quote]
Any place a person can go to see pics of your "thity" three? I have one as well, trying to make connections to get ideas.

Doug6644, at the very top of this page you will find a menu that includes “Gallery”, click on that and you can see photos of all the ‘53 trucks that have been submitted. If you can’t see it you may have to make 3-4 more posts to gain full site access.🛠

I finally re-reinstalled the 3 speed transmission on the 55.2 235. This time the engine was in the truck, so it was a supine affair. That was about the sixth or seventh time I've installed or helped install a 3 speed on a 235, second time on this truck, and it has always taken more than the allotted amount of time.

I hope to be back on the road soon!
Brad

After work yesterday I needed to do something that would be relaxing, so I grabbed the tool box and went out to the old truck to do some “bonding”. I had read MarcusT53 and doug6644’s posts about eliminating rattles and squeaks and it made me think I should do the same. I crawled underneath and spent time tightening all the fender bolts. I was amazed that all of them were loose! Spent a total of an hour under and around the truck tightening every bolt I could get a wrench on, including even the bed board bolts which were really loose! Most everything else was snug but many were a bit loose and needed at least one full turn of a 7/16, 1/2, or 9/16 wrench.

I enjoy reading what others are doing on their trucks, so thanks MarcusT53 and doug6644 for inspiring me to do what you did.

I am not clever enough to manage that BIG CHEVY . sorry .

After the return drive back home and a days rest , I then spent 2 days in hospital recovering from a stroke . So today I will park the truck back in the shed , not allowed to drive for a MONTH ....... gonna do that hard.

Today was "cab" day...

Scraped all the deteriorated insulation from the top of the cab interior, took a sander to it to remove the surface rust and then sprayed it with primer. Afterward, I sprayed the final cost of paint on the interior skin sheet metal. It's early enough in the spring that the bugs didn't get in it!