The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks '62 C-10 Restomod build begins/ends

Doing some comfort/drive ability modifications on my '62 C10 Short stepside. The truck as it sets is just about as original as it gets. Later Chevy P/U seat and HEI distributor for the I-6 are the only real mods. The project will include a 350 V8, automatic transmission, PS and PB and of course A/C. These mods will make it more long distance friendly and enable Ms Kathy to drive it. Today I picked up a Cherry Picker ( I have a loader tractor as backup) to pull the engine and transmission. Tonight I will pick up my 4 Bolt main 60 over 350 late 60's Camero Engine. It goes straight to the rebuilder tomorrow. I could do a garage refresh myself but since this will be my last build ( I'm getting too old for doing this stuff in my driveway ) I really want to do it right. So, I'll let the professionals do some of it. Later today I will delve into the catalogs and get some of the bits and pieces started my way. New steering column and power steering components are first up. Then the power disc conversion parts for the front. The A/C kit from Vintage Air will wait until the engine, transmission and steering are done. Our towns big car show weekend is next Friday Saturday and Sunday so I will be getting the truck ready for Saturday's show and cruise as it sets now. Then Monday June 4th the tear down begins and the fun begins just in time for our summer heat. Updates coming shortly after.

Sounds like a good plan. Get some pictures at the car show, especially if there are other old stovebolts.

Dave, I would be happy to get photos while at the show but I am not computer literate enough to post them.🤷🏼‍♂️

Began the morning with working up a to do list for the interior, prior to the show this weekend. By Friday the new heater controls will be in and the new wiper switch installed. Wiper motor repaired and working. New choke cable will be in place. When all the switches and under/behind dash stuff is done the new glove box liner will go in. Then a good cleaning and a bit of touch up painting on the kick panels and it will be show time. Monday after the show will begin the tear down. Then the real questions will come.

Glad to hear you are getting going. There are seven days in a week and one of them isn't "Someday". You are 23 on the scene.

If you have any you want posted, email them to me, I'll resize and get them posted for you. I'll send you my email via PM.

Dave, PM returned. Thanks

Interior work was completed yesterday. Engine (350) was dropped off at the local machine shop for a short block rebuild. Should clean up at .080 over. Still waiting on the heads ( used aluminum) to be delivered, they were at the sellers other storage facility (family friend so I'm not worried), before deciding to use the aluminum or the stock 441 heads that came with the block. Wouldn't mind the little extra kick from the HP goodies. No local transmission builders so a trip to OKC is in the future. The next couple of days will be spent cleaning the truck in preparation for Saturdays Show and Cruise. Note: this is by no stretch of the imagination a "SHOW" truck, but it is time I get to spend with my son (Terry B 1953 1/2 ton in the Gallery) and younger grandkids. More to come.

Since I was able to send on the '48 Suburban for a reasonable price I have the $ available to start ordering parts. Set down this evening with the iPad and credit card and ordered the PS and BP conversion kits from Western Chassis. Ordered a Flaming River floor shift tilt steering column from Summit Racing. Early tomorrow morning the disassembly process begins. Parts should begin arriving late in the week.
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Side note: Took second place in the "Unfinished" category at the Saturday show.

Up and at um early this morning. 235 and transmission on the ground by 10:30am. Sure is nice to have a tractor with a front loader. Made short work of the actual lifting. Pulled an old TH350 out of the barn as a core for the builder. Will try to work out a 700R4 upgrade. My goal is finish the engine/tranny swap by the time it gets too cold to work outside.

I know what you're feeling. I had rescued my truck from the grandparents place after it had sat in the field for 25 years. It was the truck I had learned to drive in and got my license in. After my wreck and forced retirement, I was going nuts, needing something to do. My Mom thought for sure it was heading to the scrap yard when I left with it on trailer. But, after 10 months and a lot of money, it came back into the driveway. My uncle just stood there with his mouth open and agape in awe and amazement, and actually giggled like a kid when he got to drive it again. Just think of it as therapy. Worked for me.

Spent 45 minutes at the machine shop this morning. Went over my expectations for performance and how I would be using the engine. Selected the heads and intake from my stash and decided on a cam and lifter package to fit my driving style. Shop is really busy so I’m probably 45 days out on a completion date for the long block.
My pressure washer wouldn’t start yesterday morning (tried to filet the back of my right hand) so I didn’t get the empty engine bay washed. Washer is being repaired as I post this, so hopefully I can clean it before the weekend.
Parts should start arriving next week.
More later.

Parts began arriving today. PS/PB kits showed up late this afternoon. Super fast service from Western Chassis. Quality of kits appears to be very good.🛠

Finally got the power washer up and running so spent some time yesterday PM cleaning the empty engine bay. The 1970 4 bolt main 350 V8 is at the machine shop getting a bit of performance put in it. UPS showed up and dropped off the Flaming River tilt steering column. Hope to get started on some of the mechanical conversions during the cold snap (90 instead of 98) we have coming next week.

Outside at 7am working on pulling the steering components preparing for the PS conversion. Got the steering wheel off then moved to the box and linkage under the truck. Air ratchet, air impact and air chisel were my friends along with my 4 post lift. Removed the exhaust while I was under the truck. Heat and humidity began to set in so I cleaned up and called it good for today. As Alvin says "a little bit every day".

It's hard to like someone who has a four post lift. This is my brain, this is my brain on jealousy.

At 71 and with a bum hip I just can't crawl under them anymore. Of course I bang my head every time I duck under if that makes you feel better.
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Yes, that does make up for it. Keep bumping. 72 wed.. Ouch!

Today's project was to remove the old steering column and install the new stainless steel column from Flaming River. Process took about an hour. The column was a direct replacement so no fabrication was required. Excellent quality column so the expense was worth it. Slow but steady wins the race.🛠

More progress on the PS project today. Got the adapter plate installed for the new power steering gear. The instructions from Western Chassis warned me that some modifications would be necessary because the '62 has a boxed frame in the area the gear bolts to. A couple of hours with a grinder and various sizes of drillbits and the plates were in place. Ordered the PS gear and it is waiting at O'Reillys for me to pick up.
Hey Alvin, I spent more than 15 minutes today. Can I bank the extra?
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My goal for today was to complete the steering conversion. After more modifications the box/gear unit was in its proper place. The double DD shaft was installed in the column. Attempted to install the rag joint and found they had sent the smaller unit and the instructions called for the gear box to be from a '69-87 C-10 which takes the larger rag joint. So I will make a trip to the local FLAPS later today. Need the joint installed to make sure the gear box is centered prior to installing the pitman arm. Another hour and the conversion should be complete until the motor goes in and the P/S pump and hoses can go on.
Removed the no longer needed clutch pedal and the brake/clutch master cylinder in preparation for the P/B conversion, which is the next project. Taking advantage of help while my son is between jobs. He begins his new gig Monday, so my help goes away.
Hey Alvin, more time in the bank.🛠🌻

Well as usually is the case the larger Rag Joint could not be had locally. Even my go to guys at NAPA couldn't get it in less than a week. Seems there is a 3/4" and a 13/16" and my new p/s gear box takes the 13/16". Ordered one from Rockauto.com and it will be here tomorrow. Meanwhile I got started on the P/B conversion. Got the holes drilled and the brake booster bolted on. Last nights storms had the morning air cooled down but when the sun did come out it got hot/humid quickly. Spent a little time with the digital camera so I might try posting photos later. Took Alvin's fine advise and quit before I got tired.

Your a man on a mission, Martin. Way to go. I did my 15 minutes today on regulators and opening some new parts from a vendor. I get my naps while at the hospital with the wife!!!!

I wish you lived closer. 30 minutes a day, 15 from each of us, and you would be done in HALF the time. hehee

We tried really hard today to finish all the P/S stuff. It took a couple of hours of serious work but all the components shy the pump and hoses ( no motor yet) and new steering wheel are installed. The kit from Western Chassis required a lot more modifications than I had hoped for. The boxed frame in the gear box area on the '62 threw the first monkey wrench into the process then the rag joint with the kit was the small one (not Western Chassis fault) when my new gear box took the big one. Lots of grinding drilling and cutting to get it all just right.
We moved on to the P/B conversion and quickly found it was going to require some extra fabrication to get the power booster and master cylinder clocked right to allow the linkage to line up. Then the rod to connect the pedal to the booster wasn't long enough. Turns out no one local has any 3/8-24 threaded rod so a trip to OKC is on the list. Fittings on the M/C are larger than the '62 brake line fittings so I'm now looking for reducer bushings and adapters. Started getting hot so we called it a day. No shade in the driveway.
UPS delivered the new wood steering wheel after lunch, now waiting on the install kit (shipped separate).
All in all a good day plus I now have more time in Alvin's bank.
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We completed the steering wheel install and now we can at least maneuver the truck around again. The conversion is complete except for the p/s pump and hoses. All that is waiting on the motor install.
Moved over to the p/b system. Finished the pedal linkage and bolted up the m/c for line mockup. Trip to the parts store for fittings and adapters along with some new brake line. It was a hunt but we found everything we needed. Started bending line but it was getting way too hot so gave up for today.
While we were out to the parts store we stopped in at the machine shop doing the engine build. Heads are done and the block is ready to go on the Boring Bar. Progress.

So are you going with the TH350 or 700R?
Keep in mind the overall lengths of those two trannies differ, so if your plan is to go with the th350 , you will have to cut your driveshaft when you eventually get the 700r in there. Also the cross member locations are different too.

Decision hasn’t been made yet. I have a Transdapt motor mount but have not purchased the transmission mount. Fortunately we have a well respected Driveline Company just 25 miles away, so the driveshaft issue is small potatoes other than cost. I’m going to start putting together the mock-up motor tomorrow morning and will attach the TH350 core I have that will help me make up my mind which way to go. My helper is going to start his new job Monday so progress is going to slow dramatically.

resized photos are attached below

one more photo

Tim, you've got some fast fingers there. Thanks😁

As predicted my progress has really slowed. Still in the planning stage with regard to the transmission. Consulted with Tommy, bartamos and my brother in Arkansas on some mounting options. Realized I needed to remove the I-6 transmission cross member to gain the transmission clearance for whatever transmission I use. That job will have to wait a few days. Got the engine mounts sorted out thanks to bartamos. 🛠

Started removal of a un-needed crossmember this morning after Physical Therapy. By 10am I was drenched in sweat and totally wore out. Crossmember has to come out to fit the automatic transmission. Ordered some different motor mounts which should make it easier to position the motor. Got a call from the Machine Shop about 5:30pm and the motor is ready to be picked up. I'll get it early tomorrow morning. Progress!🛠

Picked up motor this morning. Photo below courtesy of Tim.🛠

Machine shop estimated the horse power at 425-475 depending on carburetor, headers and tuning. Little more than I was expecting but I'll take it.

3 images attached below

yeah boy, now we talking my kind of language. Martin, remember, tires aren't cheap!! Know how I know.....hehehe

Martin,
You need to put the dowel pins back in that block to locate the transmission. Did the machine shop remove them?

Tommy, no they were missing when I purchased the block. I have replacements. Thanks.

Alvin, tires? We don't need no stinking tires. Mount em, shred em, mount some more.

Went out this morning before the heat set in and finished cleaning up where the old transmission crossmember was removed. Cutting and grinding for about an hour has it ready for paint to keep the rust at bay. New motor mounts will be here tomorrow and I can start the actual mock-up process. These mounts are offset forward a little to allow for HEI clearance. Once the motor position is set I can measure for the transmission selection and mounts. Doing what I can a little at a time.🛠

Well, this mornings endeavor was to get the motor mounts installed on the frame. The mounts, although designed for '63-'67 C-10 pickups, fit the '62 frame really well. The '62 frame, of course, is not drilled for side motor mounts. Fortunately I have a bare 350 block that I bolted the motor mount pads to then the frame mounts to those. Lowered the block into place and set the mounts according to the mount directions. Marked the necessary holes with a sharpie then removed the block assy. Drilled the holes in the frame and after removing the frame mounts from the spare block mounted them to the frame rails and front crossmember. The crossmember bolts will require smaller hands than mine to get the nuts on but that is what grandsons are for. Technically the motor could be installed now but I want to bolt some of the accessories on beforehand. All in all a good morning. The process moves forward slowly. 🛠

My helper found some time this morning to complete the PB conversion. Lines got bent and fit to the M/C. A trip to the FLAPS to get a metric adapter for one fitting and some brake fluid. Back home to finish connecting lines. Discovered a defective brass line splice but luckily I had purchased a 2 pack. Son got to practice his double flare skills. System is all buttoned up and bled so another job crossed off the "to do" list. 🛠