The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun New 9ft bed progress!! & 1ton GMC build

My pedal is very firm before half way to the floor.
Have you adjusted the shoes? Even so things may improve after some use and the brakes seat, then adjust again.

I did adjust the shoes as per the manual for a 1 ton. However, I still have a leak and suspect this may be the culprit. The back right wheel cylinder is slowly oozing from what I can tell. Tonight I had to give the pedal a second pump to get pressure. The lines look good though, but fluid was leaking out the backing plate in the right rear.

Where did you find the dust caps for the front spindles? I've done a pretty good search for ones for my 49 3/4 ton and haven't been able to find anything!

My dust caps are original. I had to “smooth” them as best I could from the years of abuse. Blasted and painted. They are definitely 15 footers! They will do for now. I haven’t searched for dust caps to replace them yet.

I did price out new wheel cylinders and YIKES! The backs are stupid expensive. $167 ea at my NAPA and $100 each through Classic Parts. The front are a little cheaper through Napa.

Stopping is important though...ugh.

Shop around for stainless steel cylinder sleeving service for the wheel cylinders, that should come in well under those prices, and stainless cylinders will last near forever.
If given the option of stainless or brass don't even consider brass.

I’ve never heard of that Grigg. I suppose it’s just like an engine sleeve. Would regular brake shops be able to do this?

Tonight I dumped fuel into the gas tank. I started it up ( crank crank...vroom. 😃) and patiently waited. I simply had to tighten a couple fuel fittings to stop leaks and I believe now I can call the fuel system completed. 😎

There is a place on the east coast-White Post Restorations- or some such that does that, very expensive. I doubt any local brake shop would do it.

Ed

White post is near me, they do brass sleeves, I hear mixed reviews even from friends that worked there.

A hydraulic rebuilding and repair shop may do stainless sleeves, have to ask around.

Grigg

Hi Fox,
I have a 1 brand new rear brake cyl for the 1 tons you can have for a smoking good deal if you still need it!

Offering items for sale, trade or barter is not allowed in the regular forums. Please use PM.s in the future. Thank you, The Stovebolt Staff.

I found my 4.10! I had placed ads online and had searched yards and wreckers but still hadn’t found the 4.10. I live in a small town of about 500 people and we have a weekly newspaper. Last week my wife said, “You should put a wanted ad in the Booster.”
To which I replied, “No one is going to see it and have that rear end, love.” I forgot all about it.

Well, thanks to my wife, who put in the ad for me, a guy called me 3 days after the Booster came out. “I have the truck you’re looking for,” he said.

Here’s what I bought: 72 Chev c20 custom. Long box, wood floor, 350, automatic, Eaton rear, odometer says 38,000. I paid $500.

The guy had owned from 78, last registered 84, driven around farm for work, parked in ‘02.

Today was a good day!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/iVWjfvQiXYsWRZdZ2

SCORE!

WOW what a great find. The diff you need now and lots of parts for your other project.
Did you also buy a lottery ticket?

Many folk would not part that out just put it back on the road. Change the rear axle and front hubs and use 5bolt half ton stuff.
Rolling and driving it would be worth more than what you paid for it. 67 /72 are in demand!

Now the task is to get the 50 on the road so you and the wife and lad can have some quality time.

Hope to see you in June.
Howie & Valerie

Darn,Fox
Not only can you build a wonderful truck, but your also a lucky SOB!!!
Now you have a almost finished 53 with a 4:10 and you have a new project, 72-c-20 with a 5:13 rear and a 350 pulling it. Little soap and water–– ok maybe a pressure washer, and she’ll look like new. Just think about all of the rear tires you can burn up.
As always, enjoyed your journey!
My best to you and your family!
Jim

I know! I couldn’t pull it out of the bush fast enough. I was afraid he’d change his mind! If I do sell it in the future I’m going to give the previous owner first crack at it for what I paid. He was really helpful and friendly. He’d owned it for so long. I think the only reason he actually parted with it was I showed him pictures of my almost complete GMC. I think he thought that I was going to do something “proper” with it and would give it a good home.

My plan for the 72 is to swap the gears and then park it. I might try to get it running this summer, but I intend to use it as a “puzzle box” as my cousin tore my Grandpa’s 70 C10 apart years ago and I have little idea about how it goes together.

Thanks for the kind words guys. I am looking forward to driving the GMC.

See you at History Road, Howie. I probably won’t have the GMC (rear end to compete, brake cylinder to install and bleed, inspection and insurance, test runs...) at the show but I do intend on going!

The last week has been extremely enjoyable and eventful.

I completed my 4.10 exchange into the GMC and everything went extremely smoothly. I cleaned it up with a wire wheel and die grinder, lightly sanded, brake cleaned and shot it in black paint. New gaskets, oil, bolts and it slid right into place. I noticed right away how much tighter it was compared to the old 5.14 when spinning the yoke. It was a chore installing it by myself but I wasn’t complaining! First big hurdle!

I next addressed my brakes. I wasn’t able to maintain pedal pressure and closer inspection showed the back right was leaking at the wheel cylinder. I ordered a replacement and changed it out. No more leak there. I did not get a chance to bleed them so it sat for a couple days.

History Road. I attended History Road in Wetaskiwin. It is a fantastic car show in central Alberta hosted by a great museum, the Reynolds Alberta Museum. I met up with fellow Bolters Doyle and Howie and their ladies, Isabel and Val. It was a great afternoon (albeit short because of our young WrenchFetcher Everett’s nap time and feeding schedule) spent touring cars and trucks, making new friends, having coffee and running from the rain! Doyle provided me with a wheel cylinder for the back left of my 1 ton as well! (Thanks so much, Doyle!) Sadly, Howie and I were not able to get our trucks to the show, but lived vicariously through Doyle as he showed off his freshly shined up 1 ton! It looked amazing in the line. I couldn’t believe it was the same truck. That elbow grease Doyle applied really changed the truck’s dynamic! Next year we’re there!

I promptly installed the new cylinder from Doyle and reattached my lines on Sunday. My Dad came over tonight and he and I bled the system. I am very happy to report that I have functioning brakes and that I can lock up the rears. The fronts not yet, but I suspect that I need to adjust the fronts and I should be done. YAY! I’ll double check in the morning to make sure that I have no leaks. My Dad and I went for a drive around the block a few times. It was great having him with me on the GMC’s first “full run” with everything working. Tonight was awesome! I immediately noticed how that 4.10 changed the truck’s speed as I pulled out of the garage. It sure upped the transmission’s abilities. Very sweet. If you are thinking 4.10...DO IT! I wanted to go for an extended rip down the highway, but my voice of reason (Dad) quietly reminded me to not. 😉 Thanks Pa! I’d hate to have it towed before I even got it out.

Some of my neighbours came out and congratulated me on getting it completed, too. They said, “It’s nice to see it done as we’ve been watching for the last couple years.” It does feel good!

I have an inspection lined up for the end of the week. Insurance early next week and then I’m driving this truck to school everyday if it’s nice out! What an epic journey! Thanks Bolters. I think I’ll post some photos of it on the road very soon.

This is what’s left on the to-do list:
1 cover door panels and install handles.
2. Rubber coat underside of fenders.
3. Re-zip tie a couple wires under the dash.
4. Drive it... often!

1 truck done...2 to go...maybe 3? Yeesh. 😉😎🐺

Inspection passed! Only bad thing was the sky opened up on it for an hour before I was able to get down there to pick it up! It sure did look pretty sweet glistening with the rain drops on it after though. When I went in to pick it up, my friend came to me and said, “You wouldn’t believe the foot traffic I’ve had come through here today because of that old one ton!” That really made me giddy! 😃 He made a few recommendations: front right wheel cylinder might need to be changed (I was hopeful it wouldn’t), one brake line might rub a little (watch it or change it), clutch needs an adjustment. Not too bad!

I tried to get insurance but the company I want to utilize requires an appraisal because it is an antique. The rates are very good so I have an appraisal booked for Monday. I’ve heard very good things about them and how they really give you a good package. Photos, paper work, binder for it all. Ugh, now I have to clean all that rain and dust off a black truck. 😕

Today I made a trip to the city with my mother who loves to sew. We went to a very good fabric store and I got some nice vinyl for my door panels. Boy, was I out of my element in there! But now that I’m a little familiar with it I find myself planning the next truck’s interior elements!
The material cost me $12.99 and seems pretty durable. Time will tell.
It’s not concourses or professional style but I think it will look pretty sharp once I get my bolts in. The ones I got for it are now slightly short because of the panel board, vinyl and a couple vinyl folds.
Here are some photos:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/aKdv8NyyiyguwR3N7

I have logged 22 miles! I got insurance and registration today and then a pile of thumbs up and waves. The kids at school loved it and my niece begged to pull out of the school on the second last day with me. I happily obliged. I’m taking it to school tomorrow and the next as well. It’s fun to drive.

I watched my odometer and noticed that it read true to a mile. Very strange/fortunate that it did so. I suspect the sm420 I got from a later donor truck may have been geared for a 4.10. The speed felt very accurate as well. The truck drove very straight and was quieter than I expected. I loved popping up the cowl vent for some air flow.

I also took my friend for a ride who helped a lot with allowing me to use his paint and blasting booth.

Today was awesome!!!

This long weekend was a lot of fun. I took the old one ton into the Canada Day parade and threw candy out for the kids. My wife and little fella rode in the cab (Everett “drove”) and my niece rode in the box and threw candy as well. Being such a small town, many people had seen it in the show and shine over the last 3 years (except last year as it was disassembled for paint) and were very interested to see it finished. It was so rewarding to have it in its first show! I took my parents for a ride. It was a fun day.

Here are a couple photos!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/nhiRvGdeBFPbZpgg7


I think this truck is DONE!

Love how your truck came out, nicely done!

Ok Fox– With the new gears, what was a comfortable speed? I have a 4.10 chunk out of a 68ish Gmc so I will definitely be doing the swap. Just curious what I should expect. A short jaunt up to 60 once seemed overly abusive...

Wagon,
With my 4.10 I can do 65 mph. However, I don’t like to. It gets loud with both road noise and engine rpm. I quite like to cruise at about 55mph max. It’s fast enough and it's quiet enough. The engine hums along quite steadily and that speed isn’t a big safety concern for going too slowly on secondary highways. Plus, if the speed limit is 60 you hardly make much time by going 5-10 mph faster.😎 I’ve had people lined up behind me as I happily chug along at 55. Occasionally people might come ripping up but usually slow down as they pass because of the “old truck rubber neck” syndrome! Thumbs up ensue! You will notice and like the difference the gear makes.

The swap is as easy as the tech tips says. Have fun and enjoy!

We had a family photo shoot today and I wanted to share some photos of us with the truck. The snow was melting fast, the truck actually hooked up really well in the snow. It was strange seeing lush green leaves with snow everywhere! That granny low helped to avoid spinning in the snow. Everett did really well but started to get fussy half way through.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZcoKbVyQE7miDChCA

Howdy Fox
Thanks for the photos for all to see how an old GMC can make a family happy.

Valerie enjoyed seeing them and we will allow you to keep the snow!

Can Everett weld yet? The 70 will be for him.

Howie, out sweeping leaves.

I’m blowing my own horn here but the one ton has hit a milestone. I rolled over 600 miles the other day with Everett sitting shotgun. 600 miles is “close enough” for me to call it. This old truck has rolled over 1000 km with no major issues. I have my first BIG car show in a few weeks and I sure hope I haven’t jinxed anything! Looking forward to it Doyle, Howie, Steve. Hopefully you all can make it.

See you all June 8-9 at Reynolds-Alberta

Over the winter I had to repair my speedometer as it was sticky and bouncing all over the place. A little cleaning, lubrication and some super glue for the needle and she was good to go. But I never got a good run out to really test the speedometer. Well...

My wife and I went out tonight to buy a used Toyota and decided to take the ole black girl. It was a beautiful evening and the old truck stretched her legs and crossed a big milestone tonight!

Milestone for all my non-metric counterparts! 😉

https://photos.app.goo.gl/joF8LTNycuFwHrmz9

“1.21 Gigawatts?! 1.21 Gigawatts! Great Scott!”


“What the hell is a gigawatt?!”

Man, I love that movie. 😎😃

"are you telling me you built a time machine out of a DeLorean?!"
Yep, great movie.
Congrats on the speedo.
I have actually logged a few short miles on my '50 after just completing all new brake lines and MC and the speed works great although the needle is gone What's strange to me is where did it go?? One would think it would be laying in the bottom of the glass.

When mine fell off, it wormed its way in behind the speedometer face.

What a fantastic build, thanks for pointing me to your thread

Thank you kindly.

You bet.

The ole one ton is still cruising!

Christmas parade 2022.
My one ton with my bro in law’s 5 ton army truck that he calls the “General.” He has another that he named “El Chapo.” The kids loved riding in that big bugger. Oh, who am I kidding? I LOVED driving it!

Fox,

What an image of the General with those kids by the wheel. That is a huge truck!

After competing the truck, I told myself I would do something like this. Well, 6 years later I’ve gotten around to looking at it. With the 261 engine, an alternator, and a hand fabricated alternator bracket, the original alternator/belt tensioner slide bracket was just a tad too short. As above, I said I’d get to it sooner or later (later being emphasized here). The original slide bracket enabled me to tighten the belt JUST enough to where it wouldn’t slip. I began thinking and cobbling up some Rube Goldberg contraption, when I slapped myself, ran down to the Napa and picked up a 1/4” turnbuckle᠁

Done!

It works really well. Stock? No. But I don’t care at all.

Before you tell me the belt is crooked, be aware of the angle of the photo. The belt and alternator are square to the water pump. 😉

You Sir are a master Cobologist! Thinking outside of the box to Get-R-Done.
Great Idea!

Don

Fox,
You are defiantly an idea man.
Always a pleasure seeing what your up too!
Take care!
Jim

Fox ... Great job. As I have stated *many* times over the years, the 1st Law of Stovebolt:

If it's stupid, but it works ...
It isn't stupid.

Rock on!

Maybe great minds think alike. I had the same solution for my Detroit bolt