The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks Well its been a long time but its DONE

Here is the link to the photos and I have found the time to get it done, and been driving it..

A brief update on the parts in it..

THe old 383 was a nightmare.. ( thats what I get for letting someone else build it) thus a new Dart little M block was bought , I had new CP pistons for a 408 so that was put to use, new howards retro hyd roller cam ( 294 and lifters) re did the RHS 225 heads with some CNC work, quick time bell housing with a custom center force clutch to the TKO 600 trans. Stockton 17 inch wheels custom made for correct back spacing. Dakota digital VHX cluster, Billet specialties steering wheel with a Ididit steering set up. Hydro boost off an astro van, , CUstom made bell crank and Hyd tilton 5000 throw out bearing. Seats are 2004 tahoe, Paint is Hot Rod Flatz guns smoke grey and vintage burgundy...

Final upgrade will be the new moser M9 Fab housing with 35 spline axles and wave loc along with wilwood disc brakes and a CPP billet master.. Still running the stock rear end and I have been nice with it but no way will it hold the new power plant.

http://community.webshots.com/album/561798652HdwqzG

Looks Great! I'm jealous. My '62 is nowhere near that stage yet. I just got it back on the road after a 5 year delay.

Very nice truck!

I have never painted a car or truck. Would you recommend the Hot Rod Flatz for a first timer? I have been considering it, but still a long way off from painting.

Painting is not hard and there is tons of info to read about.. However there is somewhat of hands on deal that you have to learn.. These two colors where no where near the same to paint, each color required a slightly different method... However I would say get yourself a low dollar HVLP gravity gun. From there find some used sheetmetal that has paint on it.. Wet sand it with 1500 , wipe to down with wax and grease cleaner.. And shoot it.. You may find that you can paint, or that you really should throw your painting tools away.. I did everything on this truck.. I did have a shop spray some of the final paint however.. I now have to re shoot the cowl, grill, tailgate.. I wanted it done and do not own a spray booth.. But with flats what ever gets into the paint for the most part is there for ever. There is no color sand buff etc..

I had the truck done and ready for spray, when I dropped it off, he screwed it up and I had to buy more product, truck was wet sand and re shot AFTER he took the time to listen to me on " how to spray this type of paint" its not like regular base coat clear.. Its single stage matt..

If you shoot it dry it looks streaking, too heavy and it will run in a heart beat.. I had to shoot it with the gun almost wide open and move like the wind.. ( that was the grey) the burgundy was not as bad but required more product to get the same color from one item to the next.. Thus that is why I have to repaint the grill.. Good winter project for me..

Again buy some of the color you want to try. and give it a go.. I have a quart of a color that was mixed wrong so you can never get it again, however you can have it and paint with it.. Many times I would suggest getting the body work close with a fair amount of high build primer and then let some one that does it for a living take it from there..

These trucks are full of 50 years of dents and will require a ton of work to be straight and with flat there is no 400 or even 500 blocking on the primer.. it will come through and show the sanding marks.. 600 wet was where I had to be.. Flat can show stuff that shiney paint will bury.. Just a FYI.. Its all in the details, but you can save a ton of money if you take your time and do it right.. I have two more ( 57 wagon nomad, and a 66 chevy II) to complete that are resale cars only.. For me its a hobby.. If you are close I will show you a few things.. But I build harleys for a living and running my shop does not leave a ton of "extra" time.

Thanks! I'm sure I refer back to your advice before I begin. That is . . . if I decide to go with Flatz. I have plenty of time to decide. From ehat you describe, Flatz does not sound like it's for a beginner.