Brother's keeper - '58 Stepside build

[Joe Pass]

Great job congrats......

[Black_Sheep]

I have managed to put about 100 miles on the truck in the past couple of weeks, so far the issues have been pretty minor.

Anyway, I drove it to the Twin Cities Roadster swap this morning and it began to snow. Driving it in bad weather was bound to happen sooner or later, now I have that out of the way...

https://www.facebook.com/mark.wells....2851068085699/

[Indian113]

How do you like the Heater you put in? That would have been a good test I think. Glad you got that beauty home safe and sound.

[Black_Sheep]

Originally Posted by Indian113

How do you like the Heater you put in? That would have been a good test I think. Glad you got that beauty home safe and sound.

The heater and defrosters worked great, which is always a good thing in Minnesota...

[Black_Sheep]

Getting some windshield time and sorting things out...

[oldman3]

That's the best way, take care of little things as they pop up...Jim

[joedoh]

gorgeous and well executed build. very very nice work.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Yup. Just a very pretty, well designed build. Kudos!

[Black_Sheep]

I fixed a few things and found a couple more. The passenger side valve cover is leaking pretty good, but the more I drive it the better it runs...

[Indian113]

Sure Looks Nice, I really like that color Combo Good Job

[Black_Sheep]

On Saturday I replaced the rubber valve cover gaskets with cork composite gaskets and got in a 40 mile cruise, just because I could. A couple more minor issues revealed themselves so I took care of them too. I'm still not 100% happy with the brakes, they will get sorted out this winter...


Pics from Saturday

[oldman3]

Mark, what's with the brakes...Jim

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hey Mark,
With 1000 miles on her now I assume you’ve driven it on a variety of highways and suburban streets. How much or how little road rash has it picked up on the front from ordinary driving?

It’s going to happen to my fresh paint but I’m just wondering if it has happened yet to yours?

[Black_Sheep]

Originally Posted by oldman3

Mark, what's with the brakes...Jim

The pedal is hard but I think the truck should stop better. Vacuum is good and when I pull the line off the booster with the engine shut off there is vacuum at the booster. That tells me the check valve is good and the booster isn’t leaking. I’m thinking the pedal ratio is not what it should be. Maybe the Baer pads I used are not right for my application. I don’t know...

[Black_Sheep]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Hey Mark,
With 1000 miles on her now I assume you’ve driven it on a variety of highways and suburban streets. How much or how little road rash has it picked up on the front from ordinary driving?

It’s going to happen to my fresh paint but I’m just wondering if it has happened yet to yours?

I’ve logged a little more than 250 miles so far Dan, no road rash yet.

[oldman3]

Mark, what master cylinder, and calipers are you running? Is mc a 1" or 1-1/8" bore. Sometimes it's a combination of things...Jim

[Black_Sheep]

Originally Posted by oldman3

Mark, what master cylinder, and calipers are you running? Is mc a 1" or 1-1/8" bore. Sometimes it's a combination of things...Jim

Jim I'm using GM D52 calipers (75 Nova) and a 70's GM power disc brake master cylinder 1.125 bore. The booster is a dual diaphragm 7", manufacturer unknown. Rear brakes are Mopar 10" drums. The pedal is rock hard but it requires more effort than I'd like.

[Black_Sheep]

I used Baer "Sport" pads on the fronts

[Black_Sheep]

According to this tech article the pedal ratio for power brakes should be 5:1, I'm going to have to take some measurements to calculate if it's correct or not.


https://techtalk.mpbrakes.com/how-to...ng-pedal-ratio

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Black_Sheep

Jim I'm using GM D52 calipers (75 Nova) and a 70's GM power disc brake master cylinder 1.125 bore. The booster is a dual diaphragm 7", manufacturer unknown. Rear brakes are Mopar 10" drums. The pedal is rock hard but it requires more effort than I'd like.

Originally Posted by Black_Sheep

I used Baer "Sport" pads on the fronts

Originally Posted by Black_Sheep

According to this tech article the pedal ratio for power brakes should be 5:1, I'm going to have to take some measurements to calculate if it's correct or not.

Mark, sounds like you got all the right stuff. Sport pads should be OK. Another way to check the booster is: With engine off, put foot on the pedal and push down, then start the engine, if booster is working the pedal should drop down about 1/2". I'll see if I can come up with anything else...Jim

[Black_Sheep]

Originally Posted by oldman3

Mark, sounds like you got all the right stuff. Sport pads should be OK. Another way to check the booster is: With engine off, put foot on the pedal and push down, then start the engine, if booster is working the pedal should drop down about 1/2". I'll see if I can come up with anything else...Jim

With the brake applied it drops about 1/2" when I start it. It's snowing again so I won't be driving the truck for a while, there's time to pull all of the wheels off and really look things over.


For the last 15 years I've driven modern trucks with big 4 wheel disc brakes, maybe I'm expecting too much.

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Black_Sheep

For the last 15 years I've driven modern trucks with big 4 wheel disc brakes, maybe I'm expecting too much.

Yes cars and trucks today have great brakes. I notice when I drive my car and then the next day drive the 50, it stops, but not the same. I'm thinking maybe this winter to switch to Wilwood D52 calipers. You go from a single 2.75 sq in piston to 2 - 2 sq in pistons (4 sq in total). This should make a difference. If I do I'll post it...Jim

[Black_Sheep]

Originally Posted by oldman3

Yes cars and trucks today have great brakes. I notice when I drive my car and then the next day drive the 50, it stops, but not the same. I'm thinking maybe this winter to switch to Wilwood D52 calipers. You go from a single 2.75 sq in piston to 2 - 2 sq in pistons (4 sq in total). This should make a difference. If I do I'll post it...Jim

I’ve been looking at them too, I will probably do a rear disc swap first though.

[Black_Sheep]

I threw the cover on the truck to see how it fits. There's still a couple things in need of attention, I'll get on them after Thanksgiving...

[Black_Sheep]

Just detailing under the hood and waiting for spring...