My 1958 Fleetside project

[Baldeagle SR]

That really sucks about the intake. I haven't herd of that. That is good to know.
Rich
My build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...48#post6184648

[fabguy]

Originally Posted by Baldeagle SR

That really sucks about the intake. I haven't herd of that. That is good to know.
Rich
My build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...48#post6184648

yeah it really does,
I managed to to get the truck up on stands and ramps(backup just incase). I have everything except 2 bolts out or off the tranny and ready to come out. I hope to have it pulled tomorrow and off to the rebuilders to get done, along with a new torque converter, and mild shift kit.
The new intake came in today via santa in the big brown cargo truck.

[fabguy]

Ok, the trans is out and on its way to the rebuilders. I also managed to switch over most of the items on my intake manifold, then started to switch out my stamped rocker arms to roller rockers. I have had these for sometime sitting in a bag in my cabinet and figured "what the heck, the upper part of the engine is torn down already so why not switch them out now" .
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[Kim57]

Sounds like your doing some cool stuff.
Pics are neat even if it's just the inside of the engine.
Kim

[fabguy]

Originally Posted by Kim57

Sounds like your doing some cool stuff.
Pics are neat even if it's just the inside of the engine.
Kim

Ok Kim, will do. Will try to post more pictures this weekend of the work going on.

[fabguy]

Ok,
Here are a few pictures of what is happening lately with the truck,
Here is one of the disgusting bottom end that is in desperate need of cleaning ( it used to look nice).




This is one of the removal of the stamped rockers and install of the roller rockers.




This is one of them installed and an initial tightening. I will check all of them once I get the new intake installed and fired up. I got these on a barter and they were free, very long story short: they have been sitting in a plastic bag in my cabinet for a few years.
I am hoping to have the transmission back by this coming weekend and ready for install. I cannot install the intake until the trans is installed due to the engine hoist is holding up the rear of the engine ( chains visible near the firewall).




I also started bending up and tack welding my battery tray for my frame mount location until I ran out of wire for the welder. I am using 10G.(1/8" thick) galvanized sheet for the tray. it will be mounted on the passenger side of the frame rail, right where the cab and bed come together, in front of the leaf spring mount.
Next I might start building the speaker plates that will be mounted behind the seat and on the rear of the door opening or starting the switch of the seat brackets from the stock bench seat to the newer 89 truck bench seat.


.

[Kim57]

Nice looking roller rockers.
Kim

[Kabwe]

Everything is looking great. Also it was really nice talking to you the other day.

[fabguy]

Originally Posted by Kim57

Nice looking roller rockers.
Kim

Thank You Kim

Originally Posted by Kabwe

Everything is looking great. Also it was really nice talking to you the other day.

Thank you Bam, it was a pleasure talking with you too and thanks for all the advise for the front end. Absolutely, positively, going that route.

[fabguy]

Ok, I am almost finished with some orders that came in this week and will hopefully have them ALL finished by mid day saturday. Then it will be back under the truck to polish up the dirty paw marks I left on everything down there.
My aluminum / Stainless Steel polishing supplies FINALLY arrived today. Now I get to set up my buffer motor and start polishing up some aluminum parts I have laying around the shop (practice makes perfect right?). I figured I would teach myself how to polish aluminum since I will be purchasing a corvette donor soon and want to polish up all the aluminum on it before I final mount it on my wife's suburban. I figured if I polish everything up and paint or Powder Coat the frame a dark blue metallic it will really stand out there for her.
LMAO....>> how hard can it be?
I am still waiting on making a desision on the transmission since if I go local rebuild, or custom, it is only about a $200.00 difference in price depending on where I go. I have really been checking out BowTie Overdrives and am almost ready to take the plunge.

[fabguy]

Ok, so today I went to Long Beach swap meet and ended up buying a "Bowtie Overdrives" 700r4 transmission w/ 2200 stall convertor, and all the little extras they say I NEED!!.

I tried to find the guy who rebuilds and sells the power steering pumps but couldnt find him to return this beauty of a boat anchor i bought from him 2 swap meets ago. I guess it is off to summit to buy just the pump.

I guess I will be installing the transmission next week. I would love to do it today but the list my wife has for me is getting longer as the days pass, and she expects me to get some of it knocked out today

Lol, I will be posting pictures soon of both projects as soon as I can get back into the shop.

[57picupnewbie]

Fabguy,

I just caught up on your build. The truck looks amazing. I know you can't wait to finish up the odds and ends. If you remember, I am using a 1986 C10 frame for my 1957 build. I was wondering if you could tell me what steering column mfg and size you used? Also, since both of our steering boxes are located outside of the frame, we have a unique alignment for the linkage. Could you give me any info on what you used as far as part numbers of the knuckles or maybe a close up or the linkage steering box section? Thanks!

[fabguy]

Yeah I am very excited to get it back on the road.

As for the column, I used a chrome one from CPP. It is a 30" and it only protrudes past the firewall about 1-3/4" although I have my final adjusted for height yet. I used stainless steel steering universal joints I bought off EBay for around 49.00 shipped each. I also used a collapsible steering rid in engine compartment. Although you need to find out if your steering box is 3/4" 30 spline or 3/4" 36 spline. Mine was a 30 spline.

Here is a pretty exact list to make it easier to look for stuff.:
30" column 1"double D end
1" double D to 3/4" double D universal
Collapsible column ( truck shop, CPP or most vendors) in 3/4" double D both ends
3/4" double D to 30 or 36 spline universal
If you have any questions just give me a call if you like, shoot me a PM and I will give your number
I will try to get some pics of it tonight


Mike
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[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by fabguy

I guess I will be installing the transmission next week. I would love to do it today but the list my wife has for me is getting longer as the days pass, and she expects me to get some of it knocked out today

Progress is looking good. I feel your pain, spent Saturday doing "Panama Canal" (as the neighbor called it) work on one of the irrigation ditchs. Cut my hand on an old broken beer bottle I found UNDER a 3" tree root. Did get to sand on my doors.

[fabguy]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Progress is looking good. I feel your pain, spent Saturday doing "Panama Canal" (as the neighbor called it) work on one of the irrigation ditchs. Cut my hand on an old broken beer bottle I found UNDER a 3" tree root. Did get to sand on my doors.

Thank You OrrieG, sorry to hear about your hand. I hope it heals quick for you

[fabguy]

OK, so today a little progress on the truck finally. I had my little brother help me get the trans bolted back up to the engine and crossmember installed. I dropped the master cylinder assembly out of it to retrieve the grommet that popped inside of it last time I tried to install my stainless steel vacuum line.
I also went by the local ACE hardware store to pick up my tubing and fittings to finish running my remote reservoir for the brake fluid. Tomorrow I am off too Pomona swap meet to look for hood hinges and too keep my buddy Joe company as he is looking for a few things for his 55 corvette.
This next week I hope to have the engine top end installed back on the truck, and running. I am very excited and glad I have the motivation back to finish her up. I am merely days away from cruising again, and I should have the trans leak fixed monday on my wife's suburban so I can cruise that while she cruises the truck to the local cruise night here down the street.

Also, "57picupnewbie" did that info help for your front steering situation?


I picked up a corvette rear end today for my wifes suburban and am thinking I should have done that to this truck
Maybe there will be a suspension mod coming up later on the truck LMAO

.

[OrrieG]

Thanks for the concern but it was just a flesh wound and I heal very quickly, I think it is from my grandmothers native american bloodline. Doctor says I have "syrupy blood", and yes its a medical term, it is thicker than normal and collaguates much quicker. He encourages me to donate to thin it out, but blood banks usually will not take me because I am always congested from allergies so they think I have a cold. Do take a couple of baby asprins each day.

[made2drag]

love the truck! maybe i missed it but...when you welded the 71-72 frame to the original frame...did you slide it in?...mount on top like a z? did you have to narrow anything? thanks

[fabguy]

Both frames are same width and height. Weld frame, grind smooth then add backing plates and weld up. It was spliced right in front of cab mount.
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[made2drag]

Originally Posted by fabguy

Both frames are same width and height. Weld frame, grind smooth then add backing plates and weld up. It was spliced right in front of cab mount.
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awesome! thanks!

[fabguy]

Originally Posted by made2drag

awesome! thanks!

you are VERY welcome

[fabguy]

Up to date I have reinstalled the transmission, crossmember, exhaust, driveshaft, master cylinder, and added a master cylinder remote reservoir.
Tomorrow should be getting the truck off of the jack stands and starting the re install of the intake manifold except this time it is new. I am hoping it will be a productive weekend as I want to drive her again soon.
Then it will be making a jig to shorten the frame for my wife's suburban and start the I stall of the C4 suspension.
I kinda wish I had done C4 on the truck. Maybe later I will redo all the suspension to full C4
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[fabguy]

Ok so today I got the brake master cylinder and reservoir filled. Partially bled the brakes. I also got the truck off the jack stands and back onto the ground. Tomorrow will be very productive as I have all my orders filled.... WooHoo
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[fabguy]

Today I finally got the intake manifold RE installed, the new power steering pump switched out onto the reservoir and RE installed onto the truck, RE installed all the belts, RE installed the distributor & cap, plug wires, engine wiring, RE installing the Tranny cooling lines, and last but not least the alternator finally tracking right with the belt.
Now off to order a shifter cable and fan circuit sending unit as it was reuined when I tried to remove it from the old manifold

[fabguy]

Since my last post, I have redone the thermostat housing again as it leaked a lil. I fabricated a shifter cable bracket out of stainless steel then polished it up all nice and shiney. I ble the brakes with a little help from my buddy who owns a fab shop across from me, I installed my new tie rods, mounted and filled the power steering pump, and a few small wiring things I had put off. I also installed the new fan sending unit. Finished and installed my battery box a few days ago(not sure if I had mentioned it or not). Tomorrow will be finishing up an important order then over to full the transmission and try to drive it in the parking lot of the complex . Wish me luck!
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