Sooo, I finally got me an old truck - AKC's 1968 C30

[RINC]

Sorry, that was my inner Trucker coming out.

Brakes on my C-20 are up next for me to tear into as I am driving it everyday. That same inner Trucker keeps whispering in my ear " Remember to increase you're following distance"

[AKC]

Try going from a 2015 WRX STi to a 1968 Chevy C30 sometime...

[RINC]

I hear you on that.

My experience is way to the other extreme ..... My Pete 385 work truck to my C-20

[AKC]

I notice a gentleman named Dave seems to have a yard in the Victorville/Hesperia area. Looks like he has quite a bit of stuff.

Anybody have any input, good, bad or indifferent?

It's a bit of a drive for me, but not ridiculous.

I understand there's a yard or two in the Bakersfield area also.

The local yards are fairly dismal/picked over with regards to the '67-'72s.

I felt lucky getting the front swaybar, but then again, that's a broader range of model years to pick from...

[AKC]

Well... I guess they don't make them like they used to. It's only been a couple months since I put it in. Jeez!

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Guess I'll have to add replacing the replacement grommet to the list...

Nothing else lately.

[SS Tim]

Get a quality ring from Wes.
http://www.classicheartbeat.com/cata...%20Grommet.htm
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=693065

[AKC]

Thanks, should've gone to him in the first place.

We'll see if the person I got this one from will refund.

I ain't holding my breath...

[flashed]

The ones from Wes are the only ones I will use from now on ,been there ,done that .His last .

[swamp rat]

I agree with Tim, call Wes.

[Katrina/10]

That's about how long mine lasted until i bought one from Wes. Over two years now with no cracks.

[AKC]

Yep, getting one from Wes.

Not a lot today. Swapped out the lugs on the right front wheel to see how I liked it. It'll look better once the new ones aren't so shiny. The shop only had 9 lugs, so the others are on order. Studs seem a little short. Would that be due to the plate on the outside? I kinda don't get it's purpose, although I haven't had the wheel off to see how it's all set up.

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Here's the left front for comparison;
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The chrome was already flaking off the new lug I had replaced a while ago, and the others are looking kinda rough.

I tried pulling off the trim rings on the back, but with the front wheels being chrome, it looked off balance. Plus, they had been on there for a while. It just looks funny. Put'em back on.

I noticed to rear lights are attached with only one bolt, and not in the same place on each side. I think whoever just picked up existing holes in the bed rails and they were close enough. But I don't like it.

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I'm going to relocate them back a little further and get them mounted with 2 bolts.

Like I said, not a lot today...

[AKC]

Originally Posted by AKC

Studs seem a little short. Would that be due to the plate on the outside? I kinda don't get it's purpose, although I haven't had the wheel off to see how it's all set up.

Nevermind, silly thinking.

Figured it out...

[SS Tim]

Think the root problem here is the swapped on wheels and lugs are not the original configuration.
As far as I know your truck was built without clamp plates on the front wheels and flanged lugnuts on 1/2" studs.

Someone is going to have to help you on sorting this since I can't. There are a number of threads on swapping later dually wheels correctly and specifics on studs.

https://www.google.com/search?domain...hevytrucks.com

Unfortunately neither the 68 service manual nor owners handbook provide much guidance on dual wheel specifics.

[AKC]

I'll have to pull a wheel and see what things look like.

Thanks!

[AKC]

Just heard from the vendor I purchased the fuel tank filler grommet from;

They're going to refund the purchase price of the grommet. ETA - I did get my $11.00 back.

So, at least it wasn't a total loss...

[RINC]

Originally Posted by AKC

Just heard from the vendor I purchased the fuel tank filler grommet from;

They're going to refund the purchase price of the grommet.

So, at least it wasn't a total loss...

Good to hear.

[AKC]

Hokey-dokey, mystery solved... (mostly)

Got home and grabbed some tools and the jack and took 'Anela down to her spot in the RV lot because;

A) It's level, reasonably clean, quiet, annnd...

B) I won't have any of the busy-bodies around here complainin' about me "having that truck on a jack and working on it". It's just easier that way.

Loosened the lugs on the left front wheel and jacked it up. It's amazing how quick lugs will come off when they're on by only 6-7 threads. Pulled the clamp ring off and this is what I have...

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Aside from a little surface rust, (which should clean up pretty well) there are eight 1/2" holes, only four of which are countersunk for acorn lugs. The other four are flat, like they're meant to be used with regular nuts. Kind of a weird setup. You can sort of see it in that shot. I should've gotten a little closer.

So the clamp rings are totally unnecessary for this installation and, while unlikely, it's quite possible that they were allowing the wheel to move around a little, limited by it's clearance on the center hub, because there was nothing in the four countersinks.

The remaining mystery is why someone would install wheels that way? Do the math folks, they're 1/2" x 20 studs. Your average standard lug is about 3/4", which means half a lug is around 6-7 threads. Not too safe. The other part is why my wheel folks didn't mention this to me when the new tires were installed. I'll be having a little chat with Frank...

I installed the four lugs on the holes that were countersunk and got them fairly tight so the wheel was lined up. Then went ahead and installed the other four and watched as some steel curled up from the acorn contacting a square shoulder. I could have installed them flipped, but I wanted to see what happened. The lugs were .95¢ each, they can be replaced. Rechecked them all, set the wheel down and final torqued to 120 ft/lbs each.

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At least now I have some thread protrusion through the lugs. Even on the ones installed onto the square holes. And you can see which ones those are in this shot;

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So, I can either;

A) Have the wheels properly countersunk for acorn lugs. (least risk of a mixup on a rotation)

B) Run them with four acorn lugs and four plain nuts. (high risk of a mixup on a rotation)

C) Run them as is. (still a mixup risk, but does it matter?)

D) Get another set of wheels. ($$$)

I pulled 1 lug off the rear left wheel just to have a look, same thing. About 6-7 threads tops. So all the clamp rings will be coming off.

And while I had the front wheel up, it spins really nicely, but it sure is loose. I'm hoping the bearings just need to be tightened and I'll be OK for a bit, but I doubt it. They"ll have to be added to the list of things to do...

Never ends, does it?

Had a nice quiet walk home from the lot. Quarter past 7 and the Village is watching "Jeopardy", then 1/2 the Village goes to bed. The other half stays up and watches "Wheel of Fortune". Then goes to bed...

True story, know that.

[special-K]

The drum brake C/30s came with 1/2" studs & lug nuts that were flat back castle-looking (slits in outer side) and no plates. Budd wheels have no bevels cut into them. On the disc brake trucks they are used with longer 9/16" studs & nuts that are beveled to use with plates.

I've done this two different ways, when going to later wheels. One way is to bevel all the holes in the wheels and the other is drill and press in 9/16" studs and use the plates. I have also run with 1/2" acorn nuts flat onto the wheel and saw no issues. I don't know why not, but I never liked it and eventually drilled the wheels and got lug nuts, and later went with drilling/pressing 9/16" in. I didn't use the plates because I already beveled the wheels and saw no need.

[AKC]

I've decided to go with some G8 flange nuts in a black oxide finish. (which means they'll rust like crazy) The hub does most of the centering and there's not much play there. McMaster-Carr has them for something like $7.50/25pk.

Of course, they're 3/4", which means the 13/16" socket I just bought might sit unused for a while...

[AKC]

Still have to get going with the flange nuts. Haven't been doing much with 'Anela lately.

She has a rival for my affection.

Meet Kiapolo...

2004 Porsche 911 (996) Targa
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It's getting hard to stay focused on the truck...

[flashed]

That looks like fun , but there is always room for a truck ,or in my case trucks .

[AKC]

Poor 'Anela, sitting down there in the lot all alone...

It seemed only fitting to name the 911 "Kiapolo" as it's the polar opposite of 'Anela.

I've been a little preoccupied with Kiapolo, new car excitement. It does need a couple things to get me 100% happy. And life has crept in the way a little also.

But I'll send some love 'Anela's way.

Still need to take a look at the front wheels to see just how bad things are..

[CRees]

What a cool truck! I love seeing guys keeping the old 1 tons on the road.

[AKC]

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Deah, mo' bettah...

Took'em long enough. Ordered 2/29, just picked them up today. I think once the new B/Y plates weather a bit, they look better.

Poor 'Anela though, she stay all dusty. I'm working on getting Sundays back to work on vehicles. First thing is to wheel over to the wash rack and hose her off...

[flashed]

New plate looks great .