The Old Mule - 64 BBW

[realvc]

Really nice truck, great work and congrats. on enjoying it on the road.

Your heater should heat up a lot better than before.

I had the same gas pedal back in the sixties.

[Palf70Step]

Thanks!

I plan on having that same gas pedal into the 2060's Can't have a hot rod without one

[Palf70Step]

So after I service my DD and did some work on my son's 02, I got to get back onto the Mule and his alternator problem. Rather than just replace the original still alternator/external regulator, I decided to do the conversion to the standard GM 3-wire internally regulated alternator. Thanks to a lot of board threads old and recent, plus Mad Electric, I got her done.

This is the main thread I referenced, starting with post#7)
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=571082


Picked up a 10SI, 63 amp, at 9:00 (AC-DELCO # 321-41( (Told them it was for a 1979 Buick Regal, 8 cylinder 4.9L (301W) engine, with air conditioning. I didn't figure I needed the bigger 12si, besides no one had one in stock and I wanted to drive the mule again, quickly.

Removed old alternator, than set the new on in place. I then unwrapped the factory wiring, and unplugged the wiring from the external regulator. I cleaned up everything with Goop hand-cleaner to get all the stickiness off the wires.

Cut the small red wire from the old regulator to the horn relay

Cut the brown wire running from the dash light to the external regulator, cut it at the external regulator. Only the brown wire from the original external regulator harness will be retained.

You may also have to remove a black ground wire that ran between the horn relay and the old regulator (mine didn't have it)

Pulled out the old external regulator and ditched it plus the rest of the old regulator harness as they are not needed.

I picked up an alternator plug and soldered the brown wire that came off the regulator (goes to the warning light and ignition switch) to the #T1 (white in my case) lead.

I added a round electrical connector to the #2 alternator Lead (red).

I had to replace the main power wire (I used 12ga) from the horn relay to the alternator. My old one was was pretty cracked up and brittle. If yours is OK, for get the rest of this paragraph. Put terminals on both ends. One end connects to the horn relay , the other connects to the post on the rear of the alternator, along with the red lead from the #T2 connector.

I ran the 12 ga wire long enough so I could run the brown wire and it in in's only little wire wrap up from the main lead.

Bolted the alternator in place and fired it up. Works like a charm. 14.6 volts measured at the battery now. No issues note.

I had a bunch of used wiring harness convoluted tubing that I used to cover the wires to make it look all neat again.

So the mule is ready to roll again.

2 notes, I will probably need a slightly shorter alternator belt as although I am good now I am at the limits of the adjuster. Picked up one a 1/2" shorter, which should do the trick, but I wanted to drive and was to lazy to change it out today.

Also, you can use the more common 3 clocked distributors (made for passenger side) without any issues, I just did not want the chance of the wires getting near/touching the manifolds.

[Palf70Step]

Another finished view. Se drove good. Took me about 3 hours, but it was cold and damp for these old bones today.

[Palf70Step]

Yesterday and today I caught up on the servicing of the mule. New plugs, fuel filter and oil change to start things off.

And no offense to anyone, but I really hate tire stores. I had one stud that had broken off the last time the wheels were changed, so today I decide to replace the broke stud on the front disk. I wonder how many foot-tons the air gun was set for when they torqued those lug nuts on?

So today, I go to remove the wheel and 2 more were stripped/broke off. After talking with ECE, found out the studs are fairly common in auto parts, but he did not have the exact number. So after rummaging thru what seem 9 million studs, I found them and got the new ones on.

I then finished fixing/attaching the new ground straps for the cab and bed, and low and behold I think my turn signal/brake/tail light gremlin went away. Too bad I didn't get off my lazy but a long time ago.

Today it was in the 30's this morning so set off to church with the mule. I havd the heat on, but when I was coming home, I went to shut the heat/defrost off and the defrost cable felt like to snapped. No picture (too embarrassed, but when I was checking it out tonight found out the idiot (that would be me) forgot to put the push nuts to keep the cables on the deluxe controls : Luckily IO found a couple to use until I get some more in. I have been trying to get the cables to work smoother, so since I'll have to take it apart to finish the push nut thing, I figured I would do some new cables since soaking and lubing them didn't help a whole lot.

Only pictures were me doing what I like to do with the Mule, drive about. We had a leisurely drive this afternoon on that way back from a friends house.

[mjh1965]

I do love the look of your truck Bill . It's one of the reason I chose the 67-72 rear bumper for my truck .

[clemdaddy]

theres just something about fixin' as you go, its just the way it should be...

i also like the 67-72 back bumper on these trucks. looks right.

[northern 85]

Great looking truck with a perfect drivable stance!!!

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

theres just something about fixin' as you go, its just the way it should be...

After other projects getting out of hand, I decided I would not go crazy on the Mule. Get as much driving enjoyment out of it as I can.

[Palf70Step]

Love driving the old Mule. It even likes getting to work by 0500. But note to self, do NOT drive a low rider when the weatherman has a chance at being correct and all the roads flood on the way home!

[DKO]

Really like your truck and have enjoyed reading your thread. Thanks for keeping us updated.

[Bomp]

Read through the whole thread.
Really like how little set backs here and there are all part of the fun.
Pay off is getting to drive Mule. Priceless.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

After other projects getting out of hand, I decided I would not go crazy on the Mule. Get as much driving enjoyment out of it as I can.

Yep, one upgrade at a time.
Keep it mobile as much as possible.

[ChrisDollins]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

After other projects getting out of hand, I decided I would not go crazy on the Mule. Get as much driving enjoyment out of it as I can.

Perfect advice! I hate seeing a running driving truck blown apart to never be put back together.

I love the look of your truck. A friend of mine has a set of those wheels on a '69 chevelle that have been there for probably as long as I've been alive lol. I'm not sure what they are, but they give your truck a cool muscle look.

Chris

[buckstoy]

Originally Posted by ChrisDollins

I'm not sure what they are, but they give your truck a cool muscle look.

Chris

They look like Centerline Champ 500's, a new wheel when I was in high school (they look perfect on this truck!)

[Palf70Step]

They are Eagle Alloys (15x8). I like them also. As I try to find better center caps for them, I get a bit frustrated and think about changing them, Then I go for a drive and take a look at the Mule with them on and fall back in love with the look again.

[Palf70Step]

Not much actually done on the Mule. I did yesterday go check with a shop about getting the 3.73 changed over to a 3.07/3.08 ( I always forget which is truck and which is car). So couple weeks and the Mule should behave better on the interstate.

Hopefully the 3.07 stuff I have all checks out. If not I guess I'll be shelling out for a new setup (posi). I am excited to see the mules behavior with calmed down gear set so I ain't screaming at 3300-3500 on the highway.

Most of the rest of the weekend has been yard work.

[Grizz1963]

I loved those rims back in the day.

Of course nostalgia is an even stronger memory jogger.

[ChrisDollins]

I've threatened to do a higher gear swap as well. Sure would help on the hwy. A guy in the car club has a 3 speed with overdrive he would sell me. Just not sure how much abuse these trans will take. I do like to play a little . Oh, did you ever find anything out on the horn? I have the same wheel and never could get it to work either. Just threw it on a toggle under the dash for now. It's much more fun to drive them than work on em lol.

Chris

[BFoley]

In for the build. Also, I am copying your cup holder idea. Great idea.

[Paul Y]

One mod at a time is the way to keep your sanity and a drivable vehicle. Ah, the wisdom one acquires by doing the complete opposite...

Nice work Bill.

P.

[Palf70Step]

Nothing to take pictures of, yet, but got the Mule back last night from having the rear end rebuilt/gears changed out. Went from the original 3.73 to 3.08. It really drives nice now. It quieted things down so much. I guess besides lowering the RPMs, that original gear had way more how than what I thought they did. It is very well mannered no on the highway and still plenty of oomph in town.

Now to change the speedometer cable gear so I know what speed I am going.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Nothing to take pictures of, yet, but got the Mule back last night from having the rear end rebuilt/gears changed out. Went from the original 3.73 to 3.08. It really drives nice now. It quieted things down so much. I guess besides lowering the RPMs, that original gear had way more how than what I thought they did. It is very well mannered no on the highway and still plenty of oomph in town.

Now to change the speedometer cable gear so I know what speed I am going.

The 3:08 gears is one I've considered often. Especially now since I've installed a th350.

[Palf70Step]

Eventually my 3-speed will probably go away for the T350 lying under the bench.

[Palf70Step]

All ready to leave in the early morning. Got a 5+ hour drive to north LA for a truck meet tomorrow. Get to check out how the 3.08s feel on the highway. What little cleaning was obliterated by pouring rain all day. Worst of it should be gone by the time I leave in the morning. Sunny and great is the forecast for tomorrow in north LA.