1964 Chevy Stepside (Old Blue)

[bj383ss]

I also got a bunch of old cabinets from work last night and today to line the back wall of the garage for FREE!






Here is a pic of the fuel cell installed. This is only temporary until I can do it the correct way!



Bret

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Wow, you call that a garage, I call it an airplane hangar!
Nice cabinetry!

[bj383ss]

Well that last day I worked on the truck I had planned to change all the fluids and get the timing and the carberutor tuned. Well there were challenges along the way.

Here is what I found when I rolled under to change the trans filter and fluid. I guess the previous owner never changed the trans fluid. He even notched the cross member with a torch.


After about an hours work I got it like this.



Now I could change the oil and filter. I bought a deep sump pan for my Camaro a couple of years ago but they sent me the wrong one and I never bothered to return it. It was for a 700R4 not a 4L60E. For some reason I happen to remember the pan and thought perfect I can finally make use of it and put it on the truck. I got the gasket glued on and went to put it on but it wouldn't fit as the crossmember in front of the trans was to close and I couldn't get the pan to clear the filter since it had an extension now for the deep pan. Oh well I put it back in the box.


Also the crossmember in front of the trans has the center cutout of it. Is it suppose to be like this? I would like to move it forward as well so I can use the deep pan, but it looks more serious to move it looks like it is riveted to the frame.

Bret

[bj383ss]

So this has nothing to do with my truck.(well kinda). I am going to strip my 79' Caprice of all its goodies and I need somebody to haul it off. Does anybody in the Austin, TX area know somebody who would do this? These are the parts I will be stripping: Engine, radiator, gauges, steering wheel, front bench seat(going to put it in the 64' for now) shocks, shifter, exhaust, mufflers, and possibly front discs, and spindles and master cylinder with booster. So the car will be undriveable but still roll. I would like to keep the wheels but I don't have the stock ones to put on and the rear axle is 5 on 5 so I would have to find two different sets of wheels.

I plan on using just about everything I strip on the 64'.



Thanks for the help in advance

Bret

[Mack B]

Originally Posted by bj383ss

Also the crossmember in front of the trans has the center cutout of it. Is it suppose to be like this? I would like to move it forward as well so I can use the deep pan, but it looks more serious to move it looks like it is riveted to the frame.

that crossmember in front of the trans was the mount for the old bel housing, since it's gone and your using an automatic with a rear crossmember, it can be cut out of the way. I'd cut it in half then grind the rivets off, it will make it easier to get out.
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[65sbss]

Welcome aboard, Meet your truck cousin, the original OL BLUE

[bj383ss]

Thanks 65sbss. I wasn't thinking when I named it "Old Blue". That's what my father in law called it. I am trying to come up with a new name for her.

Bret

[bj383ss]

Originally Posted by Mack B

that crossmember in front of the trans was the mount for the old bel housing, since it's gone and your using an automatic with a rear crossmember, it can be cut out of the way. I'd cut it in half then grind the rivets off, it will make it easier to get out.
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Ok so just to double check this. I can cut this crossmember out and it won't effect the integrity of the frame? I see the rivets on the top might be a little of a pain to get out.


Quick update. I have everything working as far inspection goes. It does not have the original horn. The previous owner wired a generic one with a button on the dash where the cigarette lighter used to be. I am assuming this will pass inspection. I also CLR'd the whole truck and the paint has a little bit of a sheen to it. The bad news. There is alot of bondo on the hood and rear fenders. The front bumper came out pretty good though!








I am currently taking the steering wheel off to see if I can get the original horn working again. While I have the steering wheel off I am going to strip it and paint it. It is about 6 colors right now.

I also have a pretty soft brake pedal so I am going to bleed the brakes and see if that helps any. The master cylinder was about an 1 1/4" down from the top and the boot on the lid was pushed all the way out. So I filled it back up.

Next Monday we are getting the title changed over into my wife's name and registered. And then I will get it inspected and starting driving it to work as much as possible between projects.

I have decided to name her Jaybird. It is the nickname my father in law gave my wife. So I will be starting a build thread and rename it and retire "old blue".

Bret