What did you do to your truck today?

[Blue_Aura]

Decided to change up my paint scheme on the engine, due to time constraints and complexity of the masking needed. Ended up repainting the air cleaner top and base satin black and am going to leave the valve covers all satin black (as opposed to the two-tone satin black/metallic blue combo originally planned). Painted the intake to match the block (since I am going with all satin black accessories). Stripped the other valve cover and painted a bunch of parts. Going to sell the 5" air filter element and get a blue 3" filter element.

Tried to remove the hose fitting from the top water pump outlet, but it wouldn't budge. I was out of fuel for my torch, so I just threw on a piece on hose until I can get it out.

Getting closer to having the engine done. Sorry about the messy garage pics. The paint color still comes out tealish in the wrong light, but is more light blue typically.

Next week, start working on the firewall and frame.

[jayoldschool]

Blue, keep the truck. You will need a hobby when the little one gets here. You'll find a way to make it work.

[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by jayoldschool

Blue, keep the truck. You will need a hobby when the little one gets here. You'll find a way to make it work.

I wish I could, but we keep getting hit with one financial burden after the other! We just went to the Dr. on Friday, and they basically told us that she could give birth anytime from 4 1/2 weeks until the due date (which is July 16th). Since this is her third delivery, it could go QUICK! We aren't even close to ready. I am going to have to bust to get this truck done, let alone sold, and get the house ready for a baby! I can't take time off work until after the baby is born, so that doesn't help.

Thanks for the reply!

[luvbowties]

[QUOTE:Tried to remove the hose fitting from the top water pump outlet, but it wouldn't budge. I was out of fuel for my torch, so I just threw on a piece on hose until I can get it out.]

Maybe a tad of help on a small task will help with your present outlook on bigger things. Use a good-fitting box-end wrench (if necessary, use a good AND good-fitting adjustable) on that fitting. Slightly rotate any slack between tool and fitting into the farthest INSTALLING-position; this will give tool a "running start" when you rap on tool-end (with a small sledge) in the REMOVING -direction. This gives the wrench considerable momentum when it grabs and removes the fitting, acting kinda like an impact tool.

Others may disagree; but just try it. Should it do for you what it's done for me, you'll never forget the technique.

Good luck with your overall goals at this time, and "May God Bless"--as Red Skelton used to end his tv-skits with!
Sam

[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by luvbowties

[QUOTE:Tried to remove the hose fitting from the top water pump outlet, but it wouldn't budge. I was out of fuel for my torch, so I just threw on a piece on hose until I can get it out.]

Maybe a tad of help on a small task will help with your present outlook on bigger things. Use a good-fitting box-end wrench (if necessary, use a good AND good-fitting adjustable) on that fitting. Slightly rotate any slack between tool and fitting into the farthest INSTALLING-position; this will give tool a "running start" when you rap on tool-end (with a small sledge) in the REMOVING -direction. This gives the wrench considerable momentum when it grabs and removes the fitting, acting kinda like an impact tool.

Others may disagree; but just try it. Should it do for you what it's done for me, you'll never forget the technique.

Good luck with your overall goals at this time, and "May God Bless"--as Red Skelton used to end his tv-skits with!
Sam

First off, thanks. Second, this is the method I use for most stubborn bolts (half the bolts are the front clip needed this method). The only thing I was successful in doing was starting to mangle the edges of the fitting; now there is not much face and good edge to grab onto. That's why I was thinking of the good old torch method; I think the PO used red loctite on it. Worse case, if I can't get it off, I will throw a gate valve in between the manifold and water pump and make it look like an intentional thermostat bypass. Lol.

Right now I could use all the blessings I can get.
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[awbrown]

Originally Posted by Blue_Aura

I wish I could, but we keep getting hit with one financial burden after the other! We just went to the Dr. on Friday, and they basically told us that she could give birth anytime from 4 1/2 weeks until the due date (which is July 16th). Since this is her third delivery, it could go QUICK! We aren't even close to ready. I am going to have to bust to get this truck done, let alone sold, and get the house ready for a baby! I can't take time off work until after the baby is born, so that doesn't help.

Thanks for the reply!

We never worried about new ones arriving ,just make sure that you have a few baby showers and you should be all set !!! cant say as we ever spent much between hand me downs and gifts.. they didn't start to cost us much until they were older (food bills) ....

[Lugnutz65]

Got the harmonic balancer pulled off of my 250ci inline 6! What a relief!

The pics tell the story. This is a press fit HB. No center bolt. Got it started with an impact wrench and finished with the ratchet. Kinda nerve racking.

[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by awbrown

We never worried about new ones arriving ,just make sure that you have a few baby showers and you should be all set !!! cant say as we ever spent much between hand me downs and gifts.. they didn't start to cost us much until they were older (food bills) ....

That's funny! Actually, we got a few things from one baby shower and were surprised that they threw one for us. Most people figure after your first or second that you have everything anyways. Lol.

Our 11 year old boys are starting to eat like me now! That's scary, since I am 6'1" and about 220!!! I don't even want to see how much they eat in 2 years!!!
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[TJ's Chevy]

Looked at mine today. Will be using it next week. Hope to get some tires by this weekend.

[luvbowties]

[QUOTE Worse case, if I can't get it off, I will throw a gate valve in between the manifold and water pump and make it look like an intentional thermostat bypass. Lol.]

Great idea...and functional as well!
Sam

[hemifalcon]

Not today--but all the past week...

Well--I managed to actually meet another goal. I set out to finish the passenger side rust repair and did so.. I just have to repair the far passenger side seatbelt mount point and clean up all the plug welds for the floor and rocker.. I'm pretty happy to be done with this side--as I had to do the exact same repair as the driver's side.. Here's the pics.. (I attribute my progress to staying off the computer prior to going to work each day...)

From the previous post--to this.. Started with cutting the inner rocker/floor portion out which would be replaced with scavenged sheetmetal from the '65 Truck cab...Like pulling little bits of meat from a chicken bone--almost used up all the cab..



Here I was ALMOST hopeful that the lower kick panel was salvageable--didn't even bother...



Floor cut away..



Floor support/body mount was solid on this side--just full of dirt, cobwebs and bee nest. Cleaned it out and treated the bare metal



Fitting the new lower kick panel







And here is where I mixed up my steps.. I realized the floor/inner rocker didn't want to squeeze behind the kick panel--but I used a little force and snuck it in behind.. phew..



The old one on top-and the replacement piece on the bottom.



All welded in place.



And the lower a-pillar which was also scavenged.. It was in much better shape than the original--but I still had to do some work to make it nice and solid once again. See patchwork in pics. The pitting on the lower curved portion was just too deep to save it.











Door position wasn't perfectly dialed in here.. It fits pretty good all the way around--



You can see at the very front of the rocker I had to slice it to tighten it upwards towards the inner rocker.. Fits perfectly now.



I believe my count was 41 weld points on the rocker.. Maybe 43.. It's all nice and solid again. I'll knock down all the plug welds and I still have to replace the rocker-quarter panel gusset. But, the passenger side is basically done. Just want to toss out a big thank you to all the guys who have documented their repairs on these areas. I am a foreigner with regard to these trucks-well, up until I became a member here. So--thank you to all you guys working on saving these old trucks.
-John

[Vernski]

Hey nice metal work and pictorial always good to see pictures that say allot. it will be worth the work when it's done...Vernski

[K98AL]

Got passenger side window channels and vent rubber installed. Drove it to work. (as usual)

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Replaced a rock chipped headlight, turned into a shattered headlight, cut my finger all to heck, sold the wrong light by O'Reilley Auto Parts, took the shattered pieces in to get it right and cut the Oreilley guy's hand. What a day.

[gofastnut]

I looked at it sitting in the driveway and sighed as I walked past and got into my "regular" vehicle to go to work....

[robber grin]

hemifalcon - I am grateful for the photos - my buddy has a 63 at this exact point of repair and they came in handy for sure.

Great job by the way, looks fantastic.
rg

[WhippinSaw]

hemifalcon, nice job on the kick panels. Thanks for the pics

[hemifalcon]

Originally Posted by Vernski

Hey nice metal work and pictorial always good to see pictures that say allot. it will be worth the work when it's done...Vernski

Originally Posted by robber grin

hemifalcon - I am grateful for the photos - my buddy has a 63 at this exact point of repair and they came in handy for sure.

Great job by the way, looks fantastic.
rg

Originally Posted by WhippinSaw

hemifalcon, nice job on the kick panels. Thanks for the pics

To all you guys... You're welcome.. I'm no pro--and these pictures are similar to others I saw on this site which led me to know that I could handle this repair. It's not much fun-but it's very satisfying knowing that the rust is gone. Taking the time and paying attention to details is what makes the repairs and the restoration worthwhile. (sorry to you guys who have a hard time viewing all the photos if you have limited bandwidth or slow internet speeds). Oh--and sorry to you guys who like to slap bondo on everything with some fiberglass mesh for these sort of repairs.. There IS a right way AND a wrong way.. :-)

[donthekawguy]

Got the brake line installed, filled thediff, painted and installed the e-brake cables, put in the new tail light bezels, por15'd the drums, cleaned the backing plates. Tomorrow I will put all new brakes on, new u joints, hook up the new tail light wiring harness and drive it!

Almost forgot-I need to center the rear end with the new track bar.

[markeb01]

Relocated the fuel pressure regulator down in front of the fuel pump, cleaning up the appearance of the intake manifold area.

[jrobertop88]

Just got done putting all the pieces together new jasper 350, rebuilt 700r4, and posi rear end 3.73 ratio, not much, but it goes. Drive's just as good as a 2014 cts. Wish I knew how to post up pictures through the phone... And would like to thank everyone that post up pictures and explanations, very helpful on my build, thanks fellas
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[Hx16457]

Finally got the bed liner sprayed in


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[anubisani]

REPLACE water pump on my 88 crew cab what PITA, had to remove so much crap just to get to pump

[aclay17]

Originally Posted by Hx16457

Finally got the bed liner sprayed in


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WoW! That looks awesome! I also like the way that you put Chevrolet on the tailgate like that. nice job!

[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by Hx16457

Finally got the bed liner sprayed in


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I love that 56 Themed paint! Reminds me of a certain Bel Air that used to come into one of the shops I worked at.