Frame restoration

[moosefd]

HI new to the forum. A little about myself 60 years old buy still a teenager at heart. Love hot rods had one all my life right now I have a 63 panel,not running 64 gmc 3/4 panel everyday driver and my hot rod to be a 66 sub. I have a 5.3 and 460le tranny for it .Trying to make it as nice as possible so ive pulled the body off and am starting with the frame. Here is my question ive used a large grinder and a 6 in wire cupped wheel to clean up most of it now in need to get into some small places could us a drill and a wire wheel but thought maybe a small air die grinder with a wire cup anyone ever try this? Im open to suggestions what have you used, did it work well im always open to ideas thanks:

[chevy_mike]

Honestly, having cleaned a frame by hand and only getting okay results, I'll never do that again. Pay to have it stripped and epoxy primed for paint or powder coated. Life is too short.

[Captainfab]

I agree with Mike. I would definitely check into the cost of having the frame abrasive blasted. You will have a much better end result.

[63burban]

I agree, it doesn't cost that much to have the frame blasted, then ask a restoration shop to paint it with POR15. You won't regret spending the money.

[notsolo]

As stated blasting is by far the best gets into those places unable to reach, POR 15 or Mastercoat silver for bare metal makes for a quality job. Other options small drill with wire cup or wheel, rolo discs. heavy scotch bright discs,home made sand paper on a stick. depends on your time and money.

[pimpston65]

im dropping my frame, cab and all the pieces to my blaster on wednesday, $1200 for all. i will post before and after shots!!!

[moosefd]

Got a call in to the local media blaster.Frame only has light coating of rust and dirt. Spent 4 hrs cleaning with grinder looked great no pitting but your right it's all the little places . I'm not making a show truck but I want something I'd be proud of.

[pimpston65]

Originally Posted by pimpston65

im dropping my frame, cab and all the pieces to my blaster on wednesday, $1200 for all. i will post before and after shots!!!

had to gut the whole thing minus frame and cab. unbolted cab from frame 10 bolts and it was free!!!

[moosefd]

Sand blaster called back he is coming to my house ,what a deal he makes house calls. He stated that he uses glass beads that are eco friendly good thing I live in the country. Will keep you guys updated

[moosefd]

Sand blaster came to my house today 3.5 hrs later the frame looked amazing. Anyone in Oklahoma who needs sand blasting done should try this guy out mediablast.com he did a fantastic job.

[Captainfab]

Post a pic or two of your frame so we all can see how nice it is.

[moosefd]

Will post pics as soon as I can get one of my children or grandchildren to show me how. The truck has a 12 bolt 5 lug rear end in it. I pulled the cover off and determined that it was a 373 anyone tell me how this will work with a 5.3 with a 4l60 out of a 2004 1/2 ton.What kind of rpm can I expect at 70 mph. Thanks Carl

[moosefd]

pics of my frame

[moosefd]

Here is a pic of the 66 sub when it was brought home and my 64 GMC which I try to drive everyday it still has the orginal 305 and granny 4 speed.

[moosefd]

The kids have finally taught me how to upload pics. This my 63 panel waiting for restoration.

[LT1 Burb]

I powder coated mine and it turned out killer. The whole thing blasted and coated was 800.00

[moosefd]

Your frame looks awesome hope mine looks as good.

[moosefd]

Got the frame all cleaned up all new ball joints and tie rods ,new springs on rear ,fresh paint now I'm ready to put the engine in. Here's my question for the day what motor mounts are you using to put a 5.3 4l60E in your 66 and keep the a/c compressor in its original place.

[moosefd]

fresh frame pic

[notsolo]

Depending on your frame height? I think you want clam shell motor mounts like in this post.....http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...hp?t=597926... You might need a 1/2" block on top of the frame....My 64 GMC frame is 5" high inside I plan on a similar setup with my TBI build...Hopefully someone will chime in with with the answer...

[moosefd]

I think im going to need something like the clamshell frame mounts and a adapter like the dirty dingo ls mount anyone go that way?

[64k10burb]

Looking good Moose. I doubt My burb will get this amount of attention. I did all this with my Malibu wagon and it just kept evolving into 9in ford rear, 4 wheel disks, stainless brake and fuel lines bla bla.....Darn project creep is hard to resist. Keep up the good work!

[moosefd]

I guess I need to start a build page or have someone who is capable of it change the heading of this to the Moose is loose build. My 63 panel donated its fuel tank to the 66 burban as it didn't have one when I bought it and Im probably going to sell the 63 panel if anyone is interested. Brought the 5.3 to the shop from the storage building going to start cleaning it up this weekend. Still waiting on someone who has done the install before to let me know what motormounts they used I know someone has done this before. I need all the help I can get because my wife tells me all the time what a dummy I am ha.

[Captainfab]

You'll likely find your engine mount answer in the LSx swap section of this forum. It is a sub forum of the Engine and Drivetrain forum.

If you go with the '73+ engine mounts, the C20 & C30 frame brackets fit the earlier ('63-'72) frames better than the C10 brackets.

[moosefd]

Worked on fuel tank last night. Swapped the fuel pump out of the donor 04 pickup into my fuel tank by cutting the ring out of old fuel tank then cutting hole in my tank to match. Attached ring by 6 stainless bolts to tank for trial fit will go back and make gasket or use some type of sealant. I am going to try and make instrument panel out of donor pickup fit my dash panel so I can use fuel gauge and other instruments from donor. Kept old fuel line and float gauge in case this doesn't happen. Trying to use as much factory as possible to make swap easier.