Do you also have 1:1 project cars?

[drummerdad]

Quote

On 1/21/2024 at 11:21 PM, JollySipper said:

That's a super cool truck! They're tough trucks, too...... My first thought when I saw the pic was 'I wonder how he lowered it?'. I used to have a '71 in about the same condition, short bed, too. Do you have more pics?

I have a ton of pictures. Im not sure I can post them  all here. I lowered the truck by adding a mustang 2 front suspension with coil overs, and a triangulated 4-link in the back. I have a complete build thread on the dodge forums and the sweptline forums. 

I agree they are very tough. The frames are big and heavy. I boxed this one, and after the mods, I couldnt lift it. I had to use the engine hoist. 

 

[JollySipper]

That's so very cool, Thank You! I see you also relocated the fuel tank............. Do you guys have a plan as far as body/paint?

[Tabbysdaddy]

Hopefully this is the final update of the engine swap. Distributor seems to be set, haven't had the check engine light come on. Well, not for that anyways. Cylinder misfire #6. I suspected I would have to change the injectors, just like all the other stuff. Pulled the upper intake, swapped out the "spider" injector assembly. Running like it was before now.

[Tabbysdaddy]

My wife was happy to get one of her trucks back, and then she ripped the gear shifter off the column earlier today. Luckily it happened in the front yard.

It's been sloppy selecting gears, now I see why. I just finished rigging it back together, but now I'll be getting a junkyard column this weekend. Most of the important pieces are damaged.

[Tabbysdaddy]

Working on installing a self driving kit.

[keviiin86]

Here's my on going project, always something to change or upgrade..this is the first year in a while I haven't HAD to fix something on it, so I'm using my time to get back into model building.

 

[Tabbysdaddy]

I think I'm ready to do something about this. It's been this way for a while. The lock switch has been busted for a long time, but the window switch just had a wire pull out so I have to jam it in the plug to make the window work. I'm better at putting things back as they were, but I don't want to do that here. I've been trying to kick start my imagination but haven't come up with anything yet. I don't really want to use wood.

[Tabbysdaddy]

My replacement engine was overheating in traffic, so now I'm switching the rest of the parts from the original engine. It looks like intake manifold gasket failure, a common problem, but I'm switching the heads too. Here's where I'm at: 

[Tabbysdaddy]

I finally used some of my model paint. Red on the left #1 TDC, silver on the right where the rotor was pointing when I removed the distributor. Unfortunately they weren't much help as this distributor is worn out so I had to use another. 

[Tabbysdaddy]

Hopefully, I think I finally figured out the problem. The lower portions of the cooling passages are clogged with what I assume is the block sealer they used to seal the leaking intake manifold. I removed the little block plugs (the knock sensor acts as one) and no water came out. It took some serious stabbing with a screwdriver to pierce through and get water to come out. I have the water pump off and have been flushing through there, and since the alternator bracket was already off I knocked out that freeze plug to scrape and flush through there. So my next step will be to remove the power steering pump/ac bracket, the starter and the oil cooler adapter so I can knock out the other front freeze plug and both side rears. I think I can get it cleaned up pretty good through those six holes so I don't have to pull the motor again to get to the plugs obstructed by the transmission and motor mounts.

[Ace-Garageguy]

11 hours ago, Tabbysdaddy said:

...The lower portions of the cooling passages are clogged with what I assume is the block sealer they used to seal the leaking intake manifold...

Ah yes, the joys of working behind Mr. Fixit Chimp.

[Tabbysdaddy]

And the winner is... blocked radiator. I think it may have been partially blocked and the block sealer finished it off, as it runs cooler now with a new radiator than it ever did before even with the old engine. I got a lot of junk out of the block, a lot of junk. There was even gobs of RTV inside from when they "glued" the water pump and thermostat housing on. The old radiator weighs at least twice as much as the new one.

[bobss396]

Like I need a hole in my head. My girlfriend saw this for sale. I saw it last Thursday and bought it.

A 1966 Belair that runs well. I got the rear brakes out waiting on parts. I put the OG steering wheel back on. I'm putting fresh springs under it, some minor front end work and an alignment. 

It has power disc's up front, a HEI ignition, aluminum radiator, new dual exhaust. 

The puller I used to get the steering wheel off, I made in college around 1974. The main part was made on a shaper.

[JollySipper]

Ol' car looks to be in pretty good shape! Thank you for rescuing a four-door........... 283 engine?

[bobss396]

12 hours ago, JollySipper said:

Ol' car looks to be in pretty good shape! Thank you for rescuing a four-door........... 283 engine?

I had one many years ago, same car only a Caprice with a 396 in it around 1975. This is a 283 with a 2 barrel on it, I need to lean out the choke a little bit. I need the seat done... like sitting on the john as it is now. The locking gas cap is a PITA... ordered a new one.

Once I had the SS hub caps off it, I realized it has Camaro 7" wheels on it. I got some 215/75-14 tires for the back and the existing ones I was going to use are too narrow for the wheels, so I'm getting 2 more. 

Next up is arranging to drop the front seat off to be done. Maybe early next week, I'm tackling the upper a-arm bushings next and possibly the front springs on the driveway. 

[Big_John]

14 hours ago, bobss396 said:

The puller I used to get the steering wheel off, I made in college around 1974. The main part was made on a shaper.

I went to a vocational high school, and we learned to use the shaper.  I worked as a Tool & Diemaker for 20 years, and then spent the rest of my career doing tool and gauge calibration, often going into machine shops and toolrooms.  That shaper that I learned to use in 1970 was the last one I saw that was still in use.  

For those that want to know what a shaper is:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaper

[espo]

Remarkably great shape for a car approaching 60 years old. Wise to install the new wheel cylinders, the inside of the OEM ones would have to be pitted too much to rely upon.  

[bobss396]

3 hours ago, espo said:

Remarkably great shape for a car approaching 60 years old. Wise to install the new wheel cylinders, the inside of the OEM ones would have to be pitted too much to rely upon.  

One was leaky and they are cheap at Rock Auto. I got the brakes in, my son was over and helped me bleed them.

The old oil breather was clogged up solid,  must have been original. I replaced the locking gas cap with a regular one.

I have to put in a new dimmer switch that came today.

[bobss396]

10 hours ago, Big_John said:

I went to a vocational high school, and we learned to use the shaper.  I worked as a Tool & Diemaker for 20 years, and then spent the rest of my career doing tool and gauge calibration, often going into machine shops and toolrooms.  That shaper that I learned to use in 1970 was the last one I saw that was still in use.  

For those that want to know what a shaper is:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaper

Shapers are still used. Die shops used them to rough things out, as they could run with minimal attention. 

I was a tool and die apprentice but mainly worked in regular machine shops. I did a lot of heat treating.

I also programmed CNC mills for a while and set them up at a night gig I had for many years.

[W Humble]

"No man is an island -- he's a peninsula!"  Jefferson Airplane

[bobss396]

Fed Ex... can almost set my clocks by them. 

[bobss396]

Rear brakes are adjusted, new rear tires and hubcaps are back on.

[Tabbysdaddy]

7 hours ago, bobss396 said:

Fed Ex... can almost set my clocks by them. 

You should get some rest, you look two tired.

[bobss396]

17 hours ago, Tabbysdaddy said:

You should get some rest, you look two tired.

I am shot. Messed up my knee somehow, truly the walking wounded. New control arm bushings are in, 1 side. Have to pick up upper ball joints after 1.

Cut myself using the air chisel too....

[bobss396]

Passenger side is together. I was able to track down upper ball joints too.

The 2nd side is all apart. One bushing the inner sleeve was frozen. The air chisel makes it easier.