Give Me A Brake!

Sorry for all of the puns, but I just can't stop.  Get it?  Brakes, can't stop...  It's a sickness really.  Anyway, I started on the brakes tonight since it's easier to do when we're down to the bare frame.  

The spindle looked fine (shiny thing in the middle), but everything else needed help.  Step one, pull the brakes shoes and springs out of the way.

Then, we end up with this.  

Then, some quality time in the blast cabinet and some paint and BAM, good as new.  I had to stop for the night, but tomorrow we will get it squared away.  More to come.  

One piece at a time

Well, like I said earlier this is the slow part of the build.  Here's an engine mount wearing the grime of fifty years.  

Then, we put it in the blasting cabinet and 45 minutes later, it looks like this.

Then, we paint it and it looks like this.

You're thinking, "What's the problem, it looks OK?"  And, you're right, but it took an hour and there are a billion little parts like this.  OK, maybe not a billion, but a whole bunch.  So, it's gonna take a while.  However, all of the engine mounts are ready when the engine gets back from the machine shop we will be ready to go.  More to come.

It's a Frame Job!

Actually it's a frame paint job.  After lots of work with a wire brush and scraper, several tanks of gas through the pressure washer, and two coats of Ospho, it's time to paint the frame.  I know what you're thinking.  You're thinking, "Hey Dennis, what do you paint a frame with anyway."  Well, I'm glad you asked.  You paint a frame with...  Frame paint of course!  Now you're thinking, " Huh, who knew?" 

Yeah, it looks great.  At this point, it is time to turn the project from disassembly and reassembly.  This is where the project slows WAAAYYY down.  But, we will take our time and do it correctly.

So, next we install new slave cyclinders, brake shoes, springs and drums to complete all new brake assemblies.  Then when the cab goes back on we will install a new master cylinder, so brakes will be new from end to end.  Stay tuned.

I Ain't Got No Body... Cha Cha Cha

Ok, even if you're not a fan of Mel Brooke's Young Frankenstein you still have to appreciate the fact that this truck ain't got no body atall.  We pulled the cab off and then started getting the frame prepped for paint.

 We started by pressure washing the frame and using a wire wheel to remove gunk from it.  This is before the washing. 

After burning two tankfuls of gas through my pressure washer, I pushed the frame back inside to see if I could scrape off any more debris.  This is what the shop floor looked like after the fact.

Then it went back outside for more pressure washing.  Then, I sprayed on some Ospho which is phosphoric acid.  It changes the chemical composition of rust and makes it inert.  It turns it black too.

Here are the before and after pictures.  Before.

After.

Next, we finish prepping and paint the frame.  

Pick Up Thy Bed

I know this is referenced in the bible, but this may not be what Jesus had in mind.  But, we got the bed off the HOT truck.

Now, Matt is the bolt whisperer.  He was able to get all of his bolts loose.  But, I had to cut most of mine.

What a mess!  What a rusted mess!  

Next, the cab has got to come off.  Then, we get to clean up the frame.  Fun!

My Motatater is Toe Up

That's right, it's toe up from the floe up!  The radiator isn't radiating, the alternator isn't alternating, the crank shaft isn't cranking and the pistons aren't, um....working either.  But, don't fear.  I know a guy.  And, my guy says he can make it work again.  Remember that valve I showed you that was supposed to be flush?  He says that unleaded gas was the cause!  Remember, in 1964 all gas had lead in it.  Then, the EPA made leaded gas a thing of the past.  But, my machinist says he can put new heat treated valve seats in the engine so that it will be able to run on modern gas.

So, here's what's is going to happen next... The engine will get new valve seats, new head gasket, honed cylinders, shaved head and block (so that will mate up cleanly), new camshaft, new main bearings, new rod bearings, new oil pump, new timing gears, new pistons, new wrist pins and rings, all new gaskets and seals.  And all in all, just a new lease on life.  It will literally be better than it was in 1964.  

I cleaned one of the push rods before I took his picture.  Can you tell which one? 

What do you think?  Is it time to clean up the transmission?  Yeah, maybe so.

Don't Lose Your Head

OK, i've been pulling the engine apart and Houston, we have a problem.  You see how the intake valve is nice and flush?  (The one on the right) The exhause valve is supposed to be flush too. (The one on the left) You'll notice it is recessed almost an eighth of an inch.  That's WAY out of limits!  

So, it's time to haul this chunk of metal to the machine shop to see if it can be salvaged.

I've pulled the crankshaft and it seems to be in pretty good shape.  The camshaft is really worn a lot, but I'm replacing it anyway.  More to come.