Thread: Project Special K

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Should work out fine, Steve!!! You will like the engine tilter, can't imagine even hooking on to an engine anymore without one!!!! Makes everything so much easier, especially for some of us "high mileage" Hot Rod builders!!!!!!

So today was a day off and the shop was still crammed full of junk like old boxes and beatup or broken discarded parts, so I continued to clean house. I then started to work on removing the engine. First off, removing the hood by myself, only one bolt snapped off, hopefully it won't be a problem. I hade to create a space to work on the engine and for the hood, etc. So I decided trucks are great because when in doubt, throw it in the bed!
Then I organized all the engine parts on the shelves, and finally finished with recycling 20 cardboard boxes. I think I'll wait until my friend is availible this weekend to pull the engine.Here is a photo of the truck minus the hood

Here is a shot of all my parts where I can finally see and find them

And last but not least, the truck being used like a truck!

Windy nasty day today. Barely got the oil drained, felt like there was something in the air that burned my eyes and made my nose run. Funny thing is the oil is new, only a few hours of running the engine parked with it, yet it was black and stank like gas. I also put a new oil filter on when I changed it a few months ago. The old oil looked and smelled the same way, but that was in the car for 7 years, before I bought it and changed it! Any ideas as to the smell? Problems I should be aware of? Chime in, thanks, Steve

Well i think when you just drained the pan you have oil up in top of block and lifters . When you ran it your picking up the residule oil in block . May take a few changes to get it all out or a tear down and clean.

thanks Bobby I hope your right!

Well I scored big time on ebay this week. I've been biding time watching grills for the f1 as mine has some dented bars. A perfect condition one showed up that was poorly listed as a 52, and no reference to either ford or f1(one or the other), so the usual profiteers who buy them for upwards of 230, didn't join the bidding war, so for 103 bucks, plus 40 shipping, I got a basicaly new grill! The best part is I probably can sell my existing grill for this locally! I also got a piece of front end that goes behind the bumper to form the middle of the front of the truck, and also under the radiator, where mine is completely rusted out, for 15 bucks and 12 shipping. Now I'll I need is running boards and the body with be close to perfect. My wife also gave me the go ahead for the new 26 gallon porter cable air compressor, so the rest of the summer should go well with rust removal and body prep!

Good scores, way to go.

Yesterday was a good day, but little to show for the work involved.
I was able to cut off the old motor mounts. Man what a pain. Who ever put them in there did a great job! The welds were very solid! It took two trips to the local hardware store, three sawzall blades and some parts for the new 30 gallon compressor to get them off. I've never used the cutoff tool for so long before, have to remember to get some good ear plugs to avoid perminent hearing damage. Its funny because the way the mounts were welded consisted of three welds per bracket to the frame, some in places you couldn't get to without working backwards cutting apart the brackets. So 3 hours and 30 dollars later here is my end results. The passenger side frame member got a slice in it, but that'll be a great spot to practice welding with the new mig welder, when it arrives next week. I did get the hang of grinding the old welds off as well. Note to self, shorts, tee shirt and birkenstocks not conssidered safety clothing! Ouch! Here are some photos, plus one of Pretzel and the new girl looking goofy together!

We gotta have a caption contest for that one!


Don

How about a little tongue there baby..........Not with that bad breath you don't..........LOL
Is that good enough caption.
BradC

Pretty good Brad. I posted a post just for these comments. On the truck note, my new Hobart 140 mig welder arrived. I went down to our local welding supply to see about a cart and gas tank. I bought a cart from him to support local business and probably will get the gas cylinder from him too. His prices are a little steep, but lets face it he's local, and he's gotta make a living too, his advice is invaluable. Plus I'll be going there when I run out of stuff and to get tanks refilled. He's a fellow hot rodder whose been doing this stuff since the fifties(though he looks too young to have been around in the 50's! He highly recommends 75/25 Argon /Co2 mixture. Says it cools the metal to where I won't be as likely to warp the sheet metal. I asked about just using flux core but he thought that would be too hot for car sheet metal. His tanks are 160 new, with the gas fill for free on new tanks for the first fill. I've seen them as cheap as 89 on the internet, but by time you throw in shipping, tax and gas it's not too much savings compared to just buying localy. What are your opinions about the temperature thing for welding sheet metal? I just want to patch some small holes in the running boards and repair the rear window frame seem that attaches to the roof. I know Don likes the gas to reduce spatter, but what about temp?

I took the bed off the truck today by myself. Really was quite easy. 4 bolts, the use of a creeper for a second set of hands, and there you go. I pressure washed the frame to prep for painting it, and was supprised to see what good shape it was in under the bed of the truck. here are a few photos.

After I was done cleaning it, I had to laugh. It looks like pieces of the truck were flying off as it moved foward!

Here is a piece of sheet metal I found buried in the bed of the truck. If you put it on the side of the truck it is curved to the same angles as the fuel filler hole on the passenger side of the cab. Since I'm planning on an underbed gas tank in the finished truck(not the one pictured, by the way, that covering the old filler hole for the cab will be necessary. I'm thinking of welding the curved sheet metal to the inside of the cab where it will be hidden by the interior liner behind the seat, to use as a backing plate. Then I can weld in a oval piece to match the existing hole, grind it smooth and Bob's your uncle!



I'm also trying to figure out the best aproach to beefing up this seem above the rear window. The interior weld is rusted and crumbling away. I figure I'll grind the rust away and see if I can weld it also from the inside because again it will be hidden from sight, by the head liner.


Since this welding stuff is all new to me I figure I'd ask if this approach makes sense and will work!

That'll work to clean out the weld on the inside, a cut off wheel will get in a bit deeper to clean the rust out, and with light pressure it won't cut through.... Also, might want to give some thought to cleaning out the weld on the outside, the stitch weld it closed and have a filled seam...... Welded all of the seams on my '71, really smooth out the looks of the truck....