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SkinnyG
SkinnyG SuperDork
2/5/18 9:15 p.m.

I've been driving a squarebody pickup for the past three years or so, but my heart isn't in a square. Truthfully, the square was to be a "rolling donor" for a 60-66.

I picked this up last week, and will document the build as it happens:

SkinnyG
SkinnyG SuperDork
2/5/18 9:16 p.m.

Got the truck dropped off at my work so I can get it running and mobile.  Zero clutch, zero brakes. Rad is still full. That's not original paint. I thought the "primer" was suspect - it used to be orange. Hasn't been on the road since '98.

I want to find an automatic-column and lose the stick.

Scary rim with a re-cap spare:

grover
grover GRM+ Memberand Reader
2/5/18 9:26 p.m.

Congrats on finding one with all the front trim! Is that a block heater? 

Nitroracer
Nitroracer UltraDork
2/5/18 10:02 p.m.

Based on your other projects, I think this is going to turn out awesome.

SkinnyG
SkinnyG SuperDork
2/5/18 10:15 p.m.

Block heater is one of them in-line ones, to circulate coolant.  It doesn't get cold enough here to warrant one.

Ordered master and slave kits from Rock Auto (thanks for the discount code, Rock Auto!).

Gunchsta
Gunchsta Reader
2/6/18 7:19 a.m.

I was wondering when this thread would start. I'm tuned in for progress, I like that you're going to get it mobile with the stock stuff even if it's just temporary. 

Dusterbd13
Dusterbd13 MegaDork
2/6/18 7:44 a.m.

Im in.

SkinnyG
SkinnyG SuperDork
2/6/18 9:22 a.m.

My "time estimate" is 3 to 5 years to finish it.

The V8 Firefly I always said was a 5 year build, but it took 8.  Mind you, two years were spent building a shop, and I squandered a couple years while it was being built at work - at the end of the day I didn't want to stay late, I didn't come in on weekends, and I didn't usually come in during the summer. It got done faster once I got home.

I have no access for a tow truck to get to my shop at home, so the truck has to be driven in.  I'm not comfortable with just using a tow rope at this point.  And besides, I hope to put a permit on it and drive it around just to get a feel for it.

dropstep
dropstep SuperDork
2/6/18 9:51 a.m.

Looks like a great starting point! 

759NRNG
759NRNG Dork
2/6/18 10:18 a.m.

I'm in the big chair with my popcorn....let the show begin!

 

SkinnyG
SkinnyG SuperDork
2/7/18 9:09 a.m.

I need a name for the truck, as all my vehicles have names.  They need to use alliteration, and an allusion to evil:

  • The Heinous Honda
  • The Sinister Sentra
  • The Lethal Locost
  • The Hideous Hardbody
  • The Fiendish Firefly
  • The Terrible Trailer

I failed with the '77 Silverado, and the best I could come up with was "The Crusty Chevy."

The best I can come up with for the '61, breaking tradition again, and based on the hood appearance, is "Nostrildamus." 

Rons
Rons GRM+ Memberand New Reader
2/7/18 9:29 a.m.

In reply to SkinnyG :

How about Concorde Chevy, as Concorde grapes are pretty evil.

RossD
RossD MegaDork
2/7/18 9:32 a.m.

The ApeE36 M3 Apache

wheelsmithy
wheelsmithy GRM+ Memberand Dork
2/7/18 4:52 p.m.

So, this is eventually getting bagged, right?

V8 Power?

Paint or leave the patina?

Shorten the wheelbase? 

Regardless, I like it. Looking forward to updates.

 

fasted58
fasted58 MegaDork
2/7/18 5:11 p.m.

Nice score!

Love that body style, brings back memories.

I had a '66 GMC LWB step side w/ a 305 V-6, loved that truck. I know where all the rust lurks.

Looking forward to the build thread. 

759NRNG
759NRNG Dork
2/7/18 6:28 p.m.

Chief Wahoo...... 

SkinnyG
SkinnyG SuperDork
2/7/18 7:39 p.m.
wheelsmithy said:

So, this is eventually getting bagged, right?

Bagged, V8, Shortened, Lay Frame.  Oh yeah.

759NRNG
759NRNG SuperDork
2/7/18 8:06 p.m.

I'm hoping you go manual, but with your lower back problems....

Bill Mesker
Bill Mesker New Reader
2/7/18 8:06 p.m.
RossD said:

The ApeE36 M3 Apache

This gets my vote

Dirtydog
Dirtydog GRM+ Memberand Reader
2/7/18 8:17 p.m.

Nice find on Ol' Smokey.   A few more rolls of duct tape, and you can have the interior and rust problems licked.   How does it run?  Those old sixes are hard to kill.   Best of luck with it.   I had a 72 1/2 ton that had about 300,000 miles on it when I sold it.

SkinnyG
SkinnyG SuperDork
2/7/18 8:45 p.m.

The back has been doing good for about a month now!  Yay!

I'll try to fire up the 6 when I actually have brakes and a clutch working - hydraulics are shot.

Papabishop
Papabishop New Reader
2/7/18 8:57 p.m.

Awesome truck, love me some old chevys. Learned to drive stick on 72 c10 with "granny" 4spd. Loved it, hated it in parking lots, brother hated me when I burnt clutch in high school during burnout contest

SkinnyG
SkinnyG SuperDork
2/21/18 12:24 a.m.

Got the brake/clutch master off.  Brake piston came out.  Clutch piston had been driven home and is stuck.  I heated it a bit, but left it to soak with "Moovit" penetrant.  Hoping I can salvage the master.

I'm hoping to document this entire project through video.  I reluctantly recognize that I need to get with the 21st century:

 

 

solfly
solfly HalfDork
2/21/18 5:29 a.m.

Following.

Run_Away
Run_Away GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
2/22/18 4:43 p.m.
solfly said:

Following.

Ditto!

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