55 Fargo Posted October 6, 2011 Report Posted October 6, 2011 Okay, cleaned up the ole 55 a bit. The roof is horribly oil canned, but thank God they used thick metals. I popped out what I could, have not used the hammer and dolly yet, used an underinflated basket ball. I then sanded the roof down, and sprayed on picklex, it then got 2 coats of rusty metal primer. This will of course get stripped down once the real body wrok starts, I have through experience found that this rusty metal primer does seal very well, and is nothing like some of the lacquer primers, that do not. On the weekend, going to pickup the 55 Fargo 1/2 ton chassis, and hopefully next week, will place cab onto that chasis, I think this is best, as I do not want a beat up 1 ton chassis, and it is much to stiff and low geared. So tons of work ahead, but felt I should primer this roof, as it will stay outside, and the holes from the cab lights, were allowing water to drain into the cab, and along the front windshield channel, resulting in some rust through. I used filler, and this can be popped out and welded in the future.... Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 6, 2011 Report Posted October 6, 2011 Fred..as the roof panel is accessible from both sides...invest in a large 9" shrinking diss...the thing will amaze you..you have have decent result straight out of the box and you only get better with practice..remember..dents are worked from the perimeter...not the actual middle of the dent.. Quote
55 Fargo Posted October 6, 2011 Author Report Posted October 6, 2011 Fred..as the roof panel is accessible from both sides...invest in a large 9" shrinking diss...the thing will amaze you..you have have decent result straight out of the box and you only get better with practice..remember..dents are worked from the perimeter...not the actual middle of the dent.. Thanx Tim, looking forward to trying out one of those deals, they work that good huh.... Quote
Rusty O'Toole Posted October 6, 2011 Report Posted October 6, 2011 The shrinking discs are great, just remember to use the disc to heat the metal then hammer and dolly it flat. The disc itself is only for heating the metal. Keep this in mind and you will be surprise what a nice job you can do of restoring stretched metal. Quote
55 Fargo Posted October 10, 2011 Author Report Posted October 10, 2011 Hi all ,well have the 55 Fargo 1/2 ton frame home, brakes are seeming okay, beld them, appears to hold pressure and no leaks. It seems to bea 4 spd trans, at least I think it is. The diff is a Mopar 8 1/4 ,with a 3.23 gear ratio, and of courese modern drum brakes. Spent some time on her today, blew out fuel line, opened gas tank drain, quite clean, this truck was driven until 2005, when the owner pulled the body to place ona later model chev chassis. Here are some pics. I hope to sit the cab on the frame, very soon, willleave off everything else, so I can clean up and paint everything. The engine is a good running 251, even the water tube slides out and is clean as a whistle... Quote
55 Fargo Posted October 11, 2011 Author Report Posted October 11, 2011 Nice sunny day today, cleaned all grease zerks, and greasd all too. Mounted 2 of my used tires on rims, added hub caps and rings for fun, shoulda painted rims red, and I might still. These wheels are for rolling while I fix up the truck. Also noticed 2 things today, 1 rear leaf spring is shifted and reatiner is bent , will need to correct this. Also rear ujoint does not fit into the drive shaft yolk as it should, it does fit the 8 1/4 diff youl just fine, will need to do something with this too. Brake fluid and is holding, at least it appears to, but still need to go through entire brake system, leaning very muc toward Olddaddy discs for up front, and possibly a dual MC, it would not be a difficult install.... Quote
carls 49 Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 thanks for pics and updates. roof looks great. your making nice progress and sounds like your having fun. Quote
55 Fargo Posted October 12, 2011 Author Report Posted October 12, 2011 Okay today removed ront clip, and sat it on the 55 Fargo 1/2 ton short frame, fits fine. Pulled rad, antifreeze looked clean, Seafoam deep creep, has a been a big help in this process. The cab is unbolted to, have a few more things to do, like pull steering column and clutch/brake pedal extensions, then she can be lifted off and into place. My plan is to get the engine running on fargo, then will pull front clip again, and start the paint and clean up process, but want to make sure this engine is running well first, and like my projects to be mobile on their own steam. For this year, just going to do the transplant, and fix rust hole at back of cab, and let her be for winter, will search for much needed window and door latch parts this winter.... Quote
catfishcuz Posted October 12, 2011 Report Posted October 12, 2011 Man it looks like winter up there already the trees in the pictures are all bare. Butch Quote
55 Fargo Posted October 12, 2011 Author Report Posted October 12, 2011 Man it looks like winter up there already the trees in the pictures are all bare. Butch really, did not see snow in my picture it was about 66 degrees, and it was 74 yesterday. The leaves had just turned last week or so, but last Friday a wicked wind strom blew them all out of the trees, my grass is brown, because we had a drought here, this summer, much like Oklahoma and that way, no rain, dry hot and dusty..... ps tons of leaves on the trees, east of my yard, the willows got theres blown out quick, but winter will be soon up here... Quote
catfishcuz Posted October 12, 2011 Report Posted October 12, 2011 really, did not see snow in my picture it was about 66 degrees, and it was 74 yesterday.The leaves had just turned last week or so, but last Friday a wicked wind strom blew them all out of the trees, my grass is brown, because we had a drought here, this summer, much like Oklahoma and that way, no rain, dry hot and dusty..... ps tons of leaves on the trees, east of my yard, the willows got theres blown out quick, but winter will be soon up here... OK THAT SPLIANS IT, your right winter will be soon Quote
55 Fargo Posted October 14, 2011 Author Report Posted October 14, 2011 Doors off, ready to lif off cab and place on other frame, the pic of me is lifting 1 side of the cab by myself, should be a snap when the 2 buddies arive.... Quote
55 Fargo Posted October 21, 2011 Author Report Posted October 21, 2011 Although it does not look like it, a lot of progress on this project has been made already. Cab was swapped onto 55 fargo chassis, most engine components are back on, engine is not quite ready to start yet. Brakes are bled and working, with no signs of leaking. Gas tank and lines are clean,. drain plug was undone on gas tank, no crud came out, just dust. Rad was fairly clean, flushed her out good, no crud came out, a little bit of rusty water, it drained super fast, it is back in truck all new hoses, water pump, new t/stat. Carb is all cleaned out, need a kit, fuel pump all cleaned, need to plumb line from fuel pump to carb, and to add a filter before fuel pump. Ignition is all back together, not sure my coil is any good yet. Starter motor waiting on brushes, and might have located a 12 volt autolite gen, I have the regulator. Havin fun with this old truck, next year front clip comeback off, to start the clean up and body work. A few pics of me having fun Quote
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