ggdad1951 truck project montage: FEF!

[Jeff Balazs]

Mark;

Chances are the threads are pretty much toast. More than likely a section of thread has actually broken away. If you do end up saving it and cleaning up the threads I would be sure to apply never-seize. Actually some sort of thread lubricant or sealer is probably a good idea anytime you use SS. This is not an isolated incident.

I've had enough problems with stainless threads in marine applications that I think I would just go straight to the surgical tools. It is wonderful stuff....until this happens.

Jeff

[John-T-53]

Where exactly is the crack? Next to the step down where the hood sits?

[ggdad1951]

yep

[John-T-53]

A popular area for cracks...got one in the same spot!

[ggdad1951]

coupla buddies came over today we finished everything (for the most part) to make FEF road ready! He's running fuel from his own gas tank, VR in working order, temp gauge happy, fuel gauge happy, headlights happy. Chased the body panels around a bit after heating and bending the passenger door top hinge to make the door sit right.

I decked the cap top and that no longer leaks at all now!

Time to do some touch up paints on the freshly put in bolts and call it ready for now, take him to a local guy to fix a coupla scratches from assembly and a good final buff.

Things I need to figure:

panel lights don't work, new switch and bulbs....

headlight high/low beam switch is a bit flakey, most likely need a new one.

get the hood reassembled and test fit

for your viewing pleasure:

http://s1178.photobucket.com/albums/x365/ggdad1951/?action=view&current=video-2012-05-27-11-50-29.mp4

[pflaming]

I found my panel lights were hard to get to ground. Once I got a good ground they were OK. They are a little dim though. I added a light to my Speedometer.

It's a great feeling, I know. Now my goal is to get to 45 mph. Great workmanship.

Edited May 27, 2012 by pflaming

[Merle Coggins]

FEF???

One piece at a time it all comes together. Gonna have it ready to drive it to Todd B's party in August?

Merle

[Young Ed]

Great progress too bad I didn't make it over today to witness any firsthand. I made some progress getting Spot put back together so I can make the 50s too. After I finish the engine up I still need to get atleast 1 seatbelt in the rear.

Your high low beam switch may just need to be cycled a few times to clean up the insides. Otherwise napa has one thats almost perfect. Everything is the same except it only has 3 terminals instead of 4 so you have to double up 2.

[Desotodav]

Great job Mark. Love that sound - music to a Mopar truck man's ears!!!

Desotodav

[ggdad1951]

FEF???

One piece at a time it all comes together. Gonna have it ready to drive it to Todd B's party in August?

Merle

FEF: Fredrich Elsworth Fritsche. ggdads first name, my fathers middle and my last name. Had to name him something!

I should be ready for August. I hope....

[Jeff Balazs]

Mark;

Nice......soooo nice! Bet you can hardly stand it now.

It is really gratifying to see this all come together. I hope you get a lot of use from it. You've earned it.

Jeff

[ggdad1951]

took FEF out for his first real drive today! Put about about 10 miles on. I've got a video, but it needs some (boring) time cut out before I post it. Meanwhile here's a photo.

got a little noise when slowing down in the drive train, but I was told that was going to happen from the rebuilder. The gas tank is now full and we test fit the hood and it looks good. Speedo is going to have to make a trip to Keven for work as it isn't working My buddy following said I hit 45MPH, but it was REALLY hard to tell with the speedo not working and no glass (noisy). Drives like a tractor, handles like a tractor, and oddy not that hard to drive. NOT what I remember!

SOOOO emotionally drained! But SOOOO happy!

[HanksB3B]

Gosh I love driving with no hood!

Congratulations!

Hank

[Dave72dt]

No bumper, no turn signals, no rear view mirror, no brake lights, no license plates and no cops. Everybody needs a boost like that. Looks really good. Made my day!

[Desotodav]

Congratulations Mark! I remember a thread not so long go where "some guy" was sitting on a crate driving a bare chassis around - boy haven't you progressed in leaps and bounds since that day!!!

Desotodav

[Todd B]

Looks awesome!!! I am thinking you added a few more beers to your book after that run. It must have been alot easier to drive up your steep driveway then push it up like last time. Keep up the great work.

Todd B

[ggdad1951]

No bumper, no turn signals, no rear view mirror, no brake lights, no license plates and no cops. Everybody needs a boost like that. Looks really good. Made my day!

oh, there is a tail light and rear plate, my buddies following said the brake light is BRIGHT!...never will have turn signals, not needed! No Cops was nice tho!

[Young Ed]

Looks great! Was the shifting better with a proper seat and floor? Now you can be at back to the 50s! When I built my pickup my dad said "If you ever want to add turnsignals run 2 brake light wires to the back" which I said nah I'll never add those. After 5-6 years the hand signal thing got annoying and I added signals and couldn't help remembering saying I'd never want them as I crawled under the truck to redo the brake light wire to the rear.

[ggdad1951]

shifting much better, downshifting to 2nd is tough...need to learn that double clutch thing!

and here are the videos (click the picture to link and view):

Edited June 4, 2012 by ggdad1951

[Young Ed]

To second or third?? I wouldn't think you'd need to downshift to second much. I think you're just supposed to stop and then go to second.

[ggdad1951]

To second or third?? I wouldn't think you'd need to downshift to second much. I think you're just supposed to stop and then go to second.

down to 2nd when stopping

[Young Ed]

Oh thats easy. STOP first then go to second.

[Merle Coggins]

Don't you have a syncro trans? There should be a syncro assembly between 2nd and 3rd making those shifts easy. Maybe there's a problem with it.

Merle

[HanksB3B]

Never will have turn signals, not needed!

Oh, you'll install turn signals alright. It won't be because your hand gets cold in winter, it won't be because your arm gets tired, it will be after a few left turn near misses and you come to the realization that you might as well have someone riding in the truck bed (as if you can do that anymore) sending smoke singals because drivers today don't have a clue what a hand signal is let alone which is left which is right and the stop signal forgetaboutit they'll figure you are throwing out a cigarette butt. Oh you'll install turn signals alright, trust me, do it now.

Hank

Edited June 1, 2012 by HanksB3B

[pflaming]

WHen you down shift you have to rev the engine up. Rev it higher then you think, then put the shift in position and the gears will mesh when they are are the same speed. BUT you have to rev the engine higher than you think, double clutching does not help if you do not rev. In every gear, there is an rpm spot where the engine is being taxed and asks for a new gear. Listen for that, it's the same in every gear. When in 2nd gear speed up to that sound, then back off a bit and the engine will 'relax'. That is where it runs the best. When you reach that sound (rpm) then you shift. There is also a lugging sound where the engine is asking for a lower gear. Find that sound.

Those are the two rpms at which I shift up or down. Once you know those sounds, then you find an intermediate sound at which you 'cheat' in order to maintain a nice rpm range thus a nice even power range. Drivers who always lug or race their engines wear them out fast. Keep that nice soft spot range and the engine will last a long time.

I had a nephew who liked his VW van but said it was too sluggish and couldn't pull a hill. So I took him for a drive and kept the engine at a nice rpm by down shifting. He learned how very quickly. It's really enjoyable to drive w/o clutching, up or down, you'll learn how. AND it makes no difference with a load or without.

Edited June 1, 2012 by pflaming