Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

I'm using Rotella 15W-40 in my 478 as break in oil because it contains zinc, so why would you need to add additional zinc to it?:helpsign:

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

TJ,

If you think a brake line hose is going bad, change it as soon as you can. I had one go out on a 64 GMC pickup with a single pot master cylinder while coming back from a trip to the mountains with a load of trash and lost all hydraulic brakes. I was saved by the emergency brake that operates the rear wheel brakes manually. A few weeks later, the emergency brake cable broke, so I was very lucky. This was a wake-up call about how important being able to stop is. I have since replaced all brake line hoses, put in a new emergency brake cable (made locally and works great), and installed a dual pot master cylinder (where the hardest part was bending a new line to fit under the motor).

JRMunn

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

My bad, I didn't know it already had zinc in it! haha! Thanks!
Will do! 1st I noticed it was when I had the truck on a lift, that was a wake up call just Noticing it! haha Gonna try and get it replaced today. As of now I've just been slowing down really early so I don't have to use the brakes to much. lol

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

New tires came in today! And here's a picture of the new rims!

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Nice TJ! Are those the GM factory 16" steel wheels.

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Thanks man! Unfortunately the rims are off a ford, but I will grind the blue oval stamp off and the curse will be lifted. :thumbsup:

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Well I got Crustine's new tires mounted this morning !:thumbsup:

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Hey TJ! Those ford wheels bolted up right? I might have to do that. I'm hating life with these 15s and GMC rims are tough to come by. What were they to originally?

Your new tires look SLICK! :thumbsup:

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Yep, the ford rims have a little larger center hole, but they will fit fine. Be sure to get them off a 60's or early 70's truck as I believe the bolt patterns changed. Have you considered just going with a taller tire for the 15's? These are almost 32 inches tall and you can get that size with a 15 inch rim. Thanks man!

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Pep. You have 6 lug wheels. TJ has 8 lug. Put some 31-10.50 -15tires on yours Pep. Easy peasy. I just put some goodyears in that size on my 82 f150

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Man I'm glad you're back. Those numbers don't even sound like a tire. Looked them up and boom, chunky piecrust tires with lots of MEAT. Thanks!

(sorry for the temp hijack TJ! :hijacked:)

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

No biggie Fetch! I didn't take the time to think yours was a half ton when you said 15's! But yes, 31 inch tires are available...heck, I had 30's on my 66.

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Hi guys! Well I replace the front bumper today. Getting Crustine all prepped for the show on the 25th. Perrty excited!

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Hi guys! Picked up this clock from a member at a different forum. Unsure of weather it works or not, but it will be neat in the dash!

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Hi guys! Well I fried the points on Crustine's engine. haha To much coil....Pertronix 45K coil with stock points....after about 1000 miles they were toast. haha SO, since I had the old pertronix unit sitting in a box that I had used on my old 292 I decided to see if it would fit the 305's dizzy. Sure enough, it fell right it almost to easy! Made for a nice little improvement! Idles smoother and even pulls a bit smoother. Moving up in the world! I'm pointless now! Though I do have two spare sets of points in the glove box just in case. :thumbsup:

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Well Crustine did really well at the show today. She won best under construction again! And here is a quick picture I took of my group. :thumbsup:

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Congratulations and well done TJ!!

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Thanks man! It was a blast! :thumbsup:

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Hi guys! Got the new to me clock installed this evening. :thumbsup:

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Does it work?

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Hi Ed, Don't know if it works or not. I'm going to hook up some power to it this evening and see if it does. It if doesn't a guy on another forum gave some tips on cleaning the insides.

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

TJ,
Really like what you're doing with your truck. Also really like your gusto and enthusiasm when it comes to these great GMC's. Keep up the great work and look forward to your posts.

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Thanks man! I've always enjoyed unique and different. :thumbsup: I tend not to follow the crowd. haha

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

My new MSD box showed up yesterday. Little spendy, but thought it would be interesting to try out. Will work well in the RPM range of these engines. Now I have to order new plug wires because this box does not work well with solid core plug wires. :pullinghairout: Oh well....guess they just try and get ya where ever they can!

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

So it looks like you'll have to use resistor wires, let me know how it works out. Wonder if it will work with the setup I got in my HEI? It's got an MSD coil and a MSD Digital Module with rev limiter:helpsign:

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Should work fine with yours. It is for points and hei setups. Gives several sparks instead of just one. Pretty cool. :thumbsup:

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

That's what I heard, it actually fires the plugs even when they don't need to be fired!:thumbsup:

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

And if not wired correctly....will allow the engine to stay running weather the key is on or off! :ahhhh: Got my "correct" plug wires in. Universals so I gotta cut to fit. Nice set though.

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Hi guys, wiring my MSD box in as I type. lol Did get all connections wired up and man she runs and is more responsive than before! Excited for a test run!

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Well I got the box loomed up and wired in. Works nicely! Have some retuning to do and I need to gap the plugs a bit wider, but the engine idles really smooth and it is Very responsive....2nd gear pulls so fast I can't shift fast enough! Will report again and get a video soon. I really don't like hammering on this engine as I am trying to make it last as long as possible. haha Main reason I do these mods is to see how efficient they are.

MSD box: $225(discounted). $249.95 without.

Plug wires: $46 MSD Street Fire 8.0 spiral core universals.

Time: 5 hours installing.

Worth it? Depends on how much you expect. I feel like it gets better throttle response, little better acceleration, starts better, and smoother idle. Also doesn't back fire when slowing down either. Like said, I am sure gapping the plugs a bit wider will help as they come around .035 to .040 and I could push .060 if I wanted to! I did check the spark from the coil to the valve cover.....and needless to say it left burn marks on the paint. haha Not much effort either.

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

If you want to go to .060 gap, that's something I just did recently on the plugs then get some HEI spec plugs. I found AC R44XLS6 PLUGS have the correct 3/4 reach and are within the heat range. These plugs are actually for a 90's GM 4 cylinder application:ok:

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Cool! I'll look into a set! I have NGK's in it right now. Was gonna gap then at .045 or .050 and see how the engine responds. Have to clean out the spark plug galleys again cause they have pine needles! lol

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Well today we had a car show in Grants Pass which is about 36 miles from me. Crustine did great on the way up and through the day, but on the way back everything went hay wire. Bout half way home I lost power going up a grade. That I believe was due to vapor lock as the metal fuel filter was pretty hot. Was able to make it home by putting a cold wet rag on the filter. Then this evening I readjusted the timing to 6 degrees and took it for a short drive. She ran like normal. Come home and I hear water leaking. :pullinghairout: Now I have a stinkin water leak coming from the back or side of the block. Oh well...guess ya gotta pay to have fun. Hope it's not a fricken freeze plug cause the one on the back of the head is sure a pitb to get to. Crustine might be down for awhile. Can't keep up.

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Well guys, today I spent the whole darn day pulling the engine....****...in the time it took to pull this motor I had the cab, front clip, bed, and motor and tranny out of my 66! lol What a pita this was to pull. Didn't help that I had to separate the trans at all. Least with the bell housing design of the chevy 6 you can separate it from the engine without having to take the stinkin flywheel off! :pullinghairout: Well, motor is out. I am going to do a full reseal and install a new flywheel(If I can get one), clutch, and pressure plate. As you will see in the pictures they are toast. Also broke a motor mount so I will need one of them. Least the motor will look nice again. Gonna paint it up. Debating weather I should do the red or go detroit diesel green. Guess I could try both and see. lol

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

2nd set of pictures. Nice chuck out of the clutch there. NOT my driving.

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

And this is why when I pull the motor from one of my trucks, I remove the front clip. Once the front clip is gone... comes out easily.
Well, once you remember to remove the shifter off the transmission (if a toploader) it comes out and then goes back in relatively easy.

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Reason my 292 was easy was because I could separate the bell housing from the block without having to take the stinkin flywheel and pressure plate off. lol Once I got the trans separated the engine pulled out with ease. Heavy beast, but it came out. Going back in will be another story.

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Well it is Monday the 1st and the time is 11:28 PM. After 8 hours of work I came home and started straight into tearing this engine down. And didn't stop until 11 pm. What a stinkin pain. Ending up that I have to pull the crank shaft out so I can replace the rear main seal. Which has revealed to me the rod and main bearings. Ugh. For a fairly low mileage engine...they suck. But the sucker didn't knock so they are gonna stay and go right back where they came from. Crank is sure a beast. That'll be fun lifting out...all on account of a stupid rear main seal. :pullinghairout: Darn thing better not leak a drop of nothing after all this work. Should look nice at least. I'm exhausted....had a 14 hour day. lol Glad I have the day off of work tomorrow.

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Got busy on it again today. Removed the crank and ripped out the old rear main. Now I am waiting on my gasket set, rod and main bearings(they need replace), and a new timing chain. Clutch kit should be here Wednesday. Also have a new oil pump on order as well. Got to work on cleaning the engine up and I painted the oil pan and motor mounts.

Re: 1964 GMC "crustine" semi-build.
 

Crankshaft weighs a Ton! And these are the largest main caps I have seen yet. Sheesh!