That's what I used, one of those wheel brushes on the end of my drill. Im gonna use that on the frame and everything else. It's cheaper to buy those then risk damaging the truck with sand blasting and who knows what else,. I strongly believe in that saying, " if you want something done right , you do it yourself".
L6 Engines I think the original long GMC MOTORS are outstanding and well worth the effort & $ to overhaul . They rarely need an actual rebuild .
cleaning a frame This is what I do and it works very well. Go down to (The Walmart) every hick town has one, and buy a gallon of purple cleaner. Don't dilute it down just use it strait out of the container. The best way to put it on is with a siphon sprayer that you hook up to your compressor. Then just spray it on. This stuff will take everything off including the paint right down to the bare metal. Let it soak then wash it off. The best way to wash it off though is with the pressure washer but a garden hose will probably work but you will have to do it a couple of times. If it's just rusty old paint I use a 4" grinder with a pearl disk and it will clean a frame in a couple of hours. For paint go back down to the Walmart and get a quart of Rustolim red primer and a quart of semi gloss black Rustolium (8 bucks a quart) and a quart of mineral spirits. If you thin down the paint a little with mineral spirits it will dry pretty fast, other wise Rustolium stays soft for a long time. The frame on this truck was done this way and it didn't take long at all. The rear was wet from the rain in the first picture but the paint is smooth. The fender wells were painted with Imeron I also have a attachment for my pressure washer that will draw sand while I wash but instead of using sand I use diatimisish earth which is a pool filter media that is a very fine powder made out of ground glass. This stuff will take a frame down to the metal without pitting.....Big Tim
Wow, thanks for some great info. Im definitely gonna try that since this truck isn't too bad at all. whats a safe way to wash the engine? Also I ordered the Master cylinder and as soon as I have brakes I will take it on a drive thru the neighborhood just out of curiosity until I get turn signals and brake lights.
If it's just a old engine that you're trying to clean up and re paint you can use the purple cleaner and a wire brush. If the engine is painted and new looking, what I do is go down to the Harley shop and get a product called S 100 cycle cleaner. This stuff cuts the grime with out bleaching the paint or aluminum. Just spray it on and let it sit for a few minutes then wash it off. Then I use the leaf blower to dry. This takes all the hard work out of washing your engine compartment. S 100 also has a product that you can spray on a clean engine that will make everything including the hoses look like brand new, I think it has some kind of silicone in it. Both of these engines have been together for several years and still look as good as the day they were put in...Big Tim
Thanks for the up date of what this stuff is really made out of however, it does work very well for blasting and you can also dust your lawn with this stuff and it will kill bugs too. Years ago I lived next to a guy who built and maintained swimming pools and this is where I got my information. He may not have been right about what this stuff was made of but he was right on about what it could be used for....Big Tim
Ok now im kinda pissed. I ordered a new master-cylinder thinking I was going to be able to drive this truck soon. Well today I decided to power wash the entire area under the hood. When the grease was gone, I discovered this problem that changes everything. So what direction do you guy think I should take now as far as the engine goes? Im thinking a crate 350 or something along those lines.
Quick question. How hard would it be to change the front to a Chevy front end? Just a hood and grill or modifications required?
Wow, looks like it got caught in a freeze. So what direction are you trying to go with this project, stock, hot rod, daily driver? There are a lot of things to consider when you are thinking about installing a small block like brake, steering and suspension upgrades. If you get in a hurry you might regret some quick decision making down the road. Stock 6's aren't too hard to find, just take your time. E bay has always been a good source of locating parts for me as well as swap meets and old wreaking yards .....Big Tim
I definitely want a clean hot rod, I want my truck to look like this. ..and sound like this. http://youtu.be/j2CHCgEmu20 I know for sure that I want the Mustang 2 IFS, 4 link rear and a 350 or something like that.
Well today I used my actual camera and took more pics. Before I give up on the engine, I think im gonna try few things, like JB weld and that stuff you put in your coolant to plug holes. If that doesn't work then I'll go from there.
Putting the Chevy front end on as the Folks from Az. did on the Red G that was behind me at the Brothers Truck Shop last year is a good way to go, but also here are some shots of other good looking G's which were at that show also.
That is the 50 I built a while back. It has a Fatman coilover front end, a Nova rear end...we think. Supercharged 350/350t. Full power everything and chrome everything. Leather interior. Started as West Virginia coal miner's truck. Had plate steel floors and cowls, concrete patching fenders. Ended up being a $50k truck.
Russ, Thats a great looking truck, what is really kool about it, G owners are wanting to change out their front ends to get that 50K look. Job well done, Charles
