[updated:LAST EDITED ON Nov-21-02 AT 04:05 PM (CST)]Hello Chevy enthusiast, my name is Joey I am a proud owner of a 63’inline 6, 230hp fleet long bed pick up. I’m not a wrench although I’m really looking forward to investing time in making this truck a neck breaker. My truck is a four speed manual transmission. One of the reasons it was sold. Apparently not fast enough or practical for commuting 100 miles round trip everyday. I don’t mind so much but it seems to run hard in forth gear. I have been driving the truck from time to time and all seems well. Although a problem has seem to occurred. Not being use to having a parking break on the floor. I drove with it on for a block or two with smoke coming up into the cab. Realizing the parking break was on. Ever since then, while coming to a stop I hear kind of like a metal-to-metal, scraping noise beneath the front end? This is where another problem comes in. My dad and I decided to check the breaks. Not being familiar of eight bolt lugs. We weren’t able to remove the drum. My dad and I were also considering dual break cylinder If it can be easily done? Just recently I bought a 63’ shop manual. I’ve been spending a lot of time with my noise in this book. Some things I’m not fully under standing. Please forgive my lack of wrench skills. Willing to learn. (Open to all suggestions.) Not afraid to get my hands dirty Excuse me if I miss spell or don't make any sense Not the greatest speller or was good in grammar Joey (San Jose, California)
Joey, the brakes on your truck sound like the biggest problem at the moment. If you plan on driving the truck before fixing it up a little, those drums will have to come off. The brake drums on my half ton put up a fight, and I found that they have to come STRIAGHT off the spindle(not at an angle)since they are(were) perfectly parallel with the brake shoes. There should be some far better tips elsewhere in this forum about getting those things off(search brake drum). Try draining the brake system too, it might make the shoes retract a little bit. I am assuming that the eightlug drums on your 3/4 ton are really similar to the ones on half ton trucks. For upgrades like disk brakes, Classic Performance Products, Early Classic, or Mike McGaughy's sell dropped spindles and disk brake components-from calipers and rotors to lines, dual master cylinders and power brake boosters. I think all three catalogs are free. Just go to one of their websites and order a catalog. Also this month, the magazine Classic Trucks has their annual issue of Classic Truck Trends out. In it there is a pictorial step-bystep article on upgrading to disks. It might be worth a few bucks to look at. GOOD LUCK! --TrustyRusty
Hi Joey, Sorry it took so long to reply. If you are new to this I have a few suggestions. 1) Pick up the Factory Service Manual. I think ChevyDuty carries them and you can check e-Bay as well. This documents all repair procedures and will pay for itself in time saved and parts broken by incorrect removal procedures. 2) Start looking at magazines like Custom Classic Trucks and Classic Trucks. These will educate you on what other folks are doing, popular modifications, and help you decide what you want to do with your ride. and lastly,,, 3) Pick up the Factory Service Manual..... Regards Dvalentine
