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The 'Merica Build
Well, I need to document this, so here goes.
At the base of America's mountain Pike's Peak in Colorado Springs sits my '67 M715. It came to me from Iowa, had been sitting in a hanger for years. Rust free, and overall in nice shape. Thanks again, ebay.
The plan? Well, I want to keep the truck stock, as long as it makes sense, but since I like the fire truck red, I posted this over here in Modified Tech so as not to irritate anyone.
The truck runs now, which is great, and does not run too bad, so the initial restoration which will extend through 2018 is to go through the truck and get it all in 'proper' running order and cleaned up. I want to keep the Tornado as long as it will run without giving me fits, so I will replace all rubber, fluids, flush everything, soda blast and rebuild the carb, replace the plugs, etc. From there, I want to install new seats (Corbeau) and a bench in the back for the kids. I am thinking of a dump bed kit too, for the kids, when they are driving me crazy. 'Time to pretend you are in a rocket, kids, hold on tight...'
Living out here, it makes sense to do the axle swap and discs, so I will probably do that at some point, but not really soon. This year I will do some other stuff like fab a new bumper, swap lights for LEDs where needed, and add some lights, fix the parking brake, relocate the batteries, install a remote oil filter to keep the oil extra shiny, replace tires, and blast and paint everything that I can along the way.
I have a 5.7 LS in the garage that I have to put together, and a NP241...so I just need a 4L80E and I will have the makings of the second phase once the Tornado gives out, if it ever does, otherwise I will put that stuff in another project.
To note, I know very little but I have the tools and blood to donate to the truck, and I love it. This is my sort of fun, figuring this stuff out, researching and learning, asking questions, being part of the community, etc.
Feel free to PM me and stop by if you are in town and on the west side, by Garden of the Gods. I provide free lunches and PBR's to Zone folks. I surely will owe you all at least that, and more, by the time I get this truck where I want it to be.
Running Total: $5,000 for the truck, $1,000 for shipping = $6,000
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/f2/fb/d9/f...50700693c5.jpg
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MARCH/APRIL PLAN:
Oil change ($15/gallon, so $21ish, and a $9/filter, Wix 51515).
Fresh plugs (Champion 633, $94/6, sparkplugs.com, magical plug wire wrench, $19).
Air filter (Wix 42050, $17).
Drain and replace coolant ($10).
Transmission and differentials drained and filled ($20).
Everything greased ($10).
Wheels blasted (Armex XL, $40/50# bag), primed (Duplicolor Self-Etch, $7), painted (TBD).
New Power Kings ($300/4, craigslist score), and installed ($40/wheel, GCR, ouch...).
Turn signal switch (Midwest Military, $70) installed. All lights checked.
Front bumper fabbed (7" 9.8lb/ft channel ordered, $TBD), primed, painted.
Mirror arms (Midwest Military, $39 each...thanks John, they are really, really nice!!) primed, painted, installed.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1a06783904.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...e1e32c09c1.jpg
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Rust free...what a deal!!
Love the tires...ran those myself.
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Pertronix
Bought Pertronix from Car Shop, $146, shipped.
Picked up 80" x 7" channel, 9.8# per foot, $60 from Glaser Steel for the bumper.
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Wire wheel therapy. A piece at a time.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...fcce71ba26.jpg
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A very worthwhile investment if you plan on stripping/cleaning lots of small parts is a blasting cabinet. Really only worthwhile if you have an air compressor to support it before hand as well.
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Soda blaster
Totally. I have a soda blaster that is fantastic, but I need a cabinet because I am shooting XL Armex, and I know that I could recycle that a time or two before it is worthless. So, right now I am soaking in Zep Purple, letting all the paint melt off (read: lazy, easy), rinsing, and hitting with a wire wheel to get stuff read for Ospho and self-etch primer. Slowly, methodically, daily...
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Pretty sure drums are supposed to be indexed, so best to mark screw, and hub so it goes back on the same way....or figure out the runout and mount them with the least runout. These are not hub centered, and as are a loose fit to studs need the three screws to center them.
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I took a lot of photos before I took off the drum and I think that I can use those photos to get the drum and the hub back together the way they were. I'm glad that you brought this up though because I had no idea they were indexed. The m715 learning curve strikes again.
Witness marks!!
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Lubrication order hoodie
Made a new tool today.
Using the lubrication order image from the manual, had a shirt printed.
Click the image on the left once you click through the link above to see it enlarged, and if you want one.
Mostly I just really like the diagram of the truck.
Nobody but the lucky few will ever understand.
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brake cylinder kits
I have 3 wagner brake cylinder rebuild kits that I'll give you if you want them.
Just pay the shipping (which shouldn't be much) and I'll get them on the way.
I'll have to go dig through my shelving but I know I didn't throw them away...
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Zone shirt awesomeness
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I like the shirt! I might have to get one
