1978 luv # 2
 

History repeats itself :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-Ot...#ht_190wt_1429

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

My first Luv was a baby blue 1978 . I have a garage full of parts waiting on a decent body . I had to pay for it though . Here is the first one :
Before
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...2Image0001.jpg
after
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...1Image0041.jpg

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Pictures of it loaded up in Austin , Texas
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps49228df9.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...a2f8760f-1.jpg

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

It amazes me the money these trucks command now, just like the vegas and pintos.

That thing is exceptionally clean.

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

OK.... repeat after me

Hi, my name is Hotrod 80, and I have a Luv Problem

(this "I can quit any time I want just isn't gonna fly any more"!!! <grins>)

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Guess im the offical mini truck hoarder .:lol:

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

well got a bit done . Sent these to the chromer to have them straightened out and rechromed . Cleaned up and painted the brackets black .
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps262b5df7.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps66353850.jpg
Got the seat out and the door panels off and at the upolstry shop . Picked out the new materials it will be dark blue . Anyway just a small update .
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psb6117c47.jpg

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Sweet truck.

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

How many little trucks do you own now? You're as bad as my buddy Alex, (2) S-10 V8 trucks and (2) LUV V8 trucks.

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Thanks

I have the Yellow 76' stepside , my primary race truck , the 89 S-10 with the 5.3 which my buddies wife is driving this year in DOT class , this truck the 78' which will be getting the 350 GM crate motor out of my 49' 5 window when I swap the 6.0 into it .

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Small update:
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psae01e44b.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps9cd8f8de.jpg

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Still chipping away at this . Front 5 lug conversion done . Doing the rear this week .
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps5oweippe.jpg

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

What are you going to do with it when it's done?

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Probably footbrake it and just drive it around on the street .

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

I ended up buying the white truck back from the guy i sold it to . Guess he got into money issues . I pulled the stuff i needed from the white truck . Rear axle , fuel system , exhaust etc and sold the body . These trucks in decent condition dont last around here , and a roller 5 lug swapped and V-8 ready was sold in about 2 days .

So the 9 inch is in the blue truck already ( 3.60 & 31 spline ) and the motor 383 out of the white truck is being inspected and fresh inserts . TH350 3500 converter drive shaft etc . Shouldnt be long now .
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psx5qbcqbh.jpg

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Got the motor apart yesterday and unfortunately they left water in the cylinders #8 being the worst . I wet everything down with WD-40 and pulled the pistons . Most of the cylinders just had dark marks in them . I hit them by had with a purple scotch bright pad and they went away . #8 has some ridges or grooves that I can catch my nail on . Going to ball hone all of these first and see if they clean up . All the bearings look great no metal in the pan . Talked to comp today about regrinding the cam .236/,245 .608/.614 on 108 hydraulic roller . Last time slip for this motor was a 6.88 @ 99 , it was probably coming apart at that point due to being over revved . Machine shop has pressure checked the heads and they are good . Not 100% sure this wont end up in my Yellow truck

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Got a bit further this week . I bought an Eastwoods 135 mig welder which is 110 volt as I don't have 220 in my garage . Really surprised how well this thing works . Chassis shop would have charged me $500 at least and last time I had to take it back and have the mounts rewelded cause the didn't put the motor back far enough . Anyway: my old fastburn headed motor , th350 , 3500 TCI converter , block huggers , an HEI , and my Divinci gas carb . This motor had a touch of piston rattle on ethanol with 35 degrees of locked timing . It will be fine on gas with an advance curve . Leak down was good .
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps5tnh0amq.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psnohtves7.jpg

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

I'm starting to think you have entirely too much time on your hands. When you finish this one,, can you come finish one of my projects!!!

http://www.small-block-chevy.com/ima.../mechanic2.gif

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

x2
i'm starting to think I should move closer..
I can make sure Hotrod don't run out of something to do on all them slow days..:chevy:

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

i had no idea these were valued parts. i see these at our local upullnpay all the time almost untouched.
back in the 90`s my uncle built up a 77 mikado lifted high and a turbo buick regal v6.
kick ass truck

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

I really have to many projects . I was just talking about tearing down the garage and adding on to it .

I hear this all the time . These truck were "Japanese junk" to a lot back then . They are surprisingly well built though . I would venture to say built better than a full size . Borderline industrial in many ways . Fully boxed frame from front to back , 7 welded in crossmembers front to rear , tried and true double a arm design , torsion bars like a Mopar , the factory rear axle puts an S-10 axle to shame and is a down sized 9 inch basically . dang near bullit proof 4 cylinder Isuzu fork lift motor . They were sold as a "Faster" in Japan and a KB 20 through 26 in Australia based on which model or options you got . They are getting very rare . Most are on the west coast or south . Story I heard was they came hooked 4 each to drive them into cargo ships and the beds came stacked on the top deck unpainted . They unloaded them here and the dealers painted the beds and installed them along with the bumpers . They were then sold as "assembled in the USA" . For this reason some of the beds rotted out quickly due to salt spray also the dealers sold aftermarket stepside beds . They are beginning to get rare now . This one will be completely stock except V8 , auto and 9 inch . No suspension mods at all except shocks in the rear . They ride great with a V8

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

well if you need any parts im at the u pullit all the time and theres a bunch of them here. just let me know

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Following this one. My first vehicle was a 1976 baby blue Chevy Luv. Still have it sitting in the back.

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Got a bit more done recently . Fuel system is finished . Driveshaft in . headers are on . getting closer . Radiator and alt bracket should be here Tuesday or so.

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Shifter mounted and interior coming around .
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psqexnhl8v.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psjwt8dtf0.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psotkwum20.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps9delmvav.jpg