'72 Project Deplorable

[ChuckLee]

I knew u were lying!!!

[TXBoudy]

Yep! I saw it as a covert way to sabotage your entire powder coating dreams.

Boudy

[88Stanger]

awesome job so far

[TXBoudy]

Some parts came in so I got the new fuel system started. I would like to comment that I am very pleased with the quality of Boyd's Welding products. My fuel cell was a Boyd's so I ordered their adapter for Aeromotive pumps along with their install kit because my cell mounting was initially unacceptable. Boyd's products are very well made and engineered, I highly recommend. The Aeromotive Phantom 340 installed without issue but took way more time than I hoped because most days seem to be spent waiting on parts vs actually getting work done. Pretty much my own fault however as I keep adding to and changing the plan as I go.

[TXBoudy]

More on the fuel system.

[TXBoudy]

Update on windows. Brothers finally delivered my one piece window kit (took 3 weeks due to back-ordered part) so I manged to get my original parts modified and they are now ready to be installed into the doors. My new regulators also came in and they have been modified for conversion to power windows as seen in BonnieClyde100's regulators on the cheap thread. The plates are also made and motors on the shelf, I just need to get my hands on a welder again. Ugh...

[TXBoudy]

So how's this damn thing going to be shifted? Well, I'll have a center console with floor shifter so I picked up an Ididit tilt column to replace my OEM column. My desire was a ratchet shifter but everything on the market seemed to look too race inspired or too modern for my taste so I found myself an old ratchet/slap shifter out of a Camaro. They are rare but there's a guy on ebay who refurbishes them for a reasonable price. Camaro shift knobs suck but 3rd gen Vette knobs are cool so work to convert my new shifter to accept the Vette knob if finally complete.

[TXBoudy]

I'll admit, this shifter is one of my favorite parts so far.

[TXBoudy]

My motor is supposed to be ready for pick-up this week. It and the torque converter have been at the shop. The motor for a new cam and an inspection tear-down while the converter is having stall added to match the cam. When it returns I can get it placed back into the chassis, finish the fuel system, and install the new EFI carb. After that I'll get the exhaust cutouts installed before reinstalling the cab. At that point, it'll finally be to the point where it was months ago when I was about to have it painted.

[TXBoudy]

Unfortunately the motor's vacation to the machine shop found a problem, big problem, huge problem, huge, biggly huge... The crank has about .120" end play vs the acceptable .015". Thrust bearings look good so until he tears it all the way down we're assuming some idiot over machined either the crank or the block. Probably going to just use what I can salvage and build a stroker.

In the mean time, got me a Harbor Freight blasting cabinet and assembled it with LED strips for extra light and a Dust Deputy. (I'm sure my shop neighbor is going to appreciate it, although he will probably never say so. Really good guy, my neighbor.)

I did get a little done. You can see my new electric door handles below. They are to activate a door solenoid that is only hot when I'm in proximity of the truck. The truck will be a keyless vehicle, everything comes to life when the RF-ID token is within 5 feet.

[ripdog28]

Loving the build.

[TXBoudy]

Thank you.

[TXBoudy]

Here's what we found at the Engine Spa.

Boudy's wonderful rebuilt engine! YouTube

[AnotherWs6]

Can't just throw a couple of washers on that bad boy? Lol.

[Farm Shop]

Fantastic build. Loving all the custom touches instead of off-the-shelf kits.

Will you have any way to manually open the doors if/when the battery dies, or if the key fob is lost?

[ChuckLee]

Originally Posted by AnotherWs6

Can't just throw a couple of washers on that bad boy? Lol.

+2

[TXBoudy]

Lol, I just love you guys! We don't know where the problem is yet. If it's the crank, we may add metal and machine it back to tolerance. If it's the block, it's junk. Unfortunately I can't make myself live with shims. I'll be happy if we can just repair the crank and move on but if I need a block them I'm going with a Dart replacement and a 427 stroker kit. I guess it's a win/win with 2 pricing levels.

Thanks Farm Shop, I love craftsmanship so I spend hours staring at it to come up with ways to make it different and unique while still keeping it somewhat OEMish, I don't want it to look like a Gotham City reject. As for getting in with a dead battery, not sure yet. Since we didn't fill the key hole in the doors, I thought about converting the key lock mechanism to a cable release. I have to stare at it a few more hours to give a more accurate answer. Lol...

[faribran]

You might need to do a step by step on the electric door latch.

[TXBoudy]

Originally Posted by faribran

You might need to do a step by step on the electric door latch.

Certainly! However, I should probably wait until I get the door back together and test it. lol... Just sayin'...

[TXBoudy]

Well I got good news today! It looks like there was extreme pressure pushing forward on the crankshaft causing the thrust surface to grind down. Shop thinks the torque converter may not have been installed properly and then it was all pulled together with the bellhousing bolts. So it seems the fix is to weld material to the crank then machine it back to spec. Worst case, I may have to purchase a new crank and have it balanced. Although a big stroker sounds really nice... Well let's just say that I'm glad I don't have to pay for it.

[TXBoudy]

Engine Update: I got a call that the crankshaft is repaired and I can pick the engine up on Friday. Also spoke in depth to the previous owner and he confirmed that the torque converter was in-fact installed correctly as he's installed dozens over the years. This was actually a little bothersome as now I don't have a smoking gun that caused the damage. In case there is a problem in the TH400 causing abnormally high pressure pushing forward on the torque converter, it's also going to the shop on Friday for a full workup and diagnosis. I found 2 cases on the internet where this problem reoccurred with a new crankshaft and thrust bearing almost immediately. The first never replied with his remedy but the other noted that the transmission had a blockage causing high pressure and pushing.

Because Z28 wheels don't fit my bolt pattern I'm likely going to change to these new wheels. Here's some eye candy of the new rendering. (Well I think so anyway... lol)

[Heydanl]

Whatever happened to this build?

[TXBoudy]

Thanks for checking in. The truck got mothballed last summer when it got too darned hot to work on it at the warehouse I keep it in. Texas heat is more than just a rumor...JS I'm trying to build a shop here at the house and hoping to start crushing on the truck again by next summer. I have been having withdrawals so I've be purchasing audio components and designing the system on paper to keep the feeling of forward movement. I'll probably do some of the interior work over the winter. Like new fiberglass door panels and A-Pillar pods for speakers.

[Heydanl]

Very cool. Look forward to it. Great build, I like your vision of the end result.

[TXBoudy]

Thanks again. I'm sure most can relate to spending days on end trying to make each tiny decision and second guessing it 367 times. Putting it down on paper helps me to commit to design ideas. Otherwise, I'd be stuck in a perpetual loop of indecision. lol... Mothballing it has been very hard for me. During the last year I've redesigned everything but the paint, mostly since it's too late to change that. Swapping to an LS, flush glass, and aftermarket suspension have driven me absolutely nuts during the build break because I want them but decided to leave them off the build list. So as soon as the work stops, the mind goes wandering. That is the main reason I started focusing on the audio system because I knew it would be design and fabrication intensive which keeps my mind off of buying parts I previously decided to omit.

Boudy