71 Ol' Blue

[71Sleeper]

You gotta a good point Zoomin. That was how my wife presented it to me when asking where was her truck...LOL Now I have my eye out on a 67 stepper. That's what I was driven when I met my wife and she loved the truck. So, that's what she wants.

[71Sleeper]

Ok, update.
Got word today that my motor is done. Going to take off work this Friday to get started removing the old motor and cleaning the engine bay. I got alot of goodies setting in the dinning room floor waiting to go on the motor, which my wife can't wait to be gone out of the house. Hopefully I can make some progress this weekend and have the Ol girl running soon.

[slick copper]

Nice truck! Build it the way you want it! I had the same delima when I got mine which way to go since it was such a nice truck. But in the end I'm very happy with the few changes I have made and plan to make. Found it interesting that truck came from up here in KY! Especially being that solid. PO must have taken real good care of it (garage kept?). Good luck with the motor swap, and gettin' her running!

[71Sleeper]

Originally Posted by slick copper

Nice truck! Build it the way you want it! I had the same delima when I got mine which way to go since it was such a nice truck. But in the end I'm very happy with the few changes I have made and plan to make. Found it interesting that truck came from up here in KY! Especially being that solid. PO must have taken real good care of it (garage kept?). Good luck with the motor swap, and gettin' her running!

Thanks slick copper. I was approved to take Friday off so I am getting pumped to get started on the motor swap this weekend. I will update and post pics this weekend on my progress.

[slick copper]

SWEET!! Always good to have a day or weekend just to work on the truck!

[71Sleeper]

Well, I did not get to pick up the engine this past weekend like the shop said. The guy building my motor said there was some clearance issues on the crank that he was not comfortable with leaving. So, he is having some other machine work being done right now. So, maybe by this weekend. This was really not a big deal I used the weekend to pull the old motor and get Ol' Blue ready for the transplant. here are a few pics at a friends' shop (Ronnie) which is in the first pic. Sure is nice to have a friend with a shop, couldn't have done it without his help.

[71Sleeper]

Here is a pic of the right side inner fender under the battery. This is the only major rust area on the whole truck. So I will be on the hunt for a new inner fender and battery tray.

Also a couple of pics under the truck. The whole underside of the truck had been sprayed with some type of protective undercoating. which is pretty thick almost like a bed liner spray.

[crappiewrangler]

Man that is one sweet ride. I will be following this one.

[slick copper]

Yeah mine's got that stuff on it too. Don't know if it was an original thing or not. I got lucky, my inner fenders were still solid. Benefits of a Texas truck I guess. Seems like things never go as planned, but work out in the end!

[71Sleeper]

Just a quick update....I still haven't heard anything back on my motor. Man I knew better than to have paid in full for the build up front. No telling how much longer it will be.... I am going to see about some parts form a board member this Saturday to convert my 71 to auto. What type of transmission to go with behind my 327? Do I put a plain 350 or go with 700r4? If I go with the 700r4 what all will I need for the OD to work?

[slick copper]

Overdrive would be sweet, but I love my TH350 three speed. Guess cause it reminds me of my old '70 having only three gears (three on the tree). Not sure how the overdrive works on that tranny. Maybe need a button somewhere to engage electically? I'd keep it a standard if it were me though, almost wish mine was.

[71Sleeper]

Met a member(mrdana60) yesterday. Good people! Well, Kevin hooked me up with a lot of parts for my build. Got everything for auto conversion, sway bar, power steering bracket, battery tray, steering column, brake booster assembly, fan, seat belts, and more. He has a good parts truck the A/C components are 100% complete and is still holding a charge. Wish I had the $$$$ for it. Here is a pic I hope the next pick will be my motor seating in the back of the Honda. LOL

[mrdana60]

good doing business with you. great looking truck for sure. anytime you up this way we'll drink a few more beers.

[71Sleeper]

Well, I was told that I could pick up my motor this weekend. We'll see how well that goes. Tomorrow I will start cleaning the cleaning and doing some touch up under the hood to get ready for the engine install. I am learning real fast that you have to have patients when relaying on other people to get work done for you. If this is any indication on how most shops work. I am thinking about doing the body and paint myself. That way I could see the progress and not just set back in limbo. It's just that I haven't even driven the truck yet and have had it for almost 6 months now. H@ll it hasn't even been in my own driveway yet. Started off as a simple plan do a motor swap and get it home to really have some fun with it. As it sits now I have to drive 40miles one way just to see it. But, man when I see her I get excited and the wheels in my head start turning.

[FrankieD]

Nice truck projects never go as planed I got mine back in Feb. and plans keep changing. I'm hoping to get in on the road before the snow flies but then that is why it's called a project.

[71Sleeper]

Originally Posted by FrankieD

Nice truck projects never go as planed I got mine back in Feb. and plans keep changing. I'm hoping to get in on the road before the snow flies but then that is why it's called a project.

Thanks Frankie.

Well I talked with my engine guy today and he has the motor ready there are a few things he wants to change on the motor. My motor guy actually works with me and has an engine shop on the side. He is new here at my work and wants to drum up some buisness with the other guys to build motors for them. To due this he is using my motor build as advertisement. So, at the begining of the build the deal was sweet sounding and I jumped on it and the deal keeps getting sweeter but I have to be patient.

So today he let me know where he stands with the motor build. To start he gave me a 65 327 block with 2.02 valves, steel crank and rods. Parts in the build: TRW pistons, RPM roller cam, RPM performer intake, high flow oil pump, tall aluminum valve covers and HEI set up. Now he is adding an new aluminum timing cover, aftermarket balancer and is going to powdercoat my pullies, brackets and battery tray. No added cost to me. Like he said this motor is advertisement for him.
Work done to the build: bored .30 over, 3 angle valve job, hardened seats, ported heads, balanced.

And you guys don't even want to know how much I got in the build it is such a great deal. Using the extra money in budget for more parts.

That being said I need a new rust free PS inner fender for her. That was the only visible rust that I could find on the truck so far.

[mr.chevy]

Freak Dude!

When can I get an engine like that? That is a nice truck. So if i were in your shoes. Save the parts and customize especially if your never gonna sell it. It doesn't matter. Right? I know that's what your doing but Do what you want to it. Its yours.

[mightymouse]

you got a really nice truck your working on there. 327's are good motors i think you will be pleased. .need more pics

[FrankieD]

I personally don't think these trucks are worth any more if they are bone stock or modified unless you go overboard.
Mine came from Cali pretty much rust free, I think it was a barn find but the PO changed the color from gold to blue and white, I put a complete 72 front cross member in and 72 brakes, drums and axle's so could have disks on the front and 5 bolt axles I also yanked the 307 and am hopping up the 72 350 so I say do what your heart desires and what pocket book will let you and have fun doing it.

[71Sleeper]

Ok guys, I know its been about a month now since last post, but I finally picked up my motor yesterday...AND IT LOOKS GREAT!!!! I am so pumped up now can't wait to get started back on it. I know everyone wants pics but will have to wait, I forgot to grab the camera. I will post some this weekend...

[VA72C10]

Cool! Looking forward to the pics!!! Sounds like it's going to be a real nice one from the parts and description...

[502ms]

Sounds great. I agree. Enjoy it. If one right,it is still worth money as a restomod. Look at Mecum and Barrett-Jax...there have been restomodded c10s pulling in some nice change.
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[71Sleeper]

Here are some pics of the motor. I pulled off the valve covers to see what the casting numbers were on the Dbl humps and to my surprise there are the 461. With 2.02/1.60 valves. I could not believe it! This is a 65 327 block with 65 Dbl hump heads that were manufactured one day apart. Which I believe is a matching number complete engine that came out of a 65 Corvette. Who knows????

[71Sleeper]

Got the engine bay cleaned up a little to day.

[VA72C10]

Everything's looking great!!!