Project -underfunded - '68 shortstep/carb'd LSx/200-4r build

[85burb]

Looks like a mid-engine truck. Would handle good.

[68GMCCustom]

I pulled the trans up to the back of the motor to see how things looked. The trans was lined up with the crossmember at the rear mount holes perfectly! So...I'm gonna stick with it as is and if needed I may have to make some firewall/trans hump changes...but for the benefit of having most all my weight between the axles...along with the rear fuel tank I ordered...it'll all be worth it for what ever gains I get for handling and racing purposes.

[68GMCCustom]

wow....I've been forgetting to update this.

Changed from 6cyl to V8 towers and to the front mounting location. Assembled part of the accessory drive, mocked up the new Boyd's rear aluminum tank, and plan on trying to finish up the rear of the chassis. I need to find a M16x2.0x120mm bolt or another solution to pull the balancer/pulley back onto the crank...anybody have any suggestions? Tractor Supply, Autozone and Lowe's didn't have one.

[85burb]

Cant you just use the old bolt to pull it on and then replace the balancer bolt. That is what i was going to try.

[68GMCCustom]

nope....not long enough

[85burb]

Really...Can you start it buy tapping on it with hammer? I was able to slid mine off the last 1/4 inch by hand. Have not tryed to install mine yet.

[68GMCCustom]

no...you don't want to be banging around on the crank snout

[85burb]

maybe a hardware store has a bolt that long. http://www.fastenal.com/web/products...0162365&ucst=t Here is the bolt you are looking for. Fastenal TXMCK
417 Metro Park Dr. Ste 200
Mckinney, TX 75071
(972)547-9673

[68GMCCustom]

I'd seen that on the web and had placed that and another bolt in my cart...but was trying to avoid shipping. thanks for the location!

[85burb]

Any time. The company i was contracted to used fastenal for all there bolts. We went threw a lot. 4000 HP V16 diesels can pretty much do what it wants to with even the biggest bolts and castings.

[68GMCCustom]

finally...some progress! I got the balancer/pulley back on the motor and the accessory drive all installed. I painted the exhaust manifolds after grinding on them some (and one of my motor stands a little) but there is no clearance so I will replace them with something...considering some Sanderson shorties.

Accessory drive installed with all new components:
Exhaust manifolds painted and temporarily in place:





I also finally got the rear trailing arm crossmember, and all its pieces installed except for shocks, rear panhard bar, and the rear sway bar. Both the rear axle and the brakes were done a couple thousand miles ago...with an Eaton posi and 3.73 gears... but I will be replacing the wheel cylinders with new ones(rear brakes all new except for those)...making the full brake system now having all new(or recently new) components:





I should clarify...my frame is a leaf spring frame...so swapping to coils was a bit of work...rivet removal plus lots of new holes to be drilled.

[VA72C10]

Nice! Looking great! Sorry bout the headers...

[85burb]

If you were closer i would let you borrow my headers for a test fit. Truck looks amazing. Wish i could dream of trucks that nice. Looks brand new. Keep up the amazing work.

[68GMCCustom]

thanks guys.....and it is all new...well almost.

cleaned up the garage a bit today since I'm passed the "dirty" phase and the garage hasn't been cleaned since I began....with everything cleaned up and the tools put away...it almost gives you a renewed since of motivation!

[85burb]

Throw a seat on it and take it around the block. I have always wanted to do that. Now that will get you motavtion.

[trenz68]

nice

[68GMCCustom]

Well...I decided to wrap up the chassis work and get this thing going w/o waiting to do the various upgrades I was going to do. With a new grandson in the family and a grandma that feels the need to spoil him (he lives with us) and other unexpected expenses that my budget for it has simply run out. There are a few things I must do, and they will get done...but not much else. This part of the project has always been just about the chassis and LSx/200-4r powertrain upgrade, and I've got enough done that I can drive and enjoy it for a while as my bank account recovers and then do the other upgrades like rear air bags and rear discs, custom a/c, etc... next year as my wallet allows. Then finally (2012?) the body and paint will get done. The new motor's liable to break some stuff along the way anyway.

This truck and its rebuild has never been about making a show truck...and has always been about making a "muscle truck" for the street and track. A toy for the weekends so to speak. Straight line accelleration is important....but to keep me satisfied it'll need to turn and stop well also... as it may get taken an an occasional cruise...just for the heck of it.


Anyway.....I got the rear sway bar mounted:





also got the new adj. rear panhard bar mounted:



I decided to leave the old leaf spring cross member in place for extra frame strength:



Oh.......and its a little early (causing some underneath work)...but I put the cab back on the chassis. Its time to get this thing back together so I can enjoy it!

another shot of the leaf spring cross member:


the motor's ready to go, except for new chomemoly pushrods, MSD timing/spark hardware (relocating coil paks I think), wiring and the plumbing:

[POPO1984]

Lookin good man

[68GMCCustom]

Thanks POPO!

[85burb]

Looks amazing.

[68GMCCustom]

Thanks... but I think maybe the pics make it look a bit better? Thats one thing I did learn from this build...my next build (whatever it is) will get sandblasted and powdercoated. For the time, effort, money on supplies; blood, sweat, and beers.....I think having the chassis cleaned, prepped, and powdercoated (provided any/all changes have already been made) is a better way to go.

Been looking at various "race" headers and found these: http://www.schoenfeldheaders.com. Really wanting long tubes and possible stepped...which Edelbrock makes I think but they're around $500. I sure will be glad when I get everything I need together to fire this beast up!

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice progress! It's coming together nicely!

[68GMCCustom]

Thanks!

[spike38]

It's a great build!
Hope you post a video when you fire that bad boy up!!!

Spike

[68GMCCustom]

for sure!