Brent's '72 Custom/10 SWB stepside build

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by brossow

Not sure if I should feel bad about this or not. Returned the mount this morning and between the cashier and the manager on duty they couldn't figure out how they should handle the return because of the $10 coupon I had used, so they just decided to refund the full price ($15.99) plus tax for a total refund of $17.17. Essentially they paid me $1.09 to take the tranny filter.

What's my cut?

[brossow]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

What's my cut?

Hmm... 10% finder's fee works out to .... let me get my calculator ....... Looks like I owe ya 11¢. You take PayPal?

[brossow]

Over the past few days I've been adding more coats of Pelucid to the bed wood. It's turning out very, very well. Too bad I won't be able to do anything with it for quite some time!

Worked all day today on stripping paint and don't have a lot to show for it. Took a break in between to haul a load of parts and scrap metal out to my parents' place. If anyone needs a complete front disc brake suspension (A-arms, rotors, calipers, crossmember, etc.) let me know.

Tried the "best" stripper available at Menards to start with and it was a joke. Only used it because I had it on hand and wanted to see what it would do. Didn't do a darn thing to the paint on the fender. Eventually I gave up on it, washed it off, and went to the aircraft stripper instead. It started bubbling like a cauldron the instant it hit the paint, letting me know why I had to spend $30-something for a gallon of the stuff.

Have to finish it up tomorrow in a couple spots the stripper didn't get applied properly, but I'm pretty happy with the result so far. I'll touch up the marker light socket with the media blaster or else just let it go since it won't show anyway.

Any thoughts on undercoating? These fenders were dealer take-offs in 1971 and still have the factory undercoating and it appears to be in good condition. The question is whether it's worth the time and effort to strip it off just to have to redo it, or if I should just leave it alone.

Pics follow....

[VA72C10]

Looks good...I'd leave the undercoating if it seems to be in good shape.

[brossow]

Quick update: still working on figuring out the fuel supply stuff. I may be PMing a couple of you guys for tips. Specifically I'm wondering what you LSx guys did with the fuel supply at the rail -- fittings, routing of the line, etc. I've got it more or less figured out up to that point. Also wondering what y'all did for power steering lines. I've got the LS1/F-body lines still and they're in good condition. But I haven't checked fitment as far as length and angles to the PS box, and I assume at the very least I'll need adapters from the F-body lines to the PS box fittings. Source for those?

Got the suspension finished this weekend. Doetsch Tech shocks all around. Pics attached.

Worked out a deal with my buddy from high school for the bodywork and paint. If he's happy with the deal, I'm well beyond thrilled. We picked out paint last Friday and picked up primer, etc. to get him started. Parts will start going to his shop this coming weekend. I'm VERY excited!

At the same time, I realize just how much I still have to do before this thing's ever gonna move under its own power. Tranny, torque converter and cooler lines. Driveshaft. Engine cooling system. Computer reprogram. Headers and exhaust. Interior. The list goes on....

[msgross]

tough call on the undercoating. What would you replace it with, professional line-x or Raptor do it yourself coating?

If you do remove it get a propane torch and a putty knife... should come right off...

[brossow]

I'm gonna consult with my buddy on the undercoating and go with his recommendation. Don't want this to be the corner I cut on the project.

[brossow]

Quick update: Spent the last week planning and purchasing. Several items are on their way, including everything for the fuel system (hose is backordered for another week ), Thorley headers, Lokar dipstick, Moroso plug wires and NGK plugs, torque converter and flexplate, taillight housings, and probably some other stuff I've forgotten. Hasn't been a good week for my wallet, that's for sure! But I've gotta have this stuff to finish the truck, so I don't have much choice.

Didn't get the bed parts to the bodyshop as expected because my buddy ended up with a ton of overtime at his regular job and now it'll be a couple weeks more. Bummed a bit about that because I was really looking forward to seeing paint or at least primer on the bed, but s*** happens.

No new pics of progress, unfortunately. Guess I could post screen shots of my credit card and PayPal account activity. Nah....

[glock35ipsc]

I may be too late, but I just found your post on fuel system stuff in the engine sections and posted my $0.02.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...12#post3436612

[brossow]

A little late, but I appreciate the info just the same. Fittings all arrived yesterday and the backordered hose shipped sooner than expected and will be here Friday. I've got a very minor question I'll post in that thread to keep it all together for future reference to help someone else.

[my67chevytruck]

Great progress!

[brossow]

Originally Posted by my67chevytruck

Great progress!

Thanks! I forgot to mention the Caltracs that are shipping out today. Been so busy that my credit card company called me on Monday to make sure no one had stolen my card.

[brossow]

It's been a busy couple of days for the delivery guys around here. Yesterday the Thorley headers arrived, and today there was a big pile of packages on my front steps when I got home. It's like Christmas ... including the fact that I'm stuck with the bill.

Bolted up the headers tonight, just finger-tight on the bolts as I'm going to take them off again when I install the "real" transmission in a couple weeks when my buddy from Iowa brings it up to me. (I bought it last fall from a guy who lives near him and it's been sitting in his garage ever since so I didn't have to drive all the way down there to pick it up.)

Among the stuff in the pile were a 2400-2600 stall torque converter, an SFI flexplate, the braided fuel line, Moroso plug wires and NGK plugs, a chrome tranny pan, and undoubtedly something else I'm forgetting. While most of the stuff was right, the tranny pan was missing the bolts I paid extra to have included and the plug/wire set had the wrong plugs. What's wrong with people, anyway?

It just figures that all this stuff shows up the day before I have to leave the state for a family gathering.

Pics follow.

[brossow]

One more post so I can include a picture of my helper (my oldest, who will be 12 in October).

[brossow]

Anyone see the problem in this pic? This is how my day started out.

[lolife99]

You need straight fittings and 90 degree fittings on the hoses.
But I guess you figured that out already,...

[brossow]

Originally Posted by lolife99

You need straight fittings and 90 degree fittings on the hoses. But I guess you figured that out already,...

Ding ding ding! We have a winner! Yeah, I figured that out the hard way, but it's nothing even more money and another week of waiting for parts to arrive won't fix. Aaarggghhh!

In the meantime, I finished up everything I could, which is everything except the fitting at the tank. My only question is about how I routed the line up to the rail and whether anyone thinks it'll be a problem. It's well away from the exhaust and I couldn't come up with a better way to route it without risking interference with something else. I can move it if I absolutely have to, but I hope what I have is okay.

The line is secured every foot or so with stainless cushion clamps. As you can see I used the 12" Dorman double-bead line as-is. Some people have cut it down and put a new flare on one end, but I decided to use my tubing bender and get creative with the routing instead. In retrospect I would have used slightly shallower bends, but it's fine as it is.

Just noticed that the clamp on the right (front) of the fuel pump is slightly crooked. That's gonna bug me until I correct it.

Feedback is appreciated. I don't need my ego stroked but I would like to know ASAP if I did something stupid.

[msgross]

looks nice.. who had the best prices on that braided fuel line? I'm not running FI but like that look.

[brossow]

Originally Posted by msgross

looks nice.. who had the best prices on that braided fuel line? I'm not running FI but like that look.

I got the line and all the fittings from Summit. They did some price matching on the fittings but they were already lowest on the fuel line -- $72 for 20 feet of their own brand. Was on sale and may be still.

[brossow]

I've decided I'm just not comfortable with the fuel line routed through the headers like that, even clamped securely out of immediate danger, and so I ordered some more fittings tonight. The plan now is to come back from the fuel rail fitting with a 120° connection and run line along the rail to the front of the engine, then drop down and back under the engine tower and continue as it is now.

[my67chevytruck]

Nice Progress...

[brossow]

More parts arrived today. Discovered that it's gonna mean taking the rear springs out AGAIN. Oh, well....

[brossow]

Dropped the bed pieces off with my buddy tonight. They'll soon be in primer! Remembered as I was packing everything up to haul to the shop that I have a Mar-K smooth rollpan for the rear. Got looking at it at my buddy's shop and with the bed disassembled I have no idea how this thing is attached. Wish I'd remembered I had it when I had everything mocked up!! Anyone have pics or tips?

In other news, the remaining fittings for the fuel system showed up today. If it stops raining, I hope to finish that up tomorrow.

[LooseCannon]

Good progress!

[brossow]

Fuel system is done except for wiring the fuel pump. More progress to report later, I hope!