Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

Eric detailed the transmission and got the transfer case and transmission mounted while we waited for the flex plate of all things to arrive. What should have been two days stretched further. When it did get here and the engine was offered up to the transmission--the motor mounts were 1-7/8" ahead of the engine stand. This was such a stupid mistake by me. As much time as I spend on here researching and troubleshooting...I should have headed this off before we got to assembling painted components.

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

The difference was in the length of the transfer case. To complete this conversion (4sp/Rockwell to TH350/NP205), we had to slide the transmission/adapter crossmember and the transfer case mount back to make up the difference. Which Eric and I did late last night before I had to catch an early flight this morning. A little bummed about this misstep, always longing for more progress--and now stuck out of town for a few days. Hopefully we're on the verge of a week or two where she doesn't fight so hard.

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

Looks assembly line fresh.

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

X2, it's gonna be a brand new truck. :metal:

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

In for the ride on this one. I really liked your blazer build!

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

Thanks guys. We're really trying.

Thanks! That truck was fun--glad you're on board for this one.

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

Finally back home. Minor update. Eric got a fair bit bolted on. Date code correct Quadrajet from the Fremont donor rebuilt and refinished by Sean Murphy. Power steering pump restored by Marty at Powersteering.com. Compressor restored by Original Air (working on correct decal). Would have preferred FAA Benny from the board...but could not make contact. After a lot of hunting and looking and even asking via this thread:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...44#post8527744

We've elected to go no heat stove and use the original dipstick we have (unless new evidence emerges). Internally regulated alternator....and the beat goes on. Lots more to do. I'll keep you posted.

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

It's gonna be a complete truck soon. Looking great.

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

Wow!

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

Looking great, and love the velocity of your work! Thanks for sharing the detailed pics of the body work. I'm just finishing my NP 205 rebuild up now, starting to take the body apart this weekend and was fretting on the best way to work through it.
Keep it up!

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

Thanks. Still a lot ahead for sure...but getting there.

Thanks my boy. Only wish I could find the NOS honey hole where you fish.

I'm glad it feels fast to you. A constant refrain here is 1 step forward and 2 steps back. I've spent a fair bit of time today trying to get the rear end buttoned up-a protracted struggle that I'll post about soon. Almost there, but not quite. Of course like most of you this project has to be squeezed into the bigger list of life and sometimes these old trucks don't want to submit in the time allotted.

With regard to the body work...one of the things l respect about Eric most is his neatness and efficiency. I like the way he thinks about stuff and sequences his work. He just works smart and clean. When we've got something detailed and clean, it stays that way. It doesn't get dusted up.

Thanks again for the kind words. Hopefully we'll have a few pics posted before we all have to head back to work next week.

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

I am in for the journey. Your work is always meticulous and spotless. Doesn't hurt that you are building the one last truck project that I would like to take on (SWB K-10 with auto and air). I have whiffed on several but am still out there looking. Keep up the good work

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

Thanks...now the band is back together.

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

A surprisingly huge hang up on this build was the rear diff. Our truck came from the factory with 3.73s. Since the Dana that we transplanted on the front was a 3.08 in great shape...and the 3.73 under our frame was not (to say the least), and we were going with a 3 speed automatic, we decided to go with 3.08s all around. Even though we've got a '71 axle on the front, it was important to us to try and keep the original rear axle housing dated 10/23/68. For whatever reason the new gear set was really a bear to set up. I put it together and took it apart over 20 times before I finally got it to a point where I thought it was even close. It had been so finicky, I honestly didn't trust it'd be the same once the try-in bearings were swapped for new ones. So I leaned on my go to guy for stuff like this. He's been doing it for 100 years and promptly told me that without a proper pinion depth checker, I was...how shall I put this..he said I was going #2 into the wind. Which I guess it depends on your diet or health as to how bad that really is. Anyway, turns out this rear end is a fighter and gave him all he wanted too. And he hilariously admitted as much through a couple of loud and colorful phone conversations...It took him a few weeks...But to his great credit by 6pm on Friday he had the pinion set with new pinion bearings pressed on which was enough for me...so I hustled to pick it up to get it under the truck this weekend. I shimmed the carrier where I left off and sure enough the backlash was perfect. It made a pretty pattern and felt silky smooth. But after the long ordeal, it needed serious freshening up, which Eric took care of last night and we set out today to get this rascal buttoned up and--finally--under the truck.

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

Brakes done.

I can't stress enough what a wonderful resource Tony(71CHEVYSHORTBED402) is creating with his build (if you haven't, you gotta check it out: https://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vbo....php?p=8401012 )

So happy to put that diff cover on....

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

And we finally have a true roller. I thought we'd be here sooner...but so happy we are here now.

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

You know I love me some stickers. Though not in love with the repro valve cover decal. Just doesn't seem like great quality. We may have to work on this. Also a little camo on our Pertronix coil.

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

Has to feel good to have a rolling chassis- amazing attention to detail

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

Oh my gosh...absolutely it does. Thanks.

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

Damn that’s perty.

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

Looking absolutely amazing......

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

Picked up reproduction GM belts from gastanks.com.

Tried to learn from experience, and didn't even try the rear brake lines from InLine Tube. Just bent scratch ones ourselves.

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

Thanks guys.

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

Brake lines look nice!!
What paint did you use on the engine?

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

VHT engine enamel, Chevy orange.

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

Looks great...nice that you're going the resto route!!! Sub'd!!!

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

It's a masterpiece already - love the belts!

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

I love the part numbers on the belts. I always thought they were printed not stamped..very cool...:metal:

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

Thanks. I'm always impressed by the vision and craftsmanship of the builds on this board. But I sure get a kick out of trying to figure out how those guys and gals on the assembly line did it originally and trying to replicate it.

Probably for the best, but we're not generally as uptight as the Corvette and Camaro guys...however I've recently found out that it's worthwhile hanging out on their sites, because they are making stuff that we can use.

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

Love it! Getting a little Rackman build deja vue here : )

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

No doubt...Twice bit, Thrice shy?

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

I'm in.

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

Glad to have you.

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

A little weekend update....Prep, prep and more prep. Eric cut/drilled the holes for the cargo light and then got down to the tedious and dirty business of body working the cab. I have no doubt she'll be a fair bit slicker than new when he's done. Alas, much more prep in the week ahead.

But if the breaks go our way, then primer later this week and maybe even a little color the week after (dare to dream).

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

It's looking really good.

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

I'm late to the party! I just noticed you're doing another build from your signature in one of your post the other day. I can't wait to see what color you go with..

I see you're going with the original AC setup. Since I swapped out my original A6 I have my original hose that connects to the back of the A6. It was refurbished by Classic Auto Air. If you don't already have this part covered let me know. This ones yours.

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

Thanks Dale.

Thanks for jumping on Mike and thanks for the offer-that's very generous. I'll let you know. I avoided the factory A/C with the Blazer...it was an easy choice because it was a non air Blazer and I didn't have the extra energy needed to pull an entire factory set up together on top of everything else. But I kind of regretted it because I love looking at those factory engine bays. I've got a bit more of an appetite for it this time and am excited to tackle it. I think it's fair to say Eric is not nearly as excited about the factory A/C as I am.

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

I didn't know about powersteering.com until this - will have to look into this for my 70 2wd Jimmy. Awesome work so far!

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

I have been using powersteering.com for years on my restorations and they do great work.

Re: 1969 K10 CST Full Restoration
 

Very nice!!!
I am glad you went with disc brakes
Stock rebuild on engine?
Did you do your own carb work???