Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

Decided on CPP modular 2 1/2” drop spindles and 1” drop springs for the front with all new calipers, rotors, MC, booster, and all new lines. Not taking a chance!

Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

I sealed the seams with 3M brushable sealer and then painted the lower cowl. After some thoughts about it I decided to use Eastwood Extreme Chassis Satin Black. It works well with the Platinum Encapsulator and dries to a tough finish. I predicted the inner cowl to the best I could so hopefully Monday I will get it welded into place.

Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

With all this practice. Blue is in line....lol

Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

Finally figuring out my settings Dale, even though it’s an auto set welder still have to dial it in for the breeze even though I build a tent and wind guard around it. Also had a couple of spots where the factory metal was warped and dented from my impatience at removing the inner cowl. All I have to say is a lot of patience and some yellow label cold snacks. Take turns with a partner or take a couple of days as it is frustrating as hell. And don’t let it intimidate you. But I also found there is just about no mistakes you can’t fix or repair.

I did get the control arms assembled and the new drop springs/spindles installed, but had to work this weekend so didn’t get the bearings/rotors installed so I could set it back down on the ground yet. Also didn’t grab pics of that so Monday will be more updates while they replace our furnace and AC at the house.

Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

Cool, I washed the girlfriend's car and Blue today. This ash is kicking my ash. Lol

Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

Isn’t that the truth!

Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

A few steps closer! Got the rotors, all of the steering components and the wheels on it! Back on its own feet at least! And then the super fun task of the 100+ holes drilled into the replacement inner cowl. Gonna be busy plug welding tomorrow as I have to work Thursday - Sunday so it probably won’t be finished being welded in til Monday some time.

Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

Looking good.

Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

End of my weekend today with four 12’s starting tomorrow so finished up a bunch of work.

Finished off prepping the inner cowl and fitting her. Drilled I don’t know how many holes for plug welds. Cleaned the area up, covered the back side of the flanges with self etching weld through primer, and then put it in place one last time. Once I got a few areas tacked, it was several hours of fill a few plug holes and let it cool. Fill/cool, fill/cool until they were all done. That damned rain gutter is a pain! But she is done and down on the ground with the lowering springs and drop spindles in place. Monday I’ll grind down the welds and epoxy prime the inner cowl and firewall for fresh orange paint, then begins the motor tear down! Off for 12 days so I might even get that pig back together before I go back to work.

Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

One last thing! I really like the product Metal Rescue. It has worked fantastic for me. Yes it is a little pricey, but it WORKS! We have all seen what the emergency brake mechanism looks like in these old trucks. That bare metal area is just rusty no matter what. This is after a 24 hour soak and rinse. It leaves a coating on it so it doesn’t flash rust. Now I am debating between a dry zinc galvanizing spray or clear coat for the bare metal areas.

Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

That’s some serious progress man!:metal:

Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

Looks great, I'll have to check it out when you're off work.

Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

Thanks guys, been busting my hump so she is mobile soon.

Any time man! You know I am out there almost all day every day I am off.

Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

Thanks, you know you can stop by here too at anytime. My girlfriend loves your dog.....:lol:

Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

Good thing I like Monday’s and it’s the beginning of my weekend! BUSY today!

Cut the windshield out as I had a small hole in the upper RH corner I could see so I reasoned I may have more issues under all of the gasket and extra goop the previous owners tried to use to fix the water leaks. I cut out a small amount of bad metal in the upper RH corner, drilled out a couple of holes where I found thinned out area and made another patch. I drilled a hole in the upper LH side and then flooded the upper area above the windshield and down both pillars with Eastwood’s Internal Frame Coating. I used it in a fresh air box in the wife’s 71 F250 with fantastic success. I welded in the patch, ground down the welds and all of the spot welds on the inner cowl. Lots of progress! Tomorrow I will probably sand and then epoxy prime everything.

Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

Decided to detour slightly today. To epoxy prime around the windshield I felt my time would be better spent if I also just epoxy primed the rain gutters at the same time. That also means the inside of the door jamb needed to be prepped around the upper half where the factory white is (that is also covered in that crappy black primer and rattle can white). Also meant scraping the gutters and wire wheeling them. Success, and ZERO rot in the gutters or seams! The one time it proved it was a Cali truck. All prepped and tomorrow I should be able to shoot the epoxy over the gutters, door jambs, windshield frame and cowl.

Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

That's a huge bonus right there!! :metal:

Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

Piston scuffing. I agree it would be time for a rebuild. Keep the new engine from running too lean to avoid piston scuffing in the future.

Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

That’s the fun part in buying someone else’s project. No idea how this thing was treated or the original car (72 Impala) that the engine is from. Hopefully by Saturday the motor starts to come apart so I’ll have a better idea.

Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

Rain gutters are done in epoxy and will get seam sealer by Monday. Also decided to paint the dash upper. Mine was painted in a flat black that was probably/maybe done by a PO and looked bad. With the windshield out, I went ahead and sanded it down and shot it with a satin black epoxy. Looks pretty good for being painted outside in a makeshift paint booth using tarps and an EZ-up.

Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

Forgot the pics of the epoxy painted windshield frame, gutter/drip rail and inner cowl. All done using Spraymax 2K epoxy (which I am pretty sure the same as Eastwood brand 2K). I really like the results so far.

Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

Also had to attack the drivers floor pan. When the PO had it converted to power brakes it was done very poorly. The master cylinder leaked and dumped brake fluid down the INSIDE of the firewall and floor under the rubber mat. It bubbled up the paint and left a LOT of surface rust. Since I had so much of the dash apart I pulled the accelerator and brake/clutch assemblies. Got it sanded down and treated with some rust convertor in the pitted areas. Next spring I will be attacking the floor pan, kick panels and rockers, but the good metal with surface rust was easy to get to right now. I’ll hit it with some epoxy paint tomorrow, just out of time and energy today.

Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

It's coming together. Looking good!

Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

Seam sealer done on the inner cowl and the gutters. Had to go with the heavy bodied 3M. I wanted to use the self leveling but my shipment was delayed for at least a week and I needed to make progress.

Next up was finish the firewall for epoxy primer. Glad I decided to tear it all off as the lower hole for the emergency brake did not look good. A lot of cracks around it. And I am not really sure why, but if you are doing some work, grind the paint down there and inspect it! I didn't see it until the paint was gone. I welded it back up and will use a thick washer there when I assemble it.

Re: 71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth
 

Also found this interesting little stamp in the lower firewall. It would be behind the inner fender on the RH side. Any idea what this indicates or why it is there? According to the little blue tag on my drivers side door, Sloth was built in 08/70 and this looks like it says 8 12 1970? Anyone concur or disagree or have insight?