73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Members Rides => Topic started by: zieg85 on July 05, 2012, 02:42:58 PM
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Purchased 4/07 this highly optioned(not) Custom Deluxe is going to be the next and maybe final build I do. This was an eBay purchase out of Tennessee a one owner 70,800 truck. It ran down the road fine but the starter needed shimmed or so I thought. I got maybe a dozen or so starts out of it before I tried shimming the starter. The PO cross threaded the outer starter bolt and cracked the starter mounting off at the outside. Eventually I had plans of a SBC 350 swap but I really wanted to run the 4.3 and really see what kind of MPG I could get. In the 5+ years it mainly sat in the garage while I continued collecting the right parts to customize it the way I wanted. I have already installed the 91 Suburban buckets identical to 78 Chevyrado. Out will come the busted 3 on the tree column for a 4 on the floor column. Out will come the 3 speed standard shift and 4.3L and replaced by a 5.7L and the 4 speed OD MY6 optioned standard. Because of the emissions regs I have to pass I also have the dual air pump set up and dual stock stainless steel exhaust system originally from a 86 C20. I will add dual 3 inch high flow catalytic convertors hoping to meet the emission standards for the truck. While the engine/trans it out I plan to clean up the fire wall and do a halfway decent job repainting it the stock color. I am going for MPG and plan to start with the 4.3L quadrajet and play with jets to get it running at efficiently as possible. There is very little rust repair needed and I have obtained a near mint dash pad and door panels in the correct color. I am staying with the radio delete plate and putting a single DIN AM-FM-CD in the dash where the AC vent goes in where the left vent is supposed to be. The antenna is on the stock 91 Suburban fender that is going on it as well as the red cowl plate as the PO hacked on a cheepo antenna that was busted when I got it. I also will change out the core support to the 91 Suburban style. I have a nice set of BF Goodrich P255/70R15 on stock 15x8 rallies in storage under the house. Right now I threw my topper on it and am utilizing it for additional storage. After 7/8 and hopefully a break in the temps I will start tearing into it and will consider this a part of my ongoing physical therapy. Stay tuned...
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How soon do you plan on starting ?
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Killer project..great pile of parts u have for her...and bake..if i read correctly,he mentioned after july 8th and lower temps he would start on the truck.
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Nice project I just got a 350 for my truck that came factory with a 4.3l too.
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Nice project I just got a 350 for my truck that came factory with a 4.3l too.
Seriously been thinking of the 454 that came in the dually... Just have to verify that the mechanical fuel pump can work... Right now it has an electric for some reason.
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It has been a long time waiting, almost 11 years but finally I am retired, have a shop to work in and most of all the much needed time to get it back on the road. I just brought it home from a long time in storage. Stay tuned...
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Looking forward to the build.
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Finally found the right engine for this and will be starting back on this soon. I bought a 1986 C20 with a complete great running 454 in it. Everything I need. Will update soon.
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Looking forward to seeing this project get underway.
Keep us posted.
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awesome! Looks like a good start!
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Here is my parts truck. Not bad for a St. Louis, MO area vehicle.
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heck, I like the parts truck too....
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Love it when a plan comes together! Keep us posted, and yes, the donor looks pretty good. Rust?
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Love it when a plan comes together! Keep us posted, and yes, the donor looks pretty good. Rust?
Floorboard on drivers side is gone due to a windshield leak is why the truck was parked over 10 years ago. Minimal rust otherwise, I hope to recoup my purchase price and them some by parting out the body and wind up with everything I need for free. I am going to try something I haven't heard tried before. Stay tuned...
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Interesting option selection for a Custom Deluxe.
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Sounds like a custom order. Bet she was a screamer!
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It is amazing how the time goes by. Luckily no real damage from sitting in the pole barn. Now that I don't have a truck to drive it seems perfect to finally get this old girl going again. I have been back and forth on the engine/transmission and have finally decided on the 350 and the MY6 NP440 4 speed overdrive. I will take pictures as I go. This won't be exciting but may interest someone.
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I'm down for another project truck! 8)
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FINALLY... started after 14 years... I tore into my rust problem. I wasn't expecting what I found but I can't say I was surprised. Not sure exactly how I am going to attack the wheel well under the battery yet but I have to mig in a few little patches behind the w.w. motor and on top of the cowl. Here is the starting point. I have to get more wire for the mig.
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Mine is rusting in the same area on that firewall smh. Best of luck to you I didn’t have time to weld a patch at the time, great truck by the way.
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I would have a double restro project and find parts from a salvage yard instead of the donor truck. C20 would have a stronger frame as well.
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Could be sooo much worse! I would use an epoxy to fill those areas and move on!
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I would have a double rest project and find parts from a salvage yard instead of the donor truck. C20 would have a stronger frame as well.
That donor truck was long parted out. The firewall on that was 10x worse. The cowl had rusted which made it a Flinstone mobile where it wouldn't pass safety inspection. This truck has most of the paint still on the frame. This is basically the truck with a wash job.
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Time consuming and frustrating it is to make patch panels but there's no better feeling than knowing it's done right and most importantly, by you.
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Why make patch panels for surface rust? A couple of tiny holes wouldn't make me lose and sleep.
Cure it and fill it! You've got bigger fish to fry.
Jus sayin... 8)
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Nice truck!
We used metalized epoxy around the windshield to deal with pits. Should work on the firewall too.
Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
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Why make patch panels for surface rust? A couple of tiny holes wouldn't make me lose and sleep.
Cure it and fill it! You've got bigger fish to fry.
Jus sayin... 8)
Pinholes are one thing and metallic epoxy is amazing if the metal around the area isn't thin. But in the cowl on the driver's side ain't pin holes, they just the regular ones. Benefit is the trash in the cowl has a place to go,...right on top of the harness bullhead connector.
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Started back on it yesterday. It is hard to believe so much time has passed since I bought this one. One positive is other that a more damaged drivers door, sitting has not deteriorated the condition any. I have a fresh 350 on a stand, all the front pulleys line up and a single belt system works perfectly. I still have to install a steering column to be able to move the truck into the shop but baby steps...
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8)
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At least it's moving!