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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Members Rides => Topic started by: bake315 on March 12, 2008, 11:17:32 PM

Title: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on March 12, 2008, 11:17:32 PM
Well, I was after a good rolling restoration project for myself - and found it.  When I was a kid growing up, we had several trucks, but my favorite was a '74 Cheyenne Super 3+3.  I scoured the Web and finally found what I had in mind, in Denver.  Scooped it up for $1500, and trailered it back home to Texas.  I expect it'll take several years and several grand to get it the way I want it (which will definitely involve a color change), but I figured on that from the get go.

Anyway, here's my big yellow truck. :)






Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: Dragon on March 13, 2008, 12:25:35 AM
Man I can't get enough of the 73-91 Krew Kruizers, Especially the 73-80's!! ;D Having a Truck that can haul the Kids along with large Plywood Sheets, is always a Bonus to me 8)  Looking at your pics, I'm guess that you're already prepping to get rid of the Faux Wood though  :-[
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: VileZambonie on March 13, 2008, 06:30:45 AM
Sweet!
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: JRConnieK10 on March 13, 2008, 10:18:43 AM
Good find, have fun with it.
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: Captkaos on March 13, 2008, 02:50:02 PM
Sweet find!!!  Ochre with woodgrain trim!  What does the interior look like?  You can't get that trim anymore (if you considered keeping it)
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on March 13, 2008, 09:39:42 PM
Looking at your pics, I'm guess that you're already prepping to get rid of the Faux Wood though  :-[

Oh, no way!  Part of what I was after was a truck that was as intact in ways like this as I could find.  It seems like so much of what I was finding out there was either rusting into the ground, or had already been tricked out by someone.  My aim is to keep as much of the original trim as I can.  I really didn't know for sure what to expect, since I only had grainy photos and a good long conversation with the owner, but I was extremely pleased when I got there.  The motor/tranny are original to the truck, as is the entire interior.  There has been some sheet metal replaced, like the right front fender, and the bed.  A still in the box aftermarket left front fender came with the truck, and as you can see by the pics, it needs it.  The frame is absolutely perfect - only some mild surface rust.  No wander in the front end at all, and it runs awesome. This truck wasn't beat on, that's for sure.

Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: Dragon on March 14, 2008, 12:12:06 AM
Looking at your pics, I'm guess that you're already prepping to get rid of the Faux Wood though :-[

Oh, no way!  Part of what I was after was a truck that was as intact in ways like this as I could find.  It seems like so much of what I was finding out there was either rusting into the ground, or had already been tricked out by someone.  My aim is to keep as much of the original trim as I can.
Nice, Glad to Hear!!! 8) 8)  I'm a Weirdo who enjoys a Good "Woody" or "Faux-oody" ;D  When I was little, my Pop had a Green '71 Kingswood(In '83), with Faux Wood, Balanced & Blueprinted SBC 400, backed by a THM400...  That thing was the Koolest LongRoof 8) My Favorite Memory was being in the Rear Facing Jumper with my two Youngest Sisters, and giving the bird to the Corvette Jerk who used to try to get my Father to Race him...   My Father had the Pleasure of making the Jerk look like an idiot, for not being able to get his New Vette to keep up with a Wagon, and we enjoyed showing him how much we thought he was number 1 ;D
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: Mr. Lee K30 on March 23, 2008, 10:56:07 PM
NICE!!!  ;D

I'm considering a color change too with my crew cab, keep us posted on the progress
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: the_legend_1981 on March 24, 2008, 02:41:09 PM
nice
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: CR10 on March 24, 2008, 09:54:14 PM
Wow I canīt believe u found all that for that price, itīs in very good shape, good luck with the project, donīt wanna sound dumb, but Iīm pretty new into this truck world, but what means 3+3?
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: Blazin on March 24, 2008, 11:09:22 PM
3 people up front, 3 people in back. Also known as a 6 pack in this neck of the woods.
Nice score for sure.
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: eldogg on June 13, 2008, 08:15:40 AM
What ever you leave the woodgrain on it!!!! That is super cool!!
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: lowbucktruck on June 16, 2008, 05:22:51 PM
How is the big yellow squash 3+3 coming along?  I think my 1973 C20 Custom Deluxe was originally the same shade of mustard!  :D
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: Fordeatinz71 on June 16, 2008, 06:26:04 PM
NICE RIDE!  that looks like a clean truck.  what motor you runnin?  BTW guys, not to burst your bubble, but that's not a "woody", that's brown in the middle...lol
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on July 27, 2008, 10:26:06 PM
NICE RIDE!  that looks like a clean truck.  what motor you runnin?  BTW guys, not to burst your bubble, but that's not a "woody", that's brown in the middle...lol

It's got what I believe to be the original 454 and TH400 in it, though at some point the Quadrajet got tossed for a Carter.  Other "gotta do's" have kept me from doing much of anything with it lately other than drive it around on the weekends.  Probably start messing with it when the weather cools off a little, though.  I'll post over in the projects section when I start doing that. :)
Title: '73 3+3 "slow boat" restoration
Post by: bake315 on March 13, 2009, 09:44:34 AM
Courtesy of Photoshop, here's some idea of where I'm heading, color wise...
Title: '73 3+3 "slow boat" restoration
Post by: bake315 on March 17, 2009, 12:10:43 AM
For anyone out there wondering "What th'....?", my original thread got corrupted somehow, so Chris had to lock it down and move me into a new one.  Thanks again, Chris.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch....


Okay, I have finally begun working my way into the resto on this yellow beauty.  In doing so, I have discovered several interesting things.

First, whichever previous owner thought they were a wiring whiz needs to be flogged with the endless strands of questionable wiring and really really bad 3 and 4 way splices.

Second, at one point the truck was set up for propane injection, and there were a few vestiges of it remaining.  The tank for this didn't come with the truck, and it isn't something that interests me, so I pulled all of that out, and have not decided yet whether to sell it, give it away, or toss it entirely.

The temp gauge was all over the map, so I dug into the cluster and determined that a poor ground at the gauge was the culprit, and ran a separate, second ground for it.  Now it works perfectly.

Located a clean '73-74 grille for it, but it had a 350 badge.  Member dumbucket helped me out with this by sending me a 454 badge.  It's for a GMC, but that is not a big deal for me, since I plan on refinishing it.  Thanks again, dumbucket!

The truck was originally yellow gold/white, as evidenced by the back of the cab after I pulled the bed off.  I have pics of this, but not with me at the moment. I'll post 'em up later.

The frame is in positively awesome condition, given the trucks age.  Mild surface rust, dirt and grease came right off with a pressure washer, and left a surface that is virtually ready for some Chassis Saver.  I may hit it with a light blasting in some of the crevices though, since I have the equipment.

The hood, though it appears to be GM, is not the original for this truck.  Has quite a bit of surface rust and body filler in it.  I'm going to clean it up and get all of that out of there, and see if it can be saved with a little bit of effort.  In the meantime, I have a fiberglass hood on it, which actually came extra with some other parts, that I fixed up some and installed until I can figure out what can be done with the steel one.  In all likelihood, I'll go with the steel, and sell the fiberglass one. It also came with a NIB Cobra King left front fender.  The other parts that I'm getting rid of are a set of shorty Edelbrock headers, and the camper shell.  I already got rid of a single plane Holley intake that came with it.  That thing was definitely not suitable for what I have in mind.  Lorne was absolutely right, and now I know why.  Thanks, Lorne!

It looks as though someone was preparing to set it up to be a hot rod, and/or convert to TBI - there are inline fuel pumps for both tanks, in addition to the stock mechanical.  Had to replace the mechanical one because it was leaking around its middle seam.  I'm going to pull the electrical ones soon, since I don't really have need for them, given the direction I'm going with this project.  I also need to pursue a rather temperamental fuel gauge issue, but I'm about 98% sure it's a ground short somewhere - it almost always is the case.

I'm still going for the factory look, with the original wheel covers, but I can't use the 16.5" wheels for it.  Nobody widens steelies anymore - at least around here, so I'm getting 16x8 8-lug wheels for the front and 16x10 for the back.  I don't like the "skinny wheel" look as they are now, so I'm thinking 3.5" backspacing on the front in order to push them out a bit, fill the well better, and give them a deeper look. I think the stock backspacing in the rears will be fine since I'm running a little wider wheel back there. Wheels will be painted to match the primary color of the truck, which will ultimately be hawaiian blue/white.  Original hubcaps and stainless trim rings to finish them off.  I think it'll look pretty darned sharp.

I scored some ceramic coated headers locally on craigslist for $100.  A guy was trying to install them on a '72 and they weren't made for it.  Anyway he managed to crush the #1 tube to where there was about 60% restriction.  I fashioned a slug from a 1" galvanized pipe cap, and with a come-along and some strategically applied mapp gas, I've gotten it to where it looks almost normal.  I'll probably touch up the areas I heated with ceramic spray paint, and those will hopefully be good for a couple of years.

The bed that's on it had a little bit of rust on the fender behind the rear wheels (and it wasn't the original, anyway), so I found a bed off an '86 also on CL that's in near perfect condition, and came with a nice hard tonneau cover for only 4 bills.  Going to ditch the "grampa" camper shell and throw the proceeds towards a new cam and lifters, and likely will do an intake that would complement it as well. 

So, some pics should be forthcoming here and there on progress.

Title: Huuuuge score!
Post by: bake315 on March 17, 2009, 12:34:27 AM
I think so, anyway!

Found a local guy selling old Chevy/GMC truck parts (he had a CL posting for chevy grilles - which I don't actually need, but was curious to see what else he had).  Anyway this guy has about 50 vehicles on his property in various stages of wreckage or deconstruction, but has a shop within which he's been accumulating parts for like the last 30 some-odd years.  Some of this stuff literally has like an inch of dust on it because it's been in there for so long.  It looks like a disaster area, but this guy knows where the smallest part is.  While I didn't come away with a second original Chevy 454 grille (it was a 73-74 GMC 454 grille), I did come away with:

A factory axle jack with crank and fender mounting brackets
An early 70's air cleaner assembly
A 73-80 tailgate with near perfect trim moulding and 'Chevrolet' badge
A complete set of trim for an 8 foot bed

Paid $110 for the whole kit 'n kaboodle.  I was pleased!

I'm off this entire spring break week, so I'm really digging into this thing.  Pulled the old bed and took it to the scrapper this morning, now I'm about to begin blasting the frame (or at least the half without a bed presently) and apply the chassis saver.  I'll post some pics before, during and after.
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: Flamingbig10 on March 17, 2009, 01:17:43 AM
nice crew
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: ccz145a on March 17, 2009, 07:32:58 AM
Nice score on the parts!
Title: On with the show!
Post by: bake315 on March 18, 2009, 01:33:53 AM
OK, so I did prep work on the frame today.  I was only thorough enough to allow me to install the new bed.  I figure i can get the rest later.  Anyway I began by sandblasting the right frame rail, but couldn't get consistent flow from the sandblaster.  So I picked up a wire wheel brush that fit into my 4" angle grinder, and went to town on it.

Here are some "before" pics.

Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on March 18, 2009, 11:39:28 PM
And here are a few more:

I can't get over the condition of this frame!
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on March 18, 2009, 11:42:47 PM
Next, here are some shots of the frame before application of the Chassis Saver.  One side is sandblaster, the other side I hit it with a coarse cup wheel in my 4" angle grinder (ran out of blasting media).

Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on March 18, 2009, 11:50:41 PM
And finally, some shots of the applied Chassis Saver.  This stuff ROCKS!  I coated the other 20 gallon steel gas tank that I'm putting in (previous owner had made a 25 gallon one himself) with it tonight, and will be reinstalling it into the truck tomorrow.  My biggest problem with the homemade tank is that it bolted directly to the underside of the bed, instead of the frame rail.  So when I installed my new bed, I didn't want to have to do that, so out it came.  It works fine, though - just doesn't fit into my plans.

Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: oldwhity on March 19, 2009, 08:17:21 PM
Great job. I love the deep dish wheels. ;)
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: JRConnieK10 on March 19, 2009, 08:29:44 PM
Looks great. Keep up the good work.
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: campcrf on March 19, 2009, 10:47:12 PM
love your project.... and to think i bough a supurduty to haul my 81 shortbox and dirtbike ... dang, I am looking for a 3+3 now.
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on April 07, 2011, 10:39:08 PM
After a looong layoff, I'm back working on the CS again.  Motor's out and in the garage, waiting for a trip to the machine shop.  Picked up a super clean bed from an 85, and a clean tailgate from a 76.  Also, this week I stripped the hood that I was originally going to scrap due to so much hidden damage (and a ton of body filler).
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on April 07, 2011, 10:51:20 PM
I already knew about the front edge being sort of rough, both from the initial damage and the half-baked repair attempt.  The crease in the center ridge is considerable, but I think I can get it back pretty close to where it needs to be.  Originally, it was filled completely with the plastic filler, and an area about 10-12 inches surrounding it was filled with it as well, to attempt to compensate for the depression created when the ridge line took a hit.  I'm hoping a lot of that will go away when I pull out the crease.  I may need to come up with a solution on the underside.
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on April 07, 2011, 11:10:38 PM
Today, it was about cleaning up the firewall and front suspension.  I pulled the A/C box off (which ultimately will go back on - this is Texas).  I haven't yet decided whether to go with a black firewall or do it in the Hawaiian Blue.  I'm thinking on doing that Spectrum coating that Vile did on his 74 which looks awesome, and then color coating that.

The front suspension had over thirty years of grease and dirt caked up on it.  I decided to start cleaning that off, so I could see what I had to work with.  Like the rest of the truck, it looks awesome - should be easy to get it squared away.  First image is the "before" and the last one is the "after".
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: beastie_3 on April 07, 2011, 11:17:00 PM
Looking good. With the blue paint photochop, I actually thought the mirror was added in, because the paint didnt look to be edited. Then I looked at the first page and figured it out. so, good job on the photochop ha.
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on April 08, 2011, 01:15:11 AM
Looking good. With the blue paint photochop, I actually thought the mirror was added in, because the paint didnt look to be edited. Then I looked at the first page and figured it out. so, good job on the photochop ha.

Hey thanks for the pshop kudos.  I thought it really sort of nailed the look I want.

Here's some more pics - one shows one of the heads stripped. 

Also, a picture of the badges that I've been stripping and preparing for restoration.
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on April 08, 2011, 01:41:25 AM
And here are some valve covers that I picked up on eBay for around $60.  They were originally chromed aluminum.  The aluminum was badly pitted, and the chrome was flaking off due to the corrosion.  I sandblasted these, and got them to a point to where I could polish them.  All that's remaining on them is some 454 badges and they are ready for installation.
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: screamin86 on April 08, 2011, 03:34:10 AM
Looks great keep up the good work!
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: beastie_3 on April 08, 2011, 02:56:01 PM
Looks good, but wont your wife be mad you ruined her kitchen towel?? (picture titled covers2.jpg)
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on April 08, 2011, 05:09:55 PM
Looks good, but wont your wife be mad you ruined her kitchen towel?? (picture titled covers2.jpg)

Wife?  Hah!  I got rid of the wife!  ;D  Kitchen towel, old rag - same difference!
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on May 04, 2011, 11:39:18 AM
OK, so I spent the evening yesterday removing the interior of the Cheyenne.  Popped off the trim moulding and dash, removed the door panels, etc.  When I separated the sagging vinyl from the headliner I noticed immediately that the material that the vinyl/foam had been adhered to was pretty well stuck to the ceiling to the point that it couldn't be removed without damaging it.  The surface of it looks as though it might be cleanable, so if that is the case I may look into applying new foam and vinyl to it "in place" once I've re-painted the interior. 
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: big bear on May 04, 2011, 12:07:54 PM
awesome project man.....keep up the great work
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: JohnnyCanuck on May 04, 2011, 08:44:37 PM
very nice!
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on August 02, 2012, 08:00:16 PM
Well, I finally started back in on the 3+3, removed the rest of the interior, pulled the steering column, and have the large hump set in place for the manual tranny.
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on August 02, 2012, 08:06:05 PM
And lookie what I picked up last night on craigslist - for a paltry 100 bones.  8)
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: zieg85 on August 02, 2012, 08:14:54 PM
Nice find on the seats, looks real nice
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: slammed79 on August 11, 2012, 12:13:11 AM
Sweet! When is it turning blue?
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: 84chevysilverado on August 11, 2012, 09:02:28 AM
man this thing is clean sweet find. keep the pics comming
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on August 12, 2012, 06:25:18 PM
Sweet! When is it turning blue?

Well, my goal is to paint within the next 12 months, and that's sort of an optimistic time frame.  I still need to separate the cab from the frame, blast the underside of the cab, and coat with Chassis Saver.  The cab, hood, tailgate, fenders and doors will be moved into the garage, and painted there - probably in the spring, when the temperatures are milder.  I'll do the bed separately afterward.  I'm focusing on the little things for now - like the refurbishment of the emblems, which are in post #31 of this thread.
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on August 12, 2012, 06:34:22 PM
Here are the latest pics of the emblems' restoration, which has been a multi-hour, painstaking process.  But I'm confident they'll look great when they're done.  The last pic in this set is shortly before I bake them for the last time.  They're still a little rough. ::)
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on September 07, 2012, 05:12:37 PM
The first new pieces of my restoration to arrive.....  Awwwwwww, yeah! 8)  I liked Kenny's (78Chevyrado) so much, I had to get one myself!
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: heavychevy91 on September 07, 2012, 06:06:25 PM
looking real good. i really enjoy following this one. i like that your sticking to original ish stuff too.
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: 78 Chevyrado on September 08, 2012, 12:57:31 AM
Good choice in Steering Wheels man!   ;)

Those emblems you redid look sweet!
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: Tx_Phil on September 12, 2012, 07:40:13 PM
And lookie what I picked up last night on craigslist - for a paltry 100 bones.  8)

What a score on those seats and console.  I guess I need to learn how to search CL better!

Sweet project and really enjoying all the pictures.

Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on September 12, 2012, 10:39:55 PM
Had this waiting for me on the front porch when I got home today... ;D
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on September 12, 2012, 10:47:11 PM
Dropped off my heads on Saturday to this guy.

http://austincylinderhead.com/ (http://austincylinderhead.com/)

Made an appointment today with another shop to get the block tanked, magna-fluxed, bored and honed, two months out.  Machine shops in this area that are/were reputable are becoming more and more scarce.  Like the heads this block is "virgin".  I'm really trying to avoid it getting wrecked by a hack.  :o
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on October 01, 2012, 03:21:01 PM
Looky what SantaKaos sent me!

Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on October 01, 2012, 03:22:49 PM
...and more

Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on October 01, 2012, 03:28:26 PM
And then here are some other items from elsewhere...

Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on October 01, 2012, 03:38:28 PM
Here's one of my rear door panels, originally buckskin, painted with OER's interior vinyl dye.  This is "medium blue" for 1973 year model GM cars.  There wasn't a specific SEM dye available.  The picture (from my phone's camera) makes it look funny, and doesn't do it justice.  I was very pleased with how it turned out.  The dash pad and center console will get the same treatment.

Also, one of the original hubcaps that I've restored.
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: nucknoel89 on October 01, 2012, 08:18:22 PM
Nice!  Are those plastic tanks?  If so, where'd you get 'em?
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on October 01, 2012, 10:08:02 PM
Nice!  Are those plastic tanks?  If so, where'd you get 'em?
I got them from Raybuck Auto Parts.  Nice product!  When I placed the initial order, I mistakenly ordered the 81-87 tanks.  Called them, got a person immediately, in this country (lol) and she took care of making the change for me right away.  Got them quickly, too.  And, the best part - they are made in the USA!
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on October 01, 2012, 10:10:57 PM
Got two more important pieces today - new seat covers for the rear bench, and for the bucket seats in the front.  Armrest covers included.  And everything looks SWEET.  I couldn't be happier with everything I've gotten through Chris.  Truly quality products.
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on October 08, 2012, 11:52:37 AM
Here's the guy I've settled on to do my block work.

http://www.glennsmachine.com/about.html
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: 79brent on October 12, 2012, 08:46:12 PM
Right on man, liking your build. My granpa had a 80 somthing 3+3 from the fire station with a diesel and service box on it our mechanic drove. Keep up the good work!  :o
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on October 17, 2012, 05:40:29 PM
Here are some pics of the buckets and bench seats with their new seat covers - the bench is original to the truck, and the buckets from a '91 Suburban.  These were a PITA to install, but at least they all look the same, now!  8)

Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: Captkaos on October 18, 2012, 10:42:22 AM
So any feedback on them?  Positive or negative?  They are a pain to install, just have to take your time.
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on October 18, 2012, 02:19:33 PM
So any feedback on them?  Positive or negative?  They are a pain to install, just have to take your time.

Overall, very pleased with the fit and finish of them.  Only thing I would suggest would be for the person who buys them to pick up a good set of hog ring pliers for about $25.  The ones that come with the covers are a little tricky to handle in certain situations.  Other than that, I can't recommend the product more highly.
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on October 22, 2012, 06:27:38 PM
At last - the final, major shipment has arrived, and was waiting for me when I got home from work today.  8)
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on November 15, 2012, 04:19:33 PM
Got my heads back today:

Shot blasted
New springs, valves and guide liners
New Viton seals
Metal flash cleanup
3-way valve job

They look awesome.  Should make quite a lot of difference.

Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on November 15, 2012, 04:26:46 PM
Got the block/crank back yesterday.

Bored .030
Align-honed
Polished the crank (learned it was steel as opposed to cast iron)
Got everything trued up and leveled off.  He said it was not far off at all, and was pleased with how it turned out (as was I)
New Scat connecting rods

Next up is installing the main bearings, and fun with Plastigage.
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on December 10, 2012, 05:26:15 PM
Working a little on the frame...  got the front crossmember media blasted and POR-15'ed...

Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: 87454westernhauler on January 17, 2013, 01:34:19 AM
just stumbed onto your build! great work! my dad has always had a 79 gmc crew cab and just love them!
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on January 17, 2013, 09:19:24 PM
Thanks!  It's slow going, but it's coming along!
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: VileZambonie on January 27, 2013, 11:06:35 AM
Lookin good
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on May 06, 2013, 03:34:15 PM
Finally got my control arms and spindles media blasted and POR-15'd this weekend.  Forty years of crud on them is now history.
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: ModelKing on May 06, 2013, 10:29:20 PM
Awesome job man! Keep up the great work!!!
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: STxMunky on December 13, 2013, 02:47:04 PM
Came across your thread here. Any updates? Also, I had no luck with the photobucket link you posted earlier.
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on January 08, 2014, 07:48:22 AM
Came across your thread here. Any updates? Also, I had no luck with the photobucket link you posted earlier.
Nothing major lately, mostly just cleaning up interior parts, dyeing the door panels and such.  Probably will do a bit more as the weather becomes a bit warmer.  Took the Photobucket pics down a while back... easier just to drop them in directly.
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: Jason S on January 08, 2014, 12:34:48 PM
Just caught up on the thread, too...

What did you do have to do on the hubcaps? Were there dents to remove and polish and what paint did you use?
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on January 08, 2014, 12:47:54 PM
Just caught up on the thread, too...

What did you do have to do on the hubcaps? Were there dents to remove and polish and what paint did you use?


The hubcaps were faded, but in otherwise near perfect shape.  I polished them on a cloth wheel with stainless polish, then taped off the areas I wanted to paint (that was kinda tedious).  I used satin black Rustoleum, and then Allis Chalmers yellow for the bowtie (close enough to the yellow ochre to suit me).  I think they turned out pretty nice.
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: dvdswan on January 09, 2014, 07:56:00 PM
what size wheels are those?  I'm guessing you ordered them because of the picture that shows 4 boxes from Stockton wheel.  hub caps look pristine now.  nicely done for sure.  was that a cloth wheel on a bench grinder?
Title: Re: My "new" ride - a 4-door yellow squash!
Post by: bake315 on January 11, 2014, 08:37:31 PM
what size wheels are those?  I'm guessing you ordered them because of the picture that shows 4 boxes from Stockton wheel.  hub caps look pristine now.  nicely done for sure.  was that a cloth wheel on a bench grinder?

Fronts are 16x8, rears are 16x10.  Correct on the bench grinder.