New/Old '82 SWB from WestTX

[trem0r]

Hey Everyone!

This site is awesome!  I've been lurking around for a few weeks.  I've been trying to gather as much information about these trucks as possible and am about to pull the trigger on getting my mother's black 1982 SWB project started.  I'm 27 and I grew up in this truck.  I remember rides from daycare, grocery store, everywhere.  I learned to drive on this truck. when I was well below 15, dad would take me out in the country to practice.   Mom moved on to newer vehicles, but dad could not convince her to sell it.  I've been begging her to sell it to me for years now, as it's just been sitting in their driveway - and she finally gave it to me!

So, I'm overwhelmed and excited and thrilled and ecstatic to get this thing back on the road!  Like I said, I've been cruising various websites for ideas, parts, info, you name it.  I came across this site and learned more in 2 weeks about these types of trucks than I ever though possible.  I've always loved these body styles and they always catch my eye on the road, so you can imagine my delight when I came across this amazing resource!  I was certain that I wouldn't be able to find much when I first started my searching..

Anyway, all of your trucks look AWESOME and I've downloaded most of the pics on this site for ideas and future reference!  I'll be posting pics in the member's project section shortly.  As I've never attempted a "restore" of this magnitude, I'm not certain what all needs to be done at the moment - luckily I have some family and friends who are pretty handy with alot of this stuff and I intend to employ them as much as possible (payable with beer and such!)  I hope to learn a lot during the course of this thing and a big THANKS to anyone who had the patience to read such a long winded hello!

[choptop]

Welcome from another West Texan. Bout time someone closer joined

[trem0r]

Heck yeah!


Abilene here.

[oldyeller]

Welcome.  Good luck with the truck.  Hope you can do everything you want with it.  Glad to have someone close on here. 

[infamouschevy]

welcome from fort worth texas how many texas eople do yall think are on the site

[JohnnyMac333]

Welcome from Houston. Nice lookin truck. Tell us what's in it now and what you plan to put in it. I'm sure you've got some ideas by now   

[trem0r]

Hey. 

It has a worn out 305, good condition th350 transmission, a 10bolt rear end.

I plan on replacing the 305 with a good crate 290hp/350 (not sure if I will beef it up yet or not)

The interior is in decent shape with the dash being the worst.  I want to renew the interior as best I can.  The weather stripping on the doors needs replacing as well as the latches, and even triangle window latches.

It definitely needs a paint job as the clearcoat is stripping away and there are several paint chips and whatnot.  There are only a few minor dings.

I believe that the heater core is malfunctioning and needs replacement.

The underbody is in great condition and there is only surface rust which I'm hoping to take care of with some of that POR 15 stuff that I keep hearing about.  Some of the bushings are in perfect condition and some of them are in need of replacement.

The front and back bumper need to be replaced.  Front is rusty, back is bend out of shape. 

Once I get it back in running condition, I'm not real certain what direction I'd like to take it.  I can't decide if I want to put the chrome strips and fender strips back on or leave them off.  I'm not certain if I want to lower it yet or not.  So many choices!

I'll be posting several pics in the project area tonight so you can see a little bit more detail and maybe give me some starting out pointers.

[eventhorizon66]

Howdy and welcome aboard.

I would recommend against the GM 350/290 crate.  The only difference between that engine and the standard Goodwrench 350 is the cam, which is inappropriate for an engine with such low compression (and they charge you about $300 more ).  Keep in mind that even though they say it has 8.5:1, they often spec out with less.  I have a stock 350 Goodwrench and will likely sink another $1500 in good heads, roller cam, etc, as the stock heads are JUNK and have no place in a performance engine.  I am confident that anyone with good mechanical skills could build their own reliable 300-350hp 350 longblock for $1500 or less, that's with the desireable L31 "vortec" heads.

[Captkaos]

Welcome to the site!

[oldwhity]

Welcome from Maryland. Your truck doesn't look bad at all from the pic.

[69byrd]

Welcome from Tennessee.

[trem0r]

Finally posted in the members area.  You can find more pics here:

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=12409.0

[joedapper]

Welcome from IL