Project 87 Short Step

[bake74]

     Progress, we all like progress.

[hobbz]

Little more progress. Had to drill most of the bolts, but got one fender off. There is one hole in the bedside that I am going to have to patch, but nothing bad. If the storm will hold off this afternoon, I am going to get the other fender off. Then will be time to break out the paint stripper.

[bake74]

     Were the bolts rusted that bad or the heads stripped that you had to drill them ?

[hobbz]

They heads stripped

[hobbz]

Both fenders are now off, starting to take the bed apart now. Also got all of the factory wiring harness out of the truck. Going to use a new harness without all the extra wires since I won't have heat, radio, or much else...

[hobbz]

Got the bed all apart today with a little help from the wife. going to start prepping them for pain and paint them next.

Next will be fuel tank between the rails in the back.  I am still hoping to get my engine this fall, and hope to have it drivable shortly after.  It will be far from perfect, but should be a fun toy.  The wife is already looking forward to taking a few trips to the drag strips. there are 2 1/8 mile and 1 1/4 mile tracks within 1.5 hours from me.


pics:

[hobbz]

Been working a lot of overtime and haven't been able to work on the truck much.  Finally able to make some time this week, and got some more of the bed prepped for paint.  Also picked up a few parts for the engine bay yesterday.  I am picking up a 350 for it this weekend.

The manifold is a Edelbrock 2701, the carb is a 1405


The e-fan was a freebie, I just have to get the thermostat kit for it


No new pics of the truck, but if the weather is ok tomorrow, I am going to paint and put the bed box back together. I am also going to roll it outside to make it easier to drop the engine in.

[hobbz]

Bed is painted and together

[hobbz]

Picked up the engine today.  Going to wait till tomorrow to try and get it running.  Going to pull the exhaust manifolds, intake manifold, and plugs. Then put my new headers and intake/carb on and see if it will make some noise.

My wife helped me drop the engine in and roll the truck around today.

[hobbz]

Got it stripped down and ready to go back together

[bake74]

     Probably a good thing you at least inspected it as much as you did before you tried to fire it up.

[hobbz]

Yeah.  Everything looks good.  Checked the numbers on the heads and they are 601 heads which are from a 305.  I knew the engine had been built, just didn't know how.  From the numbers, it looks like the engine should be good up to about 4500rpm with monster low in torque.  I still don't know what cam or pistons...

I hope to get it fired out tomorrow as long as the wife doesn't keep me busy with honeydos...

[hobbz]

Got the new intake on. cranked it over without the plugs in and it started building oil pressure. I put the plugs in, and went to crank it over again, and my jumper cables I was using for battery wires aren't big enough to let it crank enough to fire.  The cables were getting very hot.  I have the battery charging, and will pick up a 2 or 4 gauge battery wire tomorrow and try again... Guess I need to get some 93 octane gas too...

[hobbz]

[solve4x]

as long as the wife doesn't keep me busy with honeydos...

A wife willing to help with an engine swap job, deserves a few "honeydos"!!!!!