My 79 Shortwide

[JJSZABO]

Looking Sweet!!!

[79SHORTWIDE]

Thanx!
Had a local alternator rebuilding company convert my stock alternator to the 140 amp single wire. They did it for $130.00 plus tax. Not bad I guess. And I received my a/c compressor delete bracket/pulley so I can go ahead and install the serp belt, fire this thing and add the a/c later on. I did bend up lines from the carb to tranny modulator and one for the vacuum advance. And put the Stage 8 locking headers bolts on. Also re-did the p/s hoses a little. I think it looks cleaner. I'll try to post some new pics this weekend once the front of the engine is finally buttoned up.

[JJSZABO]

Yes, please post pics

I am all tangled up with rewiring this thing right now.

[HAULIN IT]

Shortwide, That is some beautiful work going on there! You have allot to be proud of! Keep the photos coming. Lorne

[79SHORTWIDE]

JJSZABO--I don't envy you. That's still on my list of things to do as well. Maybe it'll be fun HA!
Whose kit are you using? I'm really leaning towards the Ron francis package---the issue I see (with any of them) is getting all the modifications added in from the supplier. I think the average $500.00 kit could get ALOT more expensive after you order the mods. And it seems that we have to re-use alot of the old connectors or find new ones. I don't think they come in the kits.

LORNE--Thank you ! Believe me the compliments help keep me motivated. I should have some pics up this weekend of the latest work.
Sometimes I wish I wasn't so anal about making things look nice. It ends up costing alot more $$$$ and takes alot more time.

[VileZambonie]

How's the body on this truck?

[79SHORTWIDE]

Let's just say it's getting there 
I bought new doors and fenders last year. I replaced both front floor pans, both inner rockers, both cab corners and both fron cab supports. The bed is useable but I'm looking for a better one. It needs a lot of work. I'm not a body man and learning as I go. I hate it !
Otherwise it's great! LOL. It was a $1200 truck when I bought it if that says anything. Still looking for a good deal on a cowl hood also.
Wanting to take the cab to be sandblasted in and out so I can attempt priming and smoothing. My driver truck was wrecked and now I don't have a truck to pull a trailer to do this kind of work. I can't sandblast in my neighborhood so I have to take it somewhere. I really don't want to spend forever sanding the whole cab. really wishing I knew someone in my area to trade out some body work for mechanical work. No luck yet.
Vile, your truck is looking great! I'm envious!

[VileZambonie]

Thanks, how come you can't sand blast in your neighborhood?

[79SHORTWIDE]

Because of the mess. To the best of my knowledge I could only use a portable blaster. The blast media has to end up somewhere so I'd have to do it outside. I don't want that mess all over my engine, frame and inside my garage. Anyway, there's a homeowners association here. They gripe about everything. And I have some neighbors that aren't as enthusiastic as I am about hot rods. (They're gonna love me when I fire it up for the first time and haev to break in the cam  ) I'm surprised no one has complained when I'm grinding, cutting etc. For what it'll cost to buy everything, I could probably take it and have it done.

[79SHORTWIDE]

A few updates;

Trans modulator and vacuum advance lines bent. Look close to see the vacuum
modulator line is mounted to the valve cover bolts.

P/S hoses with mounting

Serpentine system-With Compressor delete setup for now.
140 amp Single wire alternator. GMPP aluminum water pump.

Stage 8 locking header bolts.
Thanx for looking!

[VileZambonie]

That thing is gonna be sweet! What did you use for a serpentine system?

[79SHORTWIDE]

Thanx Vile!
After researching the systems available from GMPP, Summit etc, I realized it's all the same as a 91 Z-28. I found the main brackets and some misc stuff on Craigslist a year ago. Then I started piecing the rest together. It helps that I used to work for an A/C Delco distributor and now work for a GM dealership as a Parts Manager. Once the cab is on and done, I'll worry about A/C and the compressor. I figure this way that I have now will allow me to run it and check for problems etc. Still a ways to go before firing it up. I want to get as much done as possible before mounting any body parts.

[Pushrod]

Simply Beautiful!! Wish I could spend that kind of quality time on my machine. Your setup is gonna look great.

I hate to bash but I think you need to know. The port your using on the carb for the trans modulator is a timed vacume port usually best for the distributor. I don't think It'll work for the modulator. The modulator needs to see manifold vacume. Also your serpentine belt is installed incorrectly. It goes to the bottom of the crank from the air pump, around the crank, around the water pump, then down to the steering pump, and up to the alternator, across to the a/c under the tensioner, and back down to the air pump. That accellerator cable bracket your using is real nice lookin and makes for fairly easy adjustments but trust me your gonna find yourself tossin it in the trash someday. I've found a certian combo of gm accelerator/tranny cable brackets that work real well for a Holley from the boneyard, I didn't write it down though so I'm not much help there. Alright enough bashin, I'm just jealous.

Nevermind that modulator crap I was talkin. I just looked back and put my foot in my mouth.

[79SHORTWIDE]

I don't get that much time to work on it. I work 11 hour days. I have about 2 years into this money pit! LOL
Before I hooked up the vacuum advance and tranny modulator, I checked the sheet that came with the Holley. I THOUGHT I was correct. Maybe not.
As for the belt routing; I looked at the JEGS website and there's is like mine. Although it doesn't look like we have the same lower ideler that replaces an air pump. As a matter of fact, it doesn't look like their belt even touches the idler.....I know that the grooved side of the belt has to run in a grooved pulley and the back side goes against a smooth pulley. I don't have an air pump. It (temporarily) has two idlers--one for where the air pump would go if I had one and one to replace the a/c compressor until I get one. If you have a pic of a different routing, I'd appreciate it.
I've got my doubts on the bracket for the kickdown also. I had it and the o.e. cable already so figured I'd try it. I'm still contemplating the Lokar stuff--it's just pricey.
No "bashing" taken. I'm ALWAYS open to suggestions and ideas. I definetly don't know it all.

[Captkaos]

Are you not using the passengers inner bolt (near the intake) on the serp setup.  I am about to bolt mine in, and I am debating on drilling that hole.  I have serveral people said it could be eliminated, but.....