Re: My own build thread
 

Make sure the thermostat isnt upside down. And your right about suspect head gaskets if evrything checks out unless hair line fractured head.. I have seen gaskets that block water ports or restricted them.
Also another simple thing to check is to see if your lower radiator hose is collapsing even if its new.

This may sound totally stupid but worth saying. Make sure the fan is pulling the right way and the water pump. Next is the right fan for the drive train. Dont know how much of a difference this makes. But when you go buy one at the auto parts they have different ones for the gearing. And fans with blades the other direction. Sounds dumb and can be overseen.

What size bag you put in those plated lowers? Looks like a 2500?
C notch???? No way bro. Thats a Step notch and a nice job making it!

Re: My own build thread
 

:agree: what he said !!

Hope you get it figured out, over heating sucks.

Re: My own build thread
 

You might try a different water pump. You may have gotten one for a serpentine drive by mistake. Those rotate CCW.

Re: My own build thread
 

I GOT IT! For some dumb ass reason I decided to stick the stock mechanic fan blade on and it works great. I just drove for about 45 mins and it didn't get above 160-170. Stupid Champion electric fan is junk!
I almost went postal a couple times, I've spent so much time trying to figure this out but I never thought this was the solution. I don't even have a shroud on... I don't know if that fan isn't working right but the stock fan pulls 100x more air... I'm pissed that the fan sucks but I'm so happy that I get to drive it now I almost don't care... Lol
Thank you all for all the comments and suggestions, I still have a lot to finish but this was a very cool step.

Re: My own build thread
 

:bann:

Re: My own build thread
 

glad to hear you got it figured out! I was starting to get pissed too, lol!! been there before, I spend over $300 for relays and other stuff for the wife's Tahoe (wouldn't start) just for it to be the fuel filter, the last thing I did before I was about to give up, and the cheapest, lol!!

you have done a wonderful job on the truck, good luck and hope to see another video to hear the new cam, :metal: :metal:

Re: My own build thread
 

Those pics are Swaeeeet.
Been following along on FB and that little smart phone screen doesn't do your truck justice.
Glad to hear things are way cooler now.
Can't wait to hear the new cam rumble and see it in motion.

Re: My own build thread
 

Crappy eletric fans have kicked my butt before too. I ended up buying a SPAL and it was a night and day difference. Glad it's getting closer!

Re: My own build thread
 

Thanks everyone! One of the local C10 guys around here gave me a fan shroud. It was kind of hammered but I spent all night plastic welding it and cutting it to fit. It was either for a different year or something because it was much larger than my stock radiator but I think it will work.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...psadcgst7c.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps71jejl0x.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...pszgqmcffc.jpg[/quote]_zps71jejl0x.jpg[/IMG]

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps9xghzbjs.jpg

Sorry for the crappy pics it was late and I was trying to get it done so I could drive it in the morning. I cut about 6 inches out of it and used the scraps to make the side pieces. I still have to make brackets to mount it correctly, I original made plastic tabs but they just wouldn't hold not matter how much I plastic I added to them.

Re: My own build thread
 

Looks good Brother!!! :metal:

Re: My own build thread
 

Thanks Don!
Drove it to work for the first time.
I also put my Chevyonly sticker on that Dino gave me!
Crappy pics but you get the idea.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...psqbmnqkqj.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps13syzdtt.jpg

Re: My own build thread
 

This thing is lookin' great!!!! Kudos for a job well done. BTW, sorry if I missed it, but why are you still running hood-less?

Re: My own build thread
 

Thanks Sir!
I have to block out the hood some more and repaint it. It didn't turn out as well as we had hoped. Hopefully I can get it fixed up and repaint soon. I've just been enjoying not having to work on this a little. But I need to get back on it this week and try and finish up some loose ends.

Re: My own build thread
 

I have been there so many times working on these old trucks and motors. Some times there is a point in a project that you ask yourself why the hell am I doing this. I am glad you got it figured out the truck is awesome

Re: My own build thread
 

That pic with no hood is nice. What is that blanket called you have on your seat? I want one as well. However I dont know what its called to look for it.

Re: My own build thread
 

They are Mexican blankets or serapes but sometimes serapes have a hole in the middle

Re: My own build thread
 

Ya the blankets are Mexican blankets. I do upholstery and I'm going to do this seat I just have to take a breather for bit. If you order one make sure it's a large blanket because they make different sizes and the smaller ones won't fit.
If you live in Texas if shouldn't be too hard to find some nice ones and they usually have tons of different colors.
Thanks Superfly and everyone else!
I haven't done anything on my truck really, I've been spending time with the family and relaxing a bit. I have to get back on it and finish things up.

Re: My own build thread
 

I did a few things finally. A friend gave me this plastic fan shroud. He said it was for this truck but I don't think it was because it was probably 8-10 inches wider than the radiator. I ended up cutting it apart and plastic welding it together. I originally made plastic tabs to mount it to the radiator but they broke off... So I ended up using/modifying the stock pieces that mount on either side of the radiator.
Surprisingly they worked out pretty well!
I also go tired of the cheap air gauges I had because they rarely worked and installed these Gauges. They work great and look a lot better.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...psq6oscscm.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...psnwzhburv.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...pssxrjli40.jpg

Re: My own build thread
 

Those guages are sweet illuminated !! :metal:

Your truck is looking great, any new video?

Re: My own build thread
 

Thanks! Ya these look/work a lot better than he old ones. The old ones stopped working about a week After I installed them... Chinese junk...

Re: My own build thread
 

Driving with a Dino Sticker...:metal::metal::metal:

Re: My own build thread
 

This is one of my all time favorite trucks! Everything looks good.

Re: My own build thread
 

Thank you!
I blew up the trans a few weeks ago, I have a rebuilt TH350 now I just have to put it back in. Just trying to find another torque converter right now.

Re: My own build thread
 

Update, put the new trans in. Everything went good with that other than it took me almost 2 weeks to find a torque converter? I would have never thought it would have been that hard to find a TH350 TC... I guess they are getting hard to come by.
I've just been driving it and going to a few car shows, I definitely need to change out the rear gears though. Doing 60-65 at about 3500 RPM's is not fun!
I probably should have put a 700r4 in it but since I have the tripower setup just the brackets for the TV cable were going to cost $270 bucks plus I'd have to shorten the driveshaft, make a new crossmember, new shift linkage etc... I thought this would be cheaper and easier but maybe I was wrong? What done is done I guess...
My plan right now is to hopefully try and finish painting the hood finally and finish painting a few other pieces as well in the next few weeks. Once that is done I'll work on reupholstering the seat. I need to get this all done so I can try and get my wife's 54 Buick on the road again.

Re: My own build thread
 

I saved some $ too and kept my 4 speed. Future upgrade will be a 700r4.......

Re: My own build thread
 

Here are some updated pics. Got the hood painted and started buffing it out yesterday. Once I get the hood put on Im going to pull the seat out and start doing the upholstery for it. I figured since it started snowing now is a good time for that.
If I get some time I'm going to start making the wood for the bed as well.
Here are the pics.
This hood was rough to start with. I patch both rear corners and the whole top was pushed in from someone standing on it I think. This has honestly been the most difficult thing I've done body work on in my life. There are so many different angles and contours it took forever trying to get it straight. I am very happy with it now.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...psd44by1jj.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...psmthw0cmg.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...psm0rru9pv.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps5qxvlnvk.jpg


Here is the last one, I started buffing it. Wow, this thing shines! So good to see what your hard work pays off on in the end.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...psrye24feb.jpg

Re: My own build thread
 

Damn man that looks good. Can't wait to see it on.

Re: My own build thread
 

Looks like that paint will run right off!!!:lol:

Very Nice!!!:metal:

Re: My own build thread
 

Incredibly nice job, well done sir

Re: My own build thread
 

Mirror finish. Top quality job.

Re: My own build thread
 

Looks awesome!
If you look back on my thread, I had a similar problem with the hood.
By far the most intensive body work spent on the entire truck!!!
I think that somebody jumped on mine. Seriously!!!
Great accomplishment!

Re: My own build thread
 

So, now that you've driven it, does the ho-heim shaft work okay?
You may have saved me some work here. I'm in the process of doing a Z and I ordered two weld-in joints and a heim. Maybe I won't need the heim though.

Re: My own build thread
 

Nice build for sure!!

Re: My own build thread
 

Hood and truck looks great

Re: My own build thread
 

The steering works great, I've never had any problems with it.
Thanks everyone for the positivity.
The hood got messed up, when we were trying to put it on, the bolts got mixed up. One of the bolts was too long and pushed up into the hood "almost went through the top of the hood" when we tried to put the hinges on..
. Yeah it made me so sick I haven't touched it for months because of it. I'll get back on it I just needed some time to relax.
I did order the material for the seat snd I've been waiting for the material to come in for over a month. Hopefully it gets here soon.
Good times!

Re: My own build thread
 

OOOOOH!!!
Sorry to hear about the hood! That had to feel tragic! It looked sooooo nice!
I kinda know how you feel about taking a rest.
Sometimes it feels relaxing, but my truck is sorta in "storage" for the winter, and I still get cabin fever from time to time, so I need to go look at it just to make sure that it is still there!!
I cannot wait until spring rolls in!!!

Re: My own build thread
 

Thanks. You have no idea how that helps.
And, as others have said, great build, great truck.

Re: My own build thread
 

Thanks Popcorn/Modges66, glad to help someone else out!

Update - I took some time off obviously but I'm slowly getting back into things. I started upholstering my seat. I'm going to attempt to make something similar to Fatluckys seat he did on the Red Faux but with brown/gold material.
Here are some pics.
This new web layout doesn't work well with my phone... Grr...
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: My own build thread
 

Let me see if this works.
These are the colors I'm using. Everything will be dark brown with gold piping and gold stitching.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...psgvmrkdoa.jpg

Woohoo! I figured it out!
Here is the layout I drew on the foam. I also had the seat frame powder coated.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...psu3a5r2pp.jpg

Here are the pleats
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...psp2nualwf.jpg

Here are the pleats sewn together. I tried to get the perforated holes to line up but if you've ever done upholstery I'm sure you know how difficult it is to do that. I've never sewn perforated material before and didn't think about that beforehand. Oh well, hopefully it will still look nice when it's finished.
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps9dwkigkq.jpg

I'll post more pics when I'm finished. Hopefully I can knock this out this weekend.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: My own build thread
 

Looks Great from here...:mm:

…and glad to see you and this awesome build back out here...:metal: