Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

Beautiful.

Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

Polished this steering wheel to good enough. I'll install a cover over it. This Ebay guy had a bunch of these, all had their dust shields busted off. Apparently they came from a shop that modified these trucks back in the day; I figure they just pried them off. Anyway, seems the last one he sold was this, only this one had a dust shield. Turns out its old cover was busted off as well but replaced.

Yesterday was a good day. Arranged for someone to install the front and rear glass, they plan to do that in 2-3 weeks. Thought I had that one figured out well over a year ago. First guy ended up in prison, 2nd all talk over an 18 month period. This new place is real professional and tight. Hopefully that translates to a great job.

Then I called the exhaust guy, he's paying me a visit tomorrow. Then a message from Roger Koop, my vent windows are ready. Snap, I have 1K+ in vent window parts and not even using them. Reference all talk window guy. I just wanted to get this done, even if it meant two sets of vent windows and spares.

Air cleaner is on its 3rd paint job:lol: The guy missed a spot, twice. That's been out since Feb. 2021, but "any day now":smoke: He's an old buddy.
Other than that, a bench seat and vapor can hoses this is ready to run.

Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

I put a cover on that steering wheel and perhaps will never see rim again. Great news today, the exhaust guy came over, super nice, all he's ever done is operate wrecking yards and restorations. Very cool, he drives old Toyota Pick-ups with points, and "they're not avail. because I own them all":lol: Anyway, heads up, he's calling soon and this will be one of his last jobs. He's never paid into SS, so at 52 will be driving semitrucks, they'll be lucky to have him.

He's going to custom build the exhaust system. He suggests 2.5 pipes front and back. Correct me if mistaken, I think the old ones were 2.5" fronts and 2" rear. Guess I shouldn't have sold the old set for cheap huh? Nobody sells a kit for this frame, but he doesn't need them. He says many replacements don't fit anyway. He plans to search for mufflers as well, at the moment I like the Flowmaster 70.

Battery on order, someday, months on months? Upholstery due December? so installed the old bench, actually looks nice short butt deterioration. Windows? Heck I don't know, plan to call them today, no doubt back-ordered, covid-style.

Less some of that and a couple hours on my part she's ready to roll.

Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

Very nice build. I’m a little late to the party but I’m jumping onboard.

Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

wow... Beautiful !

Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

Absolutely amazing. I’d be too scared to drive it!

Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

Thank you,

and yeah, when I had everything apart short it was drivable, even then I was nervous about driving it. That must have been six years ago. Too bad man, I like driving these. I think I'm selling my C-20 soon, but will probably replace that someday.

Other then that it's hard to close the hood to keep the dust out, I can't stop staring at the engine bay:smoke: Had a feeling everything would come together at once, or hope anyway. Exhaust soon and windows just called, I drop the trim off this Thursday and they install the front and rear on the 31st. Crossing my fingers the drivetrain is happy say a month from now, I'm a little nervous & anxious about the motor.

Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

hi Tony,you're right,the original front pipes were 2 1/2 and 2 inch tailpipes.i had my tailpipes made with 2 1/4 and of course 2 1/4 outlet Walker mufflers.i always use steel donut gaskets,especially on the big blocks rather than the fiber type.they never seem to stay tight but the steel gaskets do.take care.Greg

Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

Always nice to have confirmation, thanks Greg. You know what Walker mufflers you're using?

Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

hi Tony,i thought i sent you the walker part number?maybe not.i'll look it up and get back to you.

Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

Beautiful truck

Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

Wow, cross your fingers for me, this should be running next week, I'm nervous about it. Everything's come together, the windows were finally installed today, and the exhaust installed last week. All I have left to do is install the door parts, install the grille, and a couple of bumpers not ordered yet, tires and wheels. Oh wait:metal: still need the upholstery that was ordered I don't know, 4 months ago, and the flooring is pending too. Can't count visors and that, too fun;)

That and I probably have to buy a battery just to get this running, the $400 Delco ordered 1.5 months ago isn't here yet, $600 perhaps just for a battery(s).

In the meantime I got my garage back. The things I accumulated for this project takes almost half again what was condensed in the first place, but I wrapped things up today.

Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

no worries,you got this.she'll be purring in no time.

Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

Towed this morning, they're on it:metal::metal::metal::lol:

I'm having them prime everything, brake fluid, tune up. The old man rebuilt the carb. on this, and set me up with the divorce choke. Man I hope the engine is what it was or happier, I only replaced oil pump, timing chain/gears and balancer. In hindsight I'd have had the engine block rebuilt. Seemed an easy call at the time, 40K oil always clear & full.

I put 5/30 Mobil 1 in there. It's only seen one change of that, before I put her to sleep. My ears tell me it liked Valvoline semi-synthetic "Durablend" better but you can't get that anymore. Purred like a kitten with 20-50. I hear 5/30 Mobil 1 is the (*^(*. Then again I spoke to and old Mopar guy, he said synthetic is (*^)*^ alright, burned up his engine.

Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

hi Tony.i just sent you an email about Valvoline Synthetic Blend and a picture of some here at my place along with my 2 cents worth on the motor oil situation.you will,as i said,have this thing purring in no time.
take care
Greg

Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

Sent you an email back. I used semi-synthetic durablend. Now their durablend is full synthetic.

Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

good deal,i'm glad it's running well.

Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

That was before I put her to sleep.

They fired the engine for the first time today, "sounded great", apparently, quiet exhaust. But there's one bug and it's my fault, I cross threaded the new lower transmission line at the new radiator, OH NOOOOOOOOOO!

Irony is I hated that (*^)(^ radiator anyway. It came with straps, I didn't know they were structural so I cut them off:lol: but would of anyway because they're so ugly. After I installed it I found a OE replacement without the straps. So tonight I ordered the radiator, and new *&*^ trans. lines too. Can't wait to install the lines:metal:, was much easier without the body.

I may have fired up the engine a pinch tonight;) It runs, the choke isn't set yet, nor is the carb tuned up, I have to install the radiator first. At least I get the radiator I want, $750 later with towing:waah:.

I just checked the electrical components, radio and such for the first time, everything golden. The radio works like new, it's picking up two stations clearly, which is a surprise due I'm in a valley proving to be a problem to satellites even. My C20 doesn't pick up anything with clarity, from anywhere:lol:

Long and short of it, with the coming Holidays and time away, I may not see this road worthy until about Christmas. Edit, pretty easy really. I pulled the radiator, condenser and such in short order. New lines are in the mail.

Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

You can’t get away with ZERO startup problems… ;)

Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

Been out of town the last 10 days, but installed the new radiator today. Only so I could run the transmission lines. Then I pulled it, there are broken pieces of weld inside. Yikes. Piece of crap?3rd time a charm? I sent them a message asking for a good one, see what happens.

As if $700ish down the drain over this wasn't enough, I have my eye on this should the other fail. Thousand bucks for this unit, Wowza, I'd hope it lasts forever. https://usradiator.com/product/chevr...71-72-radiator

Other than that, I know this old Basque and his shop is running the maiden start for my project truck, we go way back, both natives. My truck has seen one other owner with a a small dealership between us, and the old man knew him and the truck.

I showed this build sheet to him (COD Garage) and he says check out what's on my wall.

That's from an actual picture, and he told me that yellow camaro was one of a very few big blocks. 67? Apparently it was wrecked but fetched a lot of money anyway. He says it's worth well north of 100K today.

His wife's mother had a bakery on the other side of the garage.

Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

Truck is looking great. I know you have to be ready to get it on the road.
Also love the Garage art. Camaros are cool as well.

Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

Well man, after installing the door components everything else is eazy peazy. I don’t get to install the interior panels until the seat’s done. Don’t get that until? The material will be here “perhaps late February”. I ordered that say 6-7 months ago, prepaid $850ish.

The window's weather strip was a challenge on the first door, same for the sweeps. Not having done this I spent well too many hours on it. The next door was done in short order. Tip perhaps, secure the rear window channel to run the weather strip from the vent window down the top end of the rear channel. Loosen the channel’s top screw and remove its bottom screws to finish.

Still waiting on my $1100 radiator, cough. And the long pending hubcaps. Other then that and flooring I’ll pay to have done, all that’s left is to install the “nice” grille, the bumpers I haven’t selected yet, fun stuff like the visors, and the rear view mirror I consider the package’s bow.

Any ideas to re chrome bumpers? Hate to send them out; I’m open to drive some. Last I knew California restrictions prevent a good plating.

Picture of the RH door, I did this one first. I discovered some time ago I always start on the RH side, kind of weird, though now it's conscious.

Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

I’m not a fan of ochre, but I am drooling all over this truck. Just amazing.

Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

Thanks 68. "Spanish Gold":lol:

For 30 years everyone I know said please, "don't restore in Ochre". That's one reason I did;) My mom said it was proof I was colored blind :lol:

Re: Build that 71 402 already
 

Just gorgeous.

I think I’m at the 8-year mark myself on my 68, but my scope is nowhere close to what you have taken on. Amazing.