Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Your interior is really looking great Rick! Sucky news on the trim pieces...

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

I have one of those steering column covers listed in the parts section. If we can figure out if it's the correct size.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Looks like it would work. Problem is that they all look the same to me:lol: I'll have to get some measurements when I get home this evening so we can compare notes.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

It is exactly 9 1/2' wide. Where the 2 screws are on each side, that is 2" top to bottom. The cup for the steering column, I would assume that is the same on any of the years. But here are the measurements anyways. At the top or the narrow part, it is 4 1/8". And at the bottom or the widest, it is 4 3/4". Hope this helps and hope it will fit.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Thanks for checking TCKR. The one I need looks to be 8.75 x 2". I went back and found my email receipt for my guage/dash bezel and it was listed for 75-77 (not sure why I bought it - not paying close enough attention I guess). The lower column piece I got was for 78-80 but there is a different one listed for 73-77. Not sure if I should get the 73-77 column piece or if I need to find a 78-80 dash bezel...

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Man I hope this turns out! This detailed masking is tough!!! Doing a 2-tone scheme this time. Saw a grille gmachinz did this way that looked great.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

It will all be worth it and it will turn out great.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Been making more progress on the interior the last couple of weekends, and finished another try at the grille.

I am super pleased with how the 2-tone body of the grille came out, but the GMC letters need some work. The black isn't standing out unless you look from the correct angle.

Got my replacement seatbelt retractors and installed them. Also used SEM plastic prep, adhesion promoter, base and clear to paint my kick panels and door panels camel. Still convincing myself that shade is going to work because I don't want to redo them:lol: Door panels are assembled and installed except for the map pockets. I'm going to have to find a better color of vinyl and get them redone, but I did get the doors drilled and the little square screw inserts in so they are ready to mount. Unfortunately, the window cranks which were a gift from my daughter are not going to work. They don't stay on and the style isn't quite right.

I've just got a little work to patch the carpet around the NP205 shifter and then mount the boot, find something for behind the seat, and paint the trim for the headliner and get one installed to be finished with the interior:metal:

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

I like that 2 tone look. Mine is like that too. The dash is darker than the door panels. I think it looks awesome!! Good work

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Grill and interior is looking great!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Thanks! I appreciate you saying so.

I'll never make a living installing carpet, but I stitched in another patch and called it good enough. Mounted the boot for the NP205. Also got all the various plastic thingies I needed to finish mounting my door panels.

Lot of panel off, panel on, bench out, bench in going on here. I did discover some good news - apparently I'm not fat :lol: Bought the longer seat belts and the buckle ends up on my lap instead of beside my hip. Thinking that isn't how 3-point belts are supposed to fit for maximum effectiveness!

Also did the wash with dish soap and green scotch pad, then SEM soap and green scotch pad, then spray and wipe with the prep, a couple coats of adhesion promoter, a couple coats of paint and finally a couple coats of clear. Headliner trim done if it doesn't show through maroon in better light:lol: Had most of a can left from the door and kick panels but not sure it was quite enough.

Pretty close to calling the interior done!!!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

No one will notice that carpet repair, nice patch job. It's going to look really good with those panels in place! :ito:

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Thanks Brett! Yep, that patch is just in front of where the bench is so you'd have to be looking for it. I can't see it sitting on the bench so it won't bother me.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Ok, I'm stoked! Been having to run the engine at around 22 BTDC to keep it running decent. Not good. Pulled the carb and been doing a lot of reading. Tore it down and went through to make sure the rebuilder set things right inside. Mostly did. I went ahead and drilled out the holes the idle mixture screws go in to about .091. Followed a bunch of directions to adjust everything for choke.

Well, hot day today and choke never engaged, but got the thing running again. Was actually able to set timing to specs from engine paperwork. 10 degrees BTDC at 650 rpm, and it was right at 32 BTDC at 3000 rpm. Just like it is supposed to be! Paperwork said to expect 10-12 vacuum on this engine and I've already got 10 and still have a little tuning to do. Warmed up, the truck is now idling great! Finally seems like I'm on the right track at least...

In other news, I'd ordered a headliner to finish the interior. Its bulky so ground shipping, and I figured they might have to wait until the manufacturer had one in the fabric I chose. Any case I finally got around to checking the status. Supposedly it was delivered on my front porch 8 days ago. Never saw it... First time out of at least 100 orders I've made on this truck that has happened. :devil:

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

It could be that someone thought they would score on a big package being delivered. I have set up a Blink Camera aimed at the front porch & door. I get an instant message & video when the motion sensor is activated. I can then view the video on my phone. If someone decides to come up on the porch and steal it, then the Blink Camera will catch that too.
I hope the place where you got the headliner from will send another one, since something obviously happened to the 1st one. I guess there's always a possibility it got delivered to a wrong place. I had torque wrenchs from Sears that were delivered to my house number & street, but it was in a different sate. They had to do some extensive tracking and finally realized the mistake and replaced the order. Someone somewhere got a nice present delivered to their door.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Yup that happened to me except UPS had delivered all my stuff to another address. They eventually tracked it down and I got it. Sure was fun waiting an extra week for my stuff though.

Those interior pieces look great Rick! Can't wait to see this thing completed already. Vroom Vroom!
Chris

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Good job getting your truck dialed in! :metal:

:agree: Probably went to the wrong address we've had that happen a few times!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Thanks Chris! Getting real close now. Once I get this carb dialed in I should be able to take it for inspection and registration :metal:

Well, not entirely dialed in. Yesterday I got a chance to start it up cold (well it was about 90 degrees in the shop) and it took a lot of nursing the throttle to get it warmed up. I suspect I still need to open up some things in the Quadrajet's idle circuit but didn't want to make more than 1 change at a time. But I wonder about a couple things it is hard to find specific answers on.

Should the choke always close when I press the accelerator for startup, even when its hot outside? Even if the choke doesn't close, should the fast idle cam engage? Mine isn't so the engine is having to warm up at the ~650rpm regular idle setting. I suspect I've still got adjustments to make on the choke linkage.

Oh, and just got good news. Even though the tracking number showed under the $50 shipping charge it was actually for the other part of my order - a couple of window crank handles which I did receive. Who'd have imagined it would cost $50 to ship a couple small/light items that cost < $10 :lol: Headliner hasn't shipped yet so not lost or stolen - whew!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Are you running mechanical or electronic choke?

Chris

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Its an electric choke Chris.

Update: Yep, even on a hot day the choke and fast idle need to engage when you press full throttle to start a cold engine. I adjusted the choke until it did and engine warmup went much better. I'd already followed instructions for adjusting the bend in the choke linkage, adjusting choke pull-off, initial setting for fast idle, etc. I've probably still got some tweaking to do for choke and startup but at least in the ballpark now.

Engine still surges on normal idle. I "think" that means I still need to open up the idle circuit some because I "think" this behavior means idle fuel supply isn't consistent. Any case, I'm closer. I'll be out of town the next couple weekends so this is where things will sit until I get more truck time.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

:mm:

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Been to 2 weddings ( a nephew and a niece ) since I last posted, so not a lot of truck time. Still working out the carburetor issues. Posted in the Engine & Drivetrain forum and the advice I got was leave it alone. Just bump the initial timing up to 12-16 and work on the idle fuel mixture. Been working on that and it still runs "ok" but surges, making it tough to get a steady rpm, timing or vacuum reading.

Decided that I would add "installing headliner" to my list of least favorite tasks on this build, but got it done. Took so long in our 100+ heat index that my interior no longer smells like new car but now smells like sweat :lol:

I bought some map pockets for the door panels, but the color just wasn't close to working. Bought some vinyl in a better color and have them at the upholstery shop getting sewn up. Other than the map pockets, I have to mount the rear view mirror when the glue sets up on the button and the interior is almost done.

Almost because I'm going to re-do the seat again. Member TCKR was kind enough to meet me in Ohio on my wedding road trip and swap me a frame that uses the full foam and has a tilt back. Was cleaning up the frame for paint when my compressor started burning up a capacitor or something on the motor, so I have to get that resolved. I just plan to cut the hog-rings and re-use the bench upholstery I've already got.

Pics of the headliner and interior, before - with sound deadener - and some afters. PS for anyone reading this and planning a headliner, the sun shades have to go in BEFORE you put in the a-pillar and side trim. Also, it helps to run masking tape along the upper windshield gasket and put marks where the screw holes are. That is the biggest pain part of doing one of these is to find all the screw holes under the headliner and trim.

The pictures make the contrast in color between the trim and headliner look worse than it is. I think I'm going to like this!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Looks great! My last quadrajet convinced me to put on aftermarket fuel injection. The aftermarket fuel injection convinced me to swap a factory MPFI motor. I say quadrajet just because the monojet in my plow truck runs great and pulls down a solid 6-8 mpg haha. Good luck with the tuning.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

That looks awesome!! Did you use vinyl on your headliner? I ask that because it looks identical to you visors.
Can't wait until you get your seat done. I like to hear how it feels compared to the poor mans foam. I'm sure it will be BETTER!! Happy we were able to meet to do the swap. I know those full foam seat frames are hard to find. I've come across a few more recently.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

The headliner is Deluxe Vinyl Saddle that I got from Classic Parts that already had the foam-backed vinyl applied to an ABS plastic backer. This seems to be a very nice part that fits well as long as you can get it positioned properly. Got real lucky that it matches the used OEM visors I got nearly perfect.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Hey Rick. Headliner turned out really nice. I can relate to it not being the most fun. I did not enjoy doing the trim around mine as I recall. Glad that is over.

Sucks that the carb is still giving you fits. Probably not interested, and their certainly not cheap, but there are so many fuel injection options for these trucks now. It would certainly make life easier... You know, if money grew on trees and all.

Chris

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Thanks for the compliments. Sure beats the original interior all to heck!

At this point, I'll keep futzing with the carb because I just want to start driving before making decisions on upgrades. I've thought about the FI upgrade but haven't looked into it enough.

Some reminders of the "before" on the interior...

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Wow that is a transformation, I never saw before pics. Well, if I did, I don't remember. You know, it's the age thing, lol. Razorback & Camo, that's a nice combo!!
I recovered my headliner, but that wasn't so bad. My biggest issue was finding the original holes for the screws, on the garnishes. You wouldn't think that would have been that hard, but it was. I cussed, sweat and cussed some more, before I got all of it back in. So I'm with you on the "sweat":metal:

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

When does it surge? I'm thinking lack of fuel, possibly a bigger main jet or needle too low or too fat, even a primary? Pending load and rpm etc.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Man what a difference, beauty! :gmc2:

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

The surge is occurring just sitting there idling. It is my understanding that the jets and needles don't really come into play until you give it some throttle. I'm also thinking that the fuel flow isn't smooth and best I can determine from my research is that I need to open up the restrictions in the idle circuit. I just haven't done it yet because I was advised to focus on timing and idle mixture settings (and I don't want to ruin the carb :lol: )

Thanks so much! May have to get it out this weekend and see if its even possible for me to "accidentally" leave some marks on the driveway like a beautiful white dually I know of:metal:

No pictures yet but I think I should be able to finish up my AC this weekend. I've made up and hooked up the hoses. Got a vacuum pump and AC manifold, kitchen scale and some R134a but discovered the compressor belt I'd got isn't long enough.

Bought an insurance policy for it today. I know, it would have been smart to have had at least comprehensive coverage for some time now but... Since this is my own thread I'm going to rant a bit. Called my agent that I have 6 vehicles and my house covered through. They can only offer "antique" vehicle coverage that limits my driving to shows, parades and occasional pleasure cruising if I want an "agreed value" coverage. If I want to drive it anywhere, anytime I want (which I do) they can only offer the typical coverage. If I have to make a claim they will "consider" its restored state given that I can provide pictures and receipts, but will not guarantee me anything above KBB or NADA value. I asked if there was a way that I could avoid having them decide it was totaled if I was in an accident where the damage was repairable but perhaps more than THEY valued the truck (probably the case for anything worse than a fender-bender) - I don't want to have to deal with a salvage title if I decide to repair it myself. Sorry, can't do that either! If I were to purchase a $40K equivalent new truck, no problem with insurance. If I spend $20K restoring one to near-new condition they can't deal with it. Ok, end of rant.

Did any of you have better luck finding a reasonable policy for a situation like this?

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Just switched both of mine over to hagerty decent rates and they will insure it for anything you want to pay for with in reason no appraisals on my end. I gave my agent 5 pictures and answered a few questions about the truck and I was done. No issues full coverage.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

I'd read that Hagerty's policies had restrictions on use of the vehicle, but haven't actually called and talked to them. Perhaps I should...

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

You should give them a call. I heard 4x4 was a no go from one guy, but that it wasn't a problem from another.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

If you have issues let me know I'll give you my agents phone number. I'm sure she would love to sell you some insurance.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

This is the culprit on my air compressor. Husky parts list only shows the whole motor ($$$) as replaceable, although this capacitor is easily serviced. Trying to figure out how to select a matching replacement.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

We’ve used State Farm Classic Car and Anpac Chrome in the past, don’t know why I’ve never tried Hagerty (probably because we bundle home, etc. all with one company) but I do prefer Anpac Chrome and still use them currently. Never put in a claim so can’t speak to that, but really like the agreed value/replacement cost method and under 25k no appraisal is needed.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Far as I know I got the AC done right. Looks like 40-42 degrees out of the vent. Now I just have to find where the condensation leaking under the evaporator is coming from. Most, but not all is coming out the drain tube where it belongs.

Had my own little oops in the driveway. Neighbors were out walking so had to take it easy:lol:

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Just so you know, I think I'm already using my truck as a truck. It is currently serving as the counter for my outdoor kitchen:lol:

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

That's the dream.