Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Getting close to firing her up, tons of loose ends are tied up. The last major systems parts are radiator hoses and transmission cooler lines. I mounted the fuse block and MSD box this weekend, so I will be diving head first into the wiring next. I was going to remotely mount the ignition coils, but I ran out of room and it presented too many challenges so I drilled and tapped the valve covers, and put custom coil brackets there. Still happy with how it all lays out. Ignore the air breather, it's getting the original oil bath (gutted and 4 barreled).

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Was just looking at this build this morning and was going to ask on some progress, glad I didn't pester!

Looking sweet.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Looks great!!

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Leevon, looks super, nice job...Jim

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

I like that location of your air ride paddle switches. Where are you going to mount your air gauges?

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Thanks all for keeping me going!

You can't see in the pic, but under the center of the dash is a 3 gauge panel with one tank pressure gauge and two dual-needle bag gauges. I'll get a better pic.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

I like it......I was going to hide the stuff, but I might have to copy you!

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

A friend is giving me the biggest rash of crap for not hiding the stuff, but frankly I don't want to have to open a door to push buttons or see gauges. His cars are super-trick though, hidden stuff popping out of everywhere.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

I think it all has to do with the style that you are going for. For a streetrod style truck, hidden everything fits with the theme. Your truck has more of an old school vibe and I think someone hot rodding a truck back in the day would have made switches accessible and gauges visible.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Here is the air bag gauge set-up. Tank pressure in the middle, dual-needle gauges on either side so I can monitor each bag pressure.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

I like this set up...........great job!!

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

I took a break from the tedious stuff (wiring) and put the bed floor in. I was going for cheap and easy, using T1-11 siding. The only issue was that I needed 49 3/4" width but of course the sheets are only 48". I had to buy two sheets which added to the cost and there is joint in the middle. I used high quality #12 self-tapping wood to sheet metal screws to attach the cross sills, then the front and rear edges. I also bolted the corner supports through. I blocked up the whole bed approx 5/8 to clear the pumpkin and my shock mounts. The bed was actually more square than I expected :lol: I will be staining it dark.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Excellent progress!

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Looks good...Jim

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Nice work... Nothing cheap about getting it done. Looking good bud.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Thanks all! I found some black/gray-ish stain at home, applied that with some sealer on top. It has the rough-sawn, weathered look I was going for but I didn't have to go demolish a barn.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Wow great build. It is an inspiration. Thanks for all the info.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

I hate it when I can't make/do/fix something on a project...because I like to be self-sufficient but sometimes you just gott ask for help. There is very limited space between the water pump outlet/thermostat housing and lower radiator inlet. I have tried about 5 different factory and aftermarket housings in different shapes and sizes. Beside the space issue, the O.D. on housings do not match the radiator and there is not enough room to reduce or change size. So I wound up using a billet LS thermostat housing I found on Ebay with an obscure aluminum elbow of the correct O.D. and calling in a favor to have them welded in the proper dimension and orientation. I think this is the most troublesome, and expensive part on Popeye so far. Behold one pain in the ass thermostat housing!

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

looks great, sometimes its the dumbest little things that take ten tries to get right. but its done and fixed and over with. moving along.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Got that right 99!

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

The downside to having this truck at my shop is that I literally walk past it dozens of times per day and nearly every vendor and half the customer ask about it. This is actual torture since I have little time to do anything to finish it. So on a whim I loaded her up and sent her down to another shop to be wired today. She's in good hands and may actually get done now!

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Man's gotta know his limitations and realize, sometimes, some help is needed. No one is an island ... don't fret - you'll probably get it done a lot earlier than you'd anticipated.

Looks good so far ... I'd be itch'n to ride at this point so some welcome help .... priceless.

R46

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Definitely no shame in that. Looking forward to seeing that awesome truck on the road!!