Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

Wow that sucks about Hard times. Ya sounds like you have been super busy, it's crazy how many times we wish there was 36hrs in a day and 8 days a week. Cool your back on Geronimo, nice looking kitchen my GF would be jealous.

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

thanks guys, it almost makes me think, maybe I shoulda put a NSS on the truck, but then again its a hotrod and people that have no business getting in it and starting it, shouldn't do so, and if they did, at least realize its a stick. just glad no one got hurt.

iowaboy, actually yes we do plan to do chickens again for the eggs and possibly board horses. back when my folks bought the farm 79' or so bf I was born, we had a huge barn (has fallen down unfortunately) we had tons of animals and farmed the land. I'v been wanting to farm the land for years, just all organic produce and such. Nothing to feed animals, enough of that going on around me. I don't eat meat and I have always been conscious of what goes in my body. So I'd like to grow my own food and eventually pass it on to others. small farming is going the way of the buffalo because of corp america. So just as we like to put these old trucks back on the road, I wanna put other old things back into practice. Sad that a good old handshake these days doesn't hold any weight. well, sorry for the rant. stay tuned.

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

I agree with your rant grow as much as you can yourself cut out the chemicals and middle man. My GF and I are growing quite a bit this year. Lets bring back the handshake.

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

That's awesome 99! While i don't think the "locavore" movement will ever knock off "Big Ag", it is my opinion that there will not be a diverse food supply without food grown locally and it won't survive without folks like you. Keep up the great work!

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

No doubt, the mom and pop shops, handshakes, diners, old trucks are all a thing of the past. I like the old things, bringing them back and not swimming with the tides of modern society.

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

99, man you have energy! Good for you back on the truck and doing the farming. We did put out a small garden after a several year hiatus. Nothing like fresh veggies! Garden tomatoes can make a nice meal.

Hardtimes is an appropriate name! The people didn't own up? What kinda friends....?

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

yeah the farming will be a slow process, just getting equipment and want to atleast get some of the land churned up. prolly 20 acres of actual field, maybe more. Gonna do sections at a time. Prolly watermelon, strawberry, kale and things I can harvest by hand and get the kids involved. Want to do some stuff local breweries would need too, hops and grains etc all organic!!!

yeah the people that did the damage come insurance time, just lied and so did her fiend. I have no idea why they would do that. I mean its only money and if you did a bad deed, you should own it, especially if your setting a friend back. SO all and all the new owner is out of pocket 1k and time off the truck. He said he just picked it up, so waiting on pics.

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

that is whats known as a Freudian slip :lol:

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

7-5 ah the pathetic once a month post! seriously though, almost done with some key projects that should allow me to get back to this truck. I rolled it out of garage for first time. I'm going to put some metal back on it, make sure the wheels are sitting right. front springs aren't in it but hoping they don't add too much height to the front. The laundry list is so long I'll spare you all. Don't mind all the ruckas you see. that is on the list to clean up and organize too!

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

heyyyoooooooo

dont worry about 1 post a month, still more progress than 97%!

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

99,

Glad that you are getting settled in, and getting back on your projects. Good luck with the farming! I was raised on a farm and enjoy the memories, but the actual work at the time, not so much . . haha!

What's the cars in the foreground and back ground? The black one in the distance definitely looks interesting.

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

tikal- the black one is a 53' plymouth coupe. Def a rare care since you just never see them. not sure how many were made. Its in ok condition. Car in foreground is a 52' chevy fastback (one of my fav cars) but it is literally gone. basically yard art and parts. dash is in good shape, some decent glass and odds and ends. 52' chevy panel back there, its a 1ton. it may run, I just haven't had the chance to fire it up. 63' chevy truck cab back there, my dream daily driver. 52' halfton with all the riff raff on it. I got a 53' belair sedan, 53' buick sedan, 55.1 halfton out back, 49' panel halfton out back, 54' all original chevy 6400 dumptruck that I use. I got crap everywhere, parts in so many locations, frames out back you name it I prolly have it.

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

Wow, great collection of vehicles! I've been toying with the idea of the next project after the truck. I've been thinking of building a coupe for the wife. Not quite sure what I'd like to build. More probably of what is available locally when I start seriously looking.

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

Good to hear your at it again!! Getting organized and stuff tidied up is a life long event when you are an old car or truck guy.

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

7-19 some more patching (boring pics I know) pass side. almost done with patches. got body on for moch up. as of now its a tiny bit off for my liking, but... its runable.

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

body pics

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

Looking good. Progress no matter how small is still progress.

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

I plan on doing this same exact set up to my 52. Thank You for being so detailed it looks awesome 99.

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

thanks guys, hoping to get more progress pics now. should be able to get back to 20hrs a month, hopefully more come fall/winter. Just been really busy with houses. I'm in a toss up with order of things to do. Something I never felt unsure of before. I always new my exact plan of attack. With this, I'm torn cause I want to get engine rebuilt and running asap. vs.... prepping doors, interior and engine bay so I can paint come september. I also need final weld suspension and coat the frame. My plan was to take it to get aligned prior, but I feel confident in the work. So I'm going to get a camber tool and just set my own alignment and go from there. I guess my overall goal is to have it on road by next spring/summer. I really only started the truck mid december and I had about two months of no work on it. So a full build in a little over a year is about par for my liking.

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

99,

How did you like the CPP M2 setup after installing it? I am looking at the same kit, but was curious about the crossmember fitment.

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

The kits is decent, good quality and there is tech support. They had no instructions, so I had to have them send me some (little vague, so I used some of TCI's info). The parts are all decent quality. I did however strip out the inner tierod, I think the outter or inner had a bad thread, so anyway they sent me new tierods no problem. As of right now, it looks like the front tires could be back about .5-1" IMO. Kits are getting so affordable. I just seen CPP offer the xmember and upper/lower arms for 600 or so off ebay. It would be a good route to go to just piece it together if you don't want to shell out 1500 right away. I would have loved to go with TCI but it was just too much money for what we are doing on this build. I would use the CPP kit again yes.

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

Your making good progress on Geronimo. It's really looking good! I do like the front end as well. I kick myself for going with the S10 frame swap, instead of doing a front and rear end conversion to the original frame. But hind sight is 20/20 as they say. Keep up the good work!

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

I'v done two s10 frames and I do like the integrity of it. its a great design. however I will say, I enjoy doing the stock frame alot more so far. Just way easier IMO. little more money up front, but in long run it prolly about evens out.

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

Wha...what?!? Do we have a convert? :lol: Just razzin' ya...

I think you hit the nail on the head. IMO, If your truck has a decent frame, that hasn't seen any salt, upgrade the suspension.

If your frame is garbage or all you got is a cab and a title, go the S10 route. At the end of the day you start with the foundation you've got and go from there.

Keep us posted on progress. I for one, enjoy the updates, 'boring' pics and all...

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

nice work! I have been hiding from the heat which is strange because my attached garage is in the ac. haha. I miss those western PA summers in the mountains and trees *SIGH*

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

7-30

Took engine out, started stripping it down for rebuild. Just a basic rering, bearing, gasket etc. This takes way longer than it looks. It will take hours to clean all the parts and prep for paint. Chasing all the threads, putting back together yadda yadda. My last build took me prolly 40hrs with tear down, rebuild, set up on start stand etc. I have like 5 broken exhaust bolts in this one. Go figure. way to go LS engine design! Seems like all these aluminum heads have bolts buried alive in them.

But.... I like knowing what has been done to the engine. I'll never put a used engine in a build if I can help it. Way too many variables that could go wrong.

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

Is that an old dog kennel being used as a catch pan? That's a great idea! Also you can use the pool noodles that kids like you protect your cam while storing it.

Like you said its that piece of mind knowing what is up with your engine.

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

Yah its a kennel top. I couldn't locate my normal catch pan, go figure. Great idea on the cam storage, I like that.

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

Looking good!

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

Yup best to know.

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

looking good, keep it up!

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

When I rebuilt the LS motor for my 67 Camaro I snapped a bunch of the exhaust bolts. I used the trick of welding nuts to the remaining bolt. A few snapped flush so I welded a washer, then a nut to the washer. They all came out easily but what a hassle.

Love the progress!

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

Reference post 181, how did you find the axle centerline? Did you use TCI's measurements or did you mark the axle Centerline with fenders mounted?

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

I'm going to try and easy out the bolts, if that doesn't work, I'll try and weld on em. Its definitely something I keep in mind when looking at LS engines, always check the heads.

54 LS the axle center line as provided by CPP as also TCI. They tell you to measure up from a bolt hole in the front of the frame.

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

At work here all the techs weld nuts to them I've never heard of one not coming out that way

Good progress

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

FWIT I tried the easy out on my last LS and POP! so I did the weld and nut trick. Much faster then the easy out and no issue with a drill bit walking.
Rob

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

:agree:

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

well, perhaps I'll just do that then. I typically use this method alot.

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

8-15 Still working on engine. Have prolly 15 hrs in tear down and cleaning. Still not done. Got block painted so once I finish cleaning the pistons, I can start getting the bottom end back together. I will highly consider taking the block to someone next time to hot tank it. I used a high temp primer and then Eastwoods Ceramic Paint "GM CORP BLUE" looks a tad different in person. I'll have some cast/aluminum accents with the blue. Firewall and inner fenders will be a tan. Should look good together.

Re: "Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA
 

On your mock up spring mounts you wouldn't happen to have the measurement of the tube height?