Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Sweet build, I am subscribed.

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

So,finally some grill pics for you all.I was never was happy with the original look of the center mesh so after throwing a few ideas back and forth.....,I decided to go with a tube grill.

I started with the rusty old original with was in pretty good shape.It was important to me to keep it and make it new again !

Not so sure the spiders and their relatives were all that happy about it,looked like 5 or so generations set up camp here over the last 20 years...,I really enjoyed cleaning all that out with my finger :puke:

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

To start on the grill refurbish,I cut out the center grid.Next step to have center and end mounts fab'd for the first 2 tubes ..., they were then tig'd into place.

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

The final 4 tubes were fit and tig'd into place.The center mount was then installed and tig'd.

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Got up bright and early this morn..disassembled the grill and went to the blasters.Was all of 20 minutes and then back to home to reassemble and hand polish the tubes.Will do a final machine polish later on.

The day was pretty amazing,soon after I got home an old friend I hadn't seen in 35 years came to town to visit.It was fun playing catch up.Holy shmoly,35 years .I added the pic of us here as I know you will be following my build thread now my friend.
It was almost like it was just yesterday.These are the kind of things that make life pretty great."Cheers Chuck",it was a good visit and look forward to more...and hopefully sooner than another 35 !:alc:

I also met up with Brian today,he's a member on this site...nice fella,It was good to meet.
He showed up with my brand new headers for this build...thanks Brian !Ill post pics of them tom.

Here ya go folks ! Amazing what can be done with old parts !

Im thinking about smoothing out the letters but not certain yet,so Ill leave it on the couch for a few days and ponder it.

By the way,that's my dog and good friend Chopper in the pics giving his approval of the work done so far !I gave his a biscuit for his help:D

A Special thanks to Darcy L. for his expert fab work here on the grill !! A #1 machinist with a touch of artist in your work !

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Grill looks awesome, I love it!

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

What a cool idea for the grill!

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

That looks awesome!

What diameter tubing is that? Do you have the dimensions to the brackets?

Steven

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

You crazy nut, thinking outside the box again. I really like that grill, very unique and original idea, no one has done a grill like that, and it looks great.

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Actually, check out lakeroadster's build. He did it too.

Steven

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Actually...,It has been done before, but I did change a few things that better suited my build. })

Thanks for the good words !

Cheers,
Ed:ito:

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

That Grill turned out really clean.

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Yup....I'm loving the grill too. Looks great!
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Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Hey ed looking good. I know you have to go further now . But hey what is two borders among friends

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Real nice loven it!
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Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Hey bud,havent heard from ya in a while !A border is nothing more than an imaginary line my friend....right !
How you enjoying your truck ? Post a pic or two here... always a good thing !

Hope to see that copper plate sometime ! })

Chers,
Ed:ito:

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Thanks for the good words !

Ed:ito:

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Thanks..you all keep me motivated !

Ed:ito:

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Went buy my buddies machine shop today,here's a few pics of the engine progress.I found a 4 bolt main a while back..so here it is along with a pic of the new SRP piston kit and also a closeup with one of my X rods.Now the block will clean up at .20 over,but I want a true 383 so were goin .30 next week.

Forgot a pic of the crank already machined down to fit the journals....is an original 400 Chevy made is the good ol USA....:flagw:
Say on to chinese junk !

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Now have my Headers thanks to Snowbound here on this site.He gave me a great deal on them,so I could not refuse.
Patriot is one of few manufactures left in the USA making them,so it was a no brain'r for me.

Movin along !:ito:

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

So,the Air condenser is finally mounted.I opted for this style unit as it has top and bottom mounting which eliminated stress on the condenser tanks.

I left adequate room to run my trans cooler in behind it,as I did not want to run it up front.I used a thread setter and installed the thread plugs in the original cross bar holes....,also separated and used the original cross bars as well.

The spacing is within 1/8 of an inch on top and bottom so up close all is concentric. I will be using 90 degree coupled elbows as the outlet side is limited for space now.

All is nice and square ! My good buddy Chopper approves.:clap:

A special thanks to Darcy L. for his expert abilities and keen eye.;)

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Next step...tonight and tom,I will be building a mounting bracket for my coolant
and washer tanks.

The mounting tab has been welded to the aluminum channel,so the next step is to make it look pretty....stay tuned for progress !:ito:

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Your Rad Mount looks very smooth ! I like how you mounted your radiator in there.

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

i really like your build. the grill looks awsome.

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Really nice work, can't wait to see more

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Thanks fellas,its good to finally get it done !

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Spent the day finishing the washer/coolant bracket ! It took me most of the day and was alot of work. I'm happy with my efforts,it was worth the time.

It would have been easy to laser cut all of this....oh well I only needed to use the zip cut,hacksaw,sandpaper,files,center punch,WD40,drill,trouble light,measuring tape,ruler,scribe,permanent marker,drafting pencil,screwdriver,6 point socket set,earplugs,vice,clamps,........................etc.,imagination and time."I think Im gonna make a song outta this" !

Got my feet up and relaxing now in the Lazyboy,so Ill post some pics in the next few days of it mounted with the tanks installed.

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

brotha you got some skills nice work

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Thanks for the good words !

Cheers,
Ed.:ito:

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Here they are mounted as promised !I'm not completely finished yet...I was thinking of tapping the mounting holes for the tanks and also final sand and high speed polish the mount.

I was able to use the original fan shroud holes for this setup,kinda happy about that.;)

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Nice and clean. Like it!

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

:agree:

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

looks very professional

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Sanded down the front bumper,its full of deep scratches,dents,etc.Guess Im now looking for a good front .Want to chrome it but just to much work to get it there.Shame but you gotta draw the line at one point.

Can anyone help me with a strait clean one...originally painted ?

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

sorry that I didn't get back to you about the bumper but I only have the one good painted one after some sob stole my chrome one. there is a fellow done here who has one and I will pm you his email and maybe you can pry it from him. he did have one chromed and doesn't need it
ron

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

A chrome bumper can be gotten by anyone for $100 by several vendors

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Thanks for the input fellas,Im only looking for an original painted...no chrome.Ill look into the one mentioned if it works out.....great !
Cheers,
Ed:ito:

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Thanks Ron,once my email is working again,Ill send one to him.

Cheers,
Ed.

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Nice work Ed, really nice work

Re: Project truck dream 65"
 

Thank you,appreciate the good words.
Cheers,
Ed.:ito: