65 Short Step driver build
 

I have decided to start a build thread after working on the truck for about 1.5years. This is what the truck looked like when I first brought it home, It started and moved so I drove it.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...65chevy001.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...65chevy005.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...65chevy004.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...65chevy003.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...65chevy002.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...65chevy006.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...65chevy007.jpg

I got it home, put the panels and peices back on it and drove it until I figured out which direction I wanted to go. It was mostly original with the only changes being the trans had been swapped out at some point from a 3 on the tree to 4 speed with a high hump. For some reason someone had sprayed the whole truck with primer over the original green paint.
Here is the current state that it is in.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...65truck007.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...65truck005.jpg
I will sort of put together a build with pics of course of what I have done along the way and progress from here out.
This picture is a quick photo shop of what I want it to look like when finished. I would like to get a nice rendering done by somebody with real talent ;)
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...seembossed.jpg

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

Cool truck man dig the wheels
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Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

The following pictures of some of the work that has been done up to this point. The first thing was to add power steering. I had a hard time backing up a trailer with manual steering. The second thing I did when the 6 cyl was still in the truck was to swap out the big 4 speed for a T5. Since then everything has come together quicker since I collected parts for about 6 months for my suspension and engine project. I have install a L98 TPI 350 cu with mild upgrades.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...ck72/65002.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...ck72/65001.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...idxpics264.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...idxpics257.jpg I swapped out the dash and had to modify my sending unit to accept the correct level sensor
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...idxpics262.jpg

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

The most recent part of the build was to make the ride better, lower and stop.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...-37-09_243.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...-59-51_592.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...-44-09_878.jpg

I used 2.5" drop spindles and 2" springs in the front. The rear has 2" blocks and 3" spings. The front end got all new ball joints, tie rod ends, bushings etc. I used CPP 6 lug rotors.

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

So I started this build thread but have not posted anything since. I have decided to do another engine swap. Wifey thinks I'm crazy but I have had some drivability issues with the TPI engine so I have moved on to a Corvette LT1 that has been juiced up a little. The PCM is better the injection system is better. I will be doing a write up on the LT1 swap. I am waiting on some parts to show up before the install and then I will be back on this.

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

Lookin good i like that two tone look and the wheels are cool
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Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

Looking forward to watching your progress... Good looking Stepper!

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

Finally got my engine bay cleaned up, the grease was the easy part, the undercoating on the firewall was terrible. I started with oven cleaner, moved to aircraft paint remover and then another product from Klean strip for paint, epoxy and poly. It took a few times of spraying and scraping, some places it was thick. I finished with the last step or spraying it down, let stand for 10-15 min and scrub with a scotch brite pad. If there is no rain tomorrow I will prime and paint.

http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...ginebay003.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...ginebay002.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...ginebay001.jpg

Some needed parts for the swap came today also;
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...ginebay005.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...ginebay004.jpg

Engine getting close to going in, should be ready by the weekend.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...ginebay007.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...ginebay006.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...ginebay008.jpg

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

Needed to replace the radiator support so I decided to strip down the rest of the front end and clean and paint it right. Engine may not go in this weekend but it will be right when it does.

http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...support001.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...support002.jpg

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

that engine is nice good work man:metal:

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

I'm late to the race. I just saw this build. Nice to see that you have a build now. Thought I would never see it. :haha: JK Making some nice progress. Subscribed.

Have you done anything with the hood that you got from me?

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

Thanks guys.

Alan,
I have not done anything with it, too many other projects getting in my way. When the engine swap is complete (again) I will be back on to one panel at a time. Since the I have replacement doors and the hood I got from you they will be first so I can still drive it. I wish that I had a spot to do a complete tear down like you did but I don't (well I do but I need to work out of there every day ;)). I figure I can make it pretty nice and when I move back to Maine I can push it into a corner some winter and do it complete.

Much easier to clean all apart.

http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...fenders002.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...fenders001.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...fenders003.jpg

A little sanding tomorrow and it'll be ready for some primer and paint.

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

Sorry Man but just my 2 cents but while you have the front tore down as far as you do why not take the 3 bolts out the fender and the 5 on the inner fender where they bolt to the cab and do the whole firewall and under hood at one time just wondering. But nice truck it's gonna be fun with that motor in a stepper :burnout:
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Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

After looking it over last night I may just do that. I still have to get fenders in the near future so I could do it then. My plan is to make things pretty nice now and drive it for a while and down the road when I have room tear it down for a complete rebuild.

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

ya i hear ya on that. i was just wondering when i took mine apart i thought it was gonna be alot of work to get them off but 8 bolts and like 15/20 mins of work and i was like wahhhhh thats it huh that was easy lol and its well worth the few mins for a driver and you wont have to tear into it again till you wanna do a full resto

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

Engine bay all clean and painted. Got my engine dropped in yesterday.

http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...ps35351b1e.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...ps12c990aa.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...pscea97a1a.jpg

I also got my wiring all set inside the cab and mounted extra fuse block and relays.

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

I had to make a small adjustment to the upper frame rail to make room for the idler and surpentine belt set up from the Corvette setup. The Camaro and Caprice all have the accessories on the passenger side with the AC compressor on the bottom.

http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...ps15d686de.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...ps33db3c52.jpg

I got the power steering line fabricated. I used the Vette pressure line which is a metric o-ring fitting. I cut off the end that would go to the gear, swapped the fitting and double flared the end. The space is a little tight but got it worked out.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9b78eae6.jpg

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

How did you modify your sending unit to accept the newer gauge?

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

I cut off the old sending unit and then found the spot where the new level sensor needed to sit and be level. Clamped it in place and weld a couple spots on each end. The wire is really still like house wire so I ran the extra up the tube and coiled it around. Carful when welding since both parts are very thin, holes in your pick up tube would not be good. I checked mine with air pressure when finished. Here are some more pictures, not sure if they will help much or not.
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...psf8fc9403.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1633d148.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...ps44358773.jpg

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

Love the truck, amazing progress. That thing should haul some serious ass!

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

Thanks, I'm going to need to find a posi unit soon. I had traction issues with the TPI engine, it will just be worse now but fun.

I got the grill support and radiator supports sanded down to bare metal and sprayed with epoxy primer. I need to get get some regular primer and paint so I can spray the back sides before it all goes back together.

http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...illsupport.jpg

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

Regular primer? What's that?
If you have the drying time, & muscle to work the epoxy primer, you will be much better off in the end...No shrink over time, & much better anti-corrosive characteristics. IMO

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

I'm new at the body and paint scene and was under the understanding that I still had to use another primer. I was told at the paint supply place that after sanding everything to bare metal than spray with epoxy. After the the epoxy primer is on go ahead and start any body work that needs to be done, prime seal and paint. I just used the epoxy primer on mini bike tins I was working on so I could get a feel for how it was to spray. After sitting for a number of days I sanded everything, so I know what you mean about the muscle. I still sprayed with standard primer and blocked again before paint. Is this wrong or do people re-prime because the the epoxy primer is so hard to work?

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

Man, I love the look of a tpi!

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

I love the look of it too. That system makes nice torque, ok horsepower but the ECMs are junk. I kept going through ECMs and there was always a hesitation on the initial hit of the throttle, not fun with a manual trans. I wanted to stay with fuel injection but did not want too much work right now so I bought an LT1 (complete Jasper engine) for what I sold the TPI engine for. Better power, injection system and still a small block,

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

Thats turning into one sweet ride man. Going to keep Watchin

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

hanks to a tip from Alan I ordered my front fenders from a local hot rod shop last week. I should pick them up tomorrow or wednesday. I have been held with having the wrong headers. I didn't like the painted headers with the paint pealing and flaking off so I bought polished stainless ones. They looked great on the stand but they would not clear the engine mounts perches. It took a while to get them exchanged but I finally got them. Instead of the polished stainless I now have ceramic coated. I will post some more pictures tomorrow.

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

Well it's definately not tomorrow but I finally got the engine bay and front end back together. Got most of my wiring comepleted at least to crank it over but I have found a fuel line leak at the pressure regulator. I'll have time to take it apart tomorrow night, I'm sure it's just an o-ring or something very simple. Here are a couple pictures for now. It took a little work to make some new power steering lines and figure out what to do with radiator hoses. The radiator is 1 3/4" and the engine side they are both 1 1/4". I opted to use the polished stainless pipe with adaptors on the ends that allow you to use most any size.

http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...ginebay005.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...ginebay004.jpg

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

man that looks sweeet

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

Do you remember what newer sending unit you used?
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Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

The sending unit came with my new dash/gauge unit. They are sold on eBay, if you contact the seller you can buy just the sending unit.

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

Thanks,
Who's the seller on ebay?
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Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

You can spray paint directly to the epoxy after scuffing it. Most of the time the parts are not "straight" enough with out priming with a high build primer and blocking out. I have been lucky enough a few times to spray my final color on parts with only the epoxy underneath. Your paint supply store gave you good advice and they can be a great resource for you.

By the way, I like the build and your idea to keep it a driver while working on it.
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Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/64-65-66-CHE...3a2a51&vxp=mtr

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

Got my new fenders fitted tonight, what a pain in the A$$. I understand now why everybody hates re-pop parts. Install, check, remove, grind, recheck and repeat. Got my fender extensions sanded down to metal so I can spray them with epoxy primer tomorrow.

I haven't been able to drive it since installing the new LT1. The o ring that connects the fuel pressure regulator to the return line leaks. The o ring kit from GM has been discontinued and they are unavailable from the aftermarket world. After much searching I found the GM kit and it is on the way, can't wait :burnout:.

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...fenders002.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...fenders001.jpg
http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/...fenders003.jpg

Re: 65 Short Step driver build
 

Looking good
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