1978 luv # 2
 

History repeats itself :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-Ot...#ht_190wt_1429

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

My first Luv was a baby blue 1978 . I have a garage full of parts waiting on a decent body . I had to pay for it though . Here is the first one :
Before
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...2Image0001.jpg
after
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...1Image0041.jpg

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Pictures of it loaded up in Austin , Texas
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps49228df9.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...a2f8760f-1.jpg

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

It amazes me the money these trucks command now, just like the vegas and pintos.

That thing is exceptionally clean.

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

OK.... repeat after me

Hi, my name is Hotrod 80, and I have a Luv Problem

(this "I can quit any time I want just isn't gonna fly any more"!!! <grins>)

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Guess im the offical mini truck hoarder .:lol:

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

well got a bit done . Sent these to the chromer to have them straightened out and rechromed . Cleaned up and painted the brackets black .
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps262b5df7.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps66353850.jpg
Got the seat out and the door panels off and at the upolstry shop . Picked out the new materials it will be dark blue . Anyway just a small update .
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psb6117c47.jpg

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Sweet truck.

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

How many little trucks do you own now? You're as bad as my buddy Alex, (2) S-10 V8 trucks and (2) LUV V8 trucks.

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Thanks

I have the Yellow 76' stepside , my primary race truck , the 89 S-10 with the 5.3 which my buddies wife is driving this year in DOT class , this truck the 78' which will be getting the 350 GM crate motor out of my 49' 5 window when I swap the 6.0 into it .

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Small update:
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psae01e44b.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps9cd8f8de.jpg

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Still chipping away at this . Front 5 lug conversion done . Doing the rear this week .
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps5oweippe.jpg

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

What are you going to do with it when it's done?

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Probably footbrake it and just drive it around on the street .

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

I ended up buying the white truck back from the guy i sold it to . Guess he got into money issues . I pulled the stuff i needed from the white truck . Rear axle , fuel system , exhaust etc and sold the body . These trucks in decent condition dont last around here , and a roller 5 lug swapped and V-8 ready was sold in about 2 days .

So the 9 inch is in the blue truck already ( 3.60 & 31 spline ) and the motor 383 out of the white truck is being inspected and fresh inserts . TH350 3500 converter drive shaft etc . Shouldnt be long now .
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psx5qbcqbh.jpg

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Got the motor apart yesterday and unfortunately they left water in the cylinders #8 being the worst . I wet everything down with WD-40 and pulled the pistons . Most of the cylinders just had dark marks in them . I hit them by had with a purple scotch bright pad and they went away . #8 has some ridges or grooves that I can catch my nail on . Going to ball hone all of these first and see if they clean up . All the bearings look great no metal in the pan . Talked to comp today about regrinding the cam .236/,245 .608/.614 on 108 hydraulic roller . Last time slip for this motor was a 6.88 @ 99 , it was probably coming apart at that point due to being over revved . Machine shop has pressure checked the heads and they are good . Not 100% sure this wont end up in my Yellow truck

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Got a bit further this week . I bought an Eastwoods 135 mig welder which is 110 volt as I don't have 220 in my garage . Really surprised how well this thing works . Chassis shop would have charged me $500 at least and last time I had to take it back and have the mounts rewelded cause the didn't put the motor back far enough . Anyway: my old fastburn headed motor , th350 , 3500 TCI converter , block huggers , an HEI , and my Divinci gas carb . This motor had a touch of piston rattle on ethanol with 35 degrees of locked timing . It will be fine on gas with an advance curve . Leak down was good .
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps5tnh0amq.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psnohtves7.jpg

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

I'm starting to think you have entirely too much time on your hands. When you finish this one,, can you come finish one of my projects!!!

http://www.small-block-chevy.com/ima.../mechanic2.gif

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

x2
i'm starting to think I should move closer..
I can make sure Hotrod don't run out of something to do on all them slow days..:chevy:

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

i had no idea these were valued parts. i see these at our local upullnpay all the time almost untouched.
back in the 90`s my uncle built up a 77 mikado lifted high and a turbo buick regal v6.
kick ass truck

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

I really have to many projects . I was just talking about tearing down the garage and adding on to it .

I hear this all the time . These truck were "Japanese junk" to a lot back then . They are surprisingly well built though . I would venture to say built better than a full size . Borderline industrial in many ways . Fully boxed frame from front to back , 7 welded in crossmembers front to rear , tried and true double a arm design , torsion bars like a Mopar , the factory rear axle puts an S-10 axle to shame and is a down sized 9 inch basically . dang near bullit proof 4 cylinder Isuzu fork lift motor . They were sold as a "Faster" in Japan and a KB 20 through 26 in Australia based on which model or options you got . They are getting very rare . Most are on the west coast or south . Story I heard was they came hooked 4 each to drive them into cargo ships and the beds came stacked on the top deck unpainted . They unloaded them here and the dealers painted the beds and installed them along with the bumpers . They were then sold as "assembled in the USA" . For this reason some of the beds rotted out quickly due to salt spray also the dealers sold aftermarket stepside beds . They are beginning to get rare now . This one will be completely stock except V8 , auto and 9 inch . No suspension mods at all except shocks in the rear . They ride great with a V8

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

well if you need any parts im at the u pullit all the time and theres a bunch of them here. just let me know

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Following this one. My first vehicle was a 1976 baby blue Chevy Luv. Still have it sitting in the back.

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Got a bit more done recently . Fuel system is finished . Driveshaft in . headers are on . getting closer . Radiator and alt bracket should be here Tuesday or so.

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Shifter mounted and interior coming around .
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psqexnhl8v.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psjwt8dtf0.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psotkwum20.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps9delmvav.jpg

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

I know you love these things so I found another one up here for you: http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/5178085446.html

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Washington seems to be where majority of them sold . Northern California .

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Getting closer .
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psmupr1dvy.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psbnbo5dvt.jpg

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Well It was a lot of work , but I got it in a really good state yesterday by 2pm and decided to take it to Lufkin @ Pinevalley raceway for one of the last bracket races of the year . I got a lot of good data from the trip think I made 5 passes . The air got really good after sunset . Passes are : 7.5929 , 7.6100 , 7.7002 ( bad burn out , it spun , my fault ) , 7.6052 , 7.5697 ( good air for the break out ) .
The goal was to us this at bracket finals in No-E sportsman which is 7.50-12.99 1/8th mile . My lights were .049-.057 all night . Im going to swtich to a 25 inch front tire to help with the lights . Had a great time . Im off next week so I will be getting the newly rechromed bumpers put on and finishing up the small details . Tags , inspection , gas gauge , carpet Little stuff . Illl update as I go .
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...pssimrtfyw.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psmjgts5pg.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps4hljsebz.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psgisecqr9.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psnxfncwgy.jpg

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Got the front and rear bumpers on . Headed to Ben Bruce memorial raceway this weekend for Texas vs Louisiana race .
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psz2mwlxdo.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps3yq4wq69.jpg

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Had a pretty good night . Won the reaction time challenge with my worst light of the night a .0327 and got to 3 cars and lost with a .-012 to and .084. I had the rpm at 2200 instead of 2000 and was watching the tach . By the time I got it to 2000 it had crept into the second bulb and was almost deep . $183.75 for semis and reaction time challenge . .003 a .012 a pair of .018s and the .032 . Now have about 10 passes on it and the fastest pass is 7.64 . Still has about 16 number swing , but trans shifts different now and then in drive . Going to try and just shift it at 5000 off the shift light Thursday . Had a blast .

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

I am glad someone is getting to play. I have been working on a friends wife's race car just to get something to play with at the track. It is a 68 nova with one of my old small block street motors. It should run low 8's in the eighth.

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Just gonna try shifting manually @ 5000 . I had a few electrical issues last weekend , mainly the tach light and loss of power to half the accessories . I went today to West Marine and bought a 6 place ATC fuse block and a needed power junction . All the original stuff was Japanese and worn out . The fan belt was rubbing the underside of the upper radiator hose . I pulled the bulb out of the fasten seat belt light . anyway .... im as ready as im gonna get . Leaving Thursday morning For DIV 4 bracket finals .
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psply8inzg.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ps1nzkgcsr.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...pszvnbrmhl.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psvqwsr2rw.jpg

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

I don't see how you guys do it . I work on these things and enjoy it , but I love to race .

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Had a pretty good weekend . Manually shifting at 5000 worked out well . It definitely has more in it . The air was 1800DA sunday morning and 32% humidity and I won a double break out with a 7.498 . Went out 3rd round . I was like.030 to .045 all weekend . Going into 3rd I knew I needed to wittle on the .030 and made a big front tire pressure adjustment of 3#s up and was -.010 red , but my opponent was .012 so I was gonna have to make a move. I just moved to much . Before I left I installed a stereo and speaker so I could listen to the track announcer on the radio broadcast to get hints about the passes . The dash pad on this truck was long gone so I just glued some cheap carpet to it . Had a great time and figured I would add a few pictures .

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psgnuqbxmv.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psejz0kaqa.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psnqh8q8ew.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...pssezkcwy9.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psoa9dxha7.jpg

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

ended up going 3 rounds @ Div 4 bracket finals and took to big a bump and tire pressure move . Had a great time truck is fun for sure .

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Just to update . I dropped a screwdriver while it was running and tore up the radiator . $38 later it was repaired . Got it all back together and took it to get inspection yesterday . Guess I forgot to tighten the gas cap cause when I got to the inspection place it was gone . Nobody in town had one . Got one ordered and had fun driving it around town . Sat next to a police man at a light and he just shot me a thumbs up with no plates and registration out of date . Fun truck on the street for sure . Passengerside caliper acts like it is hanging up a bit . So far so good .

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

I took it out a couple of weeks ago on test and tune night and ran it all the way out the back . Motor seems to really like being back on gas vs E85 . 11.88 @111 on 87 pump gas. Happy with that for sure . 1.57 60'
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...pszuwpbmxv.jpg
Anyway I have a taillight on the driver side that has some sort of short . When I hit the brakes the turn signal lights . Anyway took the truck to get it inspected and got to the place and passed everything except the gas cap was gone . Guess I forgot to tighten it . Drove to every auto parts in town looking for a new one and had to order it . Bought the only 2 they had left . In Texas the previous owner has the right to keep the plates off the car . The guy I bought it from chose to keep them . Also in Texas you have to have an inspection paper to get new tags . Basically I have insurance on it , but no plates and inspection . Pulled up to a light and Baytown PD pulls up next to me . I look over and he gives me a thumbs up ! Just glad he wasn't the ticket writing guy . I worked all weekend and now we have rain . The gas gauge wasn't working and on these trucks the fuel gauge has a voltage regulator that drops the voltage to the fuel gauge and the temp gauge to 7 volts . Somewhere along the way the wires had shorted and the voltage to both was 11.7 . The fuel gauge was un responsive and the temp gauge was working , but not very linear on the higher end . I found this thing n o s .
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...psitnbmdwi.jpg
Hopefully this fixes the remainder of the factory gauges . I also found the factory bolts for the tailgate to put the tailgate straps back on .

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

Have not updated this one in a while , but I was trying to save my Yellow truck for IHRA . I took this one out for sat/sunday NHRA race . I double teched it box and no box and I was killing it . Worst light was .033 . Headed into 3rd round in no box . I was .087 and 6 numbers slow for the lose . 3rd round super pro or box I was .088 and 7 slow . Broke the sprag in the converter .

Re: 1978 luv # 2
 

So last update I broke the sprag in the converter . Well I pulled the trans , which is a pain in the butt. These trucks have torsion bars like a Duster and the transmission crossmember is solid as it also holds all the rear mounts for the torsion bars . Trans has to come out bellhousing first . I had a tci break away (2800) in the garage and threw it in . Way to tight compaired to the tci super street fighter at 3800 . I took the truck to get it inspected and they wouldn't pass it due to the et streets . Inspector was a dumbass and didn't even know what a dot number or expiration date was . I wasn't letting this idiot drive my truck . Came back and put a set of 275/60's on it and was headed to another inspection station and got on it a bit to hard . Motor still has oil pressure , but has a real light rod knock . It can be saved , but needs to come out . I put new intake gaskets in the 388 pump gas motor and the super street fighter is rebuilt and fresh , so new motor and coverter .

My next question is about the trans . I have a th350 being built and the builder offered me what he calls his super stock trans . It is a 700 planetary machined to fit a th350 case . This changes the first gear from 2,52 to 2,75 . Truck has a 3,60 gear . Looking for opinions on this first gear change