Doing alot of upgrades

[Camaro_nut2001]

Hello, I am doing alot of upgrades to my '69 and wanted to see if I should post it as a partial build or what. I am taking pictures as I go. Here is a list of some upgrades I'm doing; 1- Tilt column install. 2- Brake booster, prop valve, master cylinder from CPP install. 3- Upgrading my dash gauges and panel. 4- Upgrading the top end of my big block, intake, carb, valve covers, dist, plugs and wires. 5- Doing some dress up on my under dash wiring. I have taken some pictures before I started and taking pictures as I go. I thought if I posted it I could get opinions, advise and HELP LOL from our great members. I love this forum and I value every members opinions, comments etc... Thank you.

[silverstreak]

I look forward to following the upgrades. A moderator may chime in later and suggest the best way to post it.

[Camaro_nut2001]

Originally Posted by silverstreak

I look forward to following the upgrades. A moderator may chime in later and suggest the best way to post it.

Great, thank you

[Camaro_nut2001]

I don't know what to do here. Do I just start posting pictures and details or what. Is any of our members even interested in this upgrade project I'm doing?

[jaymc32]

Yes, we are. I enjoy reading the build threads!

[Camaro_nut2001]

Ok, here are some pictures of before I start the upgrades.



. I am going to try to do the classic rod type look.

[Camaro_nut2001]

I am doing the top end and front of my engine as well so here are some pictures before I start it.

[Camaro_nut2001]

Here are a few with the column out. If you do a column swap remember to take the bolt completely out where your column connects to the shaft as there is an indention in the column spline that the bolt rests in. Also, when you take the steering wheel off also take the column shift arm off as it will be in the way when you remove your column.

[dan42]

Originally Posted by Camaro_nut2001

I don't know what to do here. Do I just start posting pictures and details or what. Is any of our members even interested in this upgrade project I'm doing?

Sure, just start posting 'em. Nothing like pictures to get guys to comment.

[wancosc356]

Exactly! Full Build Thread, Partial Build Thread...it doesn't matter. Start posting the pics and update us as you go along.

Just my $0.02 here, I would start a full build thread, in the projects and builds section. That way you and we can keep track of your progress.

Good luck and keep up posted. Nice truck!

[Camaro_nut2001]

Originally Posted by wancosc356

Exactly! Full Build Thread, Partial Build Thread...it doesn't matter. Start posting the pics and update us as you go along.

Just my $0.02 here, I would start a full build thread, in the projects and builds section. That way you and we can keep track of your progress.

Good luck and keep up posted. Nice truck!

How do I move this to the build section? Thank you for the compliment on my truck.

[wancosc356]

Originally Posted by Camaro_nut2001

How do I move this to the build section? Thank you for the compliment on my truck.

You could have a mod move it there,

Or you could just start a new thread there. Just copy and past your pictures and what not. By starting a new one, you could create a build thread title that reflects your truck...i.e name of your truck or build plans.

No problem!

[Camaro_nut2001]

Ok thanks, I will PM a mod. and see if they can move it.

[Camaro_nut2001]

Well I was up until 1:45am this morning looking at different gauges and sizes and PRICES for my dash cluster. I thought I would go ahead and build the cluster until my brake booster assembly gets here, it is on time and suppose to be at my house on the 26th. I don't want to put the new tilt in before I do the booster as it is alot easier to get the bolt out of the brake pedal with the column out, lol.
So, back to my gauges. After I found what I wanted in the bottom four gauges and the speedometer and tach, added it all up, I fell out of my computer chair and hurt my left arm. Man those gauges are costly. I slept on it last night and woke up with an idea.
Big 18 wheeler trucks have alot of gauges and for the most part they would work in my truck. I went down the road a piece to a salvage yard of big trucks. Long story short, here's what I came home with. Here are a few pictures.





I really wanted white faced gauges but no luck. The middle 3 3/8 hole with the truck tach in it is going to be a surprise for you guys and gals. It might be a tach and it might not. Now I have to come up with my Speedometer & Tach. I know it's not the high dollar Dolphin gauges but for what I've got in them and finding something I can work with for the middle 3 3/8 hole I'm satisfied. Matter of fact, I'm Happy.

[silverstreak]

Actually, they look pretty cool. Did you get the sensors to go with them? I don't think the diesel tach will work too well though.

[Camaro_nut2001]

Originally Posted by silverstreak

Actually, they look pretty cool. Did you get the sensors to go with them? I don't think the diesel tach will work too well though.

LOL, nope it won't I just got it to fill in that middle hole but I have a few different ideas and the good part is it lights up. As far as the senders I'm just gonna have to buy the temp sender as the oil pressure gauge is mechanical and the temp gauge i'm running now is mechanical. Thank you for the compliment.

[Camaro_nut2001]

Hello fellow members, my brake booster assembly came in yesterday and it is better quality than I ever thought it would be. Here is a picture fresh out of the box-Attachment 553090. After reading through some of the information on it I was impressed. I took it out and dry fit it to make sure everything was correct. Good to go. I then disassembeled and preped and started the primer and paint-Attachment 553091

Attachment 553092

Attachment 553093Here is a picture of the four bottom gauges installed in the panel. I got my speedometer and tach ordered but they won't be here untill the middle of the week and I am waiting on one piece for my invention on the center hole, should get here in a couple more days and I can finish the cluster up. I also finished cleaning up the under dash wiring after replacing a few wires that were spliced and in bad shape. Here are the last batch of pictures for now-

[72BlckButy]

Lookin' good and nice progress!

Where did you pick up your new gauge bezel?

[Camaro_nut2001]

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

Lookin' good and nice progress!

Where did you pick up your new gauge bezel?

Hello, I want to say LMC but I'm not really positive on that. I've got stuff from alot of different places it's hard to remember.

[Camaro_nut2001]

Hey fellers and gals, I've been playing around a little bit and wanted to show a little progress. Here is what I saw when I removed the boosterAttachment 554145.
After cleaning with brake clean and then thinner I got it to look a little betterAttachment 554145
I finally got that bulky alternater bracket gone, here is the setup that was on it and with it gone and it will stay gone. That bypass hose was fun getting off, lol

[Camaro_nut2001]

Now keep in mind this was all the P/O had done to the truck. Here is the throttle rod and it worked great but it won't be going back on.

[Camaro_nut2001]

Dang my firewall pictures didn't post and there was a picture with the wiring tied up, lets try it again.

[Camaro_nut2001]

Well my Dad came by and wanted to see the progress on the truck. We went out in the garage and he brought up how much slack was in the timing chain, I told him I hadn't checked it yet but I was going to when I got the intake off. He wanted to check it tonight so I grabed my breaker bar and turned the motor back and forth while he felt the #1 piston. He said there was to much freeplay so I had him turn the motor and I felt the piston and sure enough there is way to much freeplay so I guess i'm going to put a cam and gears in. I was hoping I wouldn't have to go that far as my plans were to just dress it up a little but I would have noticed the wear in the chain when I took the intake off so my upgrade has changed a little bit. I hope to post more pictures tomorrow night.

[bamabaxter]

I am definitely up for helping you out with the motor work.....or anything else for that matter.

[Camaro_nut2001]

Originally Posted by bamabaxter

I am definitely up for helping you out with the motor work.....or anything else for that matter.

Wow, Cool!!! Come on lol, just kidding. If you want to come over this weekend I will be in the garage Fri. & Sat. just give me a call. I am probably going to have the cam out tomorrow so all I'll be doing to the motor is cleaning. My gauges are suppose to be here tomorrow so we could build the dash cluster and put it in or we can build the dist.