My Quest for Hot Rod Power Tour, Take 2

[mrhurt73]

Ok so i am starting on rebuilding my hot rod truck. This picture was taken this summer at a local car show.

but i really need to start this build story 6 years ago. In 2005 i was reading my Hot Rod mag and i saw that the Power Tour was making a stop in roanoke, va. i was thinking thats really close to me, now i only need something to drive.

[mrhurt73]

Since i didnt have a hot rod, the need arose to find one. A co-worker of mine told when a old chevy truck was sitting, they couldn't get it to run right and wanted to get rid of it.

I went to look at it, and they just wouldn't budge on price. so i left and a week before christmas my wife called and offered them $400.00 bucks saying it was my christmas present. they decided to have the christmas spirt and sold it to her.

here is how it looked the day i dragged it home.

[mrhurt73]

If you look close at the motor photo you might be able to figure out why they couldnt get it running right.

one of the heads had a problem, and just replaced that head with something they had laying around. not exactly the same compression ratio going on each side. ha ha

didnt take long for me to decide original frame was not going to make the trip.
too big for what my picture was in my mind.

[mrhurt73]

ok, so i had a 1979 c-10 frame leftover from another project.
hmmm, a little cutting, little shaping, i think it will fit.

[mrhurt73]

ok, fast forward, lots of cutting, lots of plasma cutter, lots of welding and bought a bed. a F*RD fan had this bed in his yard, he said "i dont want that junk in my yard anymore"
i was more than happy to help him clean his yard.

[mrhurt73]

ok so we did a real quick paint job and then on the road we went. Didnt make the long haul gang in 2006, truck didnt fail me, had to go back to work.

but it was a blast and met a lot of new friends.

[oldman3]

Hey, you got a plan, AND the wife is on your side, couldn't ask for more....Jim

[Kim57]

Sounds like a great plan to me.
Kim

[oldman3]

I know lots of guys would like those parts for Xmas...Jim

[youngrodder]

Nice progress. I have always wanted to try the power tour...
best of luck on your rebuild.

Marc

[mrhurt73]

Originally Posted by oldman3

Hey, you got a plan, AND the wife is on your side, couldn't ask for more....Jim

I have a great wife, she actually comes to the garage with me

Originally Posted by Kim57

Sounds like a great plan to me.
Kim

like the A team used to say "i love it when a plan comes together"

Originally Posted by oldman3

I know lots of guys would like those parts for Xmas...Jim

yes christmas came early, i was great

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Nice progress. I have always wanted to try the power tour...
best of luck on your rebuild.

Marc

Hot Rod Power Tour was lots of fun, see all kinds of new rides and meet new friends.

[Wheelie]

Project looks like a lot of fun. I too want to go on the power tour with my truck. Of course my goal was 2 years ago.

[meter swinger]

Looks awesome. That thing is gonna handle like a slot car and ride like a cadillac when your done.
Posted via Mobile Device

[mrhurt73]

Originally Posted by meter swinger

Looks awesome. That thing is gonna handle like a slot car and ride like a cadillac when your done.
Posted via Mobile Device

i am hoping it will, it rode good before, now im hoping for great.

[_Ogre]

good looking truck
truk long hauled the 2011 and 2012 power tours, i was smiling all the way
for me, ac is a necessity for the southern routes, 2011 it was 104 and up for the first 5 days, last yr it 95+ for the last 3 days.
truk and i will be there next yr, i need to find a new co-pilot. he's going to fix up his 50 buick roadmaster for next yr.

[mrhurt73]

ok,
i cut off the rivets with a 4 1/2" grinder, i found it easier to cut off the rear bracket rivets with the leaf spring flipped over like show in picture.

all four brackets cut off in about 2 hours, gave the grinder a break ever now and then as not to burn it up.

[mrhurt73]

my trailblazer ss manifolds showed up, going to try them soon enough.

5.3L and 4L60E combo been sitting in the corner all summer, its time is getting closer by the minute.

[mrhurt73]

so i used the paper template that airide sends with the kit. held in place with paper clips so i could center punch the holes i had to drill.

then i noticed the template didnt line up with my frame. after call to tech support i find out my truck was considered a heavy half. also this meant the panhard bar bracket for the differential was wrong. kit comes standard with 10 bolt rear bracket and mine has a 12 bolt rear. make note of yours when ordering kits, save yourself a day or two shipping.

also you have to cut off the factory bump stop to make room for the bracket to fit.

if you have a heavy half truck like me the back reference hole will not line up, you have to go off of axle centerline for drilling.

[mrhurt73]

after drilling many many holes, i assembled the rear kit. you will need a sharp 7/16" drill bit, a 1/2" bit is used for 4 holes, everything else is 7/16"

each rear bracket has 17 bolts per side, front brackets have 6 bolts each side.

[oldman3]

73, looks like everything is going together nice,thanks for the extra info on the different frames, love the pics...Jim

[Kim57]

Looks like you're making some nice progress.
Keep the pics coming.
Kim

[mrhurt73]

engine test fit today, stay tuned for pictures tonight.

[oldman3]

I'll be waiting...Jim

[mrhurt73]

alright engine fits, first test fit was a success, i am going to have to send the engine cradles back to scott's to be remade, but justin did answer the phone twice on saturday morning. not many shops do that. hope they get them back fast

motor is a tight fit, but its not hitting anything, had to clearance around a/c unit and raised cab and made it easier putting in place.

[Wheelie]

A lot of progress, looking awesome!