The Journey That Is My 1972 C20 BBC Highlander

[67RS/SSx2]

Thought I would start a thread to follow the work on my new, old truck. I am not a mechanic, nor am I a paint-and-body guy. So I will not be doing any extraordinary tasks with this truck. If its needs go beyond my abilities I will involve friends who are in those fields.

The goal is to keep it as original as possible but to keep it very usable as a truck. I will replace with new where necessary, just want to stay as true as possible to original.

So I got the truck home about a week ago. Turns out it had a gas leak on the carburetor (another thread). That was pretty straightforward to remedy. Now done.

Truck has a factory aux tank. Trying to figure out the gauge/tank thing so I added fuel to each tank and watched the gauge. Immediate problem appeared. Aux tank has a pretty good leak. Was quite the circus to get it home and try to capture as much leaking fuel as possible.

So now I need to drop the aux tank to evaluate. I think the way GM designed to bolts/nuts to secure the aux tank is pretty ingenius. Managed to get two of the bolts out with little difficulty (Kroil is my friend). Third one stripped the 3/8" ratchet opening as I tried to loosen it. I'll have to find a way to get that one out. Later I can have a machine shop build a similar replacement for the stripped one.

The filler cover for the aux tank was full of debris (leaves, etc). I managed to get it off, cleaned out the debris, and now have to figure out how to remove the very rusty plate that goes between the tank and filler neck. Not sure how I am going to get that off.

Also need to drop the tank because I plan to have a spray-in bedliner installed. The guy I use (for my last 4 or 5 trucks) does an excellent job. He spray Bullet liner and said he can color match the truck's color. I like that idea.

He said he will have the bed blasted (dustless blasting) which will even remove the seam sealer. Then he will shoot the bedliner. Quoted a fair price so I think this is the route I am going. Just have to conquer the aux tank first!

I know everyone likes pics so...