Build Question - Where to start

[geoff.clark]

I have a question on where to start. I am wondering if I rebuild the engine first, how long can it sit without causing any issues. I have heard cylinder walls can rust if sitting to long. Or is this only caused if the engine is not sealed up - like if the heads are not on.

Or is it best to start with the chassis and body then do the engine work. Planning on starting this rebuild real soon and need to know what the best way to start.

I am not in huge hurry to complete the project. I have 4 years to complete - gift for my son when he graduates high school. I want to build it right. It would be great to be done sooner, but money is always tight with 3 kids and single income house.

Thanks for any guidance.

[hchad18]

Chassis and body first, engine last. JMO

[Ronm909]

thats how I am doing it, that way any engine machine work does not sit around, the very last thing I'd do, should be ready to run by the time engine is completed, just my opinion

[Diablo de la Noche]

I asked the same question back in august. They said just get it on the road so you can enjoy it and do it little by little. I didn't take the advice. Now I do it little by little, and buy the parts I need right now. I started by taking the whole front apart. I wish I hadn't, it looks like a junk pile in my garage. I am concentrating on the interior and plan on finishing that first, or at least getting it close so it's nice. Between small projects, I clean, and clean, and clean up after cleaning. Still chipping 43 years of gunk off the underside. In the next few weeks (realistically) I plan on putting the new body mounts in, that is how slow it is going. It seems that once you pull something off, there is more that needs to be done around it, so you take it off, and there are more issues to deal with. I'm a little OCD when it comes to cleanliness of the parts. Choose an area and concentrate on it, then move to the next area. Just about every part will need attention sooner or later. The trick is not to get all A.D.D. on it like I did. (And not too OCD!)

[Shyguy]

My son and I do a real good inspection of what we have first and then decide what end result we want.

Based on what we have found we make a check list of what needs to be done and the parts we will need.

Parts gathering can be a fun part of the job.

First we start on the cab and the interior.

Only two of the ones we have done have been frame off restorations. I guess we have built 5 in the last year or so.

It really helps when more than one person works on a project, helps to keep the motivation up and it is good to bounce ideas off some one else. My son has been working on these old trucks for years and I am learning a lot from him.

I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks, I just turned 64.

At some points in the builds we get help from my twin 16 year old grands and my son's wife.

Last year my twin grandsons put a 350 together with my son's guidance.

We always try to make working on these old trucks a family thing when possible.

Danny

[Hottrucks]

Originally Posted by Diablo de la Noche

I asked the same question back in august. They said just get it on the road so you can enjoy it and do it little by little. I didn't take the advice. Now I do it little by little, and buy the parts I need right now. I started by taking the whole front apart. I wish I hadn't, it looks like a junk pile in my garage. I am concentrating on the interior and plan on finishing that first, or at least getting it close so it's nice. Between small projects, I clean, and clean, and clean up after cleaning. Still chipping 43 years of gunk off the underside. In the next few weeks (realistically) I plan on putting the new body mounts in, that is how slow it is going. It seems that once you pull something off, there is more that needs to be done around it, so you take it off, and there are more issues to deal with. I'm a little OCD when it comes to cleanliness of the parts. Choose an area and concentrate on it, then move to the next area. Just about every part will need attention sooner or later. The trick is not to get all A.D.D. on it like I did. (And not too OCD!)

I could say I told you so but I won't...lmao....

run it use it to chase its own parts...when the time come flip him the keys..

but like was said do one piece at a time like pull the bed paint the frame and bottom of the bed then and do your rear suspention work...and flip it back on..figure a week for that and drive it..the more you drive it the more your going to love it....so what if it smokes alittle just give it a tune up and drive it...and unless your keeping it all stock your going to be looking for a bit more power so it gie you time to look for a vortec and trans...with it in the gagage you can clean and paint it when its ready for an install pull your front clip new mounts pull the motor and trans clean things up and paint and put the new motor in...

If your going for a show truck do the same thing just take your time in the details

[geoff.clark]

Thanks for all of the responses. This is going to be a frame off rest. So need to clean out the garage and start taking this apart.