Not Another Rebuild Thread....

[McMurphy]

Originally Posted by Alan's Classic

The difference is the number of bolts that hold the main caps on. The main caps hold the crank in.

I used repop fenders from Goodmark. Over all I'm happy. They need a little massaging around the cowl extension and headlight mount panel.
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Thanks for the input Alan... so a 2bolt main does not automatically = small block?
And a 4bolt main not = big block?

Sorry for such noob questions, but I wonder about these things....

[kieth]

the higher HP 350s' had the 4 bolt mains, the lower hp ones did not, if you are not going more than 300 hp a 2 bolt main block will be fine. As I read your build I did have a thought , since your winters are so harsh (understatement) why don't you leave the camper on the pick up bed, put the bed on blocks outside and use it as additional storage, You can do all the work on the cab, engine, frame etc and the bed is the last thing to go back on. I would really suggest you look for a 91 burb 2wd or 87 pickup that is in fairly good shape, that way you would have all the brake parts, power steering, power brakes etc.....and a 350 tbi fuel injected engine.......I bought one for $1000.00 even used the tilt wheel and the wiring harness........just a thought. Kieth

[McMurphy]

Originally Posted by kieth

the higher HP 350s' had the 4 bolt mains, the lower hp ones did not, if you are not going more than 300 hp a 2 bolt main block will be fine. As I read your build I did have a thought , since your winters are so harsh (understatement) why don't you leave the camper on the pick up bed, put the bed on blocks outside and use it as additional storage, You can do all the work on the cab, engine, frame etc and the bed is the last thing to go back on. I would really suggest you look for a 91 burb 2wd or 87 pickup that is in fairly good shape, that way you would have all the brake parts, power steering, power brakes etc.....and a 350 tbi fuel injected engine.......I bought one for $1000.00 even used the tilt wheel and the wiring harness........just a thought. Kieth

That is a great suggestion Kieth, thanks!
I had thought of that too, as well as the ATV Tent we put up which is housing most of my front end.
Sadly though we have 6" on the ground here already, and there is a bit of an incline involved with the driveway out the garage doors. I am pretty sure the ATV could push the rig around as it is right now, but has potential to suck too LOL.

I was getting to the point where I was going to start asking about donor rigs, and what to keep an eye out for. I try to take copious notes when I read thru everyone elses rebuilds but I admit I get caught up in the beauty and innovation of some of the work and I forget about the research.
I want an early (late 70s is as new as I want) because after that all the vacuum and electronic stuff gets away from what my skill set can handle
But on the other hand, the motor has to be big enough to haul my trailered Pontiac up and over the Cascade mountains to Seattle area shows (a few years from now of course).

I guess it is time to make and hang a copy of the sign in old George's Welding Shop.

"DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK STUPID QUESTIONS....
.... THEY ARE A LOT EASIER TO HANDLE THAN STUPID MISTAKES !"

Thanks again for taking a look!

[McMurphy]

The weekend has arrived.... wonder what I will get done in the next 2 days?

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by McMurphy

Thanks for the input Alan... so a 2bolt main does not automatically = small block?
And a 4bolt main not = big block?

Sorry for such noob questions, but I wonder about these things....

You can get a 2 or 4 bolt small or big block. clear as mud
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[McMurphy]

Ok this weekend suffered from late starts and lack of get it started. But some progress none the less.

Lifted out the center of the bed, good thing I read these boards and saw where chevy_man5 had notched the top of the carriage bolts with a cutting disk, that little tid bit helped with most of the stubborn ones. There were still 2 that I just had to cut out of there.

Got the new fuel tank lifted up into place for a mock up look-see and got the measurements I will need for the straps. Took out the overly complicated sending unit and am modding my original one to fit, more to follow on that.
That was yesterday.

Today I took my spare guage cluster apart and rolled back the odo on it. Going to fart around with that the rest of this week. Fun stuff. It isnt that the original builds or designs were "bad" but it is tons of fun to think, "What can I do to make this better..." or "How would I have done this, or how would I like it like this..."

I am sooooo going to rob some of you all's ideas.
Hopefully I will remember who I am stealing ideas from so I can give you credit in this history thread.

Pic #1 is the fuel tank mock up.
#2 is my guage cluster apart and odometer rolled back

[McMurphy]

Hello all,
It was a busy weekend for my truck.

Saturday got the camper, wheel wells, and the bed off the truck. Sadly I had to cut some bolts, and one of the steps is still connected to the wheel well because of a naughty bolt that was more stubborn than me at the time.

Sunday got going on cleaning the frame, fuel tank, and the tow hitch. Cleaned and painted.
Yesterday I had to plow some snow when I got home and the ATV wanted to be a slug so I had to stubborn it into life. An ATV with a snow plow is a hoot, and probably the most fun I have ever had pushing snow around ~chuckles~
Today I started with a minor mock up of the tank and hitch to see where I would be standing with them.

Is nice to think I am getting to a point where I can start putting things back together too...

Pic #1 is the general mock up
#2 is a closer shot
#3 is a close up of the d-side corner, this shows my frame to be about 3.75 inches too short to complete the hitch mounting. The ideas I am kicking around is adding 4" of frame straight off the back end ~or~ some sort of stiffner that runs the full length of the hitch mounting inside the channel of the frame which would be bolted in using the tank mounting strap bolts as well as the hitch mounting bolts. (This solution would be easiest I think, though I fear not the best or strongest) A donor frame would be ideal I think for the metal alone....

[McMurphy]

After work today I am going to look at a 84 Camaro Z28 that was parted out (no engine/tranny).
I will be looking particularly at the steering gear box, and brake system. The question I have at this time is if anyone knows if I can just swap out the front cross/steering member. I am curious to see if that can or will bolt up and save me the trouble of drop spindles and all that.

Dude only wants $300 for this rolling Z28 husk, so I am hoping there will be many a part and piece I can cannibalize for my truck.