1970 Med Olive Project

[MMcMasters]

My addiction got the better of me a few months ago and I added another project to my collection. I already prescribe to the “too many projects, not enough time” principle so this just makes matters worse. It’s a really clean and rust free Medium Olive/White 1970 LWB. The bottom is as solid and clean as the top. I’m really excited about it minus the rat **** smell coming from the dash

Some may be following my other build thread where my son and I are building a 67 SWB for him. His motivation is wavering as of late so I pushed it off into a corner of the shop and told him I will stop whatever I’m doing and get back on it when he’s there to help me and wants to get back to work on it with me. Until then I'm going to start on mine.

I waited to start a build thread on my new truck because I wanted to just drive it for the summer and enjoy it. I have been driving it every chance I get and I’m stoked, it’s a blast. I have a 66 Chevelle pro touring project that’s just sitting apart right now waiting on paint and my boy’s truck is apart. The last thing I need right now is another truck pulled apart.

I do have big plans for the truck though but I’m going about it just a little different then I do normally. I bought a spare SWB frame already and my plans are to build that chassis and have it complete before I remove the first bolt to take the truck apart and transfer everything over. I have already cut all of the rivets and removed everything I don't need.

Here are a few pictures of the truck as it sits right now.















My plans for the truck are:

Porterbuilt Extreme Dropmembers front and rear
Accuair
LS/4L65
Boyd's tank
Big brakes (Kore 3)
Vintage Air
20/22 wheels
Shorten the factory box and raise the bed floor
Leave the paint and interior as is (except lower the bench seat 2")

I would love any comments or suggestions as I go. This will be the first time I have raised a bed floor so I'm going into it blind.

[MMcMasters]

I ordered complete Porterbuilt front and rear extreme dropmember's months ago. I also got their tubular arms, CPP spindles,R&P, sway bars and crossmembers.

Since I knew it would be awhile until my order arrived I started getting the drivetrain in order. I found a low mileage L96 from my local Pick a Part. The L96 is the iron block,flex fuel version of the L92. It has VVT but does not have DOD.



What started as a cam change and elimination of VVT, turned into a full tear down because of the #2 cam bearing that had some abnormal wear. Since it was coming apart anyway I went ahead and had the crank polished, new cam bearings installed and the blocked was hot tanked.

I called Brian Tooley Racing and ordered up one of his LS3 Stage 2 cams, along with a set of his platinum springs and Ti retainers, locks and his seals. I also got a new set of LS7 lifters. Since I planned to eliminate the VVT, I ordered a LS2 cam gear, new timing chain, LS2 front cover and a new oil pump.





I got the pump squared up before torquing it down



Best tools I ever bought for assembling an LS engine. Best way to square up the front and rear cover.







I upgraded my rocker trunions as well.

[MMcMasters]

And here is the SWB frame I bought from another Member.



I will start on the chassis as soon as my parts get here from PB. I am definitely not a patient person and this last 3 months has seemed like forever. I will definitely plan better for the next build and I will try to order way ahead.

[shores6]

Man I'm jealous of the truck you're starting with. In for this one.

[Dustmaker65]

Very nice truck to start with! I am sure this will over the top in no time

[MMcMasters]

Originally Posted by shores6

Man I'm jealous of the truck you're starting with. In for this one.

Originally Posted by Dustmaker65

Very nice truck to start with! I am sure this will over the top in no time

Thanks fellas

[Bubba4spd]

Keep sharing....learning a lot!

[DeepOceanStepside]

sub'd cant wait to watch this build blossom

[MMcMasters]

Originally Posted by Bubba4spd

Keep sharing....learning a lot!

Originally Posted by DeepOceanStepside

sub'd cant wait to watch this build blossom

I appreciate it..Things should get rolling pretty quick in near future.

[MMcMasters]

I'm hoping someone can help me out with some part numbers. Here is the engine cover that came with my L96. I really don't care for it and I would like to run the covers below.



And this is a new set of Vortec Max covers I picked up awhile back. From what I can find from google, the Vortec Max was an option around 2006-2008 on the 6.0 trucks. I really like the look of the covers but I'm having an issue. There are brackets that attach the side covers to the head and I cant find the part numbers. I also would like to find the part number for the intake from those years so I can try to find one. The center cover's front attaching bolt lands right on my MAF sensor so either I need to find the proper intake or fabricate something to work which is not what I really want to do.



A few of my buddies think I'm stupid for staying with the truck intake and truck accessories but to me it's a "truck" engine going into a truck and I like that

If anyone has the info I need I would greatly appreciate it. Or if anyone can steer me to another site that may have more information that would be great too.

Thanks in advance

[88Stanger]

I am going to follow this thread, great start!!!

[tommys72]

Nice start to this build! And i too dont mind the truck intake on a truck

[MMcMasters]

Well I got home to several boxes on the porch and I had no idea anything was coming. It ended up being my rack & pinion, spindles and steering linkage that PB had drop shipped.

Then about an hour later I got 19 emails from PB..tracking numbers for my entire order!! I havnt been this excited since my son was born!! The great thing is I had no buyers remorse since I already went through that 3 months ago..lol

[GAc10boy]

Awesome plans! I am following your son's 67 build and was super excited to see you found such a sweet medium olive truck for yourself. I have a '69 medium olive shorty but it's nowhere near as nice as yours. I'm doing a light resto on it now but it will get rust repair at sometime in the near future. Good luck with the build! I'm in.

[MMcMasters]

I look forward to seeing your build thread Robbie

[kehstr]

sweet truck!! glad to hear that you are making the best of what is going on with your son not wanting to work on his truck! I might have the numbers somewhere for the covers to mount, not sure but I'll try to find them, and post if I find them.

[MMcMasters]

Originally Posted by 88Stanger

I am going to follow this thread, great start!!!

Thanks man!

Originally Posted by tommys72

Nice start to this build! And i too dont mind the truck intake on a truck

Thanks Tommy!

[MMcMasters]

Originally Posted by kehstr

sweet truck!! glad to hear that you are making the best of what is going on with your son not wanting to work on his truck! I might have the numbers somewhere for the covers to mount, not sure but I'll try to find them, and post if I find them.

That would be great! Thank you

[mooseknuckles]

tuned in for a cool build!

[shores6]

Originally Posted by MMcMasters

Well I got home to several boxes on the porch and I had no idea anything was coming. It ended up being my rack & pinion, spindles and steering linkage that PB had drop shipped.

Then about an hour later I got 19 emails from PB..tracking numbers for my entire order!! I havnt been this excited since my son was born!! The great thing is I had no buyers remorse since I already went through that 3 months ago..lol

So rolling chassis this weekend?!

[MMcMasters]

Originally Posted by shores6

So rolling chassis this weekend?!

On dollies maybe

[MMcMasters]

My UPS lady hated me today and I couldn't be happier about it


I got everything unboxed, organized and did some inventory.


I had other stuff to do today but I had to dig in and start mocking some of these pretty parts up.











Im going to get the rack & pinion notches welded in tomorrow. The bags and the sway bar are on back order so I probably won't have those for a while.

I was still pretty motivated so I started fitting one of the rear notches and it was giving me fits. These factory rails are so flimsy with all of the cross members cut out, it wasn't wanting to fit at all. I gave in for the night but I'm super happy to be getting some work done again!

[Dustmaker65]

Looks like Santa came early!

I am sure it won't be long and it will be a roller

[MMcMasters]

Originally Posted by Dustmaker65

Looks like Santa came early!

I am sure it won't be long and it will be a roller

You give me too much credit, I'm sure I will figure a way of dragging this out for a year like I have a tendency to do

[MMcMasters]

I got home from work and went right out in the shop and I was able to finish up the rear drop member. I hit a few snags but a quick email to Nate and he eased my mind.

I spent a lot of time fitting the notches. I was a little concerned that they weren't fitting very tight but after I clamped it all down, they pulled up very nice and tight. I very happy with how much progress I have made in just two evenings worth of work. I think it's a testament to the quality of parts that PB puts out.

We have some family stuff going on this weekend but I think I should get a few hours tomorrow so I'm hoping to finish up the steering notches and get the rear end bolted in.

I havnt received my air bags yet so I won't be able to get the lower bag mounts welded up until they get here.