How I spent my Covid-staycation

[hank scorpio]

Took advantage of our winter break this year to work on my c10. Because COVID shut down the tradeshow I normally have to do in Janurary, this was the first christmas break in years where I actually had some free time.

Where it started back when I first got the truck.



When we first got shut down last year under shelter in place, I took advantage of the time and converted the truck from manual drums to 4 wheel discs. That turned out to be a bit more hassle than I expected but was worth the fight as the drums were absolutely terrifying to stop at any speed over 40. (note: I know they could have been rebuilt back to useful brakes but I just didn't want to deal with drums and manual brakes any longer). Also rebuilt the front suspension while I was at it.

The main take away from this was I'm too old continue working on cars with jack and jackstands. Over the summer I finally got to do the lift installed and it's the best decision I've ever made. Unfortunately it ate the budget for 2020 towards the bigger projects.

So I decided to take advantage of the time and rehab the 283 in the truck, clean all the front sheet metal and do a bunch of small punch list items while I was there. The main thing was the motor just leaked so badly, it really needed a good reseal. Here goes:


Truck up on the lift. Could not be happier, I can't fathom going back to working with out it.



Amazingly, no broken bolts, everything was dirty but in great shape.


LOTS of pressure washing, easy-off, purple power later...

Was super happy how well the firewall cleaned up back to it's original fawn paint.

Most of this got accomplished during my winter break. Then we all went back to work / school and 2 weeks later my oldest got Covid. SO we all separated to different parts of the house attempting to mitigate the spread. The upside was another week in the garage while we got tested (and all my employees).

before:


Did all the normal stuff. Front and rear mains, water pump, timing chain, valve seals (all 16 just crumbled apart, that was one of the biggest issues) etc. Didn't do a full rebuild, it really didn't have all that many miles since it was rebuilt last, just a lot of time. Also converted to a Pertronix ignition and got all the sensors setup for the dakota digital dash. Also did a LOT of cleaning:





By this point I had started feeling crummy and ended up testing positive myself. By the time we caught it was in our house it was too late. So I ended up taking a couple weeks off and did nothing but rest and stay locked up in my bedroom. Thankfully we all had it mild with more issues from a long term lingering cough/fatigue than anything during my infectious period.

Back to work!

Built an adapter harness to connect to the DD box

Success

Picked up the inner fenders / core support etc from sandblasting, snuck down to the shop to use the booth to spray

and then put it back together




(I realized after these photos my upper hose is backwards LOL)
Hit it with the buffer again too


There we go. Making the best of the last year with some unexpected extra free time. It's first day back to the shop got put right back in use as my favorite photo backdrop too.

[jayoldschool]

Really, really, nice work. Love the guitar tailgate shot, too. I need to do that with a few of my gits.

What did you do for your manifolds?

[hank scorpio]

Originally Posted by jayoldschool

Really, really, nice work. Love the guitar tailgate shot, too. I need to do that with a few of my gits.

What did you do for your manifolds?

Thanks!! It gets used a LOT in our work photos. That means I can write all this off right? LOL

Exhaust manifolds is just POR15 cast iron gray. I've always had great luck with this as manifold paint. Looks good, holds up great.

[bsarts]

Beautiful work, she looks great!

[Ol Blue K20]

Nice work, it looks great!

[hank scorpio]

Thanks everyone!

[1Rusty90]

Your truck looks awesome.

[AcampoDave]

Wow, that came out great. I love a stock looking motor. That lift is pretty nice too. It looks like you cut recesses in the floor for it to settle into when its lowered, is that right? When working under the vehicle, do you sit upright on the floor or a roller stool or what? I'm curious about some of the physical advantages that go along with using that. Friends of mine have the big 4 post jobbers that have space for standing or parking another car underneath, but I've never seen one like yours in real life. Id like to know a bit more. Glad the Covid didn't hit you guys too hard too.

[hank scorpio]

Originally Posted by AcampoDave

Wow, that came out great. I love a stock looking motor. That lift is pretty nice too. It looks like you cut recesses in the floor for it to settle into when its lowered, is that right? When working under the vehicle, do you sit upright on the floor or a roller stool or what? I'm curious about some of the physical advantages that go along with using that. Friends of mine have the big 4 post jobbers that have space for standing or parking another car underneath, but I've never seen one like yours in real life. Id like to know a bit more. Glad the Covid didn't hit you guys too hard too.

So I had a few limitations in my garage. Mainly I didn’t have enough width for a two post with out turning my garage into a 1 car garage essentially. Also with the rack on my truck especially I don’t have the ceiling height to lift much more than what’s pictured anyways.

After spending two years debating this scissor lift style was the one I kept coming back too. When not in use it’s 100% unobtrusive to the garage. The downside was it’s twice the cost of a 2 post and after having the concrete cut out, a hole dug, rebar and new concrete it’s like 6x the cost. I still think it’s the best money I’ve ever spent given my choices. I can work on the front and rear suspension easily (unlike a 4 post), I’ve got 25” between the lifts so I can still work in the middle of the truck. I could also get the super tall 4x4 style jacks and set it on those at 48” off the ground, drop the lifts and have full access if needed. I really couldn’t be more happy. (Except the damage to my wallet). Also unlike the jacks I can lift the truck to max height, then drop it with 1 button to lower it enough to open my garage door when I need to (retracking that tight to ceiling is my next project).

I ended up getting a rolling seat that sits close to the ground. It works great for me (though I’m only 5’8” so ymmv).

[hank scorpio]

Originally Posted by 1Rusty90

.

The GOAT!

[The Rocknrod]

Nice work, congrats.

[cwcarpenter98]

Dadgum, that turned out great!

[kaycee]

Wow that turned out great,what is your ceiling heigth ? Allso what brake booster master cyl. are you using and did you use brackets on the mounting of them?

[MT65]

Nice job, time well spent for sure....

[slepysal]

nice work ! and i can not agree with the statement:
" The main take away from this was I'm too old continue working on cars with jack and jackstands. "

[caseyjones]

Beautiful detail work!

[hank scorpio]

Thanks everyone!

Originally Posted by kaycee

Wow that turned out great,what is your ceiling heigth ? Allso what brake booster master cyl. are you using and did you use brackets on the mounting of them?

The front disc kit and booster/master came from azpro but I used the captain fab bracket. Rear disc kit from https://www.littleshopmfg.com/

My ceiling in the garage is 9’4”

[MusicMan70]

Beautiful and Honored History link on Bob and his truck and namesake, thanks for posting. Oh, and the Guitars ROCK!!

[SkinnyG]

Looks fantastic.

I waffled back and forth for the longest time between the scissor lift and a two-post lift. There is no going back to NO lift.

[hank scorpio]

Originally Posted by MusicMan70

Beautiful and Honored History link on Bob and his truck and namesake, thanks for posting. Oh, and the Guitars ROCK!!

Thank you! It’s certainly a fun way to make a living!

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

Looks fantastic.

I waffled back and forth for the longest time between the scissor lift and a two-post lift. There is no going back to NO lift.

Couldn’t agree more. I’ve been doing this a long time with out one and it just sucks. A lift is so freaking nice.

[62bagger]

Wow. Engine compartment looks great.

[Pick121]

Originally Posted by hank scorpio

Thanks everyone!

Hank great work on the truck engine, compartment, and dash. May I ask what lift you went with for your shop/garage

[hank scorpio]

Originally Posted by Pick121

Hank great work on the truck engine, compartment, and dash. May I ask what lift you went with for your shop/garage

It's a Bendpak Midrise Lift. Really happy with it and the few little snags I hit Bendpak was immediate on the support and help. Very solidly built. Here's some pictures from the concrete side of the job. The concrete guys way over built this but I really didn't mind. https://www.instagram.com/p/CHJpUHCnuo_/

[jchav62]

Awesome work! Looks great... Love the engine detail...

[88Stanger]

Awesome work!! love the lift. i have a 2 post, but i also have 14' plus ceiling. never going back to no lift!