Matt's 56 3600 4X4 Build

[rgunlock]

Sounds like good progress on the drivetrain. I'll be following your progress because I'm planning a similar build for my '59 after I finish the 78 GMC I'm currently doing.

[mvitale27]

Just some random 700r4 pics

[mvitale27]

Update... tranny rebuild is complete. I am taking it home on Thursday.

Got my engine block back from the machine shop... looks great! I ordered my stroker kit from summit this morning and picked up engine and tranny crossmembers and urethane mounts from performance online.

Fenders and floorboard panels are being delivered today!

Here is a pick of my block when it got dropped off yesterday... will post pics of fenders and other parts as they come in

[mvitale27]

Fenders and floor patches came in last week. Still waiting on my stroker kit and engine/tranny mounts.

I managed to remove the bed on Saturday with the help of some friends. Here are the pics of the bed removed...

[mvitale27]

Hey guys, got some work done on the truck. Welded in my engine crossmember. Also started building the 383. I have a line on K20 front and rear with 3:73 gears so I am chasing that this week. More pics to follow

[mvitale27]

Got a real score on the 78 K20 axles. Got both of them for $300. A pic is below. I will replace the ball joints, u-joints, seals, covers, and brakes before final installation. Right now I am getting some advise from Orrie and some other guys on which lift blocks, u-bolts, and mounting plates to use.

[Purcell69]

Looks to be coming along nicely. Keep up the good work!

-Joe

[mvitale27]

So I have done some work in the past few weeks. I painted my engine block, set all my ring gaps, and assembled the pistons/rods the other night. I am planning on getting the rotating assembly in the block this weekend and also getting my new axles mocked up under the frame. Some pics are below. I also removed the doors from the cab because as soon as I mock up the axles I will remove the cab and send it off to be blasted.

[mvitale27]

So I have the rotating assembly installed in my block. I need to double check it tonight for crank clearance at the bottom of the cylinders and oil pan rails. I was turning the crank by the balancer bolt so I am not sure if that is why there was a lot of resistance or if the crank is interfering somewhere.

[mvitale27]

Got the rotating assembly in the block. Rotates freely, just needed to add some more oil between the journals.

I started removing the old front axle to get ready for the new front gm 10 bolt. I got the old one out of the way after a little persuasion with the cut off wheel. Went to put my old wheels on the new axle (both are same 8 bolt pattern) and the old lug nuts were too small. After calling all the parts stores in the area, nobody had more than 2 lug nuts available. Ordered a set of 32 from summit that should arrive today. Hope to get the new front installed, old rear axle removed and new (to me) rear gm 14 bolt installed today.

[Purcell69]

Looks like you are making good progress. I am guessing you will be losing the stock steering gear for a GM power steering conversion?

-Joe

[mvitale27]

Originally Posted by Purcell69

Looks like you are making good progress. I am guessing you will be losing the stock steering gear for a GM power steering conversion?

-Joe

Yes, I am going to be getting rid of the stock steering box. I think I am going to use the CPP kit but I want to do some more research on other power steering options.

[mvitale27]

Feel like I am finally making some good progress! Got the new to me front gm 10 bolt mounted under the frame yesterday. It was a big of a struggle to maneuver it because the passenger side hub was frozen. Anyways, got it installed and the front is a solid 4" higher than the rear. I will be mounting the rear gm 14 bolt tomorrow with the Rancho 4" lift blocks. More pics to come!

[OrrieG]

That brings back memories...nice progress.

[mvitale27]

Got the rear installed over the weekend. Only delay I ran into this time was a massive beehive in my frame rail! Here are some pics of the install...

[mvitale27]

So I am getting ready to pull the cab off the frame and send it for sandblasting with the doors, grill, and bed panels. I took some close up shots of my rusted/rotted out area. Seems like the usual floor pans, cab supports, cab corners, hinge pockets, steps/rockers, cowl on the DS. But I also have some rot at the top of the windshield frame/roof. This could be tricky to fix.

I wanted to get it sandblasted before I start welding so its easier to see the rot and cleaner to work with. I am going to build a dolly tonight to sit the cab on before it goes to the shop.

What do you guys thing a good price would be for blasting the cab, doors, grill, and bed panels (no fenders)?

[mvitale27]

... couple more pics

[marc55]

I am getting ready to do my cab. I got a quote of $50 an hour. I want to do inside and out they said any where from 4-6 hours depending on how much paint is on the truck. I used some paint stripper and also used a 4" angle grinder with wire wheel and hit most of the flat spots myself. Hopefully I am down to about 3 hours.

[mvitale27]

Originally Posted by marc55

I am getting ready to do my cab. I got a quote of $50 an hour. I want to do inside and out they said any where from 4-6 hours depending on how much paint is on the truck. I used some paint stripper and also used a 4" angle grinder with wire wheel and hit most of the flat spots myself. Hopefully I am down to about 3 hours.
Attachment 1271395

Thanks for the info. Do you have any other pics of that dolly you have your cab on? I started building one the other night. I have the bottom rectangle and wheels done but I need to figure out the top mounting surface.

[mvitale27]

Dropped the truck off at the sandblasting shop this morning. For $500 they are going to blast the entire cab, both doors, inner fenders, door panels, grille, core support and a few other pieces. They also put a coating on after blasting to protect the bare metal from rusting. Should be done in about a week. Time to clean the garage and start working on the frame and suspension.

[marc55]

I built that one with some scrap I had it was kind of flimsy started to break up after climbing in and out of the cab. I am now using some car dollies I had.


Our project are at the same stage right now. I want my cab sand blasted by the end of the month and I am starting on the frame work.

[mvitale27]

Originally Posted by marc55

I built that one with some scrap I had it was kind of flimsy started to break up after climbing in and out of the cab. I am now using some car dollies I had.

Our project are at the same stage right now. I want my cab sand blasted by the end of the month and I am starting on the frame work.

Thats funny, we are both doing 4X4 conversion. I cleaned out the garage this weekend so the truck would fit inside finally. I am beginning frame and suspension work this week and I should have the cab back at the end of this week.

[mvitale27]

The sandblaster is taking longer than expected but I am in no rush to get the cab and body parts back. I have plenty of chassis and drivetrain work to do. I did spend a weekend cleaning out the garage so there is now room for the truck! Plus I can find all my tools! Hope to install my trans xmember and paint the frame this week. Then it is onto rebuilding my front and rear axles.

[mvitale27]

Small update here: Got the truck in the garage and figured I would accomplish the last thing preventing me from painting the frame. So I bolted up the trans to my block and dropped it on the frame to fit the trans crossmember from POL. Looks like I need to cut off the old MC bracket so I should be able to get that done tonight and weld the crossmember. Then finally drop the axles and paint this frame!

[mvitale27]

Not an update on the build but I picked up a new daily driver in Mystic, CT yesterday. 2001 Silverado 1500 Extended Cab. Guy was selling it for $3800 then the fuel pump crapped the bed after he ran it out of gas. He reduced the price and I scored it for $1900. I brought a scan tool and compression gauge with me when I checked it out. He used his AAA to tow it to me in RI, about 45 miles away. Once I got it home, I shoved some fuel past the throttle body and turned the key. Started right up and purred like a kitten for about 5 seconds. Here is a picture...