Project daily drivable 62 C20

[The Rocknrod]

Very nice project.

[72cs20]

Thanks again. Gary, I really am a big fan of the 87-95 GM tbi engines. They're reliable and ruggedly simple and lend themselves well to vintage vehicles. Personally, I don't mess with carbureted fuel systems anymore. My last couple of CJ-7's with 258 sixes were tbi converted. My current 1990 Jeep Wrangler has a 95 350 tbi installed and has worked out very well.

Well my rosy outlook for starting the engine has already fallen by the wayside. With the uncooperative weather, me being under the weather and the need to order more parts, it just ain't gonna happen.

My engine harness and fuel pump did arrive and I got the pump and filter installed. So at least the fuel plumbing is finished.


I was ready to do the engine harness but realized I didn't know where to make the hole on the firewall for the ECM connectors to enter the cab. The plan from the beginning was to have a Vintage Air(VA) unit installed. In order to avoid any real estate conflicts between the VA unit and the harness entry location, I figured I should install the VA unit first and then find a suitable location for the engine harness entry point. The Vintage Air kit should be here in a few days and then I can get going. I'll post back soon with that part.

[Katrina/10]

Hey, I have an 89 Wrangler I put a TBI 305 in, works great! I also have a 350 TBI in my 71 truck. I used the 1227747 ECMs on both of mine.

[Vincenthdfan]

Very nice job so far!

I'm curious about the paint you used on the interior in post #35...

What color code is that on the rattle can?? I'd like to file that one away for future reference.

[72cs20]

That's pretty cool Gary. These square headlight Wranglers almost seem to be designed for small block V8s, they fit so well. I retained the 5 speed manual tranny and using the 16196396 computer with the BDUY e-prom. I still have several engine computers left over from my Jeep project and will use one of them in the 62.

Vincent, does this number look right? - BNS0593 Sunlit Sand

[72cs20]

A little more progress these past few weeks with the Vintage air system and the fuel injection wiring harness. Started off with the VA.

Two boxes were delivered, about 60 pounds combined -


Here is the main unit that goes in the cab -



Before it goes in the cab, the heater and ac lines need to be installed, as well as the upper and lower mounting brackets.

[72cs20]

Once the lines and mounting brackets are fitted the unit can be mounted in the cab. Ideally this is a two person job. I was by myself and with the right amount of cursing, I got it in nice and level.

Before actually mounting the ac unit, a block off plate is screwed to the passenger side kick panel vent opening -


After that is the ac unit fitted to the firewall -


Here is a photo of the Howell Fuel Injection harness I'm using -


With the ac unit in place I could find a good place for the engine ecm harness to enter the cab. I decided to make the hole next to the ac/heater port opening. I used a Ron Francis ecm harness firewall grommet in the opening.


The ac unit itself provided a good spot to mount the computer. The upper mounting bracket has a nice flat surface and I used 15lb rated Velcro to hold the ecm in place. The entry point for the harness is neatly hidden behind the ac unit and routes over the top to connect to the ecm.

[72cs20]

I would say a good 1/3 of the fuel injection harness needed to be lengthened or shortened for a good fit on this truck. And I think it turned out pretty well. All connectors and components will be easily serviceable when all the front sheet metal is back on. After the engine is running and dialed in I'll do a final dress on the wire looms.

Here are some semi-finish photos.

Ecm mounted and wired -


Engine side -



And here is a Weather Pak connector kit I picked up on Amazon to help finish the job -

[Katrina/10]

Really nice work!

[72cs20]

Thanks Gary.

A quick update. I was finally able to get a roll-back up to the house to take the truck down to the shop. Here she is being picked up.

At the shop the power steering box installation will finished, new exhaust will be done as well as a new windshield. Rear cab glass will be installed also.

Also, got the transmission in and AC drain finished up.





Hopefully I'll have the truck back home by the weekend. The inner fenders and core support can then go back on so the AC plumbing, dryer and condenser can be finished. Yay!

[Katrina/10]

I just spotted your Muncie SM420 transmission. I put one of those in my Jeep too! It's a great trans.

[RKS0069]

Looking really good!!

[forestb]

Are you able to install the ac and still have the original vents installed?

[72cs20]

There is a photo in post 57 that shows the vent block off plate for the passenger side vent. That plate comes with the VA kit. The driver side is un- affected.

[forestb]

Did you try installing the ac with the original vent grill in place? I have the same ac and wanted to keep both my vents.

[siggyfreud]

Those weatherpack kits are a nice way to wire aren't they? I have a newer Jeep Wrangler and have used them a few times to replace oe wiring ends that would have a positive lock.

[72cs20]

Originally Posted by forestb

Did you try installing the ac with the original vent grill in place? I have the same ac and wanted to keep both my vents.

No. In fact, I had VA include a second block-off plate to do the drivers side. I won't be using the kick panel vents

[72cs20]

Yeah Siggyfrued, that kit is pretty nice. Along with a quality crimper, it also came with the proper pin removal tool.

The only thing accomplished at the shop this week was the work to permanently attach the steering box adapter plates to the frame.




The other things on the shop list are exhaust and glass installation. It seems the bottom side the 60-62 truck is not at all welcoming to the exhaust system I had originally wanted. Not enough room. So we decided that a dual 2 1/4 inch exhaust with Flowmaster mufflers will work the best for this truck. The pipes will exit in front of the rear wheels.

The glass was supposed to go in on Thursday, but they cancelled on me because somehow the windshield was damaged. Another one was ordered.

So hopefully those things will be finished this coming week and the weather cooperates enough to bring it back to my garage.

[72cs20]

Quick update for today. The trip to the shop was pretty much a success with all objectives met. The new front and rear glass came out great. The exhaust came out great too but unfortunately the passenger side muffler completely blocks access to the fuel pump and filter and also may introduce too much heat to the fuel. So after I get the truck to where it can move around under it's own power, it goes back to the shop to have that addressed.

Here are a few more pics -

The ride home -


New windshield -


New rear window -


This weekend should see the drive-shaft go back in, core support and radiator mock up, finish clutch and break system bleeding and more cleaning and painting. Fingers crossed.

[72cs20]

A good day in garage today. Worked on getting the inner fenders, core support and radiator fitted and lined up. Several months ago I had all these pieces powder coated semi-gloss black. They look really nice finally going back on.

Sorry, the pics are a bit washed out from the sun shining through the garage door. Inner fenders in with new gaskets against the cowl -



Couple of the core support -

[72cs20]

Radiator bolted in. This radiator is the one that came with the truck and I'm going to try and re-use it. It has a fairly thick three row core so hopefully it will work with the V8 and AC. We'll see. May need to upgrade later.



This truck will surely need a fan shroud. I'm going try and use the 63-66 shroud on this truck. Here is the radiator bolted in along with the 63-66 fan shroud mounting baffles -

[72cs20]

And here is the drivers side fender test fitted to see how everything lines up so far. Not to horrible.

[Captainfab]

You're making some good progress

[72cs20]

Thanks Captain, and to everyone who has offered up positive comments It really helps in maintaining forward momentum.

On Sunday I got the tranny mounted brake drum installed as well as the drive shaft.

Also bled the brakes and got a fairly firm pedal but still has a bit too much travel. Going to adjust the push rod out and adjust the rear brakes to bring in the travel.

Also decided to scrub out the inside of the front fenders and prime and paint them.

All restored drive shaft -


Parking brake drum all cleaned up with front of drive shaft bolted in -


From the rear -


Inside of fender getting cleaned up -


And lastly, I put this seat in so my brake bleeding helper would be comfortable. It is out of 2007 Chevy truck and is very nice and has built-in lap and shoulder belts. It's comfy but seems a little too big for the cab. I'm still on the fence about whether to go later buckets or stay with the original bench seat, which is pretty comfortable too.

[72cs20]

Got a lot of things done in the last couple of weeks to get this beast moving under its own power.

Finished up the necessary under-hood plumbing of the ac/heating system, new thermostat installed, new oil filter adapter installed, all fluids topped off, clutch free play adjusted. New battery tray is in with a new battery.
Found the proper radiator hoses too. For the upper hose I went to Napa and asked for one for a 62 Chevy C20 with a 283 V8. It is Napa #7240. The lower hose is a Gates #20957. I trimmed about a 1/2 inch off each one and they fit perfectly.



Also finished cleaning and painting the inside of the front fenders and grill support. The color is kind of an eggshell white, same color I used on the firewall. The fenders still need a little body filler and paint where the patch panel welds are.



So this weekend's objective is to have the truck moving so I can get it on the trailer and down to the glass shop. There is a big gap at both corners of the new windshield. Either the gasket is too small or the windshield is not seated fully. Whatever it is, they're going fix it.


A little gas in the tank and a new negative side battery cable and this thing is ready to turn over and hopefully run.