jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly

[Xeen]

Have you given any thought to replacing the damaged bedside?
I had made mention of it before but you didn't comment.

[jimbosprint]

Originally Posted by Xeen

Have you given any thought to replacing the damaged bedside?
I had made mention of it before but you didn't comment.

Yes, eventually. Going to make the truck mechanically sound before cosmetic repairs. Getting the bench seat re-done and fixing the fuel gauge take priority.

[jimbosprint]

Some video of the new exhaust

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRanr...ature=youtu.be

[Xeen]

It looks and sounds good.

[jimbosprint]

Not what I was hoping to find, but I just noticed some oil on the flywheel cover. Going to have to investigate a little further.

[jimbosprint]

I have discovered my bench seat is not comfortable at all and must be fixed. I also discovered the seat cover I have is an upgrade "Deluxe" cloth trim option, and not readily available as a reproduction part. I thought about going with a stock repro cover from LMC or Brothers, but I don't think I want to sit on black vinyl on 105 degree summer days.

I sent this pic to SMS Auto Fabrics today, and they are shipping me some upholstery samples.

[litew8]

I did the same thing a long while back, contacted SMS and they sent samples.
Unfortunately, their samples didn't match my original's color like I had hoped.
Since yours is black in tone, maybe it'd be a perfect match.

Mine


SMS's (no gold flake and not parchment enough)

[jimbosprint]

Originally Posted by litew8

I did the same thing a long while back, contacted SMS and they sent samples.
Unfortunately, their samples didn't match my original's color like I had hoped.
Since yours is black in tone, maybe it'd be a perfect match.

Mine


SMS's (no gold flake and not parchment enough)

What did it cost you to have the seat cover made? Was it done by TruckSeats?

[litew8]

Not a seat cover, original. I have a tear on the driver's side.
The camera picks up the dirtier spots but can't see it with the naked eye.
I decided not to try and recover it. I'll try and find a good slip cover instead.
Of course, I can't find one of those either (good quality). Might have one made.

[litew8]

Heck yeah, engine and exhaust looking real sharp

[litew8]

Originally Posted by jimbosprint

Turned the key, got it to run smooth and the timing set pretty quick. Noticed quite a bit of smoke and shut it off.

Could have been the paint burning off. How's it running today?

[jimbosprint]

Thanks, I'm very happy with the engine & exhaust. Runs good, no smoke. Just had to break it in.

The seat, brakes, and fuel gauge are at the top of my list of things to fix for now.

[jimbosprint]

I unplugged the tan wire from the fuse panel and the fuel gauge moved past full, so I suspect the sending unit in the tank is probably the problem. Brothers has them on sale, so I just ordered one.

[jimbosprint]

Ok, so here's my truck "to-do list" (not in any order):

** 23700 miles - change oil **
Try to make shifter work better
Fix instrument lights
Fix fuel gauge
Find local expert help to tune-up engine to ideal
Inspect/fix brakes
Replace shocks
Remove trailer brake
Replace fuel pump (just discovered I accidentally put on a big block fuel pump!)
Get seat reupholstered
Replace vinyl floor
Replace door window seals
Clean/service rear differential (see what gears are there)
Check trailer wiring

[jimbosprint]

My truck has a working fuel gauge! The old float was full of gas, and the needle never moved. Now I can leave town if I have to!

[Xeen]

Oh yeah a working gas gauge is a must have when going out of town.
I'm glad to hear it was something easy to fix.

[Jahloha]

Awesome build and thread! Loving the ram horns and crate engine, although premature, I am shopping crates as well.

[rusty76]

Cool truck. I really enjoyed reading about it. Keep at it.

[jimbosprint]

Thanks rusty76 and Jahloha! It's been a fun project, I love driving it, and there's lots more to do still. I hope to someday take it completely apart for a full restoration.

[jimbosprint]

I heard what sounded like some engine knock yesterday on a trip up to the disc golf course. I think I accidentally moved my timing with the air cleaner. I wish the air cleaner or distributor was just a tiny bit smaller because the bottom lid barely touches the closest plug wire on the HEI. I bent the air cleaner a bit to help, but it still touches.

I guess I'll have to be more careful in the future, and make sure the distributor is held down more securely.

[jimbosprint]

So I don't think it was knocking. More likely this big crack in the exhaust manifold.

[rusty76]

Well darn.

[jimbosprint]

I'm gonna try the cheap ($46 shipped each) Ebay exhaust manifolds and see how that goes.

[jimbosprint]

I replaced the driver side front brake rotor and pads yesterday. Gonna try to borrow an air compressor and impact gun for the passenger side to make taking the wheel off a lot easier. I'm sore from doing it by hand yesterday.

I'll post some pics after I get the other side done.

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by jimbosprint

I replaced the driver side front brake rotor and pads yesterday. Gonna try to borrow an air compressor and impact gun for the passenger side to make taking the wheel off a lot easier. I'm sore from doing it by hand yesterday.

I'll post some pics after I get the other side done.

Being sore from work is a good thing it means you are building muscle, soon you will be able to do that work and it won't bother you, just eat protein after you work.