Greg *Low87* frame progress

[LOHRTBT]

here are a couple of quick frame update pics on Greg's Truck.
He and I worked on it while I was in Tulsa....he wouldnt let me stop until 2am!!!
haha


Its getting there.

[Low87]

Don't let Dave lie, I think he was getting a nut with that brillo pad and Windex.
Thanks for your cleanup help Dave! I'll get out there and finish it up this week and post some more pics.

[LOHRTBT]

hahaha! it was fun...just wish we could have gotten more done.

[Captkaos]

MAN am I envious. I have friend 10 minutes away that won't help me!!! Looks good guys.

[bagged81]

Whats the plans for the tailpipes? How you going to run them?

[Low87]

LOL, Chris, I appreciated the help I was getting. All weekend I tried to talk Dave into moving to Tulsa. I'll keep it up, OKC pretty much sells itself to make you want to move away.

[LOHRTBT]

True....sad but true
Tulsa is a much better town...OKC is growing finally in a good way though

[TIMSPEED]

Nice fuel cell in the background. I will probably do that to my frame once I pull the bed back off this summer. (Prolly also notch it and go 5/7)

[bigblock73]

Looks awesome Greg (and Dave), can't wait to see how it looks when its done!

A couple questions..

1. Have you found the piece to connect the fuel filler tube/hose to the cell?

2. How did you paint the frame and what did you use?

3. Exhaust routing, how are you doing yours? (My exhaust will dump out and down right before the rear tires...you will barely be able to see them)

4. Have you built the front cell support yet?

-Jeff

[Low87]

To answer bagged81 and Jeff's questions;

For now I'm just going to dump the exhaust where it is until I install the new engine. Then I'll redo the whole thing. I'd like to run it out the back but with the fuel cell I don't see that as possible. I'll probably wind up having it exit forward of the rear tires.

I haven't worked on the filler neck plumbing yet. There is a speed shop by my house that has a catalog with the pieces that fit on top of the fuel cell to make a filler neck (hard luck finding that anywhere else so far), but the guy that runs it is an a$$hole so I won't be going back.

For the easy to access areas of the frame we used a 5" sander with 80 then 40 grit to get it clean and smooth. For the inside of the frame and tight areas we used a wallboard sanding pad (like brillo pads).

The flat paint (drums) is Krylon BBQ & Grill high heat spray paint. The gloss is Krylon high temp. The silver (leaf springs) is just generic silver paint.

I haven't built the front support yet. Trying to get the frame cleaned up and wiring figured out before I get into mouting the cell. I also need to find a discount steel place around here that I can get to on the weekends or during lunch.

[bigblock73]

If you can't find a steel place nearby, I can go get the stuff you need here. I will give them the measurements so when you get it all you have to do is assemble it, paint it, and install it. I think I only have like $20 in aluminum for mine, and shipping would be pretty cheap since it isn't too big or heavy. Let me know.

-Jeff

[Low87]

I may have to take you up on that if you don't mind! Let me know how much to ship to 74012 and I'll send you the money.
Also, can you get some pictures of how you mounted the rear part of the strap to that crossmember? Did you just bolt it to the bottom of the top lip? I'll have to shave an inch off my bracket too. Thanks!

[bigblock73]

I will do that Greg, but I can't make it there till tomorrow night at the soonest. I will buy the materials and check on shipping and then get back to you.

Yes, the rear straps bolt to the top lip and yes, you will need to trim them a little since the fit is tight. One thing to look out for and be careful of is making sure the cell will clear the brake lin and bracket just above the axle. It will be tight like I said, but you do ant it tight so it can't move around or anything.

-Jeff

[bigblock73]

here is the brake line/bracket picture..

[Low87]

Thanks for picking it up for me and the additional pictures! Another thing, how do you know which terminal on the sending unit is power and which is the ground?

[bigblock73]

haven't gotten that far yet...i'll let you figure it out and pass it on.

-Jeff

[Captkaos]

Originally posted by Low87
I haven't worked on the filler neck plumbing yet. There is a speed shop by my house that has a catalog with the pieces that fit on top of the fuel cell to make a filler neck (hard luck finding that anywhere else so far), but the guy that runs it is an a$$hole so I won't be going back.

What kind of cell are you using?
If you are using what Jeff is(summitracing), get this:
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...t=SUM%2D290191
If you ant RCI, get this (same thing only you are looking at the bottom)
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...rt=RCI%2D7038A
Either should fit the cell as they are supposed to be univeral.

If Jaz (these might work for Summit/RCI also):
http://www.jazproducts.com/fuelaccess.htm#filler

[bagged81]

Wow, nice job bigblock! Looks good.

[Low87]

Thanks for the links Chris! I spent an afternoon on Summit looking for those. Didn't realize they were that expensive though! Can't use one with a flap valve, and I'll have to check the height clearance for the 45 degree ones. I was thinking of having something made that would look similar to the Blazer tanks, with the 90 degree neck. We'll see when it gets put together.

[Captkaos]

Greg, you should have asked. I have already research fuel cells a LONG time ago, and ended up with a Blazer tank for "visual originality". The necks are aluminum and they also have straight pipes. If you know/can find an aluminum welder, you can get the 45D one and cut it off (enough to get a hose/clamp on it) and reweld it back on to make it a 90D. Or, get the straight one, find a 90D elbo of the same diameter and cut it off, weld the 90 and they weld the extra back onto the end of the 90.

[swervin ervin]

Lookin good Greg. Wanna come do mine next?

[MSL]

Looks good i remeber having to do that to my dads truck now that i have my own i get to do it all over again. cleaning is a pain but the painting is fun. Also good luck on the fuel cell looks like some work.

[79BIG10]

Looks real good Greg. Looks like it's close to time for me to run up there and get that fuel cell routing and fuel pump done for you.

[Low87]

Originally posted by Captkaos
Or, get the straight one, find a 90D elbo of the same diameter and cut it off, weld the 90 and they weld the extra back onto the end of the 90.

One of these days I'll learn to just go straight to the Captain! I think the above idea would work best. There's a muffler shop down the street from my Dad's shop, if I can get over there during the day I'm sure they can do it. They build all kinds of custom car stuff.

[Low87]

Originally posted by swervin ervin
Lookin good Greg. Wanna come do mine next?

Sure, I'll drive over there and clean your frame while you work your magic on my truck! What's that, about an 18-20 hour drive?