my official 68 shortstep ls1 thread (lots of pics)

[65-72 chevytoys]

Originally Posted by 68 short step

ok im gonna make this my thread with the build up from here on out...
little progress this weekend...
painted new front suspension, installed brakes, and installed engine/trans.
i had lots of help from both my wife and daughter too

What type of paint did you use on the front suspension? I have been told you need a high temp paint with ceramic because of the heat that builds up in the calipers during braking. Any truth to that and if so what is the best paint to use.

[Joe Gribben]

looks like you know what you are doing that thing is looking good ill be watching for more

[68GMC454]

looks like a good job your doing there...everything looks good.

[68 short step]

Originally Posted by dishow

if you still have the rear rims in this pic would you like to sell them????

i sold those already...

[68 short step]

Originally Posted by 65-72 chevytoys

What type of paint did you use on the front suspension? I have been told you need a high temp paint with ceramic because of the heat that builds up in the calipers during braking. Any truth to that and if so what is the best paint to use.

sounds logical.... what i do (and has lasted for over 5 yrs on my firebird) is blast the caliper ( dont touch with bare hand after that), give it a good rince down with acetone, and paint with automotive paint ( this is nason, custom blend color.....kinda a grey gunmetal metallic color) paint it with a few GOOD coats, then wait a few days, clean with a cloth, clear, clear, and clear it... wait a few days then install...

[68 short step]

got more progress today.... i plumbed up the steam tube.... how i did it in a "hidden" fashion is drilled a hole in the water pump, tapped it, and put a elbow with a -4 AN fitting to the outlet of the steam tube (under the throttle body) heres a picture guide of what i did......

[shifty]

Steam tube looks good. Very similar to what I did on mine. Glad to see someone is getting work done. I finally got my stupid ass fuel pump mounting plate drilled out this weekend after breaking off the bung. Now I gotta find two replacement NPT+barb to AN fittings to replace it.

Two questions for you about your work, which others might find of use later:

That's a nice polished elbow - notice it has a tab on it - is that a kit from somewhere?

Where the heck is your MAF? Or are you tuning out the MAF (which is totally possible to do)?

[mudslinger396]

Looking great gunna be a nice truck!

[68 short step]

Originally Posted by shifty

Steam tube looks good. Very similar to what I did on mine. Glad to see someone is getting work done. I finally got my stupid ass fuel pump mounting plate drilled out this weekend after breaking off the bung. Now I gotta find two replacement NPT+barb to AN fittings to replace it.

Two questions for you about your work, which others might find of use later:

That's a nice polished elbow - notice it has a tab on it - is that a kit from somewhere?

Where the heck is your MAF? Or are you tuning out the MAF (which is totally possible to do)?

kennedy off road on the intake assembly (for a 00 1500 truck, if it matters)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-...spagenameZWDVW

the MAF sensor is just behind the air filter (have connection kinda towards the bottom)

[hp1967c10]

I am curious if your drop spendles are from Early Classic and what spring your using in the front. The tubular control arms look great but from my understanding they are expensive. I have a picture of my 67 when from a few years ago that I will be posting, but I have completely started over with body work etc... I will be interested in your stance once you get it on the ground with body and engine weight. Great job and I will be talking to you.

[Spray-Bomb]

If you decide you don't like your exhaust, give it to me

How does it sound, or have you fired it yet (I want a sound clip)

Very nice dude

[shifty]

You gonna battery relocate to driver's side? There is a stock tray for that.

[68 short step]

Originally Posted by hp1967c10

I am curious if your drop spendles are from Early Classic and what spring your using in the front. .

no the spindles are "western" spindles from CPP and a 1" drop spring...

Originally Posted by Spray-Bomb

If you decide you don't like your exhaust, give it to me

How does it sound, or have you fired it yet (I want a sound clip)

no i havent started it yet , but ill be sure to make a post with vid about it.

Originally Posted by shifty

You gonna battery relocate to driver's side? There is a stock tray for that.

you're slipping , look up several pics, its mounted on the frame behind the dr side wheel....

[shifty]

Sorry

[68 short step]

heres a update...... i got a complete bed from MAR-K with the hidden handle /flush tailgate....also i tried primeing it, but i found out quick that primer doesnt stick to galvaized surfaces to well..... so thats why in the video its primer black (that i tried to wipe off) so now its two tone with some custom acetone streaks....... anywho.... i got the wiring squared away, and had to test it, as seen in video.... first attempt at starting it, it ran like crap then died... looked at my ground points (only 2 places) and they were both just finger tight...so i tightened them and WROOOOOMMMMM... like half a crank and it ran great..... i just put temperary power where needed to start it....

[Spray-Bomb]

Sounds pretty good, but it's kinda hard to tell without hearing it in person... Rolls eyes

[pcmcobra]

sweet.
I'm diggin' your 2 helpers over there in the yellow vette...startem young!

[ChevyDude]

Great progress, lookin gooooood!!!

[67shortie]

I'm following this closely, I would love to do this engine swap into mine

[jorgensensc]

Looks awesome!! Just small 2 cents... Please either put it up on jackstands or disconnect your driveshaft.
I recently (November) was almost done restoring a '56 Bel Air. I just dropped it off of the Jackstands and told my 5year old daughter to move out from in front of it. She argued, but finally moved. I reached in and started it up. and it fired up wide open throttle. Before I could turn the key the tranny somehow dropped into gear and nearly ran into my house. I turned the wheel and made it down the driveway, but I was going to hit a the iron gate and the Trailblazer SS on the other side of the gate. I had seconds to react. i had to put the car into a tree on the property line. The tree was 30 ft from the front bumper and the wheels were burning rubber the whole way. Not trying to be a downer, but I would really hate to see you or your little ones get hurt. I immediately went over and hugged my little girl.
shawn

[shifty]

Ok, you beat me. I'm jealous

I guess I should bust some ass and work on mine today, since I am so freaking close to finishing it ain't funny (have been for months). Everytime I think about it, I lose motivation though

[68 short step]

Originally Posted by jorgensensc

Looks awesome!! Just small 2 cents... Please either put it up on jackstands or disconnect your driveshaft.
I recently (November) was almost done restoring a '56 Bel Air. I just dropped it off of the Jackstands and told my 5year old daughter to move out from in front of it. She argued, but finally moved. I reached in and started it up. and it fired up wide open throttle. Before I could turn the key the tranny somehow dropped into gear and nearly ran into my house. I turned the wheel and made it down the driveway, but I was going to hit a the iron gate and the Trailblazer SS on the other side of the gate. I had seconds to react. i had to put the car into a tree on the property line. The tree was 30 ft from the front bumper and the wheels were burning rubber the whole way. Not trying to be a downer, but I would really hate to see you or your little ones get hurt. I immediately went over and hugged my little girl.
shawn

[68 short step]

Originally Posted by shifty

Ok, you beat me. I'm jealous

I guess I should bust some ass and work on mine today, since I am so freaking close to finishing it ain't funny (have been for months). Everytime I think about it, I lose motivation though

ill add insult to injury too, i broke my feed fitting (like you) and replaced it with a fitting i found at ACE hardware...... this fitting was on the fitting shelf (you know the ones that people get the fittings, and instead of putting it where it belongs they put it on the shelf below) it was only 1.25$, but didnt see another like it..altho i quit looking when i saw it... so shift hurry up and git it going......

[watahyahknow]

man youre so lucky you had a chance to at least steer the car out of harms way , next time go sit in the car before starting it while loading the brake to make sure nothing happens .
we drive mostly manuals here where learned at the driving school to hold the clutch and the brake and wiggle the gearstick to see if its in neutral before starting

youre lucky you didnt used one a fancy remote startswitch so you can turn the motor while working under the bonnet for valveadjusting and stuff

[FRENCHBLUE72]

I have had my blazer drive backwards through a house gotta be carefull.. Nice foundation you have so far..