1970 K20 Z62 Full Restoration

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

Look very nice, you're making great progress!

Thanks Dale.

[DeadheadNM]

Bummer about the plating. I miss old Kehr and hope you nail down a good shop.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Bummer about the plating. I miss old Kehr and hope you nail down a good shop.

I miss em too bud. Fingers crossed on this next swing.

[72 tigger]

Love it!

[1970cstblazer]

From Four Wheeler magazine October 1969

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by 72 tigger

Love it!

Thanks Kirk!

[1970cstblazer]

Are you willing to produce these upper hoses? I will be starting my K20 sometime this year.

[IronCanine]

I don't want to get into reproducing these...but I am always happy to help a board member with their truck. You may need to come up with the hose stock. I had a little trouble coming up with what I used. But I'll get it stamped for you.

[1970cstblazer]

Copy that. Thank you.

[1970cstblazer]

Here is a question. On Ebay, there is an inlet hose that per the parts books is correct for 1967-72 K series 8 cylinder. Part number 3768767. Maybe this is a hose meant to be sectioned to work with the steel tube.



Here is another outlet hose 3918487:

[IronCanine]

Maybe. Don't understand the curve though. It does have the line/puncture points on it that the original one I have has.

[IronCanine]

Ok...grille time. And fair warning, we won't get to a resolution with tonight's posts. But a lot to talk about. First the particulars of the '69/'70 grilles are pretty well fleshed out in this thread:

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=803128

I have on two previous builds used reproduction inner and outer grilles which were copies of actual GM parts...that were never actually put on trucks at the assembly plant. In other words the actual GM service replacement parts were not factory correct. As most of you know all the NOS outer grilles that are traded now cut short the bar lines before the headlight buckets, unlike the assembly line versions. I have never seen an assembly line correct NOS (in a box) outer '69/'70 grille.

The inner grilles for '69/'70 (which were very different) were homologated into a single part number that was not assembly line correct for either 1969 or 1970, but mostly right for both in different ways. I have seen three assembly line correct NOS 1970 inner grilles...and I got lucky enough to get my hands on one. Below are pics of that NOS piece as well as a pics of the reproduction grille we used on the 1969 K10 and 1970 K5. There are several things that could be fairly nitpicked on both trucks.

[IronCanine]

I wanted the correct outer grille on this truck. I had a long conversation with Larry at a truck show about it (even before I got my hands on the NOS inner). I wanted those lines. He recommended finding a nice original and having it refinished. We talked about the pros and cons of re-annodizing vs. polishing.

When I got the NOS inner, I felt compelled to go OE outer. I elected to follow the factory path and re-annodize an original grille. Tim (member uncle) hooked me up with a very nice original grille. I made a box and shipped it the King of Trim in CA.

Unfortunately after much time and expense, the grille returned with a bit of a prism effect and basically a pink flop. The finish wasn't too bad...but there were some areas with oxidation and pitting on the upper flange that you'd see when the hood was up. I was disappointed to say the least and they offered no reasonable resolution.

I stuck it to the side and figured (hoped), once the black paint was on and it was surrounded by other pieces...it might work.

[IronCanine]

Fast forward and we are at the point of needing to ready the grille for installation. And lo and behold I see a post by Dave Hosler that Key Parts is reproducing a grille with lines that are correct. I thought I was saved.

I ordered one immediately.

But unfortunately it was no beuno. The stamping is very good, but the finish is satin at best. I reached out to Key Parts and spoke with them about it. They are very satisfied with their product and feel it is quite correct.

First...I think the aluminum stock they're using is not the best. There was a fair bit of grain and pre-stamp defects in the metal. The edges get stretched smooth enough in the stamping to be relatively reflective, but the bar is not even close. Take a look at the pics comparing the Key Parts grille to a reproduction grille we had hanging on the wall. You can see how much more reflective the older reproduction grille is. And if Key's position is they were satin from the factory...well that's crazy.

So...I don't know who this grille is for. Less than 10% (likely a very generous number) care about those lines. And even I would take the finish over the lines if that was my choice. Most folks who don't care or know, would definitely take the finish.

But you know I want both...

[IronCanine]

While I feel that at some point, Key is going to have to get this fixed...I don't think they'll do it anytime soon. So we had to make some choices. Part of that process was at least assessing the fit of the new Key Parts grille.

And it is pretty good. If the finish was right, we'd be moving on.

The new reproduction grille has the advantage of having no oxidation anywhere. And with the fit good, we decided to try and refinish it.

[IronCanine]

And that's where we are now. The grille is off and Eric (God bless him) has started the polishing process. First, oven cleaner to remove the anodization. Then, believe it or not some block sanding to remove defects...then next week on to polishing and hopefully repainting.

[IronCanine]

One last pic for Rick. And a big thank you to Roger Koop for the cables.

[1970cstblazer]

Good info on the grille. Finally someone has listened, and began producing the original style. As with a lot of repros, they didn't get them perfect, but it sounds like they are actually trying. Cables and battery orientation look great.

For the other '69-'70 restorers out there, what is the Key Parts part number for the grille with the new tooling?

This will be the best quality and most authentically restored '67-'72 anywhere on the planet bar none.

[loudchevy]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

Ok...grille time. And fair warning, we won't get to a resolution with tonight's posts. But a lot to talk about. First the particulars of the '69/'70 grilles are pretty well fleshed out in this thread:

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=803128

I have on two previous builds used reproduction inner and outer grilles which were copies of actual GM parts...that were never actually put on trucks at the assembly plant. In other words the actual GM service replacement parts were not factory correct. As most of you know all the NOS outer grilles that are traded now cut short the bar lines before the headlight buckets, unlike the assembly line versions. I have never seen an assembly line correct NOS (in a box) outer '69/'70 grille.

The inner grilles for '69/'70 (which were very different) were homologated into a single part number that was not assembly line correct for either 1969 or 1970, but mostly right for both in different ways. I have seen three assembly line correct NOS 1970 inner grilles...and I got lucky enough to get my hands on one. Below are pics of that NOS piece as well as a pics of the reproduction grille we used on the 1969 K10 and 1970 K5. There are several things that could be fairly nitpicked on both trucks.

Thank you for all this grille info. Truck is looking fantastic.

[DaHos]

Originally Posted by 1970cstblazer

Good info on the grille. Finally someone has listened, and began producing the original style. As with a lot of repros, they didn't get them perfect, but it sounds like they are actually trying.

For the other '69-'70 restorers out there, what is the Key Parts part number for the grille with the new tooling?

Part # 0849-958, I have not received my stocking order of these yet, I think Brad got the 1st one to ship.......I too was disappointed when I heard about the "finish" quality considering the amount of RnD put into a new design they would have got it PERFECT !!! but.........

[1970cstblazer]

Originally Posted by DaHos

Part # 0849-958, I have not received my stocking order of these yet, I think Brad got the 1st one to ship.......I too was disappointed when I heard about the "finish" quality considering the amount of RnD put into a new design they would have got it PERFECT !!! but.........

Thank you. Will be going this route for my upcoming 1970 K20, even with the duller than OEM finish .

I just started following your FB page along with Key Parts' FB page for info on more good stuff.