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

[mcbassin]

Cool pictures. Thanks for sharing. That looks almost like the prairie land around here

[flashed]

Those are great pics and the truck sure does look good .

[jimbosprint]

Changed the oil today. 500 miles on the new engine.

[jimbosprint]

New seat cover and foam arrived today. Thanks PICKMUP!

[jimbosprint]

So after a couple tanks of gas I found my mileage was really bad (~9mpg), and so I did some research into that and the slight stumbling/missing problem I was having too. Turns out Edelbrock carburetors don't like more than 5.5psi fuel pressure and they are also sensitive to heat.

The other day I installed a 1/2" 4-hole wood carburetor spacer to help with heat insulation and supposedly help with low end torque as well. I also got a pressure gauge to find out the actual pressure coming from the stock mechanical fuel pump, and it was putting out 8psi.

Today I installed a pressure regulator. As I turned down the pressure I noticed a change in the idle. Just took it for a test drive and it seemed to have decent response and I didn't notice any stumbling. I won't say it's fixed until I can drive it for a while under various conditions and calculate mileage, but I am optimistic.

[jimbosprint]

I got the bench seat mostly ready for the new upholstery today. All the hog rings are removed and the back cover and foam are off. I couldn't get the screws for the back frame out, so I'll leave that to the upholstery shop.

PICKMUP recommended filing/grinding down the sharp parts on the top of the frame that could eventually wear through the cover - pics below.

[jimbosprint]

Seat is at the upholstery shop and he says it will be done tomorrow. I can't wait!

I also took out the old trailer brake setup today. I really did not like that Willy Wonka brake line in the engine compartment or the dumb box under the dash. Some modern trailer wiring is needed still.

[Saclandman]

Lookin' good Jimbo. What regulator did you end up using for your carb?

[jimbosprint]

The seat is done! I am very happy with it (even though it doesn't match the original black cloth trim seat cover). Now I can truly enjoy driving my truck!

[mcbassin]

Wow! the seat looks great!!

[flashed]

That seat looks great as well as the rest of the truck .

[jimbosprint]

Thanks guys! It's so much nicer to drive now. Before it was like sitting in a hole looking through the steering wheel.

[jimbosprint]

Photo gallery updated - 389 photos

[Saclandman]

Looking good, Jim.

[jimbosprint]

I think I found a bed and rear bumper for $200. A few dents, but no bondo.

Kicking myself for not taking pictures.

[flashed]

Sounds like a killer deal .

[jimbosprint]

Owner sent me a pic, and I told him I'd take it. Now I have to find a trailer and a couple friends to help me go pick it up.

(I'm just buying the bed, not the trailer).

[flashed]

Why not take it home as a trailer ,remove the bed and take the trailer part back ?

[jimbosprint]

It's too far away. I only want to make one trip.

[flashed]

Now I understand .

[Oly72C20]

That is a very clean truck and great job with the details and pictures! I sure wish mine was progressing as well as yours!

Joe

[jimbosprint]

Originally Posted by Oly72C20

That is a very clean truck and great job with the details and pictures! I sure wish mine was progressing as well as yours!

Joe

Thanks Joe. All cell phone pictures - I enjoyed taking them because I didn't take enough when I built my last project car 15 years ago.

Starting a build thread motivated me. Let's see your project!

[jimbosprint]

So the guy selling the bed has decided to save me $100 and bunch of hassle moving it. He's going to take it apart and sell me just the inner and outer passenger side and wheel well. Score!

[jimbosprint]

I think the driver side exhaust manifold is leaking. Noise developed and got worse the last couple days. I got a replacement when I did the passenger side so I should have it fixed quick.

Also the window fogs up all the time, not just after rain. I think the heater core is leaking.

I wanted a truck to work on - and I got it.

[flashed]

Those heater cores can be a pain especially if you have an A/C truck .My 72 El Camino needs a new heater core and its even worse than these trucks to change .