Shop Truck refurb, code name Chaser

[JohnC]

That's an awesome score on the gate man. That band looks in perfect shape.

That jeep is hilarious. When my cousins daughter was like 3 or 4 he found one of the Barbie corvettes. He then took it to a friend of his that did signs, and had them make all new emblems that were on the car, but with his daughters name instead of Barbie. It turned out really cool.

[RandyP]

Ok, I always thought the valve covers were same side to side on a 1st generation SBC. They did swap the left and right so the oil fill was on the correct side etc, but maybe it did matter?

This does not look normal

[joe231]

I guess I don't see the issue....
Posted via Mobile Device

[RandyP]

Well all those black lines have an area that is basically being rubbed/bumped by something (rocker arms?) and has made small dents and a couple of them have actually formed small cracks. Object is to keep the oil inside the engine is it not? Those cracks where it's rubbing is letting the oil escape when it is running.

Get over here Joe, I need a few parts. I can swap you with mine that you can't see anything wrong with.

[joe231]

Oh!
Dang that's weird!
Posted via Mobile Device

[RandyP]

Got the new valve covers on. You know what happens when one leaks pretty bad? I dusted for skeeters on a test drive. Parked it back at the shop and came home. Hot and tired now. Has a pretty decent sized puddle of oil under it, looks like it's blowing on the passenger side rear area since the firewall has some splatter on it that I could see. Gaskets sure looked good to me, but I guess it needs new ones. I tried

[RandyP]

Went to the shop this morning and looked under the red beast, it's leaking on both sides fairly bad. For sure time for new gaskets and sealant I guess and let my helper or body tech do it. Again, I tried, a mechanic I am not. The right side has a very large puddle under it, left side is a little dribble. I'm sorta sad about it to be honest, I was trying to be more hands on with it.

[nbpro]

Always did my best mechanic work with a shot of Jack and Coke. That way if I mess something up, I had something to blame it on besides myself. I've seen the best mechanics put valve covers on and they leak.

[RandyP]

From the puddle I seen this morning... leak is like calling Niagara Falls just a waterfall.

If I do it myself again, I'll take more stuff off out of the way, just was a bear getting them on and off it seemed. I'll probably use RTV or something as well if I do it. Will have to wait and see what sort of workload I get for my guys and just see how it goes I guess. Was hoping he'd get time to change TBI's as well. That is one thing I'll let my tech do for sure, he's a darn good wiring guy, solder and shrink wrap pro in my book. I'm more of a twist the wires together and wrap them in tape sorta guy.

[RandyP]

So, on about a 1 mile test drive last weekend after my valve cover job... I lost a quart of fluid.

My wonderful body man, who I love dearly at this time (cause I did not want to redo those covers!), redid the gaskets for me and installed the old TBI for me. Truck is sitting outside drying off after a good degreasing of the headers and firewall (thanks to my oil painting).

Everyone cross their fingers and say a little prayer for Chaser.

[nbpro]

Sweet . So when are they going to be in the galleries? your oil painting that is

[joe231]

Did you drive it yet?
Posted via Mobile Device

[RandyP]

I have not, my body man did for a short spell just to make sure there was no huge leak. We parked it in the shop with a piece of cardboard under it just in case and to help pinpoint leaks if there are any.

[joe231]

right on

[RandyP]

Got the new tank in the other day from O'Reillys. Looks to be a decent tank, had to hammer some of the joints, like roll them down instead of sticking straight out.

My helper got the right saddle down today. I was really expecting to see sludge or something. I was rather surprised to see it was fairly clean! The gas had a different odor, almost like old gas. That is sort of odd since when I bought the truck it was dead bone empty in the left tank, and had maybe a gallon in the right. I know I've went through a couple of tanks at least in it since I've had it. The pickup screen was... well what was left of it was very gnarly. Not really sure how anything was being sucked up through it.

Got a new pump and pickup screen, got the new tank hung and undercoated as well. Maybe tomorrow he'll have time to get it bolted back up and run it to the gas station. Plans are to just run it on that right tank until we take the bed off (to do cab corners and such). When the bed is off we'll drop the left tank and replace that pump and pickup screen and clean it etc. Not worth the effort right now as long as the right tank gets us going properly.

Will try to get some photos up tomorrow.

Good news is, truck was degreased a second time and let dry. They started it and let it run a little bit and then pulled it up on the frame machine in order to do the gas tank thing. I put some cardboard under it at that point, just in case. Has not leaked a drop yet.

[nbpro]

kool no leaks randy don't mean to hijack your build thread, but I guess there's a new society that has started up. Thought you might want to take a look. THE STITCH SOCIETY

[RandyP]

Ya, I know about Stitch! I think I'm the only one thus far who has not asked for pictures. Thought it might earn me some brownie points for when I got "in line" for a new dash.

Forgot I promised pictures. New tank, old pickup screen (yuck), old tank (some dirt, not bad for the age I feel?), dry card board.

[nbpro]

If you don't mind me asking, how much did the tank run? Nice looking shop you've got there too. How much you lack having this one finished, so you can start on your 74 if you get it.?

[RandyP]

Tank was about 120 from O'Reillys.

Once the truck gets where it is a dependable runner, we'll start doing body work "as we get time" on it. One of the last things we'll do is yank the bed off and get the new cab corners put on it and quickly get it painted. We'll be able to do basically do panels at a time on it for repairing. Get a panel done in a day or two and get it in primer. That way I can drive it when I want more or less on the weekends or have it for a back up vehicle. We're hoping to have the body and paint done in time for the Christmas parade here in town. Engine has taken longer than I thought though.

[PRattenbury]

I just bought a leak detector kit to try out on my engine. It's 6 little bottles of dye, a flashlight with a black light bulb in it, and a pair of 'special' glasses. So you pour the dye in whatever fluid you are searching for the leak in, clean the engine or whatever off so it's clean, then take it for a short ride. After the ride you put on the glasses, take the flashlight, and go looking for the glowing green spots where the fluid leaked out. I was always old school before, and didn't do too bad finding leaks just by eye. But I figgered I'd give this a shot. Why not, right?

[RandyP]

Oh my. I drove it home, and for a little 40 mile spin. Wow, thing is running pretty darn good now! I can hear something, might be a little exhaust leak is what I'm hoping (headers need tightened I hope). Almost like a little clatter I can hear when taking off.

Otherwise, got her up on the highway and went zoooooooooom. Since the speedo basically stops at 85 due to the trip meter, no idea how fast. I do know it was fun and smooth! It does not die out at stops either, and has very good throttle response compared to before. I think swapping back to the factory TBI and getting the fuel tank, fuel pickup screen, new pump and new fuel filter helped a TON!

[JohnC]

Glad to hear it's finally running right!

[joe231]

Posted via Mobile Device

[RandyP]

Took it back out tonight for another spin. Other than the vibration that i bet is the transmission, it is awesome! Did some highway and some section lines and some neighborhoods. Never even thought it was going to die on me and the check engine light only came on once.

Stopped off at Atwoods and got a couple of come-a-longs they had on sale, some pieces of chain and a very heavy duty ratchet strap. Just planning ahead in case I ever get a chance to use my car hauler. Spent $201 before tax, tax was $5 when it was all said and done. God bless my grandfathers farm tax ID.

[joe231]

right on!
when are you coming down?