Project -underfunded - '68 shortstep/carb'd LSx/200-4r build

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by 68GMCCustom

well the full s.s. brake line set is $185. I don't have the invoice in front of me...but I think I spent another $75 or so on a rear s.s. hose (got the 2 front s.s. hoses with my CPP brake kit), all the brass T's, all the fittings, and all the clips... + S&H.

So....something like $250-$260? Making it $300 or so with all 3 (2 front-1 rear) s.s. hoses plus the s.s. line set and all the hardware.

Thanks for the info. That is what I was afraid of. I really can't justify that kind of $$ on brake lines. It may be something to upgrade in the future.

[68GMCCustom]

I couldn't afford it either but I plan on keeping this thing till my kids get it when I can't drive anymore...so I figured I should put in the good stuff.

[68GMCCustom]

radiator support is in (to be replaced later when I do paint/body), along with radiator and Old Air Products e-fans.

[matthew20061]

Looks likes its starting to come back together! I really like the look of those efans, looks like they fit the radiator well.

[85burb]

Wow starting to look like a truck again. What else do you have to do tell you start that beast up? Looks great.

[67chevy1series]

nice job i have been patiently waiting to see this truck finished and now i am finally seeing results!

[5150.4.67]

Uh huh.......I'm diggin' the black valve covers. Very subtle and clean looking!

Paint or powder?

[68GMCCustom]

thanks all...still quite a bit to do but I'm hoping I can get enough done this weekend to be able to start the motor (at the least) next weekend. The valve covers are paint. I thought since the block was black (and fresh paint since it was new) I'd do the valve covers in black too...particularly because of the coil packs and their brackets. That said, when my bank account recovers, one of my planned upgrades is that I do plan on moving the coil packs behind the heads and getting longer plug wires...along with a new set of valve covers. This will about complete the "retro" look... as much as possible w/o running the special GMPP timing cover and a F*rd style dizzy.

[68GMCCustom]

Lots of progress...plumbing is just about all done, electrical is 80% done (95% under hood is done), shifter is about installed so I'm getting ready to start on the flooring, and I ordered a bunch of necessary parts (and a few extras) for it yesterday and today. I'm looking to start it this weekend!

[85burb]

Good to hear you may start it this weekend. Cant wait for the video of that monster with its massivly beautifull exhaust job.

[matthew20061]

I'm anxiously waiting to hear it too! Curious how almost the exact motor setup as I have sounds with long tubes!

[68GMCCustom]

y'all aren't any more anxious then I am!!! Looks like all my parts will be here tomorrow. I am about to order my cowl induction hood...which is the last big item. Trying to get one to my door for under $500 but that seems tough to do...

anyway....here are some pics of the progress:
p.s. plumbed but waiting for pump fitting for pressure side.



radiator and trans plumbing done (plan to replace trans lines w/s.s. later):



B&M Truck Megashifter is mocked up. Will pull it back out to do the floor insulation/carpet then put it back in. Installing it offset to the drivers side for comfort...my arms aren't long enough to put it in the center.





Circuit Boss all wired in along with MSD box. I now have a seperate 20 amp circuit each, to my e-fans (enough?), my MSD box, my electric fuel pump, front fog lights, and one 20amp switched feed into the cab for the gauges. Everything is wrapped in either cloth friction tape (starter) or cold wrap (like shrink wrap sort of) tape. 4 wires go back to the cab interior






feeds for fuse panel and circuit boss waiting for the battery(optima red):



oh...and I have a trans leak at the servo cover I get to fix:

[mcbassin]

First class build all the way man! Your wiring looks clean too. Sorry you have a leak. What do you think caused it? Thanks for sharing the pics!

[68GMCCustom]

Thanks Mike. My cam guy says the servo cover o-ring probably got pinched or something. should be an easy fix?

[85burb]

Didnt you have your trans done localy? Maybe from sitting to long. Wires all look great. Looks like you got the same length msd harness as i did. They could have saved a few bucks and shortened it up a foot atleast on mine. Had to run it along the back of my motor then up fire wall then accrost wall to hide most of the extra they put in there.

[68GMCCustom]

yeah and my trans builder said he'd never seen one do that before. I'm sure somethings up with the o-ring...should be easy fix... except for its already installed!

[85burb]

Whail you in that maybe upgrade servo? Have seen tham for a 700 but not sure about the 200. From that pic it looks like that sheet metal ridge thing is in the way. Hope you get it fixed.

[68GMCCustom]

no its the header thats more in the way...shouldn't be too bad tho.

[68GMCCustom]

worked on more wiring today. I also removed the passenger side header to make wiring the starter simpler...and notched the frame slightly where the 2nd tube runs so close to the frame. I'll try to do the same for the drivers side tomorrow. I finished the fuel plumbing, wired the tank sender, and just need to terminate the fuel pump power wire and wire my gauges, install my new heater core and button up the cooling system so I can fill it up... and I'll be ready to prelube and start it. Got a bunch of wiring to do on the gauges tho...installing new temp, volts, oil pressure, fuel pressure, and two wideband air/fuel gauges...plus my stock speedo and fuel gauge and a tach, and I still want to add a trans temp, diff temp, and oil temp. And nope it won't all fit in the dash cluster.

oh.....I did get to "bump" the starter today a few times tho!

[85burb]

Good to hear got lots done. You think it will be running tomorrow?

[68GMCCustom]

gonna try!

[85burb]

I can bearly wait and it is not even mine.

[68GMCCustom]

dang it....my buddy didn't show and there was just too much to do for my slow butt.

camera was on the fritz too. oh well...maybe tonite or tomorrow nite.....but soon!

[85burb]

Originally Posted by 68GMCCustom

dang it....my buddy didn't show and there was just too much to do for my slow butt.

camera was on the fritz too. oh well...maybe tonite or tomorrow nite.....but soon!

Sum buddy....Jk Keep chiping away at it. My friend started his and had fluctuating oil psi went from 0 to normal fast. so maybe it is good you did not start it this week end it was cursed......

[68GMCCustom]

wound up with a migraine (sp?)...this afternoon...nothing got done. Oh well...maybe tomorrow?