1968 Chevrolet SWB Stepside Restomod

[Xeen]

Hey all;
I have an update on the motor mount adapter.
I made a template for a 2" forward adapter and went up to Fannin Fabrication here in Topeka and they are going to make me the adapters for $50 which is $20 cheaper than the ones CPP sells and these will fit my application much better, so it's a win win.
The adapters will be ready by tomorrow so this comming Sunday or Monday the guys will come back over and we will get this bad boy dropped in.

[Low Elco]

Cool!
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[Xeen]

Hey all;
Today I replaced the damaged valve cover and when I pulled the old one off I Found this...
Isn't it beautiful.


I installed the new one.


I am very happy to see how clean the head is, it's possible proof that the engine really does only have 28,300 miles on it like the P.O. claimed.

[gdavis]

the inside looks clean. the PO must have took care and it don't look like to many miles eather.

[Low Elco]

Niiice. Oughta run good!

[~Whitey~]

man that is perty. Glad to see you don't have to wait so long now to get the motor in. :-)

[Bomp]

Nice. Now stab it in there!!!!!

[Xeen]

Hey all;
The fabrication shop is running two days behind on my adapters but when I was down there yesterday to check on the progress I told him he had a Friday deadline so lets hope he meets it.
I will let you guys know if he gets them done today or not.

[mcbassin]

I love your project. I'm gonna follow along for the rest of the build...subscribed.

[Xeen]

Hey guys;
I went and picked up the new custom fabricated 2" forward motor mount adapters I designed, they turned out really nice.

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

I love your project. I'm gonna follow along for the rest of the build...subscribed.

Thanks Mike, the more the merrier and I appreciate the interest in my project.

[oldman3]

Pieces look good...Jim

[Xeen]

Hey all;
I ordered a Black Anodized cold air intake today, here is a link incase you want to check it out.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/360510573460...84.m1439.l2649

[Xeen]

Hey all;
The new adapter puts the motor mount an inch closer to the AC bracket which sits the motor back an inch closer to the firewall.
More importantly it allows the engine oil pan more clearance from the suspension crossmember and should also allow the transmission fluid pan to clear the secondary crossmember.
This also gives an extra inch clearance for the electric fan and radiator.

[Xeen]

Hey all;
I was dissapointed because I couldn't find a regular ole steel zinc plated differential cover so I went ahead and ordered a chrome one with gasket and bolts included.
I'm starting to come to the end of my parts list rapidly.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400451614547...84.m1439.l2649

[gdavis]

Hey Brian, I posted a little problem but not a problem for say a problem. Go and look at what I am planing on doing I think.

[Xeen]

Well boys it's in like flynn.
We had to clearance the secondary structural crossmember but then it went in without a complaint, Victor has pictures of that part that he will post.
Thanks for all your help Victor.

[Low Elco]

Whoopee! Looks like the nose is back on too!
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[Vic1947]

A few pics of the installation. Wasn't sure if the stars were aligned when we started. First thing that happened was the rental hoist was DOA. Had to make a second trip to the store and swap out lifts. Then the usual new engine combo gremlins took over. As Brian mentioned, even after he had new adapters built to move the engine farther back, we still had to notch the intermediate cross member. Both pans clear nicely now with the tubular transmission mount in place and the engine resting comfortably on the CPP perches. Granted, it did take a committee composed of workers, spotters, casual bystanders, gadflies and "you name it" to finally get the bolts thru the motor mounts and perch assemblies. Lesson from all this was to forego tightening any (and I mean any) fasteners until every single bolt has been inserted and/or threaded part way in. However, in the grand scheme of things, all setbacks were minor and in the end, we prevailed.

Now the fun part begins ...wiring, plumbing, more fabricating, backing up, lurching forward. WooHoo!

[Xeen]

Hey all;
Vic and I worked real hard to keep the intermediate crossmember but it turns out after everything it's just not going to happen.
The Lokar adjustable gear selection lever is too long and hits the crossmember and even if it didn't the bolt for the stainless rod would so the crossmember is going to have to come out.
I like the idea of the extra structural support though so at some point I will design a tubular intermediate crossmember and install it in it's place.

[Xeen]

Hey all;
The chrome differential cover was delivered today.
I don't have very high expectations on durability but I guess at $31 shipped for the cover, bolts and gasket I really can't complain no matter what happens.

[Xeen]

Hey all;

The Cold Air Intake was delivered this afternoon, It has a huge scrape in the anodizing that went clear down into the aluminum where it looks like it was dropped, I decided to not worry about it and place a sticker of some sort over the damage.
I found out in the installation instructions that a piece of the factory air cleaner assembly is required to complete construction so for now it's incomplete, I will also need to fabricate a bracket to mount the air box to the inner fender.

[gdavis]

The rear end cover sounds like you are having second thoughts. It might hold up better than you think. If not well 31.00 isn't that bad.

[Bomp]

I turned away for a moment and you guys stabbed that sucker in there. Great Job.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Xeen

I don't have very high expectations on durability but I guess at $31 shipped for the cover, bolts and gasket I really can't complain no matter what happens.

Actually, the one that came on my previous truck was in service for several years and had no rust. My main gripe is that they're so thin, when you tighten the bolts it deforms the flange area. I can never get them to seal without using RTV, even with a new gasket.