Project truck dream 65"

[BOXER957]

Originally Posted by lenguini

Ill mention the offer to my bodyman...you never know !

Yes,raising the seat height 2 inches with the Silverado seats made all the difference for room.I still have a couple inches of head room and am able to stretch my legs out to the firewall.You may want to consider mounting after market pedals as I did.

The original plan was to re-engineer the firewall and move it out into the engine bay 3 inches which would have been a real p.i.t.a.,so I opted for this.

Cheers,
Ed.

I was considering the same thing (extending the firewall) Glad to know raising the seat worked, that is a little...easier. What did you use for pedals? I saw where you said you had relocated them but you didn't give a lot of detail or pics. Thanks BTW how do I link my build thread to my messages? Any clue?

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by BOXER957

I was considering the same thing (extending the firewall) Glad to know raising the seat worked, that is a little...easier. What did you use for pedals? I saw where you said you had relocated them but you didn't give a lot of detail or pics. Thanks BTW how do I link my build thread to my messages? Any clue?

The pedals were Big Al's,.I mounted the Gas pedal in the v of the steering column hole you will have to build a block to space it out enough so it wont interfere with the bulge in the steel around the column.I also bent the brake arm to the right for a more comfortable location.

I'm not to sure on how to do the link to messages,you can contact the forum and they can help you with this.

Cheers,
Ed.

[lenguini]

I ordered my serpentine system Friday morn from Nick at Prolific Designs.Nick worked with me on my one off design for the main engine plate along with my many other concerns and questions I had.

A special thanks Nick !

I looked at many systems and really wanted one that had a belt tensioner incorporated in with it,that was it's a simple belt change with no guess work adjusting it up.I chose this system as it mounts off the water pump so it's nice and simple.

I cant wait to get it !

Yesterday and today being Sunday and I routed my hood release cable through holes I drilled up and under the upper rad support flange. This was a real trial getting the holes made,but well worth it in the end.
So I temporarily hooked up the cable after making a post and slightly modifying the release,that will be welded tomorrow.

I tested it and it worked great.Now the idea of the post is to bring the cable up high enough into the rad support body so that its completely hidden.

After the rad support is painted,I will put rubber grommets in the holes as some electrical will be routed through here as well which will explain the oversize holes.

I just noticed in the top pic what appeared to be the coating on the cable shaved off(I just ran out to the shop to check )....,was only excess primer I spotted over the new holes.Thank God ! That would have peed me off !!

[lenguini]

I ordered my valve covers/breathers and wire looms earlier today. Aluminum Polished 4 1/4 tall finned,matching looms for that old school look. I'm finally getting some closure on engine parts I have been trying to decide on for a year now...,its amazing how many hours I have spent.(wasted)on this stuff

I'm currently trying to decide on a brand of an H.E.I. distributor with an integral coil.I was going to go with the Mini style but that means an external coil...,no thanks.It has been proven that an external does not perform as well and will hang off the firewall or cover up the new endurashine intake,so I guess that's a no brainer !

Mid day,I ordered my transmission crossmember.I found the one that will work best for my Truck on Alan's build.

Thanks Alan,I always appreciate your help !

Spent some time in the shop tonight bolting the hood mech back into place.I had the post welded yesterday morn and a hook tab welded today(this morning on the way to work)that I made last night for a return spring for the cable pull.I think that made sense ?

[lenguini]

Valve covers,wire looms and their vortec mounts showed up today ! I'm really happy with the product,there are a few on the market so you never know for sure until you receive them.

I'm thinking about powdercoating in between the fins on both covers and looms in a semi-gloss black.

Should have the hood finished by the weekend,so once more bolt it in place and fab up a safety latch in case the claw ever fails.

Ill post some pic's of it soon.

[BOXER957]

Always liked the old time finned valve covers. Looks nice, will look even better on the motor!

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by BOXER957

Always liked the old time finned valve covers. Looks nice, will look even better on the motor!

I looked at many and these seemed to catch my eye.I was thinking of matching endurashine covers to my intake,but they were shorter at 3 1/2 and a concern with roller rocker clearance.

Guess its time to look at an air cleaner...,round or oval with a tall filter.

[BOXER957]

I'm thinking of changing mine out, I found tall finned covers and a caddy style cleaner that's finned down the center......just gotta remember where I saw them....The set together looked sweet.

[lenguini]

The hood is now complete.The center of the hood has been reworked and smoothed.I'm trying to retain some of the original look and just clean it up now that the original hood release is no longer present.

[lenguini]

All of the factory holes in the front and rear brace have been welded and smoothed.This is going to make a big difference when its sprayed ! Looks a'lot cleaner,well worth the time and effort.

The new hood release pin mount has been boxed and smoothed.There was the option of cutting out the entire area and reforming it,but once again to keep the brace semi original is a much cooler look in my opinion.

[BOXER957]

Very nice

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by BOXER957

Very nice

Thanks,I appreciate it.Tonight I'm working out a design for a secondary safety latch system in the event the new latch should ever fail.Its never any fun when the hood springs open doing 80mph !

There should be enough room at the front or side of the latch pin box to mount it.

[lenguini]

Here's some pics of the rad support covers mounted back in place.The passenger side originally had a small cutaway for the rad overflow hose.

Because I wanted the covers to match both sides,the passenger side was reworked with a piece welded in along with the factory bead straitened.

The rad overflow now runs to the overflow tank.

[BOXER957]

Truck is looking sweet, why didn't you keep the original latch as the safety?

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by BOXER957

Truck is looking sweet, why didn't you keep the original latch as the safety?

Making one out of aluminum and milling out the center.A much better look,fit and function.

[lenguini]

I got the door panels back from Elgin today....,wrapped in the same color and grain as the seats.I was thinking earlier of painting them,glad I went this route.

I'm really happy that all the contours in the panels show up so well under the wrap,thats what I was hoping for

[McMurphy]

Oh hell yeah..... this is coming along REAL nice!
I am totally on board with the clean look you have going on here; nicely done

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by McMurphy

Oh hell yeah..... this is coming along REAL nice!
I am totally on board with the clean look you have going on here; nicely done

Thanks my friend,Its nice to finally have things rolling along at a fast pace now !

[BOXER957]

Love the wrap, was going to do the same on mine but couldn't find leather seats. I'm down with the stainless buttonheads too, I get them by the box from a wholesaler right up the street. Looking great!

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by BOXER957

Love the wrap, was going to do the same on mine but couldn't find leather seats. I'm down with the stainless buttonheads too, I get them by the box from a wholesaler right up the street. Looking great!

Thanks for the good words. The fastners are actually the factory phillips head repainted.

[lenguini]

I spent a couple hours in the shop today and I think I have the template for the rad cover roughed out to where I'm happy with it.
Going to make it out of stainless rather than aluminum as it will take a little more abuse.

[lenguini]

Here my heads are getting prepped for screw in studs.With more lift this is an absolute necessity ,not to keen on the idea of pinning.

The trans crossmember arrived today.I have reason to believe a trip to the machine shop may be in order as these are close but may require a 1" to 2" block to make all level.Ill know for sure once I move my motor mounts ahead to allow for the tall valve covers and HEI distributor with integral coil.

I have done my research and to date have decided with the Petronix flame thrower distrib.Performance wise,it looks to be the best choice and still made in the USA unlike most others.

[TJ's Chevy]

Truck is looking awesome! Love it! Can't wait to see the 283 finished! I'm watching this one!

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by T.J. MCCAULEY

Truck is looking awesome! Love it! Can't wait to see the 283 finished! I'm watching this one!

Thanks,I appreciate it.The engine however is a 383 stroker,I tossed the idea of the 283 a year or so ago as it just wouldn't produce the torque and horsepower I wanted.

Should end up with just over 400hp and 420 to 430 torque.It will be complete and on the dyno at the end of this month.....,and yes there will be pics of that for certain !

[Jeff La]

Good clean build, waiting for it to all come together, it'll be awesome.