Project "Popeye"

[LEEVON]

I started filling holes on the firewall and realized on the fourth or fifth tack that my helmet was not auto-darkening so I had to set that aside. I used a uni-bit to enlarge any holes over 1/8" that can't be bridged with a weld then a magnet to hold a electrical knock-out in place for the filler. I plan to fill everything except the brake booster and drain and drill new holes for the harness, guages, and air lines. Still haven't decided if I'm going to paint the firewall flat black, gloss black or marina blue. What do ya'll think on that?

[skymangs]

Looks great, Love the carb'd LS. My next project is going that route!

[59stepside]

I would go with color on the firewall. Anyone can rattle can black a firewall, and it always looks the same as a nice black paint job in the engine compartment IMO. I vote marina blue. Or an accent color used elsewhere on the truck.

[STOCKISH]

I agree, I would go with the Marina blue.

[99 to Life]

I'm having the same problem. But instead of using my bronze color scheme on the engine, I chose to keep it black and aluminum and thought, I can do the inners and firewall bronze. but I dunno if it would just be too much goin on in there color wise. I would just say contrast is key. If black makes the engine stand out and pop, I'd go with that. Might have to just spray it both ways. I feel your indecision, I'm in the same boat.

[rollinrooster]

Truck is lookn good.

[LEEVON]

Thanks for the feedback on the firewall, I probably will go with the marina blue (matching the wheels and engine block).

Here's a shot with the rear bumper I found a few months ago. It is nearly impossible to find one of these, especially with matching patina. You can trip over the front ones, but the rear sport bumpers were not common. I walked miles of swap meets and trolled Craigslist for two years!

[skymangs]

Rear bumpers are different than fronts? I had no idea. I just figured it was the brackets that were different.

[05snopro440]

Originally Posted by skymangs

Rear bumpers are different than fronts? I had no idea. I just figured it was the brackets that were different.

They're curved much differently.

[Low Elco]

Popeye's lookin' good!

[skymangs]

Ahh. Makes sense. Thanks

[99 to Life]

yeah fronts curve alot more on the ends, but very hard to tell at just a glance if they are off the truck. I think I might run one on my 49' because I'll have tank in rear. I picked up a set of used chrome ones a while ago. My 51' I don't run one and actually like them with or without in the rear. The front, wow can't believe when people don't run them up front, makes the truck look sooo much better with em up front. I wanna hear this thing run already!!!

[LEEVON]

I'm having a laugh at the front/rear bumper discussion because last year at the Wichita swap meet I walked a mile with a guy from his booth to the end of trailer parking to dig through an entire trailer full of bumpers. When we were sure we had one I put it on my shoulder and walked another mile back to his booth where we compared it to a new rear bumper just to be sure and...determined I had grabbed a front! DOH. So I walked the mile with it on my shoulder once again to the trailer and then back inside empty handed where I got laughed at by my Old Man. Did I mention it was about 20 degrees and the wind was fierce? So I learned about HOW curved the fronts are vs. rear.

x2 on wanting to hear this thing run, thanks for the kick in the tail!

[99 to Life]

dang, lesson learned hard. I almost learned the a hard way too. While deciding on weather to get front and back bumpers, really only wanted front. I was thinking the more curved one was for the rear. Luckily I bought em both then realized the more curve is for the front. feed popeye some spinach already!!

[skymangs]

At least I found out before I had to go through all that hassle. I want to run a back bumper on this one, since I have that Mustang tank in the rear. I'll have to start figuring out where to get one I guess. Thanks

[LEEVON]

Filled holes on the firewall this weekend. Anybody know what the oval hole on the passenger side is for before I plug it too?

[05snopro440]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

Filled holes on the firewall this weekend. Anybody know what the oval hole on the passenger side is for before I plug it too?

Not sure what it would be for. I would say if you don't think you'll need it just to plug it. Even if you do need it you may need to relocate it.

[Jyman]

If I remember it would have been for the heater lines going into the cab,

[jed971959]

it's for the heater temp control hoses

[99 to Life]

yeah the oval hole is for the heaters ranco valve which is kinda like a thermostat for your heater. They often leak and need rebuilt and are like 50 bucks with a core. I went with an aftermarket heater, smaller and more reliable.

[LEEVON]

Thanks all, the oval hole is now doomed!

[LEEVON]

One of the last major chassis items is the fuel pump. Aftermarket whiz-bang electric fuel pumps are notoriously unreliable, over-rated on specs and LOUD but I want quiet and worry-free so I am going to try out this stock carb replacement Airtex e8012s unit. It should not need a regulator and the kit comes with everything pictured plus they are inexpensive (really inexpensive) enough to carry a spare one. The only potential downside, and it will just have to be tested, is that it could be borderline on the max GPH it delivers which would just be a wide open throttle issue if at all. Nice not having to source a separate pre-filter, fittings, hoses, clamps and such too.

[LEEVON]

Working on Popeye is going to be a whole lot easier in a few weeks. The lifts and other equipment aren't installed yet but here is the business end of my new business / weekend truck spa!

[05snopro440]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

Working on Popeye is going to be a whole lot easier in a few weeks. The lifts and other equipment aren't installed yet but here is the business end of my new business / weekend truck spa!

That's a gorgeous shop! What kind of business is it? That will take a lot of revenue to pay for a 9-stall shop!

Good luck on the fuel pump, what size carb are you running?

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

Working on Popeye is going to be a whole lot easier in a few weeks. The lifts and other equipment aren't installed yet but here is the business end of my new business / weekend truck spa!

Any updates on the shop!!!