1968 Chevrolet SWB Stepside Restomod

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

There are plastic grommets available that might afford more protection than the rubber type.

What an excellent idea I wish I would have thought of that before I started.

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

Sort of like using a condom after a vasectomy.

...Jim

[Xeen]

Hey all;
It looks like I'm going to have to move my engine towards the firewall a bit before I can install the cooling system because there isn't enough room for the radiator and electric fans.
The plan is to install the standalone wiring harness and starter on Sunday.
I still need to figure out how to adapt the accelerator pedal to the firewall so that's the next item on the punch list.

[Xeen]

I went and purchased new bolts for the starter this morning and I was surprised how long they actually are 120mm, them are some long suckers!
The casting is designed so the thread is counter sunk approx 1/4 inch so it requires a really long bolt to make contact with the thread, I don't know why they did it that way but what ever blows their skirt up

[Xeen]

Well hell, no work on the truck today because the weather isn't cooperating, maybe I can get some stuff done later this week.

[Xeen]

Hey all;
This morning I got up early and drilled the 2" hole in the firewall for the standalone wiring harness, pulled it through and installed the grommet.

[Xeen]

Hey all;
Off topic post about the other project going on inside the house.
The secondary bathroom just got 99% finished up, the only thing left is to put on the light switch and outlet cover plates, hang the shower curtain, paint the calking and do the final clean up.

[67cheby]

Nice Work !

[C10_ustacould]

Originally Posted by Xeen

Hey all;
I got up early this morning and installed the other half of the supply line from the filter to the fuel rail.

Do you have any flexible hose in your fuel system? Only asking because couldn't see any.

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by BucksSS

Do you have any flexible hose in your fuel system? Only asking because couldn't see any.

The fuel lines are 100% aluminum pipe, with aluminum fittings, no flexible lines were used, I am particularly proud of that.

[oldman3]

Bath looks great, when you coming to my house, been waiting to tile for about a month now...Jim

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by oldman3

Bath looks great, when you coming to my house, been waiting to tile for about a month now...Jim

I can't take credit for any of the work except gutting it, part of the rough carpentry, and part of the sheetrock finishing.
The wiring, plumbing, sheetrock hanging, taping and mudding and tile work was done by professionals.

[gdavis]

How does the lines attach to the engine? Can you post a picture?

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by gdavis

How does the lines attach to the engine? Can you post a picture?

The bottom picture shows it, the blue fitting is attaching it to the fuel rail.

[C10_ustacould]

PM sent

[Xeen]

Hey all;
Some of you may be wondering why I'm running 100% hard fuel lines, as traditional wisdom says this is a bad idea.
The answer is I have clamshell style Poly mounts and they don't move much they just dampen vibration.
If I see the engine roll more than 1/8th of an inch I will add flexible braided lines up near the engine, but for now they are staying as they are, lets call it an experiment.
Firey ball of death? Maybe...

[Xeen]

Hey all;
I almost forgot Bob called me up yesterday because I had a long standing order for a rear intermediate crossmember off of a 1972 frame and he was scrapping one so now I will have the correct mounting point for the rear brake line.

[gdavis]

Thats the way you do it. I replaced the same one on my 68 as you know.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Xeen

Hey all;
I almost forgot Bob called me up yesterday because I had a long standing order for a rear intermediate crossmember off of a 1972 frame and he was scrapping one so now I will have the correct mounting point for the rear brake line.

I checked with Bob this afternoon about the rearmost crossmember behind yours. Sounds like it's in decent shape. He said he'd probably have them out tonight if the weather cooperates. Otherwise it will be tomorrow. I plan to go there Saturday afternoon and pick it up along with a little laundry list of other gizmos.

[Xeen]

Hey all;
Today I Installed the wiring harness on the Engine and Transmission.
The MAF wire section wasn't long enough so I'm going to have to extend it before I can plug it in.
Next on the list is to fabricate a bracket for the PCM and TAC module and get those installed under the dash.
I also need to adapt the Gen III Vortec truck pedal to the firewall.

[Xeen]

Hey all;
I went down to Harborfreight and picked up some 1/4" protective wire wrap and some flux core solder, so now I can extend the MAF section of the harness and get it pluged in.

Also I bought a transmission input shaft plug so when I start the engine without the driveshaft installed I wont spew oil out of the input shaft opening, it's a very handy widget to have.

[Xeen]

Hey all;
Today is a nice day so Kyle came over and we took advantage of the nice weather.
We changed the engine oil with Mobile1 5w30 full synthetic and a Wix filter
We installed the starter.
We also extended the MAF wire section and plugged it in.
I also capped off the transmission input shaft.

[Xeen]

Hey all;
I thought I would toss up a current progress picture, enjoy.

[gdavis]

Get off the counch and start moving that engine back those 2 inches.

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by gdavis

Get off the counch and start moving that engine back those 2 inches.

Yeah hopefully I can get it done this comming week but we'll see.
I have to figure out how much room I need exactly to install the radiator and electric fans, so once I pull the stock mechanical fan then I can measure.
I'm thinking about leaving a 1/2" gap between the pullys and the electric fans, anything less is too close for comfort.