jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly

[jimbosprint]

Well I took my truck back to the guy to give him a chance to make it right. Still not pleased with the sloppy work. It's a shame that some people have no pride in their work or business ethic. He actually thinks this is "ready to paint".

[dfwright]

Maybe if you're talking about "ready to paint" another coat of high-build and some more blocking, lol. I'm no body and paint expert, but that is awful, and I would not be satisfied with that.

[jimbosprint]

I just filed a complaint with the California Bureau of Automotive Repair, and I wrote negative reviews on Facebook and Google. I don't want anyone else to get screwed by this guy.

[Aus69c20]

Sorry to hear of your troubles. It's always disappointing when you pay out your hard earned for second rate work. I wish you all the best moving forward from here.

[jimbosprint]

So here's an update -

The California BAR inspector came out a couple weeks ago to document the work on my truck and collect evidence. I just got a call back from him that he was finally able to meet with the guy that did the work, and that he has agreed to refund half of the money within 30 days. I must say I am impressed with the BAR and their ability to mediate this issue.

[flashed]

Im glad it's going to work out for you ,dont think we have anything like that here .

[mooseknuckles]

looks like its ready for bodywork..

[jimbosprint]

I just ordered my personalized "Legacy" plates to replace the damaged one.

[El Dorado Jim]

Originally Posted by jimbosprint

So after a couple tanks of gas I found my mileage was really bad (~9mpg), and so I did some research into that and the slight stumbling/missing problem I was having too. Turns out Edelbrock carburetors don't like more than 5.5psi fuel pressure and they are also sensitive to heat.

The other day I installed a 1/2" 4-hole wood carburetor spacer to help with heat insulation and supposedly help with low end torque as well. I also got a pressure gauge to find out the actual pressure coming from the stock mechanical fuel pump, and it was putting out 8psi.

Today I installed a pressure regulator. As I turned down the pressure I noticed a change in the idle. Just took it for a test drive and it seemed to have decent response and I didn't notice any stumbling. I won't say it's fixed until I can drive it for a while under various conditions and calculate mileage, but I am optimistic.

where did you find a wood spacer? never heard of one..also, get rid of that glass fuel filter, I had one break once and had gas spraying all over the engine, luckily didn't catch fire

[jimbosprint]

Originally Posted by El Dorado Jim

where did you find a wood spacer? never heard of one..also, get rid of that glass fuel filter, I had one break once and had gas spraying all over the engine, luckily didn't catch fire

Here's the carb spacer -
http://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/8723/10002/-1

I'm not that worried about the fuel filter. It's in a safe spot, and it's not one of the super cheap ones with plastic ends.

[b.sharp]

Jimbosprint, If you haven't figured this out already. There are two straight head screws on each drum (seen in post #336). If you remove those two screws your drums will slide off without taking the axle out or anything else apart. But, like others have said if they haven't been off in a while you made need to use some force but they will come off. I have the Dana 60 in my '70 C20 and did my rear brakes recently. Thought I would pass the word. Great write up on the work you have done.

Bryan

Originally Posted by jimbosprint

It's a Dana 60 rear end. I was told the drum and hub are one piece and the axle has to come out.

[jimbosprint]

^ thanks b.sharp

I found my truck's twin lurking here in town. I talked to the owner today and he even let me take it on a test-drive. It's a '71 C20 and it has a 350 w/ 4-spd granny (was originally a 292 6-cyl.). Sure makes me appreciate my power steering and automatic!

[jimbosprint]

Well I came out of the hardware store today to find a puddle of coolant under my truck and a constant drip. Looks like it is coming from between the water pump and block. I guess I'll have to take it apart. Bummer.

[jimbosprint]

Originally Posted by jimbosprint

Well I came out of the hardware store today to find a puddle of coolant under my truck and a constant drip. Looks like it is coming from between the water pump and block. I guess I'll have to take it apart. Bummer.

Well I think I have this fixed finally. I hurt my back just after the coolant leak happened, and didn't feel well enough to work on it until yesterday.

Also, my custom 60's style plates came in! I just wish they had the blue 70's style available. "California C20 Deluxe"

[jimbosprint]

I started working on a replacement step bumper. I don't like the one that is on the truck because it is so big, and the receiver does not have an approved classification. I got this one for $25. It's far from perfect, but it's reasonably straight and a better size, and I can put an aftermarket hitch under it. I squared up the ugly ends, and I'm working on a new license plate light for it.

[mcbassin]

Nice work on the bumper. Very cool license plates too
Too bad about the water pump taking a dive on you....

[Oly72C20]

Looking good with the progress!

[jimbosprint]

So I took all 9 bolts out that attach my bumper to the frame only to find out that it is also welded to the frame in a spot where I can't get to with a grinder.

What a pain. Whoever put this bumper on is probably laughing at me. I can just hear him saying "I feel sorry for whoever decides to take this bumper off!"

[flashed]

It may be time to go visit your local muffler shop and have them hot wrench it off for you.

[jimbosprint]

Originally Posted by flashed

It may be time to go visit your local muffler shop and have them hot wrench it off for you.

Good idea! I'm going down there early tomorrow morning to see if he can help.

[jimbosprint]

Muffler shop was no help, but I found a local welder/fabricator that said he could cut the old bumper off for me. Going down there later today.

I have an LED license plate light on my new bumper now. I really like the little cut and bump in the diamond plate that hides and protects the light.

[jimbosprint]

Progress! The welder chopped it off and did a nice job cleaning up the frame where it was welded. The new bumper installed really easy. The holes all lined up without any drilling. It looks like it's always been there, and compared to the old one it looks tiny!

While installing it I discovered that the guy that replaced the bedside put the bed back on crooked and it is closer on one side of the bumper. Of course it can be fixed, but goes to prove once again that he was a sloppy idiot.

[knomadd]

Much better!

[jimbosprint]

Little bit at a time - New trailer wiring hookup is in the new bumper.

Draw-Tite ClassV receiver should be here tomorrow. I hope it fits under this bumper!

[Aus69c20]

The new bumper looks great in its new home.

I replaced my step bar with a sport bar and I kinda miss the look of the old one.
I've hung on to the old step bumper because I can't bear to get rid of it. It may even find its way back on to the truck one of these days.

Anyway, good to see you're still making progress.