Project 30 years sitting

[davischevy]

I just now realized I met you at the cruise in at Sonic Drive In in NLR/Maumelle. I was driving the orange 71 Chevelle SS454 parked in front of you and it was really chilly. I was on my way back from Cruisin The Coast and had stopped in Maumelle to visit my daughter.

Larry

[Dale99]

That's very possible! I try to go to every one of them.

[Chulisohombre]

I vote stroker small block or ls swap.

[Dale99]

I wanted to do an Iron LS style block like 6.0 or 6.2. But funds don't allow that.

[Dale99]

and some pics

[Chulisohombre]

That's always a problem. You could always do a stock rebuild for a lot cheaper. Small blocks are everywhere. Hopefully you can get the stocker fixed up and running.

[Dale99]

I replaced it with an L05 that I maintenced for a friend for about 3 years. I know theres lots of pages, but its all in here.

[Dale99]

Painting inside is done.

[JHT67]

Talk about "never say die", you've brought this thing from the depths seemingly running into every problem possible, over coming them, only to have it smashed up, and bringing it back again. Your a hero.

[Dale99]

Thanks. At times I question if this should have just been a parts truck. But every time I drive it I get stares, thumbs up, smiles. Plus since It came from my area I am often meeting people who knew this truck from the past and say how happy they are to see it again. I was told this weekend that someone had some pics of it back in the day and would try and find them for me.

As for progress. Trans hump, rear weather strip retainers, rear seat armrest painted. "new" carpet strip in.

Working over time this week, as well the 67 has a bad starter that needs fixed.

[Dale99]

So its been crickets in this thread. I had only painted part of the front floor. So I took it all back out due to the nasty carpet I tried in it(didn't like). Painted the rest of the floor, painted door panels, proper carpet up front. Then had all the seat brackets either painted, or powder coated, along with mudflaps n fender braces.

[Chulisohombre]

Any progress is still progress. I am going to undercoat my floor. I don't want to just have paint again. Plus I don't plan on carpet going back in ever.

[Dale99]

I had debated on coating the floor. But due to cost n having to take it somewhere to have it done good. I decided on paint.

[Chulisohombre]

It looks good. I'm not saying anything on your work. I just want something more permanent. As long as I live my truck will be with me. So I'm not worried about making it perfect or a show truck. It'll just he easier in the end to not have to worry about it for awhile. If ever again. Plus my ugly floor job will be covered up then and hide some of the imperfections. Lol. I still Need to figure out what I want to do with the rear floor and tailpan areas that have see through rust. Ive thought about just using a two foot piece of diamond plate and just cover it all up and a 2x4 square in the end to finish it and weld the plate to. Still contemplating that one.

[Dale99]

my floor is far from perfect. Look at my left side, none of the ribs line up, and didn't know it tell I had cut the panel.

[Chulisohombre]

I have no idea what spot your talking about. Haha. So it's grafted in pretty good from my pov. Either way it's definitely came pretty far from the start.

[Dale99]

Ok, had quite a bit going on outside the truck. Overtime at work, digging side yard out for parking, playing with the atv.

So, Ive been working on the tailgate. I had wondered a way to get the ends clean. Neighbor told me about a 20 dollar media blaster from harbor freight. I figured 20 bux, not a lot to loose if it doesn't work. Holy crap, for 20 it works great! Epoxy primed the outside today. Letting sit a whole day, then filler priming inside, sanding, then painting. All hopefully by this weekend.

[Dale99]

...

[Chulisohombre]

That came out nice.

[Dale99]

Thanks. The pictures make it look better than it really is. But still better than what it was. I just put my first scratch in it already.

[Chulisohombre]

I did the same thing since I use my tailgate as s work bench half the time. I'm going to redo it again but this time clear coat it so it lasts longer. Hopefully.

[Dale99]

If your using it as a work bench, clear isn't going to help. Your going to need to lay towels or blankets down to protect it.

[Xeen]

I just read the whole build in one shot and I have to say wow man you have put tons of work into this thing way more than most people have the ambition for, good work you should be proud of it.

[Dale99]

Thanks! If I had a bigger shop it would have been less work as I would have not had to keep putting it together and back apart. But then I also like driving it thru the process.

[nobolt]

NICE WORK.
I JUST READ THE WHOLE THING
sorry 'bout all caps.

any new progress to add?