49 ls1

[skymangs]

Got a little work done on the '49 tonight. Condenser and Trans cooler mounted up and pretty.

I also started making the passenger side exhaust. Removed a bunch from the 5.3L pipe, and put new O2 bungs in. This way I was able to tuck it up a little higher in the frame rails. I don't need it to drag when the air's out of the suspension!

I'm planning on notching modified 94 Camaro Z/28 rectangle exhaust tips into the rear portion of the running boards for the final look. Before I do that though, I have to make my smoothie running boards out of the rusty pair I have.

[oldman3]

Looking good Chris...Jim

[STOCKISH]

Looking really good man. Keep at it, youll be riding in no time!

[BlueJeep]

Looks good, how far did you mount the condenser from the radiator? I'm doing that now with mine, and had a talk with the tech guys at Vintage Air on Friday and found out they need to be no more than 1/2" apart, if they are more than that you need to build a "shroud" between the 2 so that air draws through the condenser and not around it. They recommended foam with sticky on one side to build this shroud from. Mine can't get any closer than 5/8" because the condenser hits the tanks and the tanks stick out farther than the core.

[CharlieSheen]

Sarge,this is looking awesome!
No doubt,you have a plan,and I love the suspense of seeing it come together,lol!Are you following a plan for this build,or ar you kind of winging it as the ideas flow ( like in the Z-28 exhaust tips and running boards).

What are your condenser and transmission cooler from?

[IWanna49]

Likin the side turn outs. Want to do something like that with mine- saw a set of NASCAR tips on CL that gave me a cool idea. Can't wait to see how yours turns out!

Greg

[skymangs]

Thank you all. This build has really grown from it's original intent. At first I was going to slap a 350 in it, and drive the wheels off it. Once the shop was up and running I decided it would be much more useful as a way to showcase my work. Then came the LS1, followed shortly by the air bags.

Bluejeep; the condenser is 1" ahead of the rad. Since I'm not going to have my AC setup complete by the All Truck Nats, I'm not too worried yet. But it will get a shroud when I'm ready to fill the AC.

Charliesheen; Once I decided to go "all in" with it, I planned the build very carefully. I've had those Camaro tips since like January. Condenser is a universal 19x12 from RY Compressor. I've always been happy with their products. Cooler is from an early 90's Explorer. $20 bucks, and it is the same plate style cooler that B&M sells for nearly $200.

[skymangs]

Speaking of Camaro exhaust tips, I spent some time on them today. I wound up re-working them a bit. They are angled, and I want mine to be nice and square. I pie cut each tip, then re-welded them together for a straight up and down look

[skymangs]

Here is what they look like mocked up on the running board. I then painted them 2000 deg. paint, and I will bake them before I install the exhaust. Last pic is the driver side tip.

[skymangs]

About then I decided that my time was less valuable than a $400 set of new running boards. I had a big truck cab only board in my pile of "pickup parts that I'll probably never use, but I can't part with them because I'm addicted" that was in pretty good shape. So I cut a patch out of that one, applied a little pressure to key spots to "un-bow" my original running board, and welded in a section. Happy to report the board is now totally usable! Cost me nothing but a little CO2/Argon, and some time.

[skymangs]

I was a little nervous about my positive cable getting pinched by the cab braces. here's my solution. I drilled through the cab stand, and ran some rubber hose through it as a sleeve. Then ran the pos cable through that. Now I have no worries.

Last pic is the exhaust back to the mufflers, all done. Mufflers are angled to get the tailpipes below the frame for a nice flat exit under the boards.

Hopefully this thing will be far enough along to make it to the Midwest All Truck Nats in September. Even if it's still "Under Construction"!

[CharlieSheen]

This has become epic.We are witnessing history here.

[oldman3]

Chris, nice work on everything posted. I'd rather have repaired stock boards than repop anytime...Jim

[skymangs]

Charliesheen; Quit feeding my ego!

Thanks Jim. The re-pop stuff just never seems to fit right, and Those boards are expensive! These won't be perfect, but they'll fit with the theme of the truck nicely.

[IWanna49]

Chris,

Nice, nice work on the exhaust. Great save on the running board too.

Greg

[skymangs]

Thanks brother... got lots of new progress. Exhaust is all done, running boards are finished and installed. Brakes are done and bled. Just ordered a 12" Lokar shifter, and a billet specialties steering wheel. Needs a driveshaft, and she'll be moving under her own power. Here's pics of the exhaust installed in the board, and the repair on the drivers side board.

[skymangs]

Here's those new Howe Calipers. I painted them black to keep them from being too noticeable. Next up is my solution for the dual master under the floor. I opened the factory hole to an oval and welded 1/4 rod around the underside to re-enforce it. Then I cut a larger plate for a cover, and bent up some 1/4" rod to fit inside the existing hole to lock the plate from moving.

[skymangs]

So here's how it looks tonight. I also mocked up the visor and figured out my plan for attaching it to the cab. Spent a couple of hours stripping the pass front fender to metal and straightening some dings. Some very small rust repair needs to be done on it this week. Fenders should be on later in the week.

[skymangs]

Here's the steering wheel that's on the way.

[oldman3]

Chris, truck is really taking shape, and looking good. Nice fast work as usual...Jim

[CharlieSheen]

"Eat my exhaust,you chipmunks!"

[skymangs]

Thanks Jim... Trying to get it to a decent "under construction" stage in time for the Warrensburg show in Aug, and the All truck Nats in Sept.

LoL Charliesheen...

[STOCKISH]

Man that looks killer sitting there like that.

[IWanna49]

Awesome, perfect stance!!

[iowaboynca]

was going to ask who the steering wheel was from, but scrolled up and saw who you ordered it from!
With that being said, I still LOVE what you did with your son's steering wheel on his truck...