Ackattack's Pro touring restoration thread

[Puropedo]

Really, really sweet built...Im gonna have to make some time to go over the whole thing, are those sanderson headers you are using? Do they hang below the frame? Are you using the "truck" oil pan?

[Ackattack]

Originally Posted by Puropedo

Really, really sweet built...Im gonna have to make some time to go over the whole thing, are those sanderson headers you are using? Do they hang below the frame? Are you using the "truck" oil pan?

The headers are stainless steel headers for a LS1 4th gen F-body. I got them off of ebay. They don't advertise a brand name on there. But you can find them by doing a search.

They don't hang below the frame (though my ball-flange collectors do ~1 in)

I'm using an F-body pan. The truck pan was too low.

[Dahawk]

Originally Posted by Ackattack

Well I got the axles installed with the brake rotors....I used the Summit drilled and slotted ones. I did not have to have them machined like I thought I was going to have to.



Then I put the wheels on it to finally make it a roller!



that lasted for about 10 min...no longer a roller

I tore the front suspension back apart to replace the crappy ball joints. I went to put in the new moog ball joint and now the hole in the lower control arm is too big!!!! So now i don't know what I'm going to do. Probably pull a lower control arm off the parts truck...damn it...I had sand blasting!

What set up did you use for the rear brake set up. Everything please

[Ackattack]

-LT1 F-body calipers and "hat bracket" (not sure what it's called)
-12 bolt rear disk caliper brackets from board member that goes by glock something
-rear disk rotors from a 94-96 Impala SS (these ones are summit drilled and slotted)
-Hawk HPS pads

[lewisaric]

Wow!!! I just read all 17 pages of your build. Very nice. I`m about to start on my 68 short step. I found a 5.3/4l60e out of a wrecked 05 silverado with 28000 on it. I think reading your build will help me out alot. So I may have some questions. I want to do all of my own body work, which will be a first for me, but I`m going to take my time a pay attention to detail. My biggest concern is going to be shaving my drip rail. But enough with my rant. I really like what you have done here and hope it gets finishrd soon.

[Ackattack]

Originally Posted by lewisaric

Wow!!! I just read all 17 pages of your build. Very nice. I`m about to start on my 68 short step. I found a 5.3/4l60e out of a wrecked 05 silverado with 28000 on it. I think reading your build will help me out alot. So I may have some questions. I want to do all of my own body work, which will be a first for me, but I`m going to take my time a pay attention to detail. My biggest concern is going to be shaving my drip rail. But enough with my rant. I really like what you have done here and hope it gets finishrd soon.

Thanks

things have been progressing very slowly

I got the steering column and shifter installed, a few other little things finished up, and got the brakes all plumbed. I'm haveing a problem with the brakes though.

I have the rearend up on jackstands, so it won't go anywhere. I start up the engine, put it in gear, and I can hardly get the back tires to stop....holding the brake pedal in with all of my might. I bleed the whole brake system, checked for leaks, fixed some leaks, blead it again. I bench blead the MC before I installed it. The only thing that I can see now is it looks like the stainless steel braided hose in the back that goes between the frame and axle looks to be pinched. (I believe caused by when it's lowered). So I'm going replace that and re-route it slightly so it doesn't pinch. Hopefully that will fix the brake issue.

I also need to get a few things. I'm missing the rubber o-ring on my power steering line (corvette power steering pump).

[lippsgarage]

Do you have a seperate proportioning valve, or is it built in to the mc? My 79 rears wouldn't work and it ended up being a bad valve. Great built...waiting to dig mine out of the snow and get started on it again

[Ackattack]

I have a seperate proportioning valve. It's a disk/disk setup from CPP. I considered that maybe that was the problem.....I'm gonna replace the kinked line and go from there.

[Ackattack]

It moves!!!!!! I "drove" my truck for the first time today!!!!

I finally got the brakes ironed out, so I moved it out of the garage so I could do some cleaning, turned the truck around, then put it back in the garage, but hey, it moved, stopped, and turned under its own power. Seems like no big deal, but after over 2-1/2 years of work it is a big deal to me.

[menace121978]

right on man! i can only imagine

[Thealien]

congradulations!!

[VA72C10]

congrats....can't wait for that myself. It's been 2 yrs since I drove mine....

[Frizzle Fry]

Congrats! What was up with the brakes?

[mcbassin]

Glad to hear you got to drive it for the first time.

[Ackattack]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

Congrats! What was up with the brakes?

So I think the "problem" may have been the slight mis-alignment that was fixed with some washers, and then the pads not being broken in like what would be ideally (since I can't exactly drive it down the road to really get them broken in.

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by Ackattack

It moves!!!!!! I "drove" my truck for the first time today!!!!

I finally got the brakes ironed out, so I moved it out of the garage so I could do some cleaning, turned the truck around, then put it back in the garage, but hey, it moved, stopped, and turned under its own power. Seems like no big deal, but after over 2-1/2 years of work it is a big deal to me.

Man, its like i made this post. This saturday i drove mine around the block for the first time. My booster was bad so i had no power brakes. ahah
2.5 years also, i know the exact feeling. Congrats man.

[eagleuh1]

Congrats on the movement under own power. Must feel real good. But we can't celebrate till we see the VIDEo!

[68 TT]

Good to see you got it moving and stopping. What's next?

[Ackattack]

Originally Posted by 68 TT

Good to see you got it moving and stopping. What's next?

(in no particular order)
install the front sway bar
figure out the ride height and have it aligned
have the windshield installed
have a title inspection done
wiring (lights and some interior wiring)
clean up underhood wiring a little
front bumper
trim on the grill
interior
stereo

[w4625]

Congrats on getting the truck running...do you have pics of the fuel filler install in the stake pocket?

[Puropedo]

Originally Posted by Ackattack

It moves!!!!!! I "drove" my truck for the first time today!!!!

Congrats!....Do you have to do anything when you reprogam your PCM for the PRN321 neutral transmission switch to work properly?

[Ackattack]

Originally Posted by Puropedo

Congrats!....Do you have to do anything when you reprogam your PCM for the PRN321 neutral transmission switch to work properly?

Nope

My neutral safety switch is on the steering column, and that goes to a stand alone relay, then to the starter.

[Ackattack]

Got some more work done.

I got the headlights all wired up (except for ground wires....ran out of black wire), then I got the head light switch, dimmer switch, neutral safety switch, reverse switch wired.

I also have appointments set up to get it aligned and the windshield installed on Friday. I'll also get it registered. Insurance will be covered by friday.

If I can get some good work done to get a little more wiring done, get the lights installed, and get the front bumper installed, I think I'll be able to drive it!

[Normy71]

Looking Good !!

[Puropedo]

Great progress! Dont forget to take more pics of your ride and show them to us, I have a few questions...Do you mind telling me how much did the HP tuner software cost you? Also is it pretty user friendly to use? Do you have to buy credits every time you reprogram a different PCM? Thanks in advance.