My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble

[rgunlock]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Oops, sorry Rick commented on the wrong part of the shifter! I've had pretty good luck using a Sharpie (and a steady hand) for raised letters?

No problem. Just looked again at my knob. The letters are still legible but don't look that great. The parts that need to be white are stamped into the surface and my best success with this has been just dipping the tip of a toothpick or needle into the paint and then just painstakingly letting the paint flow from that into the letters/stamped areas. May give it a try, but not sure in my case it would be worth the aggravation I'm sure would be involved.

Originally Posted by boynton

This might be a long shot but what about taping off the top of the shifter with a single wide piece of tape and the gently sanding it or scraping it back with a knife to the letters? I think sanding might work best and it will prep your surface all at the same time.

I think this idea has promise. I am going to give it a try. I'll report back how it went.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Seems like others would have posted on their techniques for this but maybe I am just lousy at choosing my search keywords

[rgunlock]

Turned out pretty well Boynton - certainly much better than any other technique I've tried.

Covered the letters with Scotch painter's tape. It's fairly thin. Rub it down with my thumb around the letters/numbers. Sanded with 220 grit on block with steel back until all the surfaces that needed paint were shiny. Used a blunt toothpick at this point to drive the tape down all around the letters/numbers. Painted a coat, blew air on it from 16" or so to flatten and dry paint and then the same for a second coat. Removed the tape (exacto knife where needed on insides of letters/numbers). Voila!

A little more time and patience would have probably had a bit better results, but for a piece that goes on the floor that you'll barely see in front of the bench seat I think this is plenty good enough BTW, from a little further off than this close-up it looks even better.

[Greenlee]

Nice job on the 4x4 shifter!

[rgunlock]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Oops, sorry Rick commented on the wrong part of the shifter! I've had pretty good luck using a Sharpie (and a steady hand) for raised letters?

Turns out the shifter knob is pretty easy Brett. Unfortunately I can't take a good picture to save my life - flash wasn't doing me any favors. This actually looks pretty good in person.

Just gobbed white paint over all the areas that needed paint. Wiped the excess off gently with a paper towel, then cleaned the paint smears off the flat surface with another paper towel just lightly wetted with laquer thinner. Masked the grip part of the knob and sprayed a little clear over the top. I did not repaint the black surface of the knob since it still looked pretty good - just cleaned it up real well before doing the paint.

[boynton]

Looks great Rick! I'm glad it worked.

[TKCR]

Such an awesome build!! I spend a few hours between last night and this morning reading through the whole thread. All I can say is WOW!! Your talent and patience is just amazing.
Your at that part of the build that is my favorite part, the interior. Everything and I mean everything looks amazing!! I know that seat has given you fits but it still turned out looking great.
Here in a few more months you'll have that seat you've been searching for, a full foam AND it tilts!!! Can't wait to meet you Rick!! Keep up the awesome work your doing on the truck, it is BEAUTIFUL!!

[rgunlock]

Originally Posted by cmabolt

Turned out great Rick. Down to the details. The fun part.

Chris

Thanks Chris! Not sure how much fun, but my to-do list of details fits on a 4x6 sheet of paper now.

Originally Posted by boynton

Looks great Rick! I'm glad it worked.

Sure appreciate the suggestion.

Originally Posted by TKCR

Such an awesome build!! I spend a few hours between last night and this morning reading through the whole thread. All I can say is WOW!! Your talent and patience is just amazing.
Your at that part of the build that is my favorite part, the interior. Everything and I mean everything looks amazing!! I know that seat has given you fits but it still turned out looking great.
Here in a few more months you'll have that seat you've been searching for, a full foam AND it tilts!!! Can't wait to meet you Rick!! Keep up the awesome work your doing on the truck, it is BEAUTIFUL!!

Thanks for the compliments and kudos for getting all the way through this. Not so sure about the talent part, it feels like it has just been more about stubbornness and perseverance Look forward to meeting you as well!

[7dee2]

Nice, boynton nailed that one! Good job as usual Rick!

[rgunlock]

Thanks Brett! Well, got the dash nearly buttoned up this weekend. Just missing the black plastic piece that goes under the steering column. I'd bought one from LMC but it didn't fit at all. The wings going off to each side were too long and too wide and actually had unusable standoffs molded into the back. I'm guessing that my ebay dash bezel isn't actually correct for a 78 although it works fine with my guages, radio, wiper switch, etc.

Also discovered tonight that I've had a bit of a setback. All the black I painted into my exterior emblems and tailgate trim are peeling off in sheets. I think it is due to mixing too much hardener into the sign painter's paint. I washed the truck last weekend and I'm guessing some water got under the already loosening paint and humidity is finishing up the job. The stripes in the trim I just masked off and sprayed with Rustoleum still seem to be fine.

Sorry for the unusually bad batch of pictures tonight. I've really got to learn to take a picture

[boynton]

[rgunlock]

Been to 2 weddings ( a nephew and a niece ) since I last posted, so not a lot of truck time. Still working out the carburetor issues. Posted in the Engine & Drivetrain forum and the advice I got was leave it alone. Just bump the initial timing up to 12-16 and work on the idle fuel mixture. Been working on that and it still runs "ok" but surges, making it tough to get a steady rpm, timing or vacuum reading.

Decided that I would add "installing headliner" to my list of least favorite tasks on this build, but got it done. Took so long in our 100+ heat index that my interior no longer smells like new car but now smells like sweat

I bought some map pockets for the door panels, but the color just wasn't close to working. Bought some vinyl in a better color and have them at the upholstery shop getting sewn up. Other than the map pockets, I have to mount the rear view mirror when the glue sets up on the button and the interior is almost done.

Almost because I'm going to re-do the seat again. Member TCKR was kind enough to meet me in Ohio on my wedding road trip and swap me a frame that uses the full foam and has a tilt back. Was cleaning up the frame for paint when my compressor started burning up a capacitor or something on the motor, so I have to get that resolved. I just plan to cut the hog-rings and re-use the bench upholstery I've already got.

Pics of the headliner and interior, before - with sound deadener - and some afters. PS for anyone reading this and planning a headliner, the sun shades have to go in BEFORE you put in the a-pillar and side trim. Also, it helps to run masking tape along the upper windshield gasket and put marks where the screw holes are. That is the biggest pain part of doing one of these is to find all the screw holes under the headliner and trim.

The pictures make the contrast in color between the trim and headliner look worse than it is. I think I'm going to like this!

[MTCK]

Looks great! My last quadrajet convinced me to put on aftermarket fuel injection. The aftermarket fuel injection convinced me to swap a factory MPFI motor. I say quadrajet just because the monojet in my plow truck runs great and pulls down a solid 6-8 mpg haha. Good luck with the tuning.

[TKCR]

That looks awesome!! Did you use vinyl on your headliner? I ask that because it looks identical to you visors.
Can't wait until you get your seat done. I like to hear how it feels compared to the poor mans foam. I'm sure it will be BETTER!! Happy we were able to meet to do the swap. I know those full foam seat frames are hard to find. I've come across a few more recently.

[rgunlock]

The headliner is Deluxe Vinyl Saddle that I got from Classic Parts that already had the foam-backed vinyl applied to an ABS plastic backer. This seems to be a very nice part that fits well as long as you can get it positioned properly. Got real lucky that it matches the used OEM visors I got nearly perfect.

[cmabolt]

Hey Rick. Headliner turned out really nice. I can relate to it not being the most fun. I did not enjoy doing the trim around mine as I recall. Glad that is over.

Sucks that the carb is still giving you fits. Probably not interested, and their certainly not cheap, but there are so many fuel injection options for these trucks now. It would certainly make life easier... You know, if money grew on trees and all.

Chris

[rgunlock]

Thanks for the compliments. Sure beats the original interior all to heck!

At this point, I'll keep futzing with the carb because I just want to start driving before making decisions on upgrades. I've thought about the FI upgrade but haven't looked into it enough.

Some reminders of the "before" on the interior...

[swamp rat]

When does it surge? I'm thinking lack of fuel, possibly a bigger main jet or needle too low or too fat, even a primary? Pending load and rpm etc.

[7dee2]

Man what a difference, beauty!

[rgunlock]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

When does it surge? I'm thinking lack of fuel, possibly a bigger main jet or needle too low or too fat, even a primary? Pending load and rpm etc.

The surge is occurring just sitting there idling. It is my understanding that the jets and needles don't really come into play until you give it some throttle. I'm also thinking that the fuel flow isn't smooth and best I can determine from my research is that I need to open up the restrictions in the idle circuit. I just haven't done it yet because I was advised to focus on timing and idle mixture settings (and I don't want to ruin the carb )

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Man what a difference, beauty!

Thanks so much! May have to get it out this weekend and see if its even possible for me to "accidentally" leave some marks on the driveway like a beautiful white dually I know of

No pictures yet but I think I should be able to finish up my AC this weekend. I've made up and hooked up the hoses. Got a vacuum pump and AC manifold, kitchen scale and some R134a but discovered the compressor belt I'd got isn't long enough.

Bought an insurance policy for it today. I know, it would have been smart to have had at least comprehensive coverage for some time now but... Since this is my own thread I'm going to rant a bit. Called my agent that I have 6 vehicles and my house covered through. They can only offer "antique" vehicle coverage that limits my driving to shows, parades and occasional pleasure cruising if I want an "agreed value" coverage. If I want to drive it anywhere, anytime I want (which I do) they can only offer the typical coverage. If I have to make a claim they will "consider" its restored state given that I can provide pictures and receipts, but will not guarantee me anything above KBB or NADA value. I asked if there was a way that I could avoid having them decide it was totaled if I was in an accident where the damage was repairable but perhaps more than THEY valued the truck (probably the case for anything worse than a fender-bender) - I don't want to have to deal with a salvage title if I decide to repair it myself. Sorry, can't do that either! If I were to purchase a $40K equivalent new truck, no problem with insurance. If I spend $20K restoring one to near-new condition they can't deal with it. Ok, end of rant.

Did any of you have better luck finding a reasonable policy for a situation like this?

[boynton]

Just switched both of mine over to hagerty decent rates and they will insure it for anything you want to pay for with in reason no appraisals on my end. I gave my agent 5 pictures and answered a few questions about the truck and I was done. No issues full coverage.

[rgunlock]

I'd read that Hagerty's policies had restrictions on use of the vehicle, but haven't actually called and talked to them. Perhaps I should...

[MTCK]

You should give them a call. I heard 4x4 was a no go from one guy, but that it wasn't a problem from another.

[boynton]

If you have issues let me know I'll give you my agents phone number. I'm sure she would love to sell you some insurance.

[rgunlock]

This is the culprit on my air compressor. Husky parts list only shows the whole motor ($$$) as replaceable, although this capacitor is easily serviced. Trying to figure out how to select a matching replacement.

[7dee2]

We’ve used State Farm Classic Car and Anpac Chrome in the past, don’t know why I’ve never tried Hagerty (probably because we bundle home, etc. all with one company) but I do prefer Anpac Chrome and still use them currently. Never put in a claim so can’t speak to that, but really like the agreed value/replacement cost method and under 25k no appraisal is needed.