'78 3/4 ton 4x4 FRANKENTRUCK

[asphaltburner]

Yo! It's in there! TH400, adapter, and NP205 mated and installed using cedar blocks and my floor jack. Done one small step at a time:

RTV sealed paper gaskets between each component, and thread sealed bolts for the NP205. Plastic baggies with rubber bands to all exposed opennings for now. Then jacked the crossmember into place and bolted it to the frame. It's much easier to plan the exhaust and fuel delivery system now! Todd.

[DirtyLarry]

Looking good Todd.

Here is an idea for you in regards to the electric fuel pump mounting. I mounted mine on the frame rail behind the transmission cross member. The cross member does a pretty decent job of protecting it from heat and road debris. All that work I did to mount it there only for me to later change to in-tank fuel pump.

[asphaltburner]

Yo! DirtyLarry!
Thanks, but I have this HUGE Summit racing pump, and I think I'll try driver's side within the frame angle. I HATE the routing, but input/output would be properly oriented, the pump would be well protected, and it'll give me enough room since the NP205 takes up most of the passenger's side. Six port valve will be installed straight up, centered between the tanks, and hoses will run to the pump (pass. side frame) and back to the driver's side to utilize the factory hard lines. Perhaps I'll shield the fuel hose with steel plate,...help keep the exhaust heat and debris, off of the supply line. Todd.

[nutchevy]

looking good your getting there.

[asphaltburner]

Yo! Y'all!
FRANKENTRUCK is starting to look more like a finished truck with the driver's door adjusted and front clip back on:

Had to prepare my daily ride for Monday and I thought I'd just throw some pics in,...but pics I took were terrible, so here's a couple old pics:


Yeah, '76 Camaro, but how many of 'em can pull off this powerbrake times two,...non-posi, identical burns for both sides on rough cement (this I took tonight!):

Must have that rear set up just right! And 15.5 mpg average (while NOT powerbraking!) Todd.

[asphaltburner]

Yo! Threw this out to the nastz28.com members a moment ago,...my chance to show off my Camaro even more:
1976 std coupe (highly modified)
350, 4blt main
World heads: 2.02/1.96 for 9.2:1 compression
Crane towing cam advaced 4 degrees with roller tip rockers
Weiand 8004 Action Plus manifold with 1" spacer
625 Carter AFB
new HEI with tuned mech. and canceled vac advance
MSD-6A ignition
Hookers, turbo mufflers with 2.5" exhaust, exiting in front of the rear tires
Rebuilt TH350 with 2000 stall spd converter
2.79:1 rear gears (130 mph+,...the speedo only goes to 130)
Trac bars tightened up close, short shackles, air shocks (acts as posi)
2.5" functional cowl induction hood
hand built full gauge instrument panel (appears stock, includes oil pressure!)
full front spoiler
Centerline Outlaw II mags with 205/60/15's and 295/50/15's
110w RMS x 4ch amp in the trunk, 6x9 3ways rear, 6.5" 2ways up front in hand built boxes
Ipod/Walkman input and Sony AM/FM cassette indash
I did it all myself
Sorry for being so proud,...kinda like a dad and his kids, Todd.

[asphaltburner]

Yo! FRANKENTRUCK's hole in the pass.fender is repaired, and the door re-aligned. Pounded out the majority of the front pass. fender ding,...real bodywork after reinstallation of the fender. On schedule for installing the engine this weekend. Have to search for a RH fuel sender, as I helped Classic Industries find a major mislabelling problem their manufacturer has,...all senders marked RH are LH! Just finished, gotta get up at five so, nity nite!! Todd.

[Walts_restoration]

Looking good man, you outta see my progress on my new-to-me 79 berlinetta over on the z board. rust free shes eye candy lol. Trying to convince the old man to let me cam it and put my intake on, since it wouldnt hurt to put a timing chain on it either. "well, while were there" lol.

[asphaltburner]

Feel like a GM bodyman, swappin' shims and realigning the pass. fender! Trying to pull it forward a RCH so it'll give me a little more space for the door to clear on opening. Pretty good now though,...got all the bolts started, the fender tied to my workbench, and using my hammer shaft to tighten the rope like a tourniquet. Hope to start 350 V8 installation tomorrow.
Do check out Ryan's '79 Berlinetta score over on nastyz28.com, "project progress"!
More very soon! Todd.

Addendum: HA! A few bashes with my 3lb sledge, using an aluminum bar, on the rear cab mount of the fender, and I now have a perfect, even space at the door's front edge. Bolted down the initial three points and the rest after dinner. Success!!

[Walts_restoration]

Originally Posted by asphaltburner

Feel like a GM bodyman, swappin' shims and realigning the pass. fender! Trying to pull it forward a RCH so it'll give me a little more space for the door to clear on opening. Pretty good now though,...got all the bolts started, the fender tied to my workbench, and using my hammer shaft to tighten the rope like a tourniquet. Hope to start 350 V8 installation tomorrow.
Do check out Ryan's '79 Berlinetta score over on nastyz28.com, "project progress"!
More very soon! Todd.

Addendum: HA! A few bashes with my 3lb sledge, using an aluminum bar, on the rear cab mount of the fender, and I now have a perfect, even space at the door's front edge. Bolted down the initial three points and the rest after dinner. Success!!

ya man, getting closer to letting that beast roar!!!!

[Geno H]

Originally Posted by asphaltburner

Feel like a GM bodyman, swappin' shims and realigning the pass. fender! Trying to pull it forward a RCH so it'll give me a little more space for the door to clear on opening. Pretty good now though,...got all the bolts started, the fender tied to my workbench, and using my hammer shaft to tighten the rope like a tourniquet. Hope to start 350 V8 installation tomorrow.
Do check out Ryan's '79 Berlinetta score over on nastyz28.com, "project progress"!
More very soon! Todd.

Addendum: HA! A few bashes with my 3lb sledge, using an aluminum bar, on the rear cab mount of the fender, and I now have a perfect, even space at the door's front edge. Bolted down the initial three points and the rest after dinner. Success!!

How about some more photos? I been poping in & out checkin on the progress. Keep up the good work.


Geno H

[Walts_restoration]

Originally Posted by Geno H

How about some more photos? I been poping in & out checkin on the progress. Keep up the good work.


Geno H

PHOTO WHORE!!!

lol, dont worry i am too

[asphaltburner]

Yo! Thanks, guys! Sure seems like I'm right where I was last weekend though,...BUT, door's aligned, fender's aligned (and the only other big dent pounded out), rust stabilized on the passenger's side (fender and wheelwell, under the battery tray). Still doesn't look like I've done ANYTHING!
Tomorrow things change,...I'll push the truck out, lift the engine from it's stand, lower to my "box" for flexplate installation,...then lift, push truck back in, and lower the 350 into place in front of the TH400 and 1200-1500 stall torque converter.
Sure looks like the twin sticks for the NP205 are gonna clear the bech seat, but only installation will prove it.
25 gallon fuel tanks are ready for installation, finally found a RH sender and it's on the way from LMC Truck,...gotta settle on where my electric fuel pump is going to go,...pretty sure about switching valve location and supply and return lines,...then I need to hit the junkyard again for a charcoal cannister for the fueltank vents.
Can't wait to install the new battery so I can see what works and what doesn't! I just want to see nothing burning up when I turn the key to ON! I've installed new halogen headlights,...a set of full running lights and panel lights will sure be encouraging to see for the first time. Crossing my fingers! Todd.

[asphaltburner]

Yo! Got more rain in the last 48 hours than in all of May, June, and July combined, so I've delayed V8 installation. Need the garage door open, and the driveway to push the truck to and from, to install an engine. So worked on alot of small, but necessary, stuff today. Tackle it tomorrow, I hope! Todd.

[Geno H]

Originally Posted by Walts_restoration

PHOTO WHORE!!!

lol, dont worry i am too

Smiling...............

[asphaltburner]

Yo! Got 'er done today! 350 in my homemade box for torquing of the flexwheel bolts:

The V8 installed:

And a few of my "sponsors":


Finally, some of the externals temporarily set into place,...

I'm tired,...more later. Todd.

[MylilBowTie]

Care to share the part number to the Crane "RV" cam?

[asphaltburner]

Absolutely! That's why I'm on this forum, to share what I already know so everybody doesn't have to keep "re-inventing the wheel". Summit kit SUM-K1102 (lifters and cam, cam only is SUM-1102),...actual duration@0.05 204/214, actual lift@0.05 0.420/0.442,...designed for idle to 5,500 rpm.
Do keep in mind that it's the combination of these parts and their configuration that makes this engine scream,...4 degrees advance of that cam via roller chain and sprocket, rollertipped rockers (to reduce friction and lag), and the big valve heads makes it breath nicely.
I drive the same engine in my '76 Camaro everyday, and it is amasing what it can do with 3500 lbs of Camaro and 2.79:1 rear gears, (and still get 15.5mpg). TH350 behind that 350, so a very similar setup, but better gearing (but LARGER tires!), and alot more weight with this truck,...we'll see! Todd.

[Walts_restoration]

How well do you think that cam would do in a stock 79 camaro 350 with 8.2:1 compression ratio with an edelbrock intake? i had a guy telling me this cam would be the best, didnt know your opinion. Plans in the future are probably for a roller 350 or 383, so its just gonna be a temporary cam.


Haha, after looking at it, same cam you have, whats your opinion?

[asphaltburner]

Yo! Ryan,...guess I'm not the only one that did his homework! Yeah I think it would do very well. The cam has a bit more than stock lift and duration, is designed for towing (and 3500 lbs of Camaro is TOWING,...that's why I chose it after running countless scenarios on computer programs), and produces a very good HP and torque curve at lower rpm's (2500 to 4500 or so). With my engine's setup (remember, THIS setup), I develop 411ftlbs torque at about 2500rpm and roughly 325 to 350 hp at 3500rpm,...my Camaro's rear gear is 2.79:1 so I need tremendous torque to turn that gear quickly, and enough HP to continue that power production once the torque is applied.
They call this a "towing" cam because it's not a high lift, long duration cam, but it is a good step up from the stock cam and ya can't argue with the price! Or the gas mileage! Todd.

[asphaltburner]

Wow! Not sure exactly,..I could calculate it from receipts, but I'm gonna say $3500, maybe $4000,...a bit more than I built the Camaro's for,...but that was in 2003-2004. Just a rebuilt 4blt main V8 will cost ya about $1200-1500 anymore. I think the Camaro's V8 was about $900 back then. Todd.

[asphaltburner]

FRANKENTRUCK will cost me about $8000 when completed. But it has the best of the best in the way of drivetrain. Todd.

[Walts_restoration]

Building anytihng fun on a college kids budget is hard. I try my best with what i have, right now thinking about a good 327 short block, more than likely check clearences, new rings and bearings, arp the bottom end, and some small dome forged pistons, some dart 64cc heads and a solid flat tappet cam, with a vic jr and my 750 should be a hauling little girl for now, for being a pretty cheap build (dad has enough 327s to last a lifetime, at least, just gotta get one outta his hands)

[asphaltburner]

Yo! I had to suffer for a long time before my wife and I could save enough to buy something that I could get back on the street for nearly free,...and a much longer time before I could build something that I could be proud of, and would be fun! Been there, done that, bought the T shirt, and wore it out! Believe me!
Married in 1980, got my '68 Mustang in '92 as a driveable, used car. Two weeks in the garage, and having purchased only tuneup parts, it started going to work everyday. 70,000 miles later, I retired it from the road, restored it, and drove my beater '66 Mustang after swapping the engine from the '68 to the '66! Three years of driving the '66 primer red, and I painted it as the "flag car" after 911,...Sept. 2001. Get the idea?
It can be done within a budget, but over a LONG period of time. Todd.

[asphaltburner]

Yo! Today I double checked the insides of the fuel tanks (squirted some 30W oil inside the sender hole and rolled the tiny amount of fine sediment into it, then wiped it out,...worked great!) and reassembled them with new senders (factory side sender took three weeks to locate!). Here's my rust preserved, clean, reassembled and ready for fuel, twin 25 gallon tanks:

Also flushed the 350's cooling system with the hose today (due to the fact that I had to drill two cooling outlets in the block before head gasket installation), and unpacked my new bumper bracket kit for my new chrome bumper,...now ready to install.
Spent alot of time today replacing my convertible Fiat Spider 2000's battery, washing it and my '88 Mazda RX-7 convertible, parking, and covering them again.
Wasted alot of time today fighting with Classic Industries about the damaged hood that they shipped me.
Back at it all tomorrow, Todd.