'68 Longbed Stepside First Car

[ChevyNewb]

More progress on the frame. Shooting for the rest of the Por15 this week. Blew so much time hassling with a sandblaster, then just gave up and started grinding and wire wheels. Still searching for the right engine. Trying to do it right...pics later in the week.

[ChevyNewb]

Frame is done. On to the brakes. Of course the brake drums were stuck on both fronts, slowing us down. Come to find out the hubs were riveted onto the old drums requiring grinding and drilling them out.
Bottom line is the front brakes are done. New shoes, new springs, new wheel cylinders and new hoses.
We are rocking now...

[ChevyNewb]

Plus my son did his side in about 10 minutes, my side took an hour...

[ChevyNewb]

Got a new heart last weekend. New to us inner fenders and a nice 350, plus a radiator. Good deal. Decided after some inquiries on the forum to go with a 700r4. Trying to get some body work done, slow go.

[ChevyNewb]

Have posted in the engine section, thought I would give it a go here. There was some apparent "modifying" by the PO to fit the Pontiac engine. I am trying to just get the chevy off the hoist. Thinking maybe the motor mount brackets and motor mounts themselves are all wrong.
Anyone have pics of what this setup SHOULD look like? Basically dead in the water here.
I know this thread is not exactly riveting, but we are total resto virgins and could use an assist!

[ChevyNewb]

Ok, got the motor mount brackets modified to work with the clamshells. Will post pictures of the mod...as always, wish I had thought of the before pics...

[Tinkermc]

you guys are off to a great start. One thing my Dad and I never got to do, wish we had.Build looks very nice so far eill check back in later.

[ChevyNewb]

Well thank you. We are having fun. With NO experience whatsoever it has been a challenge. I was looking for him to learn hard work pays off. I think he is starting to see it now that we are about to drop the engine in. We were able to find some help locally from a guy that owns a '69 AND a shop. The sound from his engine alone has my son champing at the bit to get the truck going.
We are shooting for the beginning of his Junior year, so only about 3 months to get it drivable

[ChevyNewb]

Ok then. Motor mount mods were a bust. Had to get some from CPP. They are really nice and will work great. Have to move the tranny support back, had to remove the drive shaft as it was set up for the Pontiac.
With any luck we will get it all mounted in the truck this long weekend. Have to either buy a new drive shaft or have this one cut and balanced.
Glad we did it, but this is a ball buster project for never having done one before. Hopefully the body work/sanding will go quicker...

[ChevyNewb]

Engine and tranny are down. Cab was sent off for a little prime and paint! Getting exciting around here. Sorry for the sideways view of engine...

[ChevyNewb]

Man only 6 weeks til he starts school, we gotta get this done! Paint is on the cab. Looks great. Engine is down. Gonna take it to a shop and get a little help on the engine. Then we start to install the interior, fingers crossed

[ChevyNewb]

Bah. Engine failed compression test. Found that 350 on craigslist, knew it was to cheap. On to bigger and better I suppose. Front clip painting should be done soon. The wife keeps giving me the evil eye. Hey it's a father/son thing I keep saying!!

[Tinkermc]

how many colors did you find while tearing this truck apart? Cab sure looks good.

[ChevyNewb]

There was the original green and a red. We lucked out on the cab. Only one rust spot. Cab corners were great. My son changed his mind from black to "mango tango". I think it looks great.
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[ChevyNewb]

Shot of the engine from the side. Looking very nice.

[Tinkermc]

lookin good

[kyle87]

new engine?

[ChevyNewb]

Not new. The one in the previous pics ended up being bad. Damn craigslist. It is a vortex though.
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[ChevyNewb]

More shots. Lots of progress. We think she is just about done. drover her around on sunday with no doors and no windows...
Nothing left but to put on more metal

[Odaroloc]

Man this looks great! Im 15 and im hoping to get one next spring. My dad has been really busy lately so i hope he will help me with it. Keep up the good work. Its going to look awesome when its done!

[Shaun1162]

Looks sharp!

[ChevyNewb]

thank you both. it has been a blast to work on with my son. we were both bummed out that he had to ride with his girlfriend on the first day of school. But we are looking forward to making an entrance at the football game friday night.

[Odaroloc]

Hey man! Any progress?? Really would like to know what you guys ended up with!