Not Another Rebuild Thread....

[CRGRS 66]

Hey McMurph, nice to see you chiming in here and there, and nice to see some pictures of your truck. I will be starting a thread in the near future for the work I have planned this winter, then you can pester me for updates

[McMurphy]

Originally Posted by chad64chevy

well thanks for check in on me mike, happy b-day and tell the wife happy b-day as well!! you have some really nice cars as well as land, when ever you come to oklahoma you have to let me know!! i got my wiring harness today i was surprized, i didnt think i would get it for another week!!

if you go with shorty headers or mid-length headers you will be ok to run your exhaust thru you trailer arm crossmember, as long as your exhaust doesnt hang below your frame you wont have to make to many bends in it! what kind of trans do you have?? there are some you can buy pretty cheap that will bolt right in!!

I have a 4 speed muncie 20 I am bolting in. It has the bolt holes at the end of it like an automatic does, so I figure a common cross member will work. If worse comes to worse I will try making one.

Originally Posted by Modges'66

Looking very good!
Glad to see that you are back at it!
You gotta cherish the fact that your wifey digs it too!...How cool is that!
you have a good gig going there, Keep her happy!

She says I do....
We had a little birthday for her last weekend with a few friends, and while I was getting local coaching for my tranny rebuild I came across 15x8" Crager SS rims for her car for $300. Never been mounted with the lug nuts still in the bag, I figured I could not pass on that deal, and they are what she has always wanted for her LeMans.

Originally Posted by CRGRS 66

Hey McMurph, nice to see you chiming in here and there, and nice to see some pictures of your truck. I will be starting a thread in the near future for the work I have planned this winter, then you can pester me for updates

It will be pretty cool to see what you come up with in your thread !! I look forward to it!

[fryer1979]

Beautiful Pontiacs you've got, I especially love the Tempest and the fact that you aren't trying to call it a GTO. Very cool! And the pickup looks like it's coming along nicely as well, keep at it my friend!

[likaroc13]

It's cool that your wife is right there digging into it with you. You both have very nice rides . As I was just reading & catching up on your build, I realize once again how much I enjoy these builds that are much like a life story. Since redoing my build thread, I'm trying to do the same. I think "Markeb01" does a very nice job detailing things in his build that make it more like reading a novel (& i'm typically not a big reader )...& I think you're another that does this well, along with many other guys here. It's nice to take a glimpse into the life of the person sitting behind that computer, possibly thousands of miles away, who shares the same passion for automobiles & other things in life. I think it just makes it more personal, & you feel like you get to know that "invisible" person better...and if you're fortunate like some of us (hopefully all at some point), you'll get a chance via this forum to meet some of these fellow members in person someday.

Good luck with your continued progress!

[clemdaddy]

Originally Posted by likaroc13

It's cool that your wife is right there digging into it with you. You both have very nice rides . As I was just reading & catching up on your build, I realize once again how much I enjoy these builds that are much like a life story. Since redoing my build thread, I'm trying to do the same. I think "Markeb01" does a very nice job detailing things in his build that make it more like reading a novel (& i'm typically not a big reader )...& I think you're another that does this well, along with many other guys here. It's nice to take a glimpse into the life of the person sitting behind that computer, possibly thousands of miles away, who shares the same passion for automobiles & other things in life. I think it just makes it more personal, & you feel like you get to know that "invisible" person better...and if you're fortunate like some of us (hopefully all at some point), you'll get a chance via this forum to meet some of these fellow members in person someday.

Good luck with your continued progress!

dang, that was poetic. very well said... x2, and i don't use this little yellow guy often.

[Modges'66]

I don't see any new pics of shhtuff goin on over here...Whats the hold-up? LOL!

[CRGRS 66]

Originally Posted by Modges'66

I don't see any new pics of shhtuff goin on over here...Whats the hold-up? LOL!

kinda hafta agree, but I guess that I am not really in a position to talk now am I

[McMurphy]

Originally Posted by fryer1979

Beautiful Pontiacs you've got, I especially love the Tempest and the fact that you aren't trying to call it a GTO. Very cool! And the pickup looks like it's coming along nicely as well, keep at it my friend!

Thank you Fryer, I take that as a high compliment indeed! I am no purist by any stretch, I suppose if Hollywood approached me to use one of my rigs in a period piece, I would rethink it all; but for the most part no.
I came to realize one day with my original Tempest Custom that there were a lot fewer of the Tempest and LeMans at car shows than there were GTOs and clones. I would rather build or make something great, than imitate it. (for the most part... LOL)

Originally Posted by likaroc13

It's cool that your wife is right there digging into it with you. You both have very nice rides . As I was just reading & catching up on your build, I realize once again how much I enjoy these builds that are much like a life story. Since redoing my build thread, I'm trying to do the same. I think "Markeb01" does a very nice job detailing things in his build that make it more like reading a novel (& i'm typically not a big reader )...& I think you're another that does this well, along with many other guys here. It's nice to take a glimpse into the life of the person sitting behind that computer, possibly thousands of miles away, who shares the same passion for automobiles & other things in life. I think it just makes it more personal, & you feel like you get to know that "invisible" person better...and if you're fortunate like some of us (hopefully all at some point), you'll get a chance via this forum to meet some of these fellow members in person someday.

Good luck with your continued progress!

I know I am a pretty lucky guy, just as I know a lot of you out there have to beg, borrow, or sneak your time into the garage to work on your builds. I try to never take it for granted, even though it can be kind of spoiling me...
As for the story telling I have to look to Alan, MarkB, and Flips72 as they were the ones I recall the strongest for adding the human and living of life elements to their threads.
Me on the hand, I just like to write....

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

dang, that was poetic. very well said... x2, and i don't use this little yellow guy often.

I agree !!

Originally Posted by Modges'66

I don't see any new pics of shhtuff goin on over here...Whats the hold-up? LOL!

I did not get anything done, but now I do have some stuff done... here are your pics!!

Originally Posted by CRGRS 66

kinda hafta agree, but I guess that I am not really in a position to talk now am I

Your comments are always welcome here!
Like Modges and all the other guys, it is very motivating to know someone is actually reading this junk I put up here !!

**********************************************************

So when I took my rear-diff cover off I had to massage it some from being dented up on the bottom edge. So to prevent that, and to give me a place to put my jack, I welded on a plate with a gusset under it for support.


Then I rolled that mess back up under the frame that I cleaned up and painted, and bolted all that back up again. The only addition I made to the stock set up was lock washers on the ends of the U-bolts. Better safe than sorry!


Just a different view, like I told the wife today; I may not be able to make it work right, but I can make it pretty!
Yeah, she just laughed at me too ......
You can see the jack plate I made too. The gusset or brace is 2x2 square tubing I cut at angle. Nothing NASA here folks, sorry.


Well I meant to get my transmission married up to the engine today and REALLY have something to share, but alas, I was ganked by the guys at NAPA. The fly wheel I got was right diameter, right tooth count, wrong diameter for the crank shaft and bolt pattern to mount it on.... Talk about a disappointment !!

So then I got to looking at my power brake set up (I installed fresh rubber lines to the front calipers today too which put my mind in that frame). I had kept the steel lines from the donor rig, and in my tool buying frenzy I remembered I picked up a tube flare tool at some long lost garage sale. As soon as I found my tubing cutter I started dinking around with those steel lines.


I thought it turned out pretty good, especially after I polished up the lines like chrome. (sorry no picture of that yet as I had to disassemble all this and shoot some paint)


I got a plasma cutter a couple weeks ago, but really had not used it yet. So today I cut some 1/4 inch plate into some lifting shackles for the engine. I got it off the engine stand (to mount up my tranny) today and they worked great! I need to shoot a pic of them done which I forgot to do before I employed them.

I will save that for a raniy day, tomorrows post is going to be something special ..... well ...... special to me I suppose !!
See you then !

[chevy_man5]

Looking good McMurphy!!

BTW... it's tomorrow!

[CRGRS 66]

Originally Posted by chevy_man5

Looking good McMurphy!!

BTW... it's tomorrow!

I agree, looking good... and it is tomorrow, yup, it is... Don't leave us hanging all day McMurph

[piratexpress1369a]

nice work fur sure ..now lets see that bling lol

[chad64chevy]

hey mcmurphy, the truck is looking good, i really like your progress pics! those brake lines came out great, its 7pm my time so weres the special update pics, lol!!! i have no room to talk but got to give you some motovation!!

[McMurphy]

Originally Posted by chevy_man5

Looking good McMurphy!!

BTW... it's tomorrow!

Originally Posted by CRGRS 66

I agree, looking good... and it is tomorrow, yup, it is... Don't leave us hanging all day McMurph

Originally Posted by piratexpress1369a

nice work fur sure ..now lets see that bling lol

Ok some of you guys (see above) were up way too early today on top of the time zones away !! LOL

Originally Posted by chad64chevy

hey mcmurphy, the truck is looking good, i really like your progress pics! those brake lines came out great, its 7pm my time so weres the special update pics, lol!!! i have no room to talk but got to give you some motovation!!

I cannot understate the level of motivation this site gives me. You know that saying that it takes a village to raise a child yes?
Well you are all my village and I am the village idiot, and you all raised me !!!

**********************************************************

So I figured a post on the one year anniversary of my starting this thread would be appropriate, with a couple of look-back comparisons of what I started with, and where I am at.
Kind of a photographic gut check for myself to keep me focused on the fact that I now have a goal of the 4th of July weekend to have this bad boy back on the road!


This is the truck the day I bought it. Just looking at it from this angle I have since shaved the leading edge of the cab roof, and repaired that old CB antenna hole, top center of the roof.


Sadly all that old shag carpet had to go.... what a throw back to the '70s that was....made me want to keep on truckin' !! Among other things you can see the shave job I did on my fuel fill too.



Sadly I dont have the new engine in yet like I would have for these photos, but soon... kinda mind numbing when you see what I started with. Gosh I sure wish I had bought that pressure washer a LOT sooner than I did !!

[McMurphy]

And just a few more.

Not much more than a walk around shot of before and after,



And for those who remember this mess.
I guess this was when I really knew I was in for a penny, in for a pound... probably one of the first and most proud parts of this build I have done so far. I was certainly out in uncharted waters when I did this job !!


And that is all really for now.
On my to do list is getting my:
o engine and tranny married up and installed.
o plumb brake lines
o new shocks all the way around (ordered today)
o new door locks and door checks installed (got the parts in)
o finish the dome light mod / cyclops light (I add them together due to the shared access hole they will have.
o get the seat re-upholstered and installed
o new carpet / deadner
o possibly mod my vents from handles to cables
o drink more beer
o do my head light mod
o get my GMC hood straight and ready, with its mods
o get the bed wood mod done
o modify my tail gate from chains and hooks to latches
o add my '68 DeVille tail lights
o flirt with the wife a little more...
o swap out the 5 lug rotors in the front back to 6 lug
o finish the under dash extension and install stereo
o and maybe ..... just maybe ..... refurbish that wooden camper shell that came with the truck

Whew, whatta list, and that is just off the top of my head !!
Well guys sorry it isnt much, and if you think I am bragging .... please dont .... I am actually starting to sweat the dead line !!
Its only 9 months away !!!!!!

[Bomp]

Man,,,,you gotta list! At least you have a dead line.
Im so far out in uncharted territory that a finish date is out of the question right now.
You totally inspired me to get crackin'. Great Job!

[McMurphy]

Originally Posted by Modges'66

Awesome comparison pics dude!
I'm sure it helps you to keep moving forward.
I constantly look at old pics to get a stance on how far that things have progressed with my build!

I do that as well, you never really get a feel for how far you have come unless you take a look back at where you started every once in a while !!

Originally Posted by Bomp

Man,,,,you gotta list! At least you have a dead line.
Im so far out in uncharted territory that a finish date is out of the question right now.
You totally inspired me to get crackin'. Great Job!

I HAVE to have this done, we are hoping to get a change of duty station as early as next September, and I want to make sure this rig is road worthy before I take it home and store it!

[Modges'66]

Awesome comparison pics dude!
I'm sure it helps you to keep moving forward.
I constantly look at old pics to get a stance on how far that things have progressed with my build!

[C@rnut001]

Man, that looks great sitting down in there where it is supposed to go! Thanks for the pics and updates, it is awesome to see your progress and I bet your wife was really happy to see that!

[pdxhall]

The front end is really coming together nice. Great work.

[Captainfab]

I agree.....looking good

[CRGRS 66]

indulge away, looks great McMurph!

[markeb01]

What a great milestone to achieve, on top of all the other excellent progress! Hang in there.

[piratexpress1369a]

way to go 2 thumbs up

[McMurphy]

Originally Posted by C@rnut001

Man, that looks great sitting down in there where it is supposed to go! Thanks for the pics and updates, it is awesome to see your progress and I bet your wife was really happy to see that!

She was surprised I got it in all by myself, I told her it was better that way because the hoist was being a little brat, and with it slowly losing pressure I was constantly having to jack it back up.
Needless to say there was colorful language involved....
and in those situations she can sometimes take that personally.

Originally Posted by pdxhall

The front end is really coming together nice. Great work.

Thank you pd, it is therapudic like you said.

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I agree.....looking good

Always great to see you here John, thank you for taking a look!

Originally Posted by CRGRS 66

indulge away, looks great McMurph!

Thanks man, I cannot wait to start putting body parts back on !!!

Originally Posted by markeb01

What a great milestone to achieve, on top of all the other excellent progress! Hang in there.

Yeah, though I may have to pull it back out, I have some questions....

Originally Posted by piratexpress1369a

way to go 2 thumbs up

I guess the color scheme is not too over the top? (though in the photos the colors are not what you see in real life. The red is not that glaring, and the white is not white but a pewter grey)

**********************************************************

Yesterday was consumed by trying to get my throw out linkage in for the clutch. Once I figured out the existing holes in my engine block were not going to cooperate, I had to make an adpter plate.
I have to admit that I really like fabbing stuff up, and if yesterday is any indication I am getting better at it !!
My template worked like a charm and the plate was a first time go for fittment and functionality !!
Woot !!

[Captainfab]

Does your block not have the rear boss for the bellcrank ball stud?

Originally Posted by McMurphy

Yesterday was consumed by trying to get my throw out linkage in for the clutch. Once I figured out the existing holes in my engine block were not going to cooperate, I had to make an adpter plate.
I have to admit that I really like fabbing stuff up, and if yesterday is any indication I am getting better at it !!
My template worked like a charm and the plate was a first time go for fittment and functionality !!
Woot !!