Intro from an old Assembly Plant guy

[Keith Seymore]

Thanks, Longhair!

(lol) -

[3r!c84]

How did you do that!?!!?!

[Keith Seymore]

It's on a different thread:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=388141

[scruffre]

Hey Keith, just wondering whats involved in removing the shifter? I'm putting the same trans in my Blazer 4X4. Thanks

[Keith Seymore]

Cool set up!

The shift lever is designed with some little spring clips to retain it into the shifter base - so going together is easy, because you just push it in and seat it.

Coming out is a little tougher, because you have to get down in there and "trip" those retaining tabs.

I used a couple of small pieces of thin aluminum, but you could use anything thin and fairly strong, like a steel six inch scale. Stick it down beside the shift lever and the base, one on each side, and give the shifter a good pull.

If everything works right it should come right out!

Let me know how you do.

K

[waltharper]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

We've owned about a half dozen of these little trucks, including a '69 GMC stepside, a '75 fleetside, an '80, an '82 and this one (all 2wd shortboxes).

As I mentioned, here is my latest project:

(New):





This is my '87 Chevy pickup, of which I am the original owner. In fact, I ordered this truck and followed it down the assembly line as it was being built. It was coming down out of paint and into the trim area at the beginning of second shift. I picked it up there and followed the body through trim with no issues. When the cab and box were complete, I hopped downstairs to the engine line and followed it through the process (we changed out the oil filter and fixed a cross threaded dust cover bolt). By then the chassis had started on the rivet line; I followed the chassis, then the engine/chassis assembly down to body drop. Once the cab and box were set it's a straight shot down the final line to the end. During roll test the inspector wrote up an A/C charge (which I bought off on) and that the backup lights were not working. The lights were repaired on the "short line" repair line, after which I drove the truck myself off the line and over to the shipping building. I told "Lloyd" that this was my personal truck, left the plant at 1 am and by 5 pm that same day it was at Hank Graff Chevrolet in Davison, Michigan.

I owned this truck for two years in Michigan and then two years in Arizona. By then I had been promoted to a GM Company Vehicle driver and, not having need of this truck, sold it to my father - in - law. He owned the truck, in Arizona and Montana, until his passing last August (of 2008). Having bequeathed it to me, it's now back, cosmetically a little worse for wear but in great shape mechanically.

So that makes me both the original and third owner of this truck (lol).

Here it is today:














I've already got some of the parts on order to fix it back up, starting with the interior (the seat's already been redone). I hope to get it repainted over the GM shutdown period in July and then I intend to drive it.

K

if this was a 1979, you would be talking the same truck as mine. including the dirt and dents and bed.

you being the man to talk to about trucks, I ma running a 4 speed with granny low. what other top loader could I put in to shift a little smoother. it is bolted to a 250.

Also I am looking for a power steering for the truck, engine has intregrated intake to the head, how hard is it going to be to find brackets and parts to do this? I know go to a salvage yard. Around here there is "no" trucks of this time frame in the yards. I may have to travel to find a yard.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by waltharper

if this was a 1979, you would be talking the same truck as mine. including the dirt and dents and bed.

you being the man to talk to about trucks, I ma running a 4 speed with granny low. what other top loader could I put in to shift a little smoother. it is bolted to a 250.

Also I am looking for a power steering for the truck, engine has intregrated intake to the head, how hard is it going to be to find brackets and parts to do this? I know go to a salvage yard. Around here there is "no" trucks of this time frame in the yards. I may have to travel to find a yard.

Thanks; I got your PM and responded in great detail there....

Good luck with your project!

BTW - I should mention I did my entire restoration in the driveway; this truck has never been inside my garage (hopefully that is an encouragement to you).

K

[USSkoval]

Originally Posted by scruffre

Hey Keith, just wondering whats involved in removing the shifter? I'm putting the same trans in my Blazer 4X4. Thanks

That's something I don't remember seeing before. What tranny model would that be?

[85chevylwb]

welcome keith, glad to have you aboard, guys if you will notice the link that bigblock posted on page 1, keith narrated the photos. def an assest to us all!!

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by USSkoval

That's something I don't remember seeing before. What tranny model would that be?

That would be the RPO MY6 4 speed manual (overdrive) trans. It's actually a New Process A833, but with 3rd gear set to 1:1 and 4th gear as a .73 overdrive.

Nice trans! It uses ATF instead of gear lube, so its smooth and easy shifting, even in cold weather.

Thanks, 85ChevyLWB!

K

[scruffre]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

That would be the RPO MY6 4 speed manual (overdrive) trans. It's actually a New Process A833, but with 3rd gear set to 1:1 and 4th gear as a .73 overdrive.

Nice trans! It uses ATF instead of gear lube, so its smooth and easy shifting, even in cold weather.

Thanks, 85ChevyLWB!

K

Thanks Keith. I was going to ask the same question.
The transplant happens this weekend.
I must remember to take pictures LOL

[Keith Seymore]

Prom Time:

Not really "truck" related, but it's that time of year; I suspect dads all across America are being asked to drive their kids around "in an old car", and my house was no exception.

Last night was my turn - took the kids for a ride and then dropped my second oldest daughter at her Senior Prom. We managed to get a few (silly) shots amidst all the seriousness:

[electrician42]

great pictures keith ... will be precious memories for you both some day .. brings back memories of my daughters prom nights.......and i just remembered my senior prom ride was a 69 chevy caprice .. 396 th400 ... it was a sweet ride and that was in 85 ....

[3r!c84]

i remember my prom night.(last month) lol pulled up in my truck with open headers me and my girl gets out.what a entrance
the valet guy didnt want to drive my truck so i parked it upfront

[Ben IV]

Truck is looking great, was your chevelle in popular hotrodding recently? looks very familiar.

[SBTork]

Originally Posted by 3r!c84

i remember my prom night.(last month) lol pulled up in my truck with open headers me and my girl gets out.what a entrance
the valet guy didnt want to drive my truck so i parked it upfront

classy

Good stuff Keith.

[D13]

I love what you've done to the truck. To avoid thread clutter I sent you a PM about a couple of items.

My favorite trucks have all been 6 banger manual heater only rubber floors.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Ben IV

Truck is looking great, was your chevelle in popular hotrodding recently? looks very familiar.

Yes, thanks for noticing.

There was a thread here somewhere (...hmm...let me look....here it is: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=355677 - includes some "behind the scenes" shots) and it can also be viewed on their website: http://www.popularhotrodding.com/fea...lle/index.html

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by D13

I love what you've done to the truck. To avoid thread clutter I sent you a PM about a couple of items.

My favorite trucks have all been 6 banger manual heater only rubber floors.

Thanks, I saw that. I'll reply in a minute -

K

[scruffre]

Hey Keith
Your instructions for taking the shifter out worked perfectly. I got everything changed over rather painlessly
Here's a link to the progress http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3962721

[Keith Seymore]

Glad to be able to help; lookin' good, btw.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Just noticed: one year ago tomorrow since I joined the site!

[WigglesTheHoly]

happy birthday? ForumDay? any congrats btw Truck looks really good.

[CaliDude76]

Wow Mr. Seymore.. thats cool that you have soo much knowledge on these chevy's... Do you think that these year trucks.. 73-87.. are arguably the best years for fit and finish that GM ever made?? Also... Didnt GM figure the cabs were a bit tight.. behind te driver's side.. for big guys?.. LOL Im 6 foot 230. luv my truck.. thank God I have tilt!

[Keith Seymore]

This is something I've been wanting to do for quite some time now; ever since I found the old tow bar hanging on the wall at Mom & Dad's house.

I put a hitch on the Grand Prix over the winter and finally got to try it out today -









That's how we used to roll, back in the day!