85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett"

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by ultrahd4me

Excellent choice on the wheels. Gonna be killer for sure.

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

Sweeeeeeeeeet! I'm excited for you!

Thanks guys. I considered several of American Racings styles, but the VF506 really seemed to fit the build. Lets see if I am right.

[Desert1957]

OK, how much longer before the the new shoes?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Desert1957

OK, how much longer before the the new shoes?

American Racing says 5-6 weeks build time.

[N2TRUX]

I decided to diagnose the oil drip coming from the rear of the motor. I knew the oil pan gasket was seeping and suspected the rear main seal was too.

I also wanted to determine for I had a one or two piece rear seal. Research showed that passenger side dipstick should mean one piece and I verified that to be true.
After removing the transmission dust cover I noted what was oily and what wasn't. The center of the flywheel was dry and dusty telling me the leak was coming from another source. I feel comfortable that the oil pan is the source. Fortunately a pan gasket isn't hard to change on a C10.

I also noted that the transmission had a date and initials stamped in it verifying that it had a fresh build and could see the torque converter was fresh too.

[N2TRUX]

While waiting for the oil to drain I worked on the drivers side. I pulled the fender liner to gain access to the mess I need to clean up. I have some serious detail work ahead.

[ultrahd4me]

Excellent choice on the wheels. Gonna be killer for sure.

[N2TRUX]

Last night I continued my search for wet spots. I started by pulling the cooling system and inspecting it's condition. The radiator looks clean inside, so a good flush should be all it needs.

Once that was removed I got a better view of the front of the motor. The alternator is fresh, so it's going to stay. The a/c compressor is an AC Delco and is dry at the seals so it's staying too.
The power steering pump has been growling due to low fluid. Everything is wet so I will check the lines and pump to determine what's the source of the leak.

Everything is bagged and tagged waiting for the clean up process.

[palposity]

What a beautiful truck! You do amazing work sir!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by palposity

What a beautiful truck! You do amazing work sir!

Thanks for the kind words

[N2TRUX]

Countdown to Throwdown! When your bent over the core support stripping parts off the front of the block and you can't stop looking at the carburetor. How many things do you see that are wrong. Ignore the a/c compressor.

[N2TRUX]

Continuing on with stripping the front of the motor. I removed the rest of the a/c bracket and found some unique components to fit around the headers, and a few loose bolts. I pulled the alternator and related brackets, and discovered a patch of bare wires. From there I worked my way down to the water pump. Once again, some of the bolts were loose.

Whoever replaced the water pump must have thought snug was close enough. That will change as we clean, painted, and reassemble everything properly.

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

American Racing says 5-6 weeks build time.

I've heard that before......

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Continuing on with stripping the front of the motor. I removed the rest of the a/c bracket and found some unique components to fit around the headers, and a few loose bolts. I pulled the alternator and related brackets, and discovered a patch of bare wires. From there I worked my way down to the water pump. Once again, some of the bolts were loose.

Whoever replaced the water pump must have thought snug was close enough. That will change as we clean, painted, and reassemble everything properly.

You might as well just pull the engine and do an LS swap since you're already there.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

I've heard that before....You might as well just pull the engine and do an LS swap since you're already there.

You need to put that stick down and quite stirring up trouble. 😉

At this point I'm always encouragedown to pull the clip, it's only 8 more bolts. Then it's like "The clip is off, may as well pull the motor" followed by " why don't you do an LSX swap "
Trust me it's all I can do to restrain myself from all of the above. Then reality takes hold and I know that time and budget constraints won't permit any of that.

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

You need to put that stick down and quite stirring up trouble. ��

At this point I'm always encouragedown to pull the clip, it's only 8 more bolts. Then it's like "The clip is off, may as well pull the motor" followed by " why don't you do an LSX swap "
Trust me it's all I can do to restrain myself from all of the above. Then reality takes hold and I know that time and budget constraints won't permit any of that.

That's how my build went from fix a few oil leaks, buff the turd brown paint and lower it, to a full blown body off rebuild! I happens fast and before you know it you're tens of thousands of dollars deep.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by GAc10boy

That interior looks great! Been steadily watching your extensive refresh of this truck and it's quite amazing. Nice wheel choice as well.

Thank you sir. I appreciate your support.

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

That's how my build went from fix a few oil leaks, buff the turd brown paint and lower it, to a full blown body off rebuild! I happens fast and before you know it you're tens of thousands of dollars deep.

Yeah it snowballs quickly. With my OCD I have to take on small tasks and try to finish them. If not I get distracted and mentally blocked from finishing.

[N2TRUX]

Friday night is usually date night and with the holidays my wife and I haven't had any quality I me. She was kind enough to allow me to mock one side of the new carpeted panels I got in to replace the originals.

The previous owner told me the carpet kit came from LMC so I ordered the panels from them to ensure they would match. I later discovered LMC uses ACC brand carpet. Had I known that I would have bought through my buddy Chris Lucas at www.73-87chevytrucks.come

I prefer to buy from Chris when possible because he only sells product that he would actually use himself. He's not always the cheapest, but he is very competitive and you know your getting enthusiast approved products.

I made the mistake of using the old panels as a template to mark the new panels for holes. What I didn't realize was the original panels weren't on straight. I installed the new panels in the original holes on the door and they were way off. Unfortunately I was forced to drill some new holes in the doors to make it right.

I wasn't happy with the method required but the end result is a kick panel that's straight. I plan to dye the air vents to match, so I will paint and seal the old holes later.

I finished one side and called it done for the night. Momma had popcorn and a movie waiting.

[GAc10boy]

That interior looks great! Been steadily watching your extensive refresh of this truck and it's quite amazing. Nice wheel choice as well.

[N2TRUX]

Sometimes you have to do shop improvements so you can be more productive on your truck project. Today we installed a new Harbor Freight vacuum system to my blasting cabinet. I had originally used a 5hp shop vac and it worked well till it burnt up. It was extremely loud and got louder before it gave up so I don't miss it.
Be forewarned this unit is very heavy even before it gets filled with media. We mounted it to a piece of plywood so we could be sure to hit a stud with our anchors. It's not going anywhere.
I also took the opportunity to upgrad to black diamond media. Turns out the medium grit is too course for my system to flow well so I'm changing to fine. Hopefully hat will improve the flow.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Sometimes you have to do shop improvements so you can be more productive on your truck project. Today we installed a new Harbor Freight vacuum system to my blasting cabinet. I had originally used a 5hp shop vac and it worked well till it burnt up. It was extremely loud and got louder before it gave up so I don't miss it.
Be forewarned this unit is very heavy even before it gets filled with media. We mounted it to a piece of plywood so we could be sure to hit a stud with our anchors. It's not going anywhere.
I also took the opportunity to upgrad to black diamond media. Turns out the medium grit is too course for my system to flow well so I'm changing to fine. Hopefully hat will improve the flow.

You inspired me to get a blast cabinet. That, and I was just tired of the manual labor. The saying goes, "Work Smarter-Not Harder".

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Sometimes you have to do shop improvements so you can be more productive on your truck project. Today we installed a new Harbor Freight vacuum system to my blasting cabinet. I had originally used a 5hp shop vac and it worked well till it burnt up. It was extremely loud and got louder before it gave up so I don't miss it.
Be forewarned this unit is very heavy even before it gets filled with media. We mounted it to a piece of plywood so we could be sure to hit a stud with our anchors. It's not going anywhere.
I also took the opportunity to upgrad to black diamond media. Turns out the medium grit is too course for my system to flow well so I'm changing to fine. Hopefully hat will improve the flow.

Curious if you've had enough use to give a good review yet? I'm debating whether to buy this with the purchase of my cabinet next weekend when HF is having a big sale.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Sometimes you have to do shop improvements so you can be more productive on your truck project. Today we installed a new Harbor Freight vacuum system to my blasting cabinet. I had originally used a 5hp shop vac and it worked well till it burnt up. It was extremely loud and got louder before it gave up so I don't miss it.
Be forewarned this unit is very heavy even before it gets filled with media. We mounted it to a piece of plywood so we could be sure to hit a stud with our anchors. It's not going anywhere.
I also took the opportunity to upgrad to black diamond media. Turns out the medium grit is too course for my system to flow well so I'm changing to fine. Hopefully hat will improve the flow.

I looked for this at Harbor Freight, I can't find anything like this. Do you have a brand name or item number? Or link?

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by TKCR

I looked for this at Harbor Freight, I can't find anything like this. Do you have a brand name or item number? Or link?

http://m.harborfreight.com/blast-cab...not%20provided

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

http://m.harborfreight.com/blast-cab...not%20provided

Thanks, Don't know I wasnt finding it, jeez.

I think for the moment, I'm going to just use a small shop vac and see how it does. My workbench blaster came this week, so I've been spending the weekend re-arranging the garage to accommodate it. It's sitting on the generator right now, but if I ever need it, I'm screwed. The weight would be too much to move after the media gets added. So I ordered a Gladiator Adjustable table, the generator can sit under the table and then the Blaster on the table. It's rated for 3000 lbs!!! I have Gladiator Cabinets now, so it will fit right in.
The air compressor was right beside the blaster, but to accommodate the table it had to move to between the garage doors. I'll just have to run the air hose over when I use the blaster.
As you can see, Big Red is all covered and tucked in, safe & warm. Winter sucks!!!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

Curious if you've had enough use to give a good review yet? I'm debating whether to buy this with the purchase of my cabinet next weekend when HF is having a big sale.

The Vac system is amazingly strong. So much so that I need to vent my cabinet before it caves it in. Its that strong. Its not quiet, but a much more endurable sound than the high pitch whine from the HF shop vac. I had to wear ear protection when using it before.

Originally Posted by TKCR

Thanks, Don't know I wasnt finding it, jeez.

I think for the moment, I'm going to just use a small shop vac and see how it does. My workbench blaster came this week, so I've been spending the weekend re-arranging the garage to accommodate it. It's sitting on the generator right now, but if I ever need it, I'm screwed. The weight would be too much to move after the media gets added. So I ordered a Gladiator Adjustable table, the generator can sit under the table and then the Blaster on the table. It's rated for 3000 lbs!!! I have Gladiator Cabinets now, so it will fit right in.
The air compressor was right beside the blaster, but to accommodate the table it had to move to between the garage doors. I'll just have to run the air hose over when I use the blaster.
As you can see, Big Red is all covered and tucked in, safe & warm. Winter sucks!!!

I would get it on the bench before you use it. Even with extra weather stripping and seam sealer mine still leaks media.

I dont know how you guys up North deal with Winter. It was 19 outside, and 58 in my shop with only a small heater.

[N2TRUX]

After we finished the blasting cabinet update we got the drivers side kick panel installed. Having an extra set of eyes and hands really helped. Chris adjusted the rear of window track and it works correctly again. Thanks to Chris Lucas at @7387chevytrucks for the advice.

Unfortunately I managed to scratch my freshly installed window tint. I'm going to dread calling my buddy Nelson to come fix it.