85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett"

[N2TRUX]

While Chris prepped and masked the frame, I wrapped the evaporator core in cardboard to protect the fins and painted the ends in cast iron. I replaced a couple of the fasteners with polished button heads to give it a bit of personality.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

While Chris prepped and masked the frame, I wrapped the evaporator core in cardboard to protect the fins and painted the ends in cast iron. I replaced a couple of the fasteners with polished button heads to give it a bit of personality.

Dang, that turned out good! But when does anything you guys do, NOT turn out good. I wish I could see this truck in person, it is just awesome.

[mcbassin]

Very nice work as always Ken!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by TKCR

Dang, that turned out good! But when does anything you guys do, NOT turn out good. I wish I could see this truck in person, it is just awesome.

Thanks, but trust me we have our learn from burn moments

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Very nice work as always Ken!

Thank you sir

[N2TRUX]

I had limited progress tonight. I found out Summit Racing sent me the wrong pan gasket. It turns out they had it listed wrong on the Summit site. I had to research on the Fel-Pro site to get the correct number. I installed pan in with a couple of bolts anyways to keep dust out of the bottom end.

The good news is I finally found the correct starter bolts. I researched Dorman site and found the correct length. What I had was 3/8 16 x 4.5 and what I needed was 3/8 16 x 4 5/16" . That seemed a little long too, but I installed them very tight and they didn't bottom out.

[moregrip]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

While Chris prepped and masked the frame, I wrapped the evaporator core in cardboard to protect the fins and painted the ends in cast iron. I replaced a couple of the fasteners with polished button heads to give it a bit of personality.

now that's talent brother!

[87max]

fantastic!

[aggie91]

Looks great Ken.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by moregrip

now that's talent brother!

Originally Posted by 87max

fantastic!

Originally Posted by aggie91

Looks great Ken.

Thanks for the kind words guys.

[N2TRUX]

I am waiting on the correct pan gasket to be drop shipped from Fel-Pro so I cant finish the bottom of the motor. I have to say, I think this is the first time Summit sent me the wrong part. In the interim, I hung the pan in place to keep dust out.

Meanwhile I need to move forward so I worked on small parts last night. I stripped the transmission cooler and vacuum lines and painted them. I blasted the dipstick and some small brackets and sprayed them too. The HVAC blower motor, and the alternator got a coat of cast iron too.

[TKCR]

Can I bring my Big Red to your place? You can unleash your OCD on it.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by TKCR

Can I bring my Big Red to your place? You can unleash your OCD on it.

Come on down. After LST please

[rustytruck50]

The cast iron paint really sets that off...years ago, I saw someone use trunk spatter paint under the hood of a truck in a magazine. I liked the look of the small blue paint flecks because my truck was blue. I tried the same thing but had lousy results...problem was the paint would pretty much wash off when water hit it. I later found that a satin clear sealed it, but it was still extremely easy to scratch off...live & learn

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by rustytruck50

The cast iron paint really sets that off...years ago, I saw someone use trunk spatter paint under the hood of a truck in a magazine. I liked the look of the small blue paint flecks because my truck was blue. I tried the same thing but had lousy results...problem was the paint would pretty much wash off when water hit it. I later found that a satin clear sealed it, but it was still extremely easy to scratch off...live & learn

I have never used splatter paint, but I do have a few experiencesjust like that. I have been using the VHT Cast Iron as an accent paint for a while. I used Eastwood brand too, but it's so muchmore expensive.

[N2TRUX]

I stopped by the muffler shop yesterday and got my headers welded. I had planned to smooth the welds and install the new pan gasket. I was anxious to get the oil pan installed so I did that first.

The Fel-Pro gasket comes with plastic guide pins that screw in to the corner holes. The gasket is supposed to slide over the pins and lock in place till you get the pan bolts started. Great idea in theory, not so much for my situation.

With the pins in place there was not enough slack to work the pan over the crossmember and clear the oil pump pickup. After some time of frustrated wrestling with it, the pan came back off and the pins were tossed aside.

All I had to do now was hold the gasket in place, along with the pan and the reinforceing rails. Doing all that while reaching over head is quite the task.

Determined not to give up, I manged to get one side started with out the rails, start the opposite side with rails then alternate sides till all bolts were in. Frustrating and tiring, but I was successful.
With the pan snugged down I reinstalled the starter and the oil filter. I touched up the paint and called it done.

Unfortunately my victory celebration was brief. I removed the headers from the back of my truck. I inspected the welds and discovered two more pinholes. Great! Another trip to the muffler shop. I really need to get my MIG welder back in operation.

[rustytruck50]

Man, so many things on your engine detailing and sealing up remind me of what I went through on my '82 stepside...
I tried those pins and ended up using small dabs of VHT gasket sealer to hold the gasket in place, had to replace my starter in a dimly lit parking lot and for the piece 'de resistance, finding antifreeze in the header collectors after I got the freshly rebuilt engine set back in the truck....that last one made me walk away from the truck for about a week until I could be objective again! Lol

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by rustytruck50

Man, so many things on your engine detailing and sealing up remind me of what I went through on my '82 stepside...
I tried those pins and ended up using small dabs of VHT gasket sealer to hold the gasket in place, had to replace my starter in a dimly lit parking lot and for the piece 'de resistance, finding antifreeze in the header collectors after I got the freshly rebuilt engine set back in the truck....that last one made me walk away from the truck for about a week until I could be objective again! Lol

I was hoping not to have to use an excessive amount of sealer per the FelPro instructions. I'm just praying the amount I used was sufficient.
I completely understand your frustrations. I went through it with the water pump on my 77 Cheyenne. I let it set for a season after it started leaking the second time.

[rustytruck50]

...and yet, we keep coming back for more
If I can find a picture of it, I'll try and post it...
That was just a small story of that truck, but it was a good experience for the ones that came after and memorable because it was our getaway vehicle on our wedding day.

[mcbassin]

Too bad you're not closer Ken, I would gladly weld your headers up for free....
Very clean work on everything! Your OCD is shining through

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by rustytruck50

...and yet, we keep coming back for more
If I can find a picture of it, I'll try and post it...
That was just a small story of that truck, but it was a good experience for the ones that came after and memorable because it was our getaway vehicle on our wedding day.

That's what I love about these old trucks. So many good memories to share.

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Too bad you're not closer Ken, I would gladly weld your headers up for free....Very clean work on everything! Your OCD is shining through

I appreciate the good intentions. I actually have a MIG welder, but it needs some repairs.

[N2TRUX]

Baby steps last night since I got a late start. I picked up new gaskets for the fuel pump and installed it. I decided to replace the gasket behind the adapter plate while I was there. Of course the actuator Rod slid out while I was cleaning up.
It wasn't until after I bolted the adapter plate and new gasket on that I realized the rod would not go in through the hole in the plate. Time to blast the plate again and create a new gasket. With the rod lubed up and firmly in place I finally got the pump on.

[N2TRUX]

Earlier I made a trip to see my buddy johnnyc new shop. I dropped off some goodies for him to put his magic touch on. Let's see what he comes up with.

[aggie91]

Can't wait to see what he does to the air cleaner and the valve covers.

[N2TRUX]

Last night's project was the a/c compressor. I pulled all the brackets off of it and bead blasted them clean. They were scuffed and prepped, then painted cast iron too.
My buddy Jared dropped off the red paint for under the hood, so prep begins soon. Let's spice things up a bit.

[N2TRUX]

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