My latest, a 68 short step

[jablack]

I got some work done on the old truck. I found the V8 engine stands out of a 71 at the junk yard, plus a couple of other parts I needed. I swapped them out and had trans cross member problems but I found one that worked. Not happy with it but it will work till I can find another one. Out of my three drive shafts I have for short beds the one with the rusted yoke and bad joints is the best fit. Next time I'm there I'll get it fixed up and button up the rest of the truck. I'm hoping to take it for a spin on Sunday. I need to figure out a temp exhaust set up to run in the cam and to get to the exhaust shop. My headers came in yesterday but I do not want to mess them up with the break in. I don't know if they will even fit but I have my fingers crossed. For cheap headers they don't look to bad. Anyways here's a picture of how it looks in the truck.

[jablack]

Well my headers didn't fit so I'm trying to sell them and my vortec heads to get some more money up to finish. It's almost there but as always things at home come first. We found out Thursday that my wife is having a boy, this makes six for us. I'm going down there today to see how close I can get it. I had to swap out trans cross members again. I ended up using the one that came with the truck. I had to loosen everything up and slide it as far back as I could to get my old headers to work. I really want to have the exhaust on before I run in the cam but if I get it together this weekend I'm going for it. I don't think the neighbors will get to mad. I'll need to do another parts run and another trip to the junk yard but I think I'll be close.

[jablack]

I've made some progress. I pretty much have it buttoned up besides exhaust. I cut a coil out of each spring in the front and it brought it down two inches and looks just right for my tastes. I ran in the cam. It sounds pretty good just need to finish tuning everything. I'm hoping to take it for a spin this week. I'll take some good pictures.

[jablack]

So after I hooked up the torque converter and topped off the trans fluid I had a good reverse but no forward gears. What a bummer. I think the carb needs to be rebuilt as well. I guess I got what I paid for.
I called up my trans man and he has had some heart problems and had to get a pace maker. He tells me until he gets back on his feet he is not building any transmissions. I'm lost now. I have used him since 1998. I don't know of any other honest transmission shops in Alabama. I don't want to buy a used one either. I might end up in the same shape I'm in now.
I'll get it figured out though. I'm dying to go for a spin.

[jablack]

Here's a few more of the progress. I don't know if you can see the drop I did on the front in these pics. I took some good pictures of it outside but can't get my camera to load them on the computer.
I swapped out the carb and now it runs great. Once I get my trans situation figured out I'll get the exhaust ran and start driving it.

[jablack]

I got my hands on a good 700r4 last Friday night and had it running Saturday morning. Had the exhaust ran today. I went with duals through an x pipe, with flowmasters ran out the back. Sounds real nice now. It was a loud 10 mile trip to the exhaust shop though. I got a lot of dirty looks. The manual steering wasn't to bad but I think going power steering will be next on my list. Here's a few pics of the progress.

[jablack]

Here are a few from today.

[slikside]

You know what buddy? you have kicked some serious butt on this thing! Your engine is totally cool, love that paint.

And all with #6 on the way?? Do you wear a cape in your spare time??

Really nice job!! I have a fleet, but steps always catch my eye.

[VA72C10]

Great work! Looking good! Kind of like my shop truck's younger brother...red with white top swb stepper
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[jablack]

Thanks guys. My wife is the one that wears the cape. It's getting there. I have a weird engine noise I can't find. Hopefully Sunday night I can find it. I looked it over from carb to oil pan yesterday and can't get to the bottom of it. I had a similar noise years ago in an engine I was working on. It turned out to be a broken spark plug inside the coolant passage in one of the heads. Sounds almost like a pebble bouncing around in a fast orange hand cleaner container.

[sduckworth13]

Hope it isn't a bad wrist pin knocking

[Boog]

I don't know if this is a used engine or a fresh build but there are a number of possibilities on the noise issue.
Valve lash
torque converter bolts
loose timing chain
dist cap on slightly crooked
fuel pump
cracked flex plate
Have you tried using a long piece of hose to listen through while aiming it at different areas of the engine? Poor man's stethoscope.
Good looking step.

[jablack]

I think it was a pecan shell. It went away. I sold the truck. I'm working on a 67 C10 now.