Jojo's '70 Stepper

[jojo]

New to do list:
install those shock mounts
replace rear diff gasket (slow leak and howling noise?)
replace passenger side valve cover gasket (small oil leak)
get new spark plugs to address the knocking sound I get when I use 87 octane

I can't wait to get all the mechanical issues done so I can start installing some lowered suspension components

[bellafleck]

make sure you check timing as that will cause spark knock most the times

[mcbassin]

Great progress! I actually like the cadmium plating. I think it looks good. Keep it up!

Did you get the JB weld idea from my previous owner?




Just kidding I know its only temp.

[jojo]

Great progress! I actually like the cadmium plating. I think it looks good. Keep it up!

Did you get the JB weld idea from my previous owner?

LOL! Actually I did! I'm just glad my repair is less than an inch wide unlike that block you had.

I'm okay with replacing the radiator since I want to do it right. But not yet. I'd rather use the money on more fun things for now.

[mcbassin]

I have done the same thing on my 99 suburban at deer camp before. Except mine was one of the plastic/aluminum tanks. I used that two part JB puddy it got me home about 200 miles from home.

I may be wrong but I think a good radiator shop can fix your radiator up like new with new fittings. I have a couple of those radiators laying around. I don't know if any are good but I can look for you. I bet a new one will cost some bucks. Good luck

[jojo]

Well my radiator "repair" has held up for some time now with lots of daily driving so I think I'll leave it alone for now.

I needed to have all my gauges in good working order so for now I'm going away from stock.

So here's some pics of my butchering of a perfectly good dash and the resulting birds nest that I'll fix another day:

[mcbassin]

Those gages look GOOD! And don't worry about "butchering" a perfect good cluster. Those things are pretty easy to find still. and pretty cheap. Keep it up!

[jojo]

Not much new with the build accept leaking radiator,heater core and fuel pump. Repairs coming along slowly.

I went to the junk yard this past weekend and met a guy out there that posts up here on the board (bluethunder). He's got a pretty cool yellow blazer.

My junk yard purchases:
knob for the headlight switch
center cap for one of my rally's

If time permits, I'm going back saturday to pick up a few more things (possibly a rear slider window and a drivers side door) we'll see

[jojo]

I picked up the slider window for only $20.00 but I'm not all that happy with it so I'll wait to install it and possibly just buy a new one (theyre on ebay for only like $150)

The latest development with my pickup is I've decided to take it in to a shop and just have a rebuilt 305 installed.

I bought the following from skip white's ebay store to have the shop install when they put in the new motor:

distributor
valve covers
aluminum intake
starter
spark plug wires

All I'm waiting on is the radiator to come in from a different vender on ebay.

When it comes in I'll install that and drive it down to the shop.

Total cost for parts I bought $600

All the other accessories will be pulled from the old motor and transfered to the new one ie. water pump, fuel pump, power steering etc.

Total cost for the shop was estimated to be $1195 including labor and 5 year warranty.

[VA72C10]

Wondering why you're going with the 305 instead of a 350. Gas mileage would be the same or even better with the 350 as well as the increase in power. Should be able to find a 350 block for cheap if you're rebuilding anyways...

[mcbassin]

Jojo, Just curious what make you want to rebuild a 305? Is it just a matter of what you have available? I think you can build a bit more power on a 350 for the same money and the heads are more reliable too. Around here you can pick them up real cheap running or builders on Craigslist. Anyway, it sounds like you have stocked up on some good parts. Keep us posted....and btw, take plenty of pics

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Jojo, Just curious what make you want to rebuild a 305? Is it just a matter of what you have available? I think you can build a bit more power on a 350 for the same money and the heads are more reliable too. Around here you can pick them up real cheap running or builders on Craigslist. Anyway, it sounds like you have stocked up on some good parts. Keep us posted....and btw, take plenty of pics

Beat you to it.

The good thing is if you still want to go 350 the parts you have will work.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

Beat you to it.

The good thing is if you still want to go 350 the parts you have will work.

sorry must have been my slow a** typing at the same time. Yes....
what he said

[VA72C10]

didn't mean it to come out rude...I thought it was funny we were thinking the same thing about going w/ a 350

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

didn't mean it to come out rude...I thought it was funny we were thinking the same thing about going w/ a 350

Not taken as rude at all. Your right on about the general consensus of going with a 350. I have never had a good experience with a 305. But if I was going to use one I would go with a post 1988 model.

[jojo]

thanks for the input guys.
There's a couple reasons I'm sticking with the 305.
1. The 305 I have is pretty bad a** already, at least for what I'm used to
2. The truck is at my dads house. He offered to pay half for the new motor as an early Christmas and birthday gift and I'm super happy about that.
Hes gonna insist that I do it the easiest way possible ( if he's gonna be involved) and searching for the 350 core will complicate it to the point where he won't enjoy helping me.

Truth is, if my current motor wasn't leaking like crazy, I'd just keep it.

Bottom line is Ill be happy with if if I don't lose power from my current setup and I don't have any more leaks

I'll put up some pics of the new parts tomorrow after work

[VA72C10]

My one last advice would be to see if the shop maybe has a 350 for cheap and would take your 305 as a trade basically....

Originally Posted by jojo

thanks for the input guys.
There's a couple reasons I'm sticking with the 305.
1. The 305 I have is pretty bad a** already, at least for what I'm used to
2. The truck is at my dads house. He offered to pay half for the new motor as an early Christmas and birthday gift and I'm super happy about that.
Hes gonna insist that I do it the easiest way possible ( if he's gonna be involved) and searching for the 350 core will complicate it to the point where he won't enjoy helping me.

Truth is, if my current motor wasn't leaking like crazy, I'd just keep it.

Bottom line is Ill be happy with if if I don't lose power from my current setup and I don't have any more leaks

I'll put up some pics of the new parts tomorrow after work

[jojo]

I'll see what the shop says.

I'm going down there early next week to check them out before hand and I'll ask them about a 350.

I didn't get pics of the other parts yet since I don't have my good camera at home but here's the iphone pics of the radiator that I installed.

The thing is, the radiator is just kind of sitting in there as did the old one. I have no idea how to permanently fasten the radiator to he pickup.

[VA72C10]

You could bend (or have someone else bend) a new piece of sheetmetal that would wrap around the top (like the factory rad shroud piece on top now) If it was made to fit tight that would do it...as long as it's sitting in something on the bottom...

[jojo]

Here's the pics of the new parts:

If I have time this week, its going to the machine shop for the new motor and all this stuff will be installed

[mcbassin]

The parts look great! They also look like you dropped some $$ on them. Hope all goes good at the machine shop. Keep it up.

[jojo]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

The parts look great! They also look like you dropped some $$ on them. Hope all goes good at the machine shop. Keep it up.

Yeah. Quite a bit for my standards ($690) including that new radiator and all the stuff in the pics. But I plan on only doing this one time so I'll do the best I can with it.

I just decided to grab a new water pump while I'm at it so at least all the visible components look new and match. I will probably grab that from the autozone on Monday and take the truck in by Wednesday.

[jojo]

Here's the pic of the oil slick caused after just a 2 mile drive to the store:

Good reason for putting in a new motor? I think so...

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by jojo

Here's the pic of the oil slick caused after just a 2 mile drive to the store:

Good reason for putting in a new motor? I think so...

Yep, it is leaking pretty bad, more than likely the rear main seal and valve covers on this vintage leak too. I assume you checked the oil sending unit and line? If it just the oil leak I would say it's not needed to change the whole engine. You will have to take the tranny loose and the flywheel to get to the rear seal (pita to say the least) You may be better off swapping engines in the long run.

About your radiator, it looks good! did you check with manufacture for direct replacement mounts? I have seen a bunch of guys using these radiators....there has to be someone making mounts...... you know.

[mcbassin]

Jojo? You out there? Update?