Project AirLS 70

[Hendo67]

A few more shots of the A/C mount and a little backyard machining for you. I used some extra aluminum as a straight edge for what used to be the tensioner mount on the water pump. I had to make it match up with the thickness of the A/C compressor and make the surface flat. On the power steering pump plate I located the mounting holes for attachment into the head. Then used a scrap of wood and drilled the holes that I used to route the recessed bolt holes. I used a plunge router and just a standard wood bit. I have a guide bushing on the router so it can follow the edge of the pattern so I can gradually increase the depth of the cut. I simply sprayed the area to be "machined" with WD40 between passes to lubricate. I used the edge of my wood block to machine the edges of the mount. It's best to minimize how much material you remove with the router as it can heat up and get gummy. As you can see, I had a pretty rough cut on the bracket, but it looks like a machined part when finished.

[Hendo67]

More pictures of the mounts and "machining". I did have to make a couple of small plates to shim out the PS pump to line up with the rest of the drive. I made these to match the profile of the pump, so they aren't too noticeable.
Here is the clearance from the back of the A/C compressor to the valve cover. It's close, but there is plenty of room to work on the area if needed. I also extended the bolt from the tensioner through both brackets and into the head for a little more strength.

[mud.man.rj]

Your moving right along at a good rate, some good ideas and work, cool on the trans cross member, rims look a lot better plus that exhaust, oh ya..nice.

[Hendo67]

Originally Posted by mud.man.rj

Your moving right along at a good rate, some good ideas and work, cool on the trans cross member, rims look a lot better plus that exhaust, oh ya..nice.

Thanks! Gotta get as much done as I can before: 1- the snow melts and 2- I start getting busy with work again. I gave my self a June 1 deadline- we'll see.

[mud.man.rj]

So you must work more in the warm months, I work all winter in the heating business so still waiting to get to my projects.

[Hendo67]

I set up retail stores so we have a bit of a lull after the holidays are over. It starts picking up usually in April and by September I can't find my butt with both hands. 100+ hour weeks are the norm as we get closer to Thanksgiving. I feel guilty not working (my job) much more while it's slow, but then again not so much when I get something done on the old truck. I guess you know a lot about living where it's cold too. These 6 month winters are getting kind of old. Been pretty mild this year though.

[mud.man.rj]

Ya I know about winter, we are closer to 8-9 months of not the nicest weather so gotta work fast when we start to slow down which is around mid to late may then back at it in Sept again, at least i have a warm garage year round so get some time here and there. Getting closer now though, think tomorrow I am going to order a set of MT Classic III rims for my 86 short box 4wd I bought in Nov, going for the 12" wide rim, looks a lot better than a 8-10" which most buy. Had them on my last 71 GMC with pitbull rockers 14.5" wide tire, cheap but look good.

Miss the old girl, another I should have kept.

[Hendo67]

That's a tough looking truck. I had a 69 SWB that I sure miss. I was in the Army at the time and needed a new vehicle for the family. Ended up building an 84 burb with 4" lift and 35s. I put an injected engine from a 92 fleetwood (sbc). It was getting 16mpg on the big tires. I miss that one too.

[mud.man.rj]

They are all fun builds, my last bigger truck was a 1 ton with a 530hp b blk and 40" Mud grapplers, not the best to travel the 700 mile trip to a car show we took it on so going back to 35' tires on this next one, still learning but all fun.

[Hendo67]

Late last week I got the old A/C holes filled in on the firewall with my Porterbuilt filler kit. I was then able to set the cab and see how everything was fitting. Everything so far is going together as planned. It was encouraging seeing it with the cab on.

[flashed]

Looks very good .

[Hendo67]

Over the weekend I installed the column and linkage. A few years ago I picked up the ididit column from a friend who was doing a Cobra build. I'm not too keen on chrome, but the price was right. I'm going to try and give the chrome a satin finish if possible. I did have to cut down the column a little as it was way too long. The splined end from my old original column fit perfectly inside the shaft on the new one. I ground in a little chamfer so I would have good penetration with the TIG and welded her up. With these headers I was able to make a pretty straight shot with only 2 u-joints on the lower shaft.

[Hendo67]

I also got the hydroboost unit and CPP master cylinder mocked up. I had to add a little length and shape to the pushrod to make it work, but I think I got it. I was surprised at how close the new unit was to the old mounting holes. I did have to open up the pushrod hole a little and move the lower studs down, some, but considering the year span from this truck to the newer one that the HB came off of.
That gets me current with the progress on the project. I'm going to put on the core support and hang the fenders to see what other surprises I'm in for. I should also hang a bed side, so I know where to run my exhaust to. I plan on it exiting in front of the tires in sort of a boom tube style tip.
Does anyone know if my stock inner fenders will work with a mild drop member? It looks like I will need to cut clearance for the shocks, but I wasn't sure from there. If it will take a lot of work, I may as well order the slosh tubz. I scored a set of original inner fenders that are near perfect and I would hate to cut them up if I can just buy what will work.

[mud.man.rj]

Man that is coming along nice, getting a "lot" of small stuff done.

[Hendo67]

Had a semi productive weekend. Put the front fenders on to see where my tires hit and by how much. Looks like I will need a set of Slosh tubz for it. I've got to move my trailing arm x-member one hole forward as the rear wheels are not centered. I kind of figured I would need to do this based on where the axle was landing in the c-notch. We pulled the sheet metal off for the last time during mockup. I also needed to confirm where the steps landed so I could run the tail pipes to the right location. I was then able to get the tail pipes made up and put the hangers where I wanted them. We have the frame about 1/2 stripped down and getting the pieces and parts ready to take to powder coat.

[slowcpe]

Nice progress

[mud.man.rj]

I agree, looking real nice.

[Hendo67]

Thanks guys. Hopefully in a few weeks I'll have the chassis back together and done.

[elbine69]

Awesome project! I like what you did with the headers.

[Justin@EntropyRad]

Looks savage

[Hendo67]

Originally Posted by elbine69

Awesome project! I like what you did with the headers.

Thanks! This is my first project of this scale in about 16 years. I forgot how much "fun" it is.
I stopped by your thread- you guys are doing some amazing work. The frame and suspension is wicked good.

[Chvy2NV]

Locked in. I'm getting ready to start ordering my final build parts. Not sure if I missed it but what rear PB kit are you using? I'm looking at doing the mild front DM and the stage II deluxe for the rear.

[Hendo67]

That's exactly the setup I'm running- mild front and stage 2 rear. I've got my frame stripped back down and the parts off to the powder coater. Hope to have the chassis back together by the end of the month.

[jus2qwk]

looking good!

[Chvy2NV]

Do you have any pics of other trucks or what it's going to look like when it's all done. Thanks man. Awaiting updates

Originally Posted by Hendo67

That's exactly the setup I'm running- mild front and stage 2 rear. I've got my frame stripped back down and the parts off to the powder coater. Hope to have the chassis back together by the end of the month.