85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett"

[moregrip]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I hadn't planned to pull the evaporater core housing to paint it. I was just going to clean it up and mask around it.
Then I realized it was only a few bolts and I could have much better access to the housing and the firewall too.
I scrapped all the undercoating and sealer off, then scuffed it inside and out. I followed with a wipe down of brake cleaner. A few good coats of satin black and hey are ready for new seals.

fantastic! this helps me out quite a bit, nothing like a good show and tell!

[N2TRUX]

Yesterday Chris and I spent our time getting the firewall cleaned up. We removed undercoating and excess seam sealer along the firewall seam.

While he worked on prepping and masking, I focused on the master cylinder and booster. I got it cleaned and gave it a few coats of cast iron.
.

[N2TRUX]

With the brake system painted, we moved on to the firewall
Chris prepped and and masked the upper portion, then I primed it with high build.
It won't be perfectly smooth, but it will look so much better without the globs of seam sealer.

[Mtblack412]

First I'd like to say that it has been a pleasure reading this thread on Scarlett and it has helped me figure out how I want to proceed on my truck. I recently picked up a 86 and needless to say it has some issues that need addressed. Like you mentioned I have taken a baby step approach to getting things done as I have also been stressed out trying to get too much done at one time. Great job with everything you have done to it. I do have a question. I have attached some pics of a wire bundle that I can't figure out where it goes. The one on my truck has been cut and I'm not sure if it's needed. I see that at the beginning of your build you had it there and now you don't. Do you remember what this bundle was for?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Mtblack412

First I'd like to say that it has been a pleasure reading this thread on Scarlett and it has helped me figure out how I want to proceed on my truck. I recently picked up a 86 and needless to say it has some issues that need addressed. Like you mentioned I have taken a baby step approach to getting things done as I have also been stressed out trying to get too much done at one time. Great job with everything you have done to it. I do have a question. I have attached some pics of a wire bundle that I can't figure out where it goes. The one on my truck has been cut and I'm not sure if it's needed. I see that at the beginning of your build you had it there and now you don't. Do you remember what this bundle was for?

Thanks for following along. That looks like the headlight harness. I will double check to be sure, but I believe that bundle goes to the headlights.

[Mtblack412]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Thanks for following along. That looks like the headlight harness. I will double check to be sure, but I believe that bundle goes to the headlights.

Any luck on that harness I indicated in the photo. I know it’s not the headlight harness because mine still work. The harness in question is below the firewall block.

[WillHucks29]

Originally Posted by Mtblack412

Any luck on that harness I indicated in the photo. I know it’s not the headlight harness because mine still work. The harness in question is below the firewall block.

If memory serves me right that is a vacuum line for the Cruise control. It has its own separate switch on the brake pedal housing. It goes from the switch, through the firewall, and to the servo mounted on top of the intake. It should be right beside the carb on the passenger side. It is what disengages the cruise when you hit the brakes I think.

[LT7A]

Thanks for bringing us along all of the detailing. I enjoy every step.

Jealous of your show schedule there. LST sounds cool. We won't get back into shows til mid spring. It'd do me good to get out of the W WA doldrums (nice today tho) so I might try to do the mighty road trip down there some year for LST. Not sure I can get there without going over snowy passes and I'd need to drive my 2WD (1WD) to get there.

Again though, thanks for showing us your process and progress.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Thanks for bringing us along all of the detailing. I enjoy every step.

Jealous of your show schedule there. LST sounds cool. We won't get back into shows til mid spring. It'd do me good to get out of the W WA doldrums (nice today tho) so I might try to do the mighty road trip down there some year for LST. Not sure I can get there without going over snowy passes and I'd need to drive my 2WD (1WD) to get there.

Again though, thanks for showing us your process and progress.

Thanks for following along. You really should try to make the trip. I think you will be pleasantly surprised

[N2TRUX]

Today Chris and I worked on multiple projects together. He focused on stripping seam sealer and undercoating from the last section of the firewall. It was a section that I had planned to leave alone, but he couldn't stand it. The extra time spent was well worth the end result.
With all of the undercoating removed, and the seam sealer reduced to a minimum, i sprayed several coats of filler primer to help reduce the bag of marbles look. This was wet sanded down and a coat of DP 90 epoxy was applied.

[N2TRUX]

While Chris worked on the firewall, I spent my time on the valve covers and breather. I filed and squared the ends on the covers then gave them several coats of filler primer.
After all the pieces were wet sanded smooth they got a cover coat of primer followed by several coats of color.

[GAc10boy]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

While Chris worked on the firewall, I spent my time on the valve covers and breather. I filed and squared the ends on the covers then gave them several coats of filler primer.
After all the pieces were wet sanded smooth they got a cover coat of primer followed by several coats of color.

wow! the air cleaner and valve covers looks amazing. Well done!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by GAc10boy

wow! the air cleaner and valve covers looks amazing. Well done!

Thank you sir. I had a vision on how I wanted it to look, and I was blessed to know a talented artist that could make it happen. Johhny C took my vision and enhanced it to come out better that I had imagined.

[67cheby]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Thank you sir. I had a vision on how I wanted it to look, and I was blessed to know a talented artist that could make it happen. Johhny C took my vision and enhanced it to come out better that I had imagined.

She is looking AMAZING Ken, cant wait to see her at LonestarThrowdown! She is a beautiful platform to use promoting the new "mild tubz" !

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by 67cheby

She is looking AMAZING Ken, cant wait to see her at LonestarThrowdown! She is a beautiful platform to use promoting the new "mild tubz" !

Thanks for the kind words and opportunity Mike. I truly feel that this design will be successful for your product line.

[LT7A]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

While Chris worked on the firewall, I spent my time on the valve covers and breather. I filed and squared the ends on the covers then gave them several coats of filler primer.
After all the pieces were wet sanded smooth they got a cover coat of primer followed by several coats of color.

OK, I've followed this build from the beginning, but I never noticed when your air cleaner grew an extra snout. Really like the dual snorkel set up. Did your sheet metal magician do that when he punched the lid? Looks factory, but I didn't think they did a truck type dual snorkel. Are you going to need to use a spacer to get the 2nd snorkel up over the AC compressor lines?

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by LT7A

OK, I've followed this build from the beginning, but I never noticed when your air cleaner grew an extra snout. Really like the dual snorkel set up. Did your sheet metal magician do that when he punched the lid? Looks factory, but I didn't think they did a truck type dual snorkel. Are you going to need to use a spacer to get the 2nd snorkel up over the AC compressor lines?

I really like that too and would greatly appreciate more details on the breather. I AssuMEd he wasn't using the air breather ducting though.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by LT7A

OK, I've followed this build from the beginning, but I never noticed when your air cleaner grew an extra snout. Really like the dual snorkel set up. Did your sheet metal magician do that when he punched the lid? Looks factory, but I didn't think they did a truck type dual snorkel. Are you going to need to use a spacer to get the 2nd snorkel up over the AC compressor lines?

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

I really like that too and would greatly appreciate more details on the breather. I AssuMEd he wasn't using the air breather ducting though.

I see you are paying attention. Good thing, because you never know if there might be a pop quiz.
That's a dual snorkel base from an 85 F body. Since Scarletts motor is a 305 HO I thought the breather was only fitting. It was once mounted on a Suburban so it will clear my set up just fine. No, I don't have any intentions of running the fresh air ducting.

[LT7A]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

I see you are paying attention. Good thing, because you never know if there might be a pop quiz.
That's a dual snorkel base from an 85 F body. Since Scarletts motor is a 305 HO I thought the breather was only fitting. It was once mounted on a Suburban so it will clear my set up just fine. No, I don't have any intentions of running the fresh air ducting.

Aha, that makes sense. I've been keeping an eye out for an F body air cleaner housing. Good to know the base will fit a more robust truck lid for a bigger filter. I also have a 305 and was gratified to find through research that the motors they put in these trucks had been tweaked for compression and output. Do you know what your engine designation is? I.e., mine's an LE9 per the SPID. Are you running the ESC?

BTW, you can defer these questions 'til after LST, ha. I know you guys are crankin to wrap things up.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Aha, that makes sense. I've been keeping an eye out for an F body air cleaner housing. Good to know the base will fit a more robust truck lid for a bigger filter. I also have a 305 and was gratified to find through research that the motors they put in these trucks had been tweaked for compression and output. Do you know what your engine designation is? I.e., mine's an LE9 per the SPID. Are you running the ESC?

BTW, you can defer these questions 'til after LST, ha. I know you guys are crankin to wrap things up.

I got the idea when I saw this breather below..I posted a request for information and a buddy said he had one. It's not exactly the same, but it was close enough. I like the look of the high capacity lids so I combined the two.
Through researchI was able to determine hat the motor is an 85 305 HO L69 with the factory mid rise aluminum intake. When I pulled the pan I saw that the cylinders had been honed, but no marking on the pistons to indicate an overbore. I know it has an aftermarket cam, but no idea what the specs are.

[aggie91]

All the work you and Chris have done looks great, but I gotta ask one thing. Why not paint the firewall the red like the rest of the inner fender and core support?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by aggie91

All the work you and Chris have done looks great, but I gotta ask one thing. Why not paint the firewall the red like the rest of the inner fender and core support?

I had planned to paint above the cab seam red and below in satin black and undercoated along sides. Chris didn't like the look and removed all the undercoating instead. It consumed a bit more time, but the end result will be well worth the effort.

I sprayed the firewall with the DP 90 as a sealer. Its the same process I used on the inner fenders and core support. I will scuff this down and spray it with red tonight. This will ensure that everything looks the same. Good call Chris!

[N2TRUX]

Bummed. I have parts and supplies ordered but nothing I needed to have a productive night has arrived. I spent a quiet night with my beautiful wife instead of working in the shop.

[N2TRUX]

I received several boxes from FedEx yesterday. Unfortunately I got home late so my progress was limited. One of the boxes was my filler panels for the core support and a bag of swag from @slosh_tubz. The core support is masked over so I didn't get a chance to test fit.
My titanium Cerakote came in too. I sprayed the back of the cover panels and let it dry. I decided it was not the look I was after and sprayed them with stainless steel silver instead. Still not exactly what I have in mind but it's time to move on.

Edit* Ignore the crazy looking masking paper draped everywhere. Its actually a second layer to protect the painted surfaces. I trimmed it today.

[N2TRUX]

With that decision made, I sprayed the carb as well. I had previously cleaned and bagged it, so a quick blast with brake cleaner and few coats of stainless steel made it look fresh again. Ignore all the crazy bolts and lines. That's just there while I paint.