72 K30 Build

[7dee2]

Originally Posted by DWilbur

Thanks for the fuel tank info.

No biggie, moo’la if it’d work for you. Pretty sure there's a fuel pump in tank version as well.

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Man, I've been trying to find one of those body shells to build another vette from.

Oops, sorry Ryan, but hey it looks like you had a fun afternoon in your Corvette not too long ago! Was this recent? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP3nGLWMP74




The center vent and duct cleaned up well, used some double-sided tape to install a new gasket. Took a silver Sharpie to the original bezel and it’ll pass for ok. Loosely attached a new cowl seal to perhaps relax some folds from the way it was packaged and the center speaker looks like it’ll be a squeeze!

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Oops, sorry Ryan, but hey it looks like you had a fun afternoon in your Corvette not too long ago! Was this recent? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP3nGLWMP74

No worries. You're a long ways away to get a rough shell any how.

That vid was copied from a diesel swap site from a while ago I believe. I'm pretty sure those runs are from Byron Illinois October 2012. We haven't video'd any runs for a long time. It hasn't been out for a while either.

[7dee2]

We just happen to have a big Swingline stapler! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqxjRzzGn8k

[swamp rat]

Man your truck is taking shape!

[7dee2]

Thank you, Mike! Lots & lots of little jobs left like this one.



Next up, how to install the center speaker to look right? Mrs. 7dee2 is quite crafty and just happen to have a remnant piece of foam she’d picked up from a local craft store (Michaels). After seeing just how light & rigid this foam material is we went to the store and got some more. They also had some polyester felt from the same manufacturer that should be fairly UV resistant a little 3M 90 to attach the felt to the foam and we have a speaker grill.

[rgunlock]

Brett, you are totally making me re-think my insulation plans for my firewall. Or maybe making me think about it in the first place! I think that the pains you are going through to make it right will pay off. The speaker grill certainly looks as good as the original. Nice job knocking off these tasks!

[7dee2]

Thank you, Rick! You know if it looks good, runs good, and drives like it’s new it’s a pleasure to own and a quality build. If it drives poorly, stuff doesn’t work, it rattles or feels like a tin can it’s usually a sign it was just thrown together and it’s just not as impressive.


Added some double-sided tape to hold the speaker grill in position. The attaching bracket that came with the speaker left it some ways from where it needed to be. After straightening and reshaping it the speaker will now help to hold the speaker grill in place as well as putting it in a better position for sound quality IMO. Sorry, for the bad pic, the windshield was dusty but you get the idea.

[First c10]

I did the same thing to Hulk jr on the center speaker bracket. The sound in the truck is much better with the kick panel and the center speaker than the kicks only..
looking good!!! on

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice work on the speaker. I hate to say it but start looking for a new speaker now. Mine lasted 1 week before it started crackling and popping. Totally not cool.

[7dee2]

Originally Posted by First c10

I did the same thing to Hulk jr on the center speaker bracket. The sound in the truck is much better with the kick panel and the center speaker than the kicks only..
looking good!!! on

Hey Scott great minds they say, also good to hear (pun intended!) that the center speaker made a noticeable difference! How’s your boy like the new sub?

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Nice work on the speaker. I hate to say it but start looking for a new speaker now. Mine lasted 1 week before it started crackling and popping. Totally not cool.

Thanks for the heads up, if the speaker is totally crappo we’ve at least got making a speaker grill down for the next one! Ryan, u ol head banger trying to drown out that oil burner?


Installed a known good wiper motor (RV donor) that was missing the washer pump cover? Installed a washer pump rebuild kit with a new cowl to pump gasket etc. My plan is to test it once the rest of the system is installed, could have bench tested but thought this would be just as easy and it's installed when done. Broke out a trash guard from Old Air Products to see how well it would fit. Initially I’m impressed, it seems to be a pretty slick product so far as long as it doesn’t rattle on the final install.

[El Dorado Jim]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Hey Scott great minds they say, also good to hear (pun intended!) that the center speaker made a noticeable difference! How’s your boy like the new sub?



Thanks for the heads up, if the speaker is totally crappo we’ve at least got making a speaker grill down for the next one! Ryan, u ol head banger trying to drown out that oil burner?


Installed a known good wiper motor (RV donor) that was missing the washer pump cover? Installed a washer pump rebuild kit with a new cowl to pump gasket etc. My plan is to test it once the rest of the system is installed, could have bench tested but thought this would be just as easy and it's installed when done. Broke out a trash guard from Old Air Products to see how well it would fit. Initially I’m impressed, it seems to be a pretty slick product so far as long as it doesn’t rattle on the final install.

those stainless trash guards work great, I have them on my 72, and bought a set for the 69 motorhome, I got mine from LMC

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Thanks for the heads up, if the speaker is totally crappo we’ve at least got making a speaker grill down for the next one! Ryan, u ol head banger trying to drown out that oil burner?

It's actually not that bad in there. I haven't even cranked the radio past 23. After mine started cracking an popping I looked on the net and it seems those are just not that great of quality. Disappointing.

[7dee2]

Originally Posted by Deer_hunter_088

Looks Great!!!

Thank’s Deer_hunter_088!

Originally Posted by El Dorado Jim

those stainless trash guards work great, I have them on my 72, and bought a set for the 69 motorhome, I got mine from LMC

Kool El Dorado Jim, really like this style grate better than the old silicone and window screen method someone had used on this cab (which did do a good job in lieu of nothing).

Originally Posted by DWilbur

I bought some of those trash guards as well. Good to hear they work.

Me too.

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

It's actually not that bad in there. I haven't even cranked the radio past 23. After mine started cracking an popping I looked on the net and it seems those are just not that great of quality. Disappointing.

That does suck and you’re really limited with these trucks center AC duct as to what can be stuffed in there. We’ve ran better quality tweeters in the dash before on other projects and will probably go that route again when this one fails.





What a SUPER BOWL, WOW, AMAZING GAME! OK got that out of my system…

Decided that we needed to mock up the stereo again. Our sub was bouncing around in the manufacturers packaging as well as the shipping box when it arrived, uh oh? Thought we could give the center speaker a little work out and see if it’d blow!

Well this stuff performed perfecto for over 24 hours straight (good burn in). With our setup radio volume at 15 is very loud and short spikes to 17 a couple of times just to see if it would pop. Center speaker really doesn’t put out a lot of sound after fading all the way forward compared to the 6x9’s and the mello sub with a zero-fade setting front to rear.

Thinking the center speaker is better quality than the factory speaker was, dual channel, tweeters etc. but couldn't hold up to an amp no way. Especially not if the head unit puts out enough to blow it up! Happy with what we have for now and time will tell.

[7dee2]

Had some sound deadener/undercoating left over so the backs of the speaker mount and the back of the cab got a coating.

[Deer_hunter_088]

Looks Great!!!

[DWilbur]

I bought some of those trash guards as well. Good to hear they work.

[El Dorado Jim]

the headliner looks great, what adhesive did you use ?

[7dee2]

Thank you, guys! I’m pleased with how it turned out, installing the trim was kind of a PIA! No extra insulation but we did glue it which aided in the installation by holding it up and hurt the installation as it couldn’t float when trying to install the trim.

We applied (nice word for stuck, lol) it to the roof using our big can of 3M 90 Spray Adhesive. We also used the same stuff to attach the woodgrain trim to the glove box door. It’s good stuff and a must for part time upholstery guys.

[First c10]

Looking good Brett, glad to see someone working hard. This water we have in California is keeping me busy!!! keep it up!

[El Dorado Jim]

you are doing a great job!!

[7dee2]

Thanks’ you guys! Ha, you got the wrong guy Scott a couple of hours a day is about it for Mr. Break Time!

Putting the wheels in motion to see what it will take to get a bed coming. We’re leaning towards a CM RD or the SS?

[7dee2]

Still waiting to hear back on the bed, both dealers in my area do not stock these beds with our specs for a 45-year-old Cab & Chassis. Since CM would be building the bed to fit our truck I did ask if they could build us a SS (smooth side) with the RD tail panel (tread plate)? This would be very similar to the old J&I MFG bed on Blue.

Acquired a new lower power steering bracket, found the old one had been repaired at some point and put the pump out of alignment with the other pulleys. Perhaps that’s why the old camper ran this turn buckle arrangement?

[Dieselwrencher]

The bed will look great. Especially if they will build it how you want it to look like your other truck.

[7dee2]

Yeah, I think either of the CM beds look pretty good. A mash-up would be cool but if not we will just get the RD ordered. I'm liking the tread plate on the rear panel the best.


Dug out the main cab harness, it’s in really good shape except for just a couple of hot spots. Lucked out that a spare harness had the parts needed. Still, needs a quick fix to the spliced pink wire and it’s ready to install. Popped in some old striped fuses for the picture, these are getting pretty hard to find these days. I know Paragon sells them but not the 25 amp version the AC trucks use. https://www.paragoncorvette.com/sear...hTerm=Fuse+Kit

[rgunlock]

That harness looks to be in better shape than mine was and yours is several years older. I guess by now you are in the "where the heck did they route this part of the harness?" stage. Good luck with it!