jimbosprint 1972 C20 - the good, the bad, and the ugly

[no1udknow]

I was just thinking that would be cool to do an entire engine block with it to make it look like polished metal.

[jimbosprint]

Yesterday I got the front of the motor painted, and also the back of the harmonic balancer and water pump. Today I got the harmonic balancer installed (borrowed the tool from Autozone). I'm going to let this paint cure for another day or more, then install the water pump and paint the rest of the block.

[jimbosprint]

Transmission shop called today to give me the bad news... I need a new transmission.

[Xeen]

Here is your opportunity to upgrade to a 700R4, this is a good thing, don't buy one from them, look around on craigslist and here on the board in the classifieds, you should be able to find one that is either freshly rebuilt or with low miles for a reasonable price.

[mcbassin]

Nice score on the new engine.

[jimbosprint]

Thanks Mike ^^

The pieces are starting to come together now.

Talked the transmission shop into giving me a good deal on a replacement rebuilt TH350 (by trading them some graphic design and a box of business cards).

Then took the drive shaft to the that shop to get new u-joints, center support, and balanced.

Then I went to Valley Fasteners to get some new lock washers and replace a couple missing nuts/bolts. Of course I forgot some and I'll have to go back.

Then I went to the muffler shop to get a price for the dual exhaust and turbo mufflers.

Productive day!

[jimbosprint]

Nuts, bolts, washers, and more - all organized in Ziplock. I sure hope taking the time and care to do this will make putting everything back together a little easier.

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by jimbosprint

Nuts, bolts, washers, and more - all organized in Ziplock. I sure hope taking the time and care to do this will make putting everything back together a little easier.

It absolutely will, but if you are like me I ended up replacing 100% of the nuts, bolts and washers on the truck and if you do you will have sample bolts to make replacement easier.
P.S. Lowes is way cheaper than your local hardware store for fasteners.

[Mr.Goodbarf]

Good lookin C20 there. Thanks for sharing your build!

[jimbosprint]

I've been very busy prepping, priming, and painting. No chrome for this engine.

[jimbosprint]

More pics

[jimbosprint]

And now the block is Chevy Orange.

[flashed]

You have been busy and it shows ,looks good.

[knomadd]

Nice work with the paint!

[BigDaddyV]

Nice truck! Sux that your drive train turned out to be no good, but The crate and new tranny should be nice. Well done on the paint.

[Xeen]

Out of curiosity what made you decide to go with a TH350 instead of a 700R4 when this was the perfect opportunity to do it.

[jimbosprint]

Originally Posted by Xeen

Out of curiosity what made you decide to go with a TH350 instead of a 700R4 when this was the perfect opportunity to do it.

I know the 700R4 would have been better, but there's nothing wrong with a well built TH350. (and TH350 is on the SPID)

[knomadd]

Originally Posted by jimbosprint

I know the 700R4 would have been better, but there's nothing wrong with a well built TH350. (and TH350 is on the SPID)

It doesn't have a 4th gear (overdrive)

Sorry about your problems, but it sounds like they wont be with you for long.

[no1udknow]

Jimbo, how often are you planning to drive the truck? If you want it to be a daily driver, it might be wise to consiider an OD tranny. I wish I had an OD tranny for my truck, but it's coming, sometime down the road.

[Saclandman]

Your making great progress on this truck. Keep it up. I haven't done much to mine lately, so I'm feeling pretty worthless compared to you.

[jimbosprint]

Originally Posted by no1udknow

Jimbo, how often are you planning to drive the truck? If you want it to be a daily driver, it might be wise to consiider an OD tranny. I wish I had an OD tranny for my truck, but it's coming, sometime down the road.

I'm not that worried about it. I have a little Mazda3 hatchback for mileage and I work from home (no commute). And my transmission is already back from the shop and ready to go in.

[jimbosprint]

I still have another coat of paint to apply to the block in couple days, but I couldn't resist quickly mocking up the exhaust, distributor, and plug wires.

I hope it works as good as it's gonna look.

[BigDaddyV]

Lookin Good!!!

[no1udknow]

Originally Posted by jimbosprint

I still have another coat of paint to apply to the block in couple days, but I couldn't resist quickly mocking up the exhaust, distributor, and plug wires.

I hope it works as good as it's gonna look.

Jimbo, since your going hei, have you considered the corrected hei distributor caps? They really clean up the wires.

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Performan...FRFffgoddHgAlw

[jimbosprint]

That's pretty cool, but I'm about out of money to spend on this for at least a while.