Big Bertha Build thread x2 - Page 6 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**buggy5872** · 01-30-2013, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98layinframe

Low angle hdr image of the giant bertha. Haha
Posted via Mobile Device

that's a cool picture I am going to save that and print it out. I will have to ry to take a pic of a picture I had made and post it.

_Ogre · 01-31-2013, 03:43 PM

nice pic of bertha, were you standing when you took it?

so as not to insult you buggy, did they do at least a mid 6 figure offer?
otherwise i'd have beyotch slapped them

**buggy5872** · 03-23-2013, 09:41 AM

Big Bertha is getting a new power plant.....picked up a 97 3500hd with a vortec 454. It's a 51k mile truck and a rebuilt tranny with 1000 miles on it. I won't mention what I paid for it because it would make some of you cry. I'll post pics of the progress as I go. Now the hard part...how the heck am I going to get the old engine out and new one in......I think it will come out the bottom?

Wheelie · 03-23-2013, 11:16 AM

cAlvis165 · 03-23-2013, 01:24 PM

All right!

I was just thinking about this project the other day. That 454 ought to move that 5th wheel real nice. Are you leaving the engine stock, or do you have plans?

Kabwe · 03-23-2013, 02:48 PM

Thats not just good work, that is great work. Great job man really great job.

Daze57 · 03-23-2013, 06:38 PM

how does the engine come out? alot of friends and a few kegs

**buggy5872** · 03-23-2013, 11:45 PM

I am a case of beer into it and the 454 is out of the truck and ready for the transplant. Spent 6 hours today working on it and I thought it would go quick but dam....there was a lot of wires to figure out.

6BT 56 · 03-24-2013, 12:39 AM

Even the doner truck looks to be in good shape . In canadian rust bucket standards anyway. Rolling shell for sale ?

**buggy5872** · 03-24-2013, 07:45 AM

The donor was in great shape. I have learned that if you want something good in the end it needs to start out good. I an saving the truck for a future project. Chassis swap for another task force big truck......

**buggy5872** · 03-24-2013, 10:06 PM

And here it is.....start pulling the engine out of big bertha next friday.

98layinframe · 03-25-2013, 09:23 AM

You're crazy!!!

I love it.. haha.
Posted via Mobile Device

**buggy5872** · 03-25-2013, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98layinframe

You're crazy!!!

I love it.. haha.
Posted via Mobile Device

What????? I prefer to think of it as I like a good challenge....you have seen the underside of Big Bertha...it will just slide out the bottom and new one up in.....I hope.

**buggy5872** · 03-26-2013, 08:53 AM

Big Bertha made it on youtube......time 1:18

WORLD OF WHEELS 2013 PITTSBURGH PA USA - YouTube

_Ogre · 03-27-2013, 12:41 AM

dang that looks good in the video.
as many times as i've read your thread and admired bertha, i didn't realize the back doors are suicided

**buggy5872** · 03-27-2013, 09:54 AM

Ogre...soon as I get this engine swap done I am going to do a video of the truck....seems there is a lot more people notice in a video....

MalibuSSwagon · 03-27-2013, 06:52 PM

That is top notch fabrication.

Any interior pics? Love to see how that turned out.

**buggy5872** · 03-28-2013, 07:22 AM

I'll get some interior pics after I get the motor in.....I have the one seat and floor pan out right now.

**buggy5872** · 03-31-2013, 10:45 AM

Big block is in. The old engine slid right out the bottom and the new one went in with slight frame trimming to clear the exhaust manifolds. Good thing I have access to a fork truck. Now comes the fun part....where do all these wires go for the fuel injection?????

Daze57 · 03-31-2013, 01:23 PM

that is a great picture-- lookin v v nice

cAlvis165 · 03-31-2013, 08:29 PM

Nice picture!

What's that on the back of you transmission? Parking brake?

**buggy5872** · 03-31-2013, 10:37 PM

yes that is the parking brake.

Daze57 · 03-31-2013, 10:39 PM

i have have to say again that your truck is just outstanding ! what a behemoth it is!
That has to be a treat to drive and i imagine the looks you get !

**buggy5872** · 04-08-2013, 12:20 PM

The 454 is in and wired. The wiring was pretty close except the injector wiring. 454 plug had 10 wires and the 350 had 16. Figured it out. 454 had a hot wire for each side of the engine and the 350 had individual hots to each injector. I traced the wires back and they all joined together in the harness. Other wiring was adjusting lengths since items were in a different location on the engine. I did have to use a combination of my accessories and the some brackets off the 350. I am waiting for a new belt, custom made radiator and my computer tune. Should have it up and running by next weekend. It went pretty smooth overall. I did not take may pics since it was all under the truck....here is one of the wiring looking down through the floor.

mosesburb · 04-08-2013, 11:36 PM

Man, you don't mess around. You get after it and get it done. Very cool rig you have there. The proportions and lines are perfect. Classy, cool and functional. It doesn't get any better than that.

01-31-2013, 03:43 PM	#127
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: Big Bertha Build thread x2 nice pic of bertha, were you standing when you took it? so as not to insult you buggy, did they do at least a mid 6 figure offer? otherwise i'd have beyotch slapped them __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

03-23-2013, 09:41 AM	#128
buggy5872 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: North Beaver TWP PA Posts: 833	Re: Big Bertha Build thread x2 Big Bertha is getting a new power plant.....picked up a 97 3500hd with a vortec 454. It's a 51k mile truck and a rebuilt tranny with 1000 miles on it. I won't mention what I paid for it because it would make some of you cry. I'll post pics of the progress as I go. Now the hard part...how the heck am I going to get the old engine out and new one in......I think it will come out the bottom? __________________ ___________________________ 1959 Apache Short Fleetside, 1959 Apache NAPCO Long Stepside, 1957 3100 with 59 fleetside bed 1957 5700 LCF Crew Cab "Big Bertha",1959 GMC F370 1958 GMC 600, 1946 Chevy, 1959 Viking 60 LCF 1974 Elcamino SS, 1979 6500 GMC Tilt Bed Wrecker Big Bertha Build

03-23-2013, 11:16 AM	#129
Wheelie Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 319	Re: Big Bertha Build thread x2 __________________ My '59 Build Thread

03-23-2013, 01:24 PM	#130
cAlvis165 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: N.E. OH Posts: 214	Re: Big Bertha Build thread x2 All right! I was just thinking about this project the other day. That 454 ought to move that 5th wheel real nice. Are you leaving the engine stock, or do you have plans? __________________ Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. Winston Churchill DD 2000 Chevy Suburban 4x4/5.3 Vortec/4L60E/4:10s, 18" Escalade rims, Electric fans Project Dooley One-Ton 4x4 on 38.5s Corn-binder build

03-23-2013, 02:48 PM	#131
Kabwe Certified Car Nut Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inglewood, California Posts: 3,118	Re: Big Bertha Build thread x2 Thats not just good work, that is great work. Great job man really great job.

03-23-2013, 06:38 PM	#132
Daze57 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Las Vegas - Nev. aka Sin City Posts: 1,835	Re: Big Bertha Build thread x2 how does the engine come out? alot of friends and a few kegs

03-23-2013, 11:45 PM	#133
buggy5872 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: North Beaver TWP PA Posts: 833	Re: Big Bertha Build thread x2 I am a case of beer into it and the 454 is out of the truck and ready for the transplant. Spent 6 hours today working on it and I thought it would go quick but dam....there was a lot of wires to figure out. __________________ ___________________________ 1959 Apache Short Fleetside, 1959 Apache NAPCO Long Stepside, 1957 3100 with 59 fleetside bed 1957 5700 LCF Crew Cab "Big Bertha",1959 GMC F370 1958 GMC 600, 1946 Chevy, 1959 Viking 60 LCF 1974 Elcamino SS, 1979 6500 GMC Tilt Bed Wrecker Big Bertha Build

03-24-2013, 12:39 AM	#134
6BT 56 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Coldwater On. Canada Posts: 551	Re: Big Bertha Build thread x2 Even the doner truck looks to be in good shape . In canadian rust bucket standards anyway. Rolling shell for sale ? __________________ 56 gmc 4X4 Cummins 5 spd 60F 70R 2005 Ram 3500 DRW cummins 4X4. 2006 Conolift 9/15. 2011 F 350 winter beater New 2018 ram 3500 drw 4x4. Makes my 2005 Look as if it's been running on 4 cyl since new ! My Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=556908

03-24-2013, 07:45 AM	#135
buggy5872 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: North Beaver TWP PA Posts: 833	Re: Big Bertha Build thread x2 The donor was in great shape. I have learned that if you want something good in the end it needs to start out good. I an saving the truck for a future project. Chassis swap for another task force big truck...... __________________ ___________________________ 1959 Apache Short Fleetside, 1959 Apache NAPCO Long Stepside, 1957 3100 with 59 fleetside bed 1957 5700 LCF Crew Cab "Big Bertha",1959 GMC F370 1958 GMC 600, 1946 Chevy, 1959 Viking 60 LCF 1974 Elcamino SS, 1979 6500 GMC Tilt Bed Wrecker Big Bertha Build

03-24-2013, 10:06 PM	#136
buggy5872 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: North Beaver TWP PA Posts: 833	Re: Big Bertha Build thread x2 And here it is.....start pulling the engine out of big bertha next friday. __________________ ___________________________ 1959 Apache Short Fleetside, 1959 Apache NAPCO Long Stepside, 1957 3100 with 59 fleetside bed 1957 5700 LCF Crew Cab "Big Bertha",1959 GMC F370 1958 GMC 600, 1946 Chevy, 1959 Viking 60 LCF 1974 Elcamino SS, 1979 6500 GMC Tilt Bed Wrecker Big Bertha Build

03-25-2013, 09:23 AM	#137
98layinframe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Pittsburgh Pa Posts: 267	Re: Big Bertha Build thread x2 You're crazy!!! I love it.. haha. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 91 s10 - bagged bodydropped 4", 350/700R4, narrowed reared, cantilever rear air bag setup 1951 chevy 3100 - in build/acquiring parts process. Have full C4 Corvette suspension front and rear, tpi 350, 700r4, 18" torque thrust II wheels

03-27-2013, 12:41 AM	#140
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: Big Bertha Build thread x2 dang that looks good in the video. as many times as i've read your thread and admired bertha, i didn't realize the back doors are suicided __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

03-27-2013, 09:54 AM	#141
buggy5872 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: North Beaver TWP PA Posts: 833	Re: Big Bertha Build thread x2 Ogre...soon as I get this engine swap done I am going to do a video of the truck....seems there is a lot more people notice in a video.... __________________ ___________________________ 1959 Apache Short Fleetside, 1959 Apache NAPCO Long Stepside, 1957 3100 with 59 fleetside bed 1957 5700 LCF Crew Cab "Big Bertha",1959 GMC F370 1958 GMC 600, 1946 Chevy, 1959 Viking 60 LCF 1974 Elcamino SS, 1979 6500 GMC Tilt Bed Wrecker Big Bertha Build

03-27-2013, 06:52 PM	#142
MalibuSSwagon Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Weare,NH Posts: 1,592	Re: Big Bertha Build thread x2 That is top notch fabrication. Any interior pics? Love to see how that turned out. __________________ Eric 1992 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser 1986 Chevrolet C10\|5.3L\|TKO600\|Shortbed\|Custom Deluxe 1983 Malibu Wagon\|TPI 305\|T5 5 speed\|3.73 non-posi

03-28-2013, 07:22 AM	#143
buggy5872 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: North Beaver TWP PA Posts: 833	Re: Big Bertha Build thread x2 I'll get some interior pics after I get the motor in.....I have the one seat and floor pan out right now. __________________ ___________________________ 1959 Apache Short Fleetside, 1959 Apache NAPCO Long Stepside, 1957 3100 with 59 fleetside bed 1957 5700 LCF Crew Cab "Big Bertha",1959 GMC F370 1958 GMC 600, 1946 Chevy, 1959 Viking 60 LCF 1974 Elcamino SS, 1979 6500 GMC Tilt Bed Wrecker Big Bertha Build



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03-31-2013, 10:45 AM	#144
buggy5872 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: North Beaver TWP PA Posts: 833	Re: Big Bertha Build thread x2 Big block is in. The old engine slid right out the bottom and the new one went in with slight frame trimming to clear the exhaust manifolds. Good thing I have access to a fork truck. Now comes the fun part....where do all these wires go for the fuel injection????? __________________ ___________________________ 1959 Apache Short Fleetside, 1959 Apache NAPCO Long Stepside, 1957 3100 with 59 fleetside bed 1957 5700 LCF Crew Cab "Big Bertha",1959 GMC F370 1958 GMC 600, 1946 Chevy, 1959 Viking 60 LCF 1974 Elcamino SS, 1979 6500 GMC Tilt Bed Wrecker Big Bertha Build

03-31-2013, 01:23 PM	#145
Daze57 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Las Vegas - Nev. aka Sin City Posts: 1,835	Re: Big Bertha Build thread x2 that is a great picture-- lookin v v nice

03-31-2013, 08:29 PM	#146
cAlvis165 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: N.E. OH Posts: 214	Re: Big Bertha Build thread x2 Nice picture! What's that on the back of you transmission? Parking brake? __________________ Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. Winston Churchill DD 2000 Chevy Suburban 4x4/5.3 Vortec/4L60E/4:10s, 18" Escalade rims, Electric fans Project Dooley One-Ton 4x4 on 38.5s Corn-binder build

03-31-2013, 10:37 PM	#147
buggy5872 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: North Beaver TWP PA Posts: 833	Re: Big Bertha Build thread x2 yes that is the parking brake. __________________ ___________________________ 1959 Apache Short Fleetside, 1959 Apache NAPCO Long Stepside, 1957 3100 with 59 fleetside bed 1957 5700 LCF Crew Cab "Big Bertha",1959 GMC F370 1958 GMC 600, 1946 Chevy, 1959 Viking 60 LCF 1974 Elcamino SS, 1979 6500 GMC Tilt Bed Wrecker Big Bertha Build

03-31-2013, 10:39 PM	#148
Daze57 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Las Vegas - Nev. aka Sin City Posts: 1,835	Re: Big Bertha Build thread x2 i have have to say again that your truck is just outstanding ! what a behemoth it is! That has to be a treat to drive and i imagine the looks you get !

04-08-2013, 12:20 PM	#149
buggy5872 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: North Beaver TWP PA Posts: 833	Re: Big Bertha Build thread x2 The 454 is in and wired. The wiring was pretty close except the injector wiring. 454 plug had 10 wires and the 350 had 16. Figured it out. 454 had a hot wire for each side of the engine and the 350 had individual hots to each injector. I traced the wires back and they all joined together in the harness. Other wiring was adjusting lengths since items were in a different location on the engine. I did have to use a combination of my accessories and the some brackets off the 350. I am waiting for a new belt, custom made radiator and my computer tune. Should have it up and running by next weekend. It went pretty smooth overall. I did not take may pics since it was all under the truck....here is one of the wiring looking down through the floor. __________________ ___________________________ 1959 Apache Short Fleetside, 1959 Apache NAPCO Long Stepside, 1957 3100 with 59 fleetside bed 1957 5700 LCF Crew Cab "Big Bertha",1959 GMC F370 1958 GMC 600, 1946 Chevy, 1959 Viking 60 LCF 1974 Elcamino SS, 1979 6500 GMC Tilt Bed Wrecker Big Bertha Build

04-08-2013, 11:36 PM	#150
mosesburb I had a V-8 Join Date: May 2003 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 1,116	Re: Big Bertha Build thread x2 Man, you don't mess around. You get after it and get it done. Very cool rig you have there. The proportions and lines are perfect. Classy, cool and functional. It doesn't get any better than that. __________________ 1972 K20 Suburban, 5.9L Cummins, Banks Power Pack, NV4500HD, NP205, H.A.D., D60/14FF ARB Link To Build: HERE.

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