N00b with a 72 c20

[notchbackgta]

I tried that too, but the mounts were in bind

[JointTech]

My speedo cable thing on my transmission was leaking a little when I got it back from the shop, way back when.. I took it over to the shop and he put in a new seal so I went ahead and painted it so its ready for install.


Took my gauge cluster apart to paint the needles and clean the plastic.

[JointTech]

i used a heat gun for drywall to unglue the woodgrain from the bezel.


left a bunch of goo behind. Of course im pretty much out of goof-off and paint thinner wasnt working very well..

now to figure out how to polish the plastic insert. without scuffing it up or removing the paint.

[JointTech]

ok going a different direction on the cluster. Decided to get white gauge labels and a new plastic piece with black lettering.
Took the lights/wipers labels off. Those things were on tight. Either they are molded into the bezel or thats the strongest glue ever. I had to use a dremel to shave them down and then filled my "misses" with glaze. Going to hit it with highbuild and then paint.


since Im going with white gauges I decided to paint my pointers silver. I think it looks pretty good.



Looks like its aluminum theme for the engine.



ordered a lunati cam, oil pan, white tach to stick in the center hole of the console, timing gear, some more flat black paint and harmonic balancer today so ill have a brown box of goodies coming soon.

[JointTech]

test fitting the white face tach in my cluster


New cam, lifters, balancer, oil pan and timing chain.


cam and lifters installed with lots of gearoil and assembly lube. Engine will sit for months before being fired so hopefully the assembly lube holds up.


dining room table for the wife

[JointTech]

got the timing cover and balancer and water pump back on. need some shorter bolts for the pump pulley because im not using the fan anymore. Got the new oil pan put on then realized I left off the oil pump rod and bushing so had to take it back off.


did some more work on my gauges.
heres the white overlays. they are ok. nothing special. print isnt really all that crisp and the labels could have been cut to fit better.
useable for a driver though.


heres the clear plastic with black lettering. This is worse because its a huge clear decal you have to put on yourself and i dont think even a master could get all the air bubbles out.
This thing is barely driver quality. It should come from them already with the stickers on it.


little primer on the bezel

[JointTech]

engine and transmission installed!!


going to work on plumbing the trans cooler lines.

also dont think this looks correct. the hose is touching the frame and feels just short of kinking.

[Steve-W]

can't you just take an inch of the radiator side?

[JointTech]

I am going to try that but from what ive read on the forums it will still touch the frame. Most people just wrap it with another piece of rad hose to keep it from rubbing.

[JointTech]

well the all silver got rousing laughs from everybody so I added some black to a few parts

been to hot to do much lately.

[JointTech]

got the windshield out and the cab is now ready for blasting as soon as my wallet can afford it.
didnt mess up the trim so I can sell it later. or pack rat it..

[JointTech]

got tired of painting stuff to the table or rigging up a hanger everytime I needed it so I rigged this thing up. Its tall enough I can get a uhaul under it still and I can just hang wire using a ladder when i need it.

[JointTech]

havent posted ina while in my thread but got a few things done in my shop.

Built a loft then said hey with walls that could be a paint booth. and it was done...





Then this new toy showed up yesterday.

[Mustard72]

You sure have a nice shop to work in!

[JointTech]

Got my new Vortec heads and started installing them.


Ended up crossthreading a rocker arm stud while testing pushrod length.


So maybe friday after fedex shows up I can finish up the heads..

Looks like stock length pushrods will work.

[JointTech]

starting to piece the engine back together.
rockers on. valves adjusted. getting gaskets ready for intake.




trying to figure out a thermostat bypass hose location for the vortec heads.

[JointTech]

got the headers on.


Its nice working on the chassis on my lift


Built a little thing to hold my air tools. was getting tired of digging through the drawer.

[JointTech]

got my new alternator and power steering pump brackets. alan grove stuff.

[JointTech]

test fitting alternator bracket. looks good. A little high and the top rad hose wont work now. have to go flex or do some searching at the parts store.


Test fitting power steering pump bracket




pulled it back off to paint tomorrow.

[JointTech]

working on fuel line.

[JointTech]

finally got my valve covers on and plug wires ran semi hidden. I dont see how you guys get everything so neat.




starting to worry the alternator brakcet is to high. hoping the hood closes... Got a while before I have to worry about it though

[JointTech]

Picked this up to keep busy with.


used my buddys hummer and 12k winch to yank the door open.


slid it under the chevy. had to black out the emblem!

[Steve-W]

Originally Posted by JointTech

.. had to black out the emblem!

Hahaha In Dutch we have a saying for showing that brand here: 'like swearing in church'

[Mustard72]

What are the plans for the non-Chevy?

[JointTech]

wow so its been over a year... In the mean time I dumped that ford for a small profit, got my private pilots license, hardwood floors upstairs and working like crazy and just finally got my cab back from the blaster yesterday!!!

Time to get back to work on the old girl. Ill be starting with the metal work on the cab so I can get it painted and back on the frame and out of my way. Then go to the fenders and doors.