Project "Popeye"

[LEEVON]

Yeah, I finally got my '71 out of the garage. Put about 80 miles on her yesterday with no problems. I still had pine needles in the bed from November when we got a Christmas tree (last time we drove it). Definitely a good day!

[67cheby]

Originally Posted by leevon

aired out, sits about 3" off the ground, i think i'm just gonna leave it and not mess with trying to go lower:

just go ahead and lay it out much easier now than down the road !!!!!!! Im just saying

[classic truck]

Hello.......I was taking the back way home the other day and saw your blue truck and thought.....man i have seen that somewhere......then realized it was on here....Reallly nice trucks.....I like the wheels!

[LEEVON]

Originally Posted by classic truck

Hello.......I was taking the back way home the other day and saw your blue truck and thought.....man i have seen that somewhere......then realized it was on here....Reallly nice trucks.....I like the wheels!

Haha! Thanks for the compliment, next time you see the garage doors up that's a good sign I'm out farting around feel free to stop in! What town do you live in? Oh and BTW welcome to the forum!

[classic truck]

I am in Bella Vista....Thanks for the welcome.....

[LEEVON]

Guys I need some motivation, haven't touched this thing in over a month at all. New parts laying everywhere...

Anybody want to stop by and help me wrench? I need a hand wrestling the engine and trans into location so I can finish the motor and trans mounts.

Or just kick me in the butt here. Either way I promise some good PICS if you guys can get me moving again.

Leevon

[bjcaldwe]

I would if I was closer. I am trying to get the ball even started on mine. Life keep stepping in the way.

[67cheby]

i will come help .....IF WE CAN GO AHEAD AND LAY IT OUT !!!!!! OH AND IM NOT MUCH OF A BEER GUY GONNA NEED SOME CROWN

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Id come over and help ya but its abit of a drive get back out there shes almost ready...

[CHIZZLER]

Im on board with 67 cheby.lay it out.

[LEEVON]

Okay, so I know who's NOT coming over to help, anybody that's going to cost me more money that's WHO! But you can come by and help but there will be no talk of a step notch, okaaay?

I forced myself to make some time tonight and fabbed/welded up the engine and transmission mounts. It fits low and tight, looks like there is plenty of room for the headers and steering shaft. The only issue is the trans is real snug in the tunnel, might need a little clearancing on the cab.

Also found a set of headers on Ebay, should have them won soon! I'm going to have to use LS1 shorty headers by Hooker.

[bjcaldwe]

Where are you going to put your tank and compressors?

[67cheby]

hey pick an evening when you can work on it and i will come over, even if you dont lay it out

[LEEVON]

Originally Posted by bjcaldwe

Where are you going to put your tank and compressors?

I think behind the axle where the spare would go. The tank is really small. If it would fit behind the batter on the passenger side I could do that too.

Originally Posted by 67cheby

hey pick an evening when you can work on it and i will come over, even if you dont lay it out

Awesome, I think the airbag stuff would be a good one for that...I'll let you know. I get to repay the favor though!

[a5Ben]

Leevon,

What tires are those?

Thanks,
Ben

[LEEVON]

235/70/15 Diamondback 2 3/4" white walls. Get your checkbook out! Kinda wish I had looked into cheaper alternatives and put that money elsewhere but they do pop!

[Rideto100]

I read this build about a month ago. Then today while reading my new Classic Trucks November issue on page 64 I see a brand new complete three-duece combo from Summit racing. I immediately remembered you saying you would like to put this kind of setup on this truck if you could find one. Here is a link to this combo: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-CSUM1900/

Truck looks great BTW.

[LEEVON]

Originally Posted by Rideto100

I read this build about a month ago. Then today while reading my new Classic Trucks November issue on page 64 I see a brand new complete three-duece combo from Summit racing. I immediately remembered you saying you would like to put this kind of setup on this truck if you could find one. Here is a link to this combo: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-CSUM1900/

Truck looks great BTW.

I saw that last night. Nice setup for sure and I guess not too pricey compared to other three-duece options but still $2200 for an intake with three carbs? I hope someday that doesn't seem like much to me but right now HOLY COW!

Thanks for the compliment!

[99 to Life]

Yeah 2200 for one part of the engine is in my mind, not prioritizing. I understand the white walls, those are always worth it in my mind. But I would just get the thing done and on the road, you can always add to the engine later.

Are you using the stock steering column?

[LEEVON]

Yes, I'm just cut the column off at the box, and I'll fit a conversion bearing, then 2 u-joints and a length of steering shaft.

[99 to Life]

Yeah that is what I did, it looks so much better than aftermarket columns.
Glad you are taking that route.

[a5Ben]

Sorry to hijack.... But, does anyone have a thread about how/where to cut the stock column? I have just removed the 4 bolts from where the column joins the box but haven't separated it yet.

Thanks,
Ben

[99 to Life]

Ben, I feel cutting the column is up to your build. Popeye is using the stock frame with m2 suspension where as I and others use s-10 frames with power steering, so the columns are most likely going to differ. Depending on your set up, stick the column in and get a feel for where you want it in your cab first. Make a mark on the inside of the cab at the floor where your column meets and mark the column there and then mark the column up on the upper mount where it mounts to the dash. Then take a look on the other side of the firewall and see where you are. It will depend on your headers I feel as well and your u-joints you have. Also the length of D shaft you use. I used two u-joints off of a chevy conversion van, which mounted to my s-10 power steering and the top I had to customize a little. I put a sealed bearing inside my original steering column (basically a pipe) I then let the smaller diameter shaft inside that stick out farther than where I cut the pipe, so it sticks out a few inches, I then ground it down into a square and that way your upper u-joint has something to grip onto. Then put the square D shaft in between your bottom u-joint and top and mount it all together. There are tons of ways you can do it.

[LEEVON]

Ben, you're not hijacking at all, good question. I think 99tolife pretty much covered it. I'm a hack-now-and-figure-it-out-later guy so I spent about 5 minutes trying to get the steering box apart and the shaft out then reached for the cut-off and buzzed as close to the box as possible. I really don't think it matters how close you cut it to the firewall as long as the geometry works out for the steering joints. It really is just a solid bar inside a pipe, nothing fancy. My truck is supposed to be low-buck (ish) no billet shiny expensive steering column needed.

I have read that you can get a common sized bearing for about $7 but you need to have the pipe expanded to fit. Some of the vendors sell a conversion bearing for about $30 that fits right in.

[T Hilde]

I am curious as to what u joint to use. The tube is cut on mine. But the info on joints (steering type) is vauge.