The "In over my head" build thread

[SeventyOne]

Been keeping busy on some small tasks with the end goal of undercoating and getting the body back on the frame by Spring.

So with that in mind I started finishing things off on the Chassis that is essentially 95% done. I had my stock tank boiled out and lined because I was not happy at all with poly plastic tank - it's for sale if anyone is interested

Also no one reproduces the rubber isolators that go under the tank straps and the tank flange so I've got some 1/8" sheet rubber coming and I will copy the original rubbers.

Then I need to get the fuel lines finished off. Hard lines are in, just the rubber hose connections need to be put on.

Then I turned back to getting the body ready for undercoating. I cut out the all the rust spots on the bed floor and will be patching in scavenged '68 long bed patches soon.

Pics of the holes I cut in the floor - 5 spots in total were cut out. This is my first attempt at rust repair but I'm excited to learn. What's the worst that can happen?

Rear tail gate area - both sides are like this.




Crossmember was toast also but I will patch that also.


3 of the 4 wheel tub corners look like this, but this one was the worst one.




I'll prep the patches soon and get these checked off my list.

I am also stealing this "punch list" idea from the infamous "Low Buck Junkyard Build" - So here goes:

TUB WORK

• Repair wheel tub / bed floor rust
• Repair drilled hole in firewall by PO
• Cut larger firewall fuse panel hole for AAW kit
• Dress body bolt areas (Left over tack welds)
• Clean & Prep underside of Tub
• Spray some kind of rust converter in areas not accessible to be prep'd and primed
• Spray Epoxy Primer/Undercoat/Bedline

CHASSIS WORK

• Cut and install tank rubber isolators
• Hook up all gas lines
• Install Transmission cooler lines
• Install new starter bolts
• Torque engine mount bolts
• Install front axle breather
• Install Thermostat
• Install Radiator hose clamps
• Install BTO TV cable setup

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Thanks for your help today.. I'm pretty sure I'm going to buy a welder now even though I'm not quite sure how much I'll actually use it

Love the title of your build thread.. I believe I'm right there with you

[SeventyOne]

Will hopefully get more time tomorrow to work on the K5.

Last few weekends I got a bit further on the bed patching. I also re-installed my original gas tank after the radiator shop was done with it. I made a set of 1/8" rubber isolators for the tank flange and straps using the originals as templates. Turned out really nice I think.

Found starter bolts that were the correct 4 5/16" length for my starter, got radiator hoses and clamps installed, the BTO TV Made EZ kit installed, transmission cooler lines are almost in...lots more to do though.

Here's an updated punch list:


TUB WORK

• Repair wheel tub / bed floor rust
• Patch PO drilled hole in firewall
• Cut firewall fuse panel hole for AAW kit
• Oven cleaner underside of Tub
• Pressure wash tub
• Spray some kind of rust converter in areas not accessible to be prep'd and primed
• Prep underside bare metal
• Paint/Undercoat/bedline
• Dress body bolt areas

CHASSIS WORK

• Finish install of transmission cooler lines
• Torque engine mount bolts
• Install front axle breather
• Install Thermostat (I read I should drill small holes)
• Cut down and Install power steering return line hose
• Test starter engagement and shim as needed and torque bolts
• Intall plug wire loom and cut down plug wires for cleaner look
• Modify old distributor into oil priming tool
• Modify Holley throttle return bracket to fit on Edelbrock Carb
• Clean up and paint orig. distributor hold down
• Install distributor stud and hold down
• Install oil dipstick
• Install transmission dipstick
• Install PVC valve and hose to carb

[SeventyOne]

Did a little work saturday on the plug wiring. Got these brackets from R&S. I think they'll work just fine.



Also been doing a bunch of research on SBC timing and decided to change out the springs, vacuum canister, and vacuum limit plate on my GM HEI distributor. Not much to look at it but it should help me get somewhere close to 14 deg. initial timing, 20 mechanical advance all in at 3200 rpm, then 12 degrees of vacuum advance. Then I can adjust from there.





That's it for now. Will try to get the plug wires shortened soon since some are way too long for a clean look. Then off to all other little tasks left for the engine.

[SeventyOne]

8.7.17 - Turning the page

Hey everyone! After a long hiatus and a big life change I'm happy to say i'm moving forward with the K5 build.

This was my view on Saturday as the body was picked up and taken to be worked on. Same shop that Mike (@72K5CSTDarkOlive) used in his build.







I'll be sure and update with pics and progress along the way.

Stay tuned!

[Tom Vogel]

That rotisserie looks familiar!

[SeventyOne]

Just a little update showing some rust repair:









At least the tailgate was nice



Underside is now lined and they're prepping to paint the firewall and jams before mounting back on the frame!

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

That shop looks awfully familiar

[SeventyOne]

Originally Posted by 72K5CSTDarkOlive

That shop looks awfully familiar

Yeah man they pumped out this killer dark olive K5 recently. I'm just riding the wake.

[Harold Holbrook]

Thanks, For the pictures. I need all the help I could get.

[SeventyOne]

1/26/18

I'm in genuine awe. Even though I've thought about this moment for 8+ years I can't believe it's happened, and I can't believe how close to the finish line I am.

[Spf79]

Awesome! The color looks great!
I'm so envious!!!

[SeventyOne]

1/30/2018 - A long time coming

I had to go back and look to the very first post I made in this thread. 2/4/2010 me and a small army took the body off the frame.

It took nearly 8 years - but holy crap does THIS make me excited!

[Lieferson]

Damn that looks good!!!

[SeventyOne]

Took a little longer than expected but...here she is!

[raggedjim]

That's gotta be a great feeling!

Nice work, Rg

[swamp rat]

Sweet!

[YoungPup1977]

Nice truck, I have three blazers 2 4x4's and one 2wd....the 2wd is going to be painted red and white like a c10....love the red.... enjoy !!!!!!

[simicrintz]

Very nice-congrats!!!

[Nestevec]

Wow

[lks dcvn]

looks great! 8 years to finish is way better than not finishing at all... Congrats.

[SeventyOne]

Can a mod please move this to the builds section?

[jav418]

I'd love to get the contact info of the shop in the bay area...Looks amazing

[SeventyOne]

Talk to Manuel at BFS
https://www.bodyandframespecialists.com/

They also did Mike's dark olive K5 that looks flawless.

[SeventyOne]

can't argue with their quality