I'm finally starting to work on Bella.

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Originally Posted by Syndrome

The wheels that fit your original brakes still fit on the 6 lugs?

Yes. I was fortunate that my truck had the 15x8 6-lug wheels on it when I got it so I ordered the 6 lug disk brake kit and used the same wheels. You should make sure you have wheels that will fit with discs. Stock drum brake steel wheels won't fit.

[Syndrome]

Thats what I'm trying to decide, if I have to switch wheels then I'm not sure if I want to do the 6 or 5 lugs, if I'm going to have to switch anyways. I've currently got 3 brand new tires(the 4th got ran low and side walls cracked out). They're so new they still have the hairs on them from being molded.

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I had a Bradford Pear tree split in my front yard a couple of weeks ago, so Bella got pressed into service yesterday while my neighbor and I cut it up and I hauled the firewood and limbs around back.

I shot this picture when I backed up to start loading the first load. I thought it turned out to be a pretty cool picture.

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One more pic from another load.

[mcbassin]

Very nice looking truck. Glad to see you putting her to work.

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Originally Posted by mcbassin

Very nice looking truck. Glad to see you putting her to work.

It was definitely good putting her to work. She's been feelng kindof neglected lately because I still haven't gathered all of the pieces and parts to do the 350/700R4 swap yet and don't drive her as much as either of us would like. Her tired 250 burns and/or blows out at least a quart of oil every 30 miles or so (one trip to work and back) so I think a transplant will make both of us happier.

[Low Elco]

Mmmmmm... smells like LS up in here!

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Originally Posted by Low Elco

Mmmmmm... smells like LS up in here!

I'd love to.....but I already have a 350 on the engine stand that has been waiting quite awhile to be put to use. It's still just a short block at the moment. The heads are brand new castings with 64cc chambers, 2.02/1.6 stainless valves with screw in studs and guide plates that are still in the plastic they shipped in. The cam is a .468/.488 lift 224/234 duration PAW cam. (it is the PAW equivalent to a Summit K1105.) (that might give you a clue how long it has been waiting....PAW has been closed for years now.)

I have a TH350 sitting on the floor next to the engine stand, so it is very tempting to just bolt everything together and put it in for now and do a 700R4 or a 2004R later.....but I have resisted so far because I want to do it right the first time. If I did the TH350 for now, a 2004R would be the easiest to swap in later....I guess.......but I haven't really decided on that yet because other stuff keeps occupying my time and funds.....unfortunately.

Anyway...I'm moving painfully slowly. I still have to get headers, intake, rockers, decide what valve covers I want to get, water pump, misc. stuff, an automatic column, linkage, rebuild the carb, etc. before I can drop it in either way.

[jlsanborn]

Glad to see an update here, great pictures! Looking forward to some engine assembly!

[swamp rat]

PAW...... I ordered stuff from them when I rebuilt my engine back in 1995.. haven't heard the name in years.

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Originally Posted by jlsanborn

Glad to see an update here, great pictures! Looking forward to some engine assembly!

Thanks! I'm looking forward to engine assembly too!

Originally Posted by swamp rat

PAW...... I ordered stuff from them when I rebuilt my engine back in 1995.. haven't heard the name in years.

Yeah....it is amazing how time flies when life happens....I am going to have to give everything a really good look (again) because it has been sitting on the stand almost that long. It remains to be seen how well it has stayed preserved over the years......stay tuned.

[Xeen]

That's a really long time for an engine to sit but if everything was properly lubricated there is no reason why it shouldn't be fine.

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Originally Posted by Xeen

That's a really long time for an engine to sit but if everything was properly lubricated there is no reason why it shouldn't be fine.

I think it should too, but I'm going to check to make sure. My biggest concern is corrosion on the journals and the cam if any humidity found its way in there while it sat. I'm hoping for the best.....but.......I really won't know 'til I flip it over and take a close look.

[dmack91]

Just worked my way through your project. Looks great. What size tires are you running (I like the look)?

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Originally Posted by dmack91

Just worked my way through your project. Looks great. What size tires are you running (I like the look)?

Thanks! I will look when I get home.....I can't remember off the top of my head. They were on it when I bought it.

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Originally Posted by dmack91

What size tires are you running (I like the look)?

255/70r15 on 15x8 rims. Sorry it took me so long to get back to you.

[dmack91]

No prob. Thanks for the info.

[Pick]

Yes, I'm still alive and Bella is still in the driveway waiting patiently for her next round of upgrades. I have been collecting parts and pieces so I can hopefully do the engine/transmission/power steering swap all at once. SOON!

I aquired an automatic steering column and linkage through the parts board. My neighbor sold an engine he had originally planned for one of his projects and that left him with an extra 700R4....so I got it.
Got an '87 power steering box from a part out next door.
Oh......and we found a set of headers when we cleaned up the shop too, so they're going to be used on Bella......if they will fit. We'll see. (I think they are actually from a '78 Malibu he had for a short while.)

So.......still getting closer.....but that whole "life" thing continues to get in the way. (I'm still not complaining.....much.) Gotta take care of the important stuff first!

Sunday afternoon my daughter got into a little misunderstanding with another driver that didn't grasp what the flashing yellow left turn arrow meant. My daughter had the green light to go straight......the white car had the flashing yellow arrow.......and decided to turn left anyway. They met in the middle. My daughter's little blue Aveo didn't fare too well. (neither did the white Kia)Fortunately nobody was hurt badly, but the same can't be said for the Aveo. She loved that little car.

Anyway......they aren't pictures of Bella......but.....everybody likes pictures, right?

[Justin@EntropyRad]

Bummer about the kid's car, truck looks good though!

[jlsanborn]

Sure wiped the smile off the Kia! Glad everyone is ok.

Anxious to see the truck updates!

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Originally Posted by Justin@EntropyRad

Bummer about the kid's car, truck looks good though!

Thanks! The kid's car got the "total loss" appraisal yesterday.......so we shall see how it all plays out from here.

Originally Posted by jlsanborn

Sure wiped the smile off the Kia! Glad everyone is ok.

Anxious to see the truck updates!

Yeah, the Kia definitely isn't smiling anymore! We're glad everyone is OK too! That is definitely the important thing!

The truck will be getting updates SOON, I promise.

[Pick]

A friend at work decided to get rid of his Hot Wheels collection and knew exactly where these three needed to go.

I think he chose well, obviously.

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Yes, 20+ years is definitely a REALLY long time for a short block to sit in a garage. The cam is questionable and old tech and way too much duration to make a decently streetable combination so a new stick is on order. After a consultation about the combination, I opted for a Voodoo 268. (It is at the upper limit of the range he suggested but I'm hoping for the best.)

The heads fared a little better since they were in the plastic bags in the attic......they aren't going to be great but I'm hoping for the best here too.

I was piddling in the garage today so I turned some old rusty chrome valve covers into satin chrome. I'm not sure I will use them but it occupied my hands for awhile.

We will see how it goes as the pieces come back together.

[jlsanborn]

Good stuff! The Boy ran that cam in his S10. Worked great at 9:1

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Originally Posted by jlsanborn

Good stuff! The Boy ran that cam in his S10. Worked great at 9:1

I'm glad to know someone else had success with it! Best I can figure, I'll be at 9.5:1 when it's all said and done.