Project -underfunded - '68 shortstep/carb'd LSx/200-4r build

[68GMCCustom]

both the brown and the white truck came today! More fuel system parts, trans cooling hookup parts, new gauges (Autometer designer black oil, temp, volts, to go with my two AEM A/F UEGO gauges) w/adapter fittings, MAP sensor for the MSD box, Lokar carb cable/linkage and bracket, and some lightweight 1/2" Competition Engineering floor insulation. Now I have everything I need to get it running and finish it....well except for a hood, floor shifter, tilt column, bigger wheels/tires, etc. etc. etc.!

[Dieselwrencher]

Keep up the great work and money spending spree!

[68GMCCustom]

just trying to do my part for the economy!

I'm pretty well now down to cash poor and credit heavy now tho!

[Dieselwrencher]

Unfortunately, I know your pain!

[mcbassin]

Awesome build! Just spent an hour milling through the whole thread. This is a super clean build. I would love to have a small percentage of your budget dude. I hope your not keeping a running spreadsheet.....wow. I know how high this stuff is and yours is all first rate parts. Like you said it will last another 30+ years. Do it right the first time. Subscribed!

[68GMCCustom]

Thank you sir! And I thought I was doing it on a thin budget! Yes, I'm just trying to build it to last....and no...I really don't want to add all these reciepts up.

[68GMCCustom]

a little more progress....
working on the 3" exhaust system and had to cut out the leaf spring crossmember I had left in. I'm sure glad I decided to go POR-15 and not powdercoat.





Then I got started underneath...cutting pipe and mocking things up. I plan to weld it all, just have clamps loosly holding things together.













I'm also working on the fuel system still...and have decided to relocate the filter and pump further down the frame to get the pump nearer the height of the tank. Not sure if too much distance is worse then too much height, but.....

[matthew20061]

Wow your exhaust is looking great, so did you say that was a flowmaster universal system? Looks really good. I think I'm going to order those headers you have pretty soon, but I'll have to redo my exhaust for the long tubes.

[68GMCCustom]

Yes, its a Flowmaster 3" universal kit. It doesn't come with mufflers but does include 2 h-pipe tubes (1-straight 1-bent) and the joints that weld in to the main pipes. I bought turbo mufflers to go with them. Had I not been quick to cut the ends of the stainless 3" reducers that came with my headers (when I thought that was the way I was going to go)...I'd have had all the right angles and end pieces to finish up and put it together quickly. Now I don't have the enlarged ends to connect to the pieces coming thru the trailing arm crossmember...so I either weld them direct or get someone to open up the ends of two pipes for me so they slip fit together.

does any of that make sense?


gonna get back on the fuel system too...and install the radiator support and start on electrical.

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice work, it is coming together nicely.

[matthew20061]

Originally Posted by 68GMCCustom

Yes, its a Flowmaster 3" universal kit. It doesn't come with mufflers but does include 2 h-pipe tubes (1-straight 1-bent) and the joints that weld in to the main pipes. I bought turbo mufflers to go with them. Had I not been quick to cut the ends of the stainless 3" reducers that came with my headers (when I thought that was the way I was going to go)...I'd have had all the right angles and end pieces to finish up and put it together quickly. Now I don't have the enlarged ends to connect to the pieces coming thru the trailing arm crossmember...so I either weld them direct or get someone to open up the ends of two pipes for me so they slip fit together.

does any of that make sense?


gonna get back on the fuel system too...and install the radiator support and start on electrical.

Haha ya that makes sense about the exhaust mine is very similar except it is a single 3" going down the passenger side though the trailing arm crossmember, with manderal bends and such. It was a pain to build the exhaust that's for sure. It then splits and goes into duals that go out on either side of the gas tank that are hidden with turn downs right before the bumper. If I ever need to replace it again I'll definitely buy a universal kit! That looks way easier!

[68GMCCustom]

Thanks Ryan! Since I'm underneath it now I notice that the cab floor alot more...it could have used some cleaning up and a fresh coat...oh well...I'll get to it at some point.

this is how it comes...a bunch of different pieces in a box:

[85burb]

Wow that all looks great.

[trenz68]

coming out nice

[68GMCCustom]

thanks!

OK.....been working on that 3" exhaust....and I can honestly say that I'd never make it as an exhaust fabricater!

I'm WAY too slow...but then again this is the 1st time I've ever done this and like the 3rd time I've touched a welder in my life so I guess maybe I'm not doing too bad. Anyway...I've got it about 3/4 mocked up. Just have to do the tailpipes. Not sure how far I'll come out and if I'll come out at a 45* or dump them just over the rear axle. We'll see...it all depends on what the pipe wants to do.

I guess I must have been proud of myself or something.....lots of pics...enjoy!



seeing if it was going to clear...


I went ahead and welded up the short extensions on the main pipe coming pack to the crossmember.


I don't kow how many times I pulled that muffler in and out...but was glad when I finally came up with the right combo!





both sides coming along....


with clearance....


coming around the shocks


when I see the bottom of the cab now....its disgusting! I'll need to get on fixing that soon.


plenty of room for as much travel as I'll need


fairly even....


trying to decide how far out to come...and 45* or just dump 'em.

[70c10lt1]

I have a 71 short bed that I want to put dropped spindles on, what brand did you get and are those 12" front rotors? E-MAIL me at gpakenny@gmail.com Thanks and Merry Christmas, Kenny

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice job on the exhaust. It's looking great, especially for your first time.

[68GMCCustom]

Thanks. Like I said, I'd never make money at it. By the time I call it done...I'll probably have 20hrs or more in it. Sure couldn't make a living at it at that build rate!

Kenny...sent you an email.

[68GMCCustom]

Well I got most of the exhaust welded up. So how do you all clean up your grinding marks that you made to cover up your welds? wire brush?

Anyway...really ran into a problem of how/where to put the pipe hangers. decided one at the mufflers, and one behind the headers somewhere but before the trailing arm crossmember. The one at the mufflers would require wrapping part of the hanger around my coil shock crossmember...or it would have to be really short. Well, I ground off the rivet holding the mounting strap to the frames for the rubber isolators...and then welded that ground rivet to the center of the crossmember. Hangs where I need it to!








Still haven't finalized the exit. Its looking like I'm going to 45* them somewhere between 3" to 6" behind the mufflers, at maybe a 20* to 30* downward angle, stopping roughly at the frame rails, and maybe 12-18" behind the axle.

[67chevy1series]

looks nice good job i hope mine comes out that good

[POPO1984]

Lookin Sweet Man

[matthew20061]

That exhaust system is looking good! Staying tuned for more updates!

[68GMCCustom]

well...I did something to my back, again. won't be much progress for a while. Might start working on any wiring that I can bring inside and work on, like individual harnesses and stuff. I'll figure out my gauges too and get that going. With new electric Autometer oil pressure, water temp, and a volts gauge...plus the two AEM wideband A/F gauges...and even my column mounted tach... I have one 2 1/16" gauge too many for the cluster. I think even my column tach is only 2 5/8".

I've thought about the 3 gauge dash pad from just dashes...I think I'd probably rig up one of those F*rd add-on to the dash 2 gauge clusters before I'd get that dashpad. I'd rather rig it all in a standard type gauge console.

[85burb]

Sorry to here that. Hope it does not slow ya down for too long. Oh ya happy new year!!!!!!!!!!!!! May be a little early...

[RaceAGMC]

Very nice project, I will be following this one.