Old Girl (aka Project Underhaulin)

[C10_ustacould]

Originally Posted by 65StreetCruiser

I'm with Mike, Ernie. Can't wait to look at it, ride in it, discuss it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just a few weeks away!

I'm really nervous, it's such a long trip and so many parts on this truck are not available at the local parts house. I will be really disappointed if we have any major problems that stop us from going the distance... But be sides that I can't wait to get on the road!!

[C10_ustacould]

Well, power tour was awesome!! So much fun with My son and of course the guys from the Louisiana Classic Truck Club, big thanks to Steven and Kevin for allowing us to tag along with them.


Since the trip we have continued to make upgrades and plan for even more. While we were on the tour we stopped by Nsane Hot Rodz and picked up a new cowl induction hood. Once we were home we were able to do some horse trading and get it painted, the color match isn't perfect but it will do for now.



We also picked up a new set of All American Billet Hinges. While the existing hinges looked great they were clapped out. The new hinges look and work very well.

Before


After


The next upgrade will be a powertrain upgrade, we have picked up an 6.2L L86 and 8L90 8 speed transmission and hope to get the transplant done soon.

[Palf70Step]

Very nice. You going to have the swap done in time for Cruing the Coast>

[C10_ustacould]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Very nice. You going to have the swap done in time for Cruing the Coast>

Cruising the Coast isn’t on our calendar this year, Power Tour used up most of our kitchen pass for the year.

[C10_ustacould]

So it's been an interesting ride since our last update. We finally have our engine and we've been making upgrades. We have the 6.2L torn down to a short block, swapped the cam for a Texas Speed stage 1, installed matching dual valve springs and Johnson link bar hydraulic roller lifters. Had a setback when we were bolting the heads down, broke a head bolt. It's a drag and getting the parts/tools to fix it delivered has been a hassle. We hope to pull the old engine and trans this weekend and get it to its new home... well actually its old home in Rusbuilt's shop. I'll throw up some pics and maybe the updates will come a little more often...

Our 6.2L Short Block


The engine and trans mount kit with stainless long tube headers from Muscle Rods.


A few of the goodies...


Heads with the new Texas Speed double valve springs.


My son Connor with his Grandpa Henry, they spend time riding in the truck just about every Sunday.

[Palf70Step]

Glad to hear about some progress. Looking forward to seeing it at a future CTC!

[C10_ustacould]

So there's SOME good news, we were able to remove the remaining portion of the broken bolt from the block.





With that hurdle cleared we were able to bolt the heads down and install the valley cover, injectors, high pressure fuel pump, and lines.

[C10_ustacould]

A little progress on the LTx swap...

Let the carnage begin...


Well, that didn't take long


Waiting on a new home, great motor served us well.


Connor and another C10 buddy Shane pulling the old engine mounts.


Connor and me on one more ride with the old motorvation before beginning the swap.

[smbrouss70]

Nice! So you'll be driving it by New Year's?

[GSFMECH]

Nice progress Ernie, its going to be sweet!

[Palf70Step]

[C10_ustacould]

The high hump is cut and fit just need to decide what type of fasteners to use, square nuts, nutserts, or just regular old bolts washers and nuts.

[C10_ustacould]

The Texas Speed cammed 6.2L L86 and 8L90E transmission are installed. It's a tight fit near the tail shaft, hope the drive shaft clears. If not I'm sure we can make it work...

[smbrouss70]

Looks great! I have a feeling that you will be making a small driveshaft tunnel in the near future...

[C10_ustacould]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

Looks great! I have a feeling that you will be making a small driveshaft tunnel in the near future...

Oh I hope not!

[smbrouss70]

Maybe it's just the picture, but it looks close.

[gphillips72wagon]

Just found this thread. What a great father-son build story! Thanks so much for sharing.

I'm retired USAF and spent 9 years between Tyndall, Eglin & Hurlburt. How is PC and Tyndall recovering after the hurricane? The aftermath pics I saw looked devastating.

v/r, Gordon
Gordon Phillips, Lt Col (ret), USAF

'68 Chevy C10
'72 Chevelle wagon

[Happy_dan]

Yes, me too! What a great thread and story together!
Well done sir.

[C10_ustacould]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

Maybe it's just the picture, but it looks close.

It is, may have to lower the tail shaft a bit we'll see.

Originally Posted by gphillips72wagon

Just found this thread. What a great father-son build story! Thanks so much for sharing.

I'm retired USAF and spent 9 years between Tyndall, Eglin & Hurlburt. How is PC and Tyndall recovering after the hurricane? The aftermath pics I saw looked devastating.

Thanks, the recovery in PCB and Mexico Beach is slow. Tyndall is pretty cleared out at the moment but I think they are going to rebuild and repopulate over the next 5-10 years.

Originally Posted by Happy_dan

Yes, me too! What a great thread and story together!
Well done sir.

Thanks!

[C10_ustacould]

More progress on the old girl over the last week. It's been very slow progress as we've needed special tools and some of the parts either weren't correct or just didn't fit. We've go more parts coming in over the next few days so check back soon for more updates.

Couple of big holes filled with Deadend Garage crossmember exhaust cutouts...

[C10_ustacould]

Holley Mid mount install...

Connor bolting up the water pump which doubles as the main bracket for all the accessories.


Holley didn't leave enough room for the alternator to rotate over into the upper saddle, but a file will right their wrong.


Took quite a bit of filing but it's got plenty of clearance now.


When it came time to install two very large plugs in the bottom of the heater port on the water pump, they give you two sets to choose from side or lower, they needed a 9/16" hex key and we don't have one. I figured it was going to be another trip to the tool isle but Connor came up big. He grabbed a 3/8" bolt locked two nuts on the end and used it to install the plug. The most simple things can have the biggest impact, he impressed me!


Here you have it Holley Mid-Mount installed!

[smbrouss70]

The boy is a damn genius! Way to think outside the box Connor! I bet that HRPT thinking cap helped him out some.

[cornerstone]

Moving along quick! Looks like Connor has real problem solving skills. I love seeing a young man with the attitude to just git it done! Very nice...

Brian

[65StreetCruiser]

Sure looks sweet, Ernie! You and Connor are making the old girl better and better!

[C10_ustacould]

Damn! The last update was in January... so much didn't and did happen since then! We have gotten the truck running and driving but it was a chore. The new Gen V engines are very... I guess you could say "sensitive". We chased a MAF issue for what seems like months only to find out it was a ground issue. The MAF fault was stopping us from tuning the engine and trans and really tested our resolve. We also had to swap the trailing arm crossmember due to drive shaft clearance, we chose a Porterbuilt unit and it went in without a hitch.
I'll post up some pics and maybe some video if I can remember how to do it on here. Cheers!

Our new Porterbuilt Trailing arm crossmember


The crossmember test fit


Connor and the BP-Automotive Gen V stand alone harness


Making sense of all these wires...


ECM/TCM mounted with some of the stereo equipment on the other side.