Gator Squared

[sumran]

Originally Posted by Restrorob

Have ya wore that steer'n wheel out yet ?

I had to give up my steering wheel times. They were too painful.

[sumran]

Went to see how the primer looked. Looks just like it did last week. Still in the can instead of being on my truck. In truth, I'm not sure that is even my can of primer. Maybe next week.

[sumran]

Well it is a big day. Still need to get it on the doors and gate but the first primer is on the body and bed. Sorry for the poor pictures. Cell phone was all I had.

[sumran]

I ordered the pans and headers today so I can go ahead with the engine build. I wish I could order paint and body work online. Even if you could, it wouldn't work for my truck. Its to old to have a Wi-Fi connection.

I had previously ordered a chrome trans pan and timing cover from LMC. I have been told by several folks that it is hard to prevent leaks with the chrome pans and covers. So I got polished aluminum instead. I am going to return the chrome ones. Summit racing had ceramic headers for $219. They said they are made by Flowtech and look identical to the rusty Flowtechs I have currently. That is a big advantage because I can use the rusty ones until I get the carb dialed in and then switch them out without having to modifyl the exhaust. I was going to go with stainless for durability, but these should last a good while and will stay looking good.

Also got the assembly lube and ZDDP additive I kept forgeting to pick up. I need to get the block and heads painted so that I can start putting things together.

[Restrorob]

Hey Randy,

Ya got that engine all back together ?

Any paint fly'n yet ?

Where's "Overhaul'n" when ya need um !

[sumran]

Sorry to report no and no. They have all the high-build primer on and the metal work compete. They need to finish block sanding and then they will be ready for final primer and paint.

Things have been very busy for me lately. I haven't been very motivated on the engine given the poor progress on the paint. I am still sourcing some parts. I probably have two months work on the interior and exterior before I get to the drive train.

The original plan was to have the truck done before football season. I'll be lucky if I have it back on the driveway in October, because it has to go to glass once it gets out of paint.

[sumran]

Encouraging news from paint prison today. The block sanding has been done on the bed. It looks great. The cab/chassis was at the welder's shop to get the frame repair done, so I didn't actually see it. But I am told it has made similar progress. Doors and gate still need the treatment. I think they may actually be trying to get the truck out of their shop.

[Restrorob]

Well Randy...... That's better newz than yesterday's !!!

Ya know..... Not all prisons have work release programs so I guess that's a plus.

Think maybe their get'n about tired of looking at it as much as your tired of seeing that empty driveway ?

[sumran]

Originally Posted by Restrorob

Think maybe their get'n about tired of looking at it as much as your tired of seeing that empty driveway ?

I don't know if they are tired of the truck, but I'm sure they are tired of me dropping by.

[Restrorob]

Hey Randy,


Do we have any paint yet ?

[sumran]

Originally Posted by Restrorob

Hey Randy,


Do we have any paint yet ?

Not that I know of. I was so busy this week that I didn't get to call or go by and check. I expect I would have gotten a call if there was paint. Probably with an invoice.

[Restrorob]

At this rate...... I'll bet ya can't wait to get yer hands on that invoice !

[sumran]

Originally Posted by Restrorob

At this rate...... I'll bet ya can't wait to get yer hands on that invoice !

I just hope they aren't charging me storage by the month.

[Restrorob]

Any newz yet Randy ?

[sumran]

It appears my truck has been selected for the "ready for final primer" portion of the painting museum display. Time to corner the shop owner. Get busy painting or get busy loading the truck on a flatbed.

[durty harry]

Randy , it dose sound like time to put your foot down or up something .

[sumran]

Originally Posted by durty harry

Randy , it dose sound like time to put your foot down or up something .

It is time, but there is no easy answer. The new painter would inherit someone else's body and prep work. You know how that story goes. I would lose the deposit money, although the body work would offset some of that. I would need to transport it. Then I would have to find a painter that would get it done right and on schedule, for similar money.

[Restrorob]

Originally Posted by sumran

I would have to find a painter that would get it done right and on schedule, for similar money.

Hmmm...... Those two things don't belong in the same sentence and I doubt you'd ever find one person that could/would do both !


It's the norm for these guy's to let their mouth over run their azz just to get the job in the door, Then sit on it..... It's a crying shame.....

[jitteryguy]

you could have learn'd to paint it your self in this amount of time, I hope you get it back soon.

[sumran]

Originally Posted by jitteryguy

you could have learn'd to paint it your self in this amount of time, I hope you get it back soon.

If I had known then what I know now...

The good news is that when went for my weekly injection of frustration, they had the bed masked off and were getting ready to spray the bed liner. So at least one part of the truck will have finish coat on it when I see it next time. Unless it takes more than a week to get it in the booth. It shouldn't. It was only about 10 feet from the door when I left.

[jitteryguy]

I hope the best for ya !

[Jonboy]

Seems odd they would spray the liner first. It sucks that it is taking this long. Maybe you will be so happy with the finished product that the hassle will be a distant memory.

[sumran]

Originally Posted by Jonboy

Seems odd they would spray the liner first. It sucks that it is taking this long. Maybe you will be so happy with the finished product that the hassle will be a distant memory.

I am counting on this being a funny story one day. I am not sure why they chose this order. Any other vehicle I had that got bedliner was already painted. Seems it would be easier to mask smooth paint, but I haven't done it.

[sumran]

Went by and had a look at the bed. They have sprayed the bedliner and it looks good. The inside of the bed is no good for a show truck. I didn't want to spend the money to do high grade body work on the inside of the bed. I knew i was going to cover it in bedliner and put a tonneau cover on it. That way I can still use the truck to do work and not worry about little bumps and bruises.

The bedliner stops at the underside of the rails, so masking is not going to be difficult. The top of the gate will have a cap.

Sorry about the lack of pics. Didn't have a camera with me and the cell phone wasn't going to cut it with black bedliner. I now have two parts of the truck that are finished. The wheels and the inside of the bed. Step by step.

[pat386]

just stumbled on this hope it gets painted soon! good to see more locals!
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