71 Ol' Blue

[XxCHEVYMANxX]

Looking good ! you have made a ton of improvements. love the ride height !

[mcbassin]

Anything new on this truck?

[71Sleeper]

Well it's been about 2.5 years and Ol Blue has been removed from its Tomb of being a catch-all in the garage. Mainly do to the fact my son is quickly approaching driving age and foresees Ol Blue being his, boy do I have news for him. But he has motivated me to get back to it and hopefully have him on the road within the year.
Things to do:
700r4 trans
Bolt on new headers and have new pipes ran
Get new MSD ignition system finished up
New tires
Finish up interior
Finish up brakes
New fuel tank under bed
Install new inner wheel fenders
Rear end rebuild
Any way here are a few pics.

[71Sleeper]

Trying to get them loaded

[71Sleeper]

I guess one at a time is better than none.

[71Sleeper]

Last one for now.

[mcbassin]

Glad to see you are back on the project!

[jlsanborn]

Cool truck man! I got steelies in 8" and 10" from Wheel Vintiques - 62 series. Also have a SJ 327 and 62cc CH heads in the shop

[71Sleeper]

Thanks, I thought long and hard at the beginning on an LS swap but just something about going with the 327 or a SB 400 just reminded me of my first truck in school which was a 67 step. And that is the main reason for having another one of these trucks is to take a trip down memory lane.

The ride height in the back I think still sets a little high. The rake is not bad now but when I get the new front rubber I believe installing 1" blocks on the rear will make the stance just right.

[slick copper]

Glad to see you're still on it. I just recently got restarted on my truck.

[71Sleeper]

Here we go again. My son and I have been talking about the future of Ol Blue. Let's just say we have (he has) decided to take this build into another direction. I like old school he not so much. Thanks in part to all of the great builds here that provide the inspiration. Going to take this nice driver up a notch to a really nice driver. We have already informed the Lady of the house that the garage will no longer have room for her car for awhile. I'm sure there will be a few disagreements a long the way and changes will be made, but I wouldn't have any other way.

[jlsanborn]

Big wheels and air ride?

[71Sleeper]

Originally Posted by jlsanborn

Big wheels and air ride?

Will have to see where our budget gets us but yes those are on his list.

[71Sleeper]

We got some work done past couple hours. I knew that the truck was pretty solid but with each body part we pull off I get more excited at what we find. The worst section so far which I already knew about was under the battery tray. But just a small area that should be easy to fix. I will get some pics of the fenders and rad support tomorrow in the day light. But here are a few I did take tonight.

[71Sleeper]

Got him hard at it.

[71Sleeper]

This is how far we got tonight.Motor and tranny comes out tomorrow.

[71Sleeper]

Motor and tranny out. Decision time how far do we want to take this build now?

[71Sleeper]

HC 327 double hump all matching block with less then 200 miles on it just sitting in the floor now. Son wants LS swap and me thinks not. He explains We will still need a 700r4 and 2500 stall which is another $800 to $1k so he wants to sell the 327 and take that money and put toward the LS. The tank is already top on the list to relocate so we need to decide which way to go. The 327 might find its way on Craig's list.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by 71Sleeper

HC 327 double hump all matching block with less then 200 miles on it just sitting in the floor now. Son wants LS swap and me thinks not. He explains We will still need a 700r4 and 2500 stall which is another $800 to $1k so he wants to sell the 327 and take that money and put toward the LS. The tank is already top on the list to relocate so we need to decide which way to go. The 327 might find its way on Craig's list.

Good luck with your decision. I personally love the LS motors. I don't think I will ever drive a carbed truck again.

[71Sleeper]

I believe an LS will be the route we go. I will have the 327 posted soon for sale. Somebody will surely be getting a good deal on it because I probably will sell as a complete drop in with everything I have with it.

[71Sleeper]

The bed was a PITA! Most of the bolts came out good but there were a few that would not and of course those were located in way that getting to them was almost impossible. All in all the bed is solid. The only placed was on the passengers side on the bed fender and on the inner bed side where the fender meets.

[71Sleeper]

Bed fender should I try and repair or just buy one?

[71Sleeper]

Oh and had to make some room so added wall art to the garage.

[slick copper]

Originally Posted by 71Sleeper

Oh and had to make some room so added wall art to the garage.Attachment 1434835

Lmao! That's awesome though. Might actually steal that idea because of limited space in my garage. On the bed fender personally I would replace. I don't have that good of fab skills.