Build that 71 402 already

[IronCanine]

Tony... I'm just glad to see a post from you. Had you on my mind and almost PMed last night.

What a year. Completely unfair. I don't know of too many that will look back on 2020 with fondness.... Sometimes it is good to narrow your gaze though. That heater box and that driveline would be my best medicine.

We're not fully in a project right now, but there have been a few days this year where I just had to go down in the basement and work on (or just look at) subassemblies...even if I was making little to no progress on them. And I felt better afterward, regardless of progress or result.

I'll put some friendly pressure on you. I want to see some progress pics. Do it for us. And then we can all jealously stare at your work and tell you how awesome it is. It'll make us all feel better.

[davischevy]

It's been a long time, but the first thing I do when I get in a slump is think of all the people I know that have worse problems than I do, then try to think of a way to help them.

I agree with IC, about keeping busy.

"Busy hands are Happy hands".

Good to hear from you BTW.

[DeadheadNM]

FWIW when I’m feeling stuck in a rut or struggling I tell my self “just keep moving...just keep moving...” Even baby steps add up and will take you around the corner and over the hump.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

You guys are the best and you bet, I'm lucky, it's just a down turn and temporary. I was just saying last night how we don't have the deep problems of others or anything near it, imagining slavery, deep depression, war and starving. I've had friends with not so much a slice of bread. We were perhaps poor for many years, but that wasn't my mom's house, she fed her boys well. Need a pair of shoes? get a paper route and earn it, I wouldn't change it. Many my generation the same.

Some other things going on I can't talk about, only to say true colors aren't always bright and sometimes nuts. So yeah, I'll take your boost & run with it thanks, "baby steps" Ha. This should all be over in a 3-4 weeks, then I close a different chapter that comes as a blessing.

I had a similar year 2011, life comes in spurts my case, sometimes well too much irony too The way 2011 capped off was nothing short fitting, happened the stroke of midnight turning 2012, within context literally. Wasn't my doing or anyone I know, just plain weird. How's this for odd, stone behind my mothers has her same birthdate to the day. Talk about a double-take, they're only a few feet away. What is this the 00-00-0000 section? Yeah I'm kind of an open book. Perhaps I'm part Aussie

Looking forward to 2021 too. Aren't we all right? What a crazy year, just amazing. Always a bright side, I've never been prouder m kids. One graduates next year, his parents not an example for it. The other starts nursing school in Jan., and my oldest and his gal are running through the USA in a $3500 van He's the fisherman, his gal fished with him last season. They had COVID, now they're doing great.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Curious your opinions on paint for the heater box, defrost and A/C ducts. I have an NOS Diverter, but it's the "common" black GM replacement. I'm considering black all the way around to match as opposed the original brown (I'm colored blind, may be gray). I like the idea this ride be very black against the ochre and that, even the original screws are black now. Perhaps a near flat sheen should the painter come up with a concoction. I won't be spraying them and know just the guy for it.

Curious what you guys think and have done that you're happy with.

[DeadheadNM]

I’ve kept the original finishes on both boxes on both trucks: both diverter boxes are NOS and one of the heater boxes is NOS. I did add black painted heater cable covers from the med/heavy duty trucks to both heater boxes and I’ve been pleased with the cleaner look.

The repro S-ducts have a finish that bugs me. Looks a lot different than OE.

It’s amusing to look closely at interiors and see all the different shades of colors for the other than black examples. Green columns are a shade off from the steering wheel and neither really match the green dash for example.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Thanks Deadhead, I was thinking after my post missed the S duct end of things, and wanted to ask about the repro. If I remember right my OEM is nice less a cracked hole, going to pull it

The heater cable covers you mentioned, I recall mine having black plastic covers less and inch or so each end of the cable. Hmm!, they were replaced?

I "just" realized I'm an idiot and the system is black anyway from factory IMO the original sheen is satin-ish.

Just me or are replacement A/C diverters closer in color than the original when compared to the rest of the assembly? I can see black in everything but the original A/C diverter.

The rubber on my defrost flapper is cracked, haven't seen this stuff in years. I'll let that one go, it will out-live me or close. Looks like the rubber mounts using three staples off an impressive gun, punched through the sheet metal.

I think I can use the original S-duct, but I’ll buy a replacement anyway, they won't be available forever. Looking at this picture now, I see the appeal in original color too deadhead. These were painted so they don't stand out. I may opt for a less sheen is all. Not sure one the replacement diverter, I suppose another option is match the rest to that, but it's pretty dark.

[DeadheadNM]

Here's the install diagram for the heater cable cover I mentioned: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...09&postcount=4

You'll notice the pre-drilled holes for the cover, which weren't originally installed in the light duty trucks. I think it cleans up the look.

I'd use the OE S-duct if at all possible. Can't share a photo of the repro example at the moment but it looks much different. The difference is akin to the overseas repro firewall insulation. Get the USA made stuff that Wes carries at Classic Heartbeat if still available as it looks OE.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Here's the install diagram for the heater cable cover I mentioned: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...09&postcount=4

You'll notice the pre-drilled holes for the cover, which weren't originally installed in the light duty trucks. I think it cleans up the look.

I'd use the OE S-duct if at all possible. Can't share a photo of the repro example at the moment but it looks much different. The difference is akin to the overseas repro firewall insulation. Get the USA made stuff that Wes carries at Classic Heartbeat if still available as it looks OE.

Thanks P. I wonder why they didn't paint the sheet metal inside the heater box? - that's a lot of surface rust for this ride. I know it takes a resistor or something like.

My edgeucational is pretty light on wiring and grounds at this point, that's going to change some come next year, can't wait to wire it

Can't wait for the duct hoses too, there was hardly anything left to pull and I've never installed it, tight fit in there, fun

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Okay, so it didn't take 15 minutes to install the driveline, but easy enough right.

I spent much time determining how long the driveline would have to be, even layed 600 lbs. of sand bags on the frame, which made no difference weight or not. Gave an excuse to finish torqueing the leaf spring HW. End of the day despite a 4/2.5 drop the shafts didn't require a length adjustment, per the shop who refreshed the driveline. The gap between the front slip joint and transmission tail remained 1/2". What changed is the gap between the rear dust shield on the carrier bearing and rear slip joint. The shop said that's cool, and even though the guy was drunk he'd obviously done this a long while, he even showed me how to remove the rubber boot from the bearing for an edgeucation.

The finish proved a challenge, imagine my surprise to see the guy ceramic coated the front slip joint for starts. Complete finish do over on the front shaft & slip. Not a big deal, he's generally very good and didn't want a dime to do it again, this time 3x the work easy. Both of us got her done. He talked me into ceramic in the first place. After install and clean-up I'm happy for it. The carrier bracket is ceramic too. Happy Thanksgiving

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Finished prepping these today, think I'll just run with a clear coat Really though, anyone know what sheen these were factory? I believe gloss.

On a side, very cool how a thermostatic air cleaner works, was a mystery to me until this clean-up. The "motor" or vacuum diagram on the snorkel is easy to test. I'm not pulling it off for paint, don't want to mess with the linkage that works, and IMO the factory painted them as a unit anyway. Can't say if my thermostat works, the unit hasn't been used since before I got the truck, missing stove pipe for starts. Picked up another thermostat anyway, can use the parts.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

I don't attest to be any expert routing spark plug wires - I ran with the idea they don't touch anything, what a novel idea These are "custom" made Taylor (76032), for a BBC truck with Hei, and really not a bad fit at all. 35 degrees at the spark plugs works nicely. I've never made wires myself and perhaps couldn't do better, but #1 & #2 could lose some inches, IMO.

Think I'd like to rake their add off the wires, perhaps paint thinner or ? Come to think of it, they threw in an extra wire, test on that. Edit, yep, probably ought to wash that off I read they include an extra in the event there's a coil, but strikes me that's not relevant since these are made for HEI. Perhaps they'll work on either, though this HEI cap has male connectors, I think point caps are female, a novice speaking.

When a mechanic installed the old Delco HEI distributer years ago, the bracket booster vacuum connector wasn't reinstalled because the bolt head wouldn't clear a distributor cap retainer. An Alan button head is the ticket, looks like it belongs there.

[IronCanine]

Gee whiz...I've missed an update or 3. All looks fantastic.

[cericd]

How did you clean and prep your air cleaner? It looks great!

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by cericd

How did you clean and prep your air cleaner? It looks great!

Thanks, yeah I wanna clear coat it I might have some you can no longer buy paint remover. I followed it up with a bath, brushes, liquor thinner and then a maroon scrub pad & probably a lighter scrub pad to follow. Anything more than that is up to the painter.

Word is the air cleaners were 60% gloss? I don't know what that means, but I've read from there polish to your heart's content.

OT: I've read how the original transmission dip stick tubes leak. They take an O-ring, but apparently leak anyhow. I have a feeling it's because some don't sit quite right, as I cinched mine up it insisted on a small gap. Anyway, I put a shim in the mix so this seats like it's supposed to. Now trying to find a longer Gr 5 flange bolt, in black They all appear to be Gr 8, apparently even manufacturers believe Gr 8 is the way to go. IMO it's a misconception, because there's good reason factories used Gr 5 on these long blocks.

[LT7A]

I'm fascinated by the detail. Thanks for sharing all of this with us.I'm glad you made it past the sticking point with the driveshaft, etc. There were lots of things going on for you and hopefully this truck can be a good place to occupy your time and mind. Sometimes working on them seems to drives me crazy, haha. But coming up with ideas and making plans is sometimes what keeps me sane in the midst of everything else. Good luck, and here's to a happier new year for you and all of us.

[LT7A]

Originally Posted by davischevy

It's been a long time, but the first thing I do when I get in a slump is think of all the people I know that have worse problems than I do, then try to think of a way to help them.

This comment stayed in my head, so I came back to mention it. Lots of people talk about reminding themselves of other people who have it worse than they do, but not many of them sit and try to think of a way to help them. Hat's off to you Larry, this made me think.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Dang it,
dang it
ah dang it
dang it

Ah man dang it, picked this up today, just dropped it off yesterday for powder coat. I knew of a flaw already, but accepted it, the first owner drilled through the support for a external trans cooler COUGH!, bypassing the Radiator COUGH! and the welder wasn't the best right DARN!. Fair enough, I can live with it. But then I get this home and see this. I probably missed it, though they did blast it, course it would show more, but almost matches the two captured nuts right. If I knew about it no way I'd powder coat. They only charged $130, but they only needed to strip some paint and now it's powder coat, Dang it Anyway, they have an oven but I'll bet it doesn't fit

Anyway, I'm up to eating some more with them, just want to see it done and they're good people. That's assuming they can strip it cleanly (e.g. no warping, distortions) they only have a sand blaster, it's one reason they like their oven, dang it.

Calling them tomorrow to share the news. Another on the chops. Speak of, they did powder my NOS hood springs today, a lot of places won't, they look great. That's the second time these were finished on my watch. Lesson for me was sometimes it's best to let experts do what they're known for. If they volunteer for more that might be worth another consideration

That dent in the core support is a tough calling, real bad spot. I have a nice heavy iron block that fits right in there, but then what, can't swing a hammer at that either.

So I should have had the core support painted in the first place, and know just the body guy, at least the metal should look better than new assuming it's stripped cleanly. The body end was another oversight on my part, how about let me see it before you spray. Perhaps worst of it I planned to mount it because ordered the radiator today as well. I'd like to run the new cooler lines before the cab is dropped, the old lines were cut COUGH! so nothing to compare them to, and I'm hoping to use the clip on the oil pan as well. Word is my cab is due 3-4 weeks Busy every day till it's done, sick of it, I want this on the road Dec. or soon after.

On a side, I can't imagine what would have put that dent in there, what the heck? Had to have been a big tool, I'd need a 1/4 round bar and hammer or pellet gun to match it. I suppose I could drill a hole in it instead plan B, declare it the secret for an extra cool engine. May have even been bondo, factory.

Money pit, love doing things twice too, just a ball. They say it's the adventure I guess, who made that up.

Edit: Just got off the phone with the place. He suggests, and I agree prep as it is for paint, because it's a good base for the right paint. I'll ask the painter about finishing all but the rear.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

The body/paint lead took my core support next morning Josh is the best, he feels we're in this together. He led the dry run, which was bigly because the truck had been T-boned, bent the pillar. Five hours later he had that better than LH side. He took my rear bumper brackets for fab. as well, another source had them for months. You can't appreciate a 2wd, swb, with leaf springs w/o having one, what a nightmare. When we're done we can retail to perhaps 10-15 customers world wide it's the kind of rare you don't want. core with a grille The old man special ordered that 20 minutes from me.

Never mind perhaps tower clamps for water hoses, tell me Witek didn't make a great clamp right. These are the power steering return clamps pulled off the 71 - just polished them up a bit. I'm using the same type Witeks on the heater hoses. If memory serves me like Corvettes and that.

No need to punch-list last 15 months, throughout we've had to deal with poorest of character. Should be over by now. Anyway, one thing that went right is I play these like I want to. Took 40 years I guess. Sure arthritis and that, gee what timing. I took my licks throughout, and so has this bass drum head Never seen this before, generally one second you're playing the next you punch through. Kick harder than I used to, more often too, same head I've always bought. I've played this cracked head at least 15-20 times last 6 months or so and still sounds great

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

He's making nice progress

[68bowtie]

Looking good!

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Don't know what you guys go through for front brake hoses, but this has been a ride. Something I've introduced at least six pair of hoses. Two sets were custom.

By the first few store-bought pair I realized they don't retail the correct fitting at the crossmember bracket. That and the 13" appeared too short, one rubbed the LH ball joint but cleared the RH side no issues.

So I read 16" is the answer for a 2.5" drop, had them made with the correct fitting at the bracket. Not even close, well too long. So I asked the guy to shorten, came home and realized he used the wrong bracket fitting this time and too long again. At any rate, I found some that work at Kragens, a new store, closest my house

They too are 13"so it dawned on me the bends from the caliper fitting on three former retail weren't quite right, go figure. I suppose you can adjust the angle at the caliper somewhat, but seems to me that's not the intent of the caliper assembly.

I ended up torqueing the banjo bolts to 22.5 ft lb as a happy medium-ish. Read 22, 71 manual says 25, but try finding 71 caliper fittings, they're not the same and nor are the calipers. I installed the later calipers anyway. The hoses and calipers were changed in 72 or 73, not sure which year.

The replacement hose clears the RH ball joint at all turns, though full in or out it's close. Unlike former retail LH hoses, the hose clears the LH ball joint by inches. Slack is adequate on both.

13.5"-14" brake hoses would be ideal IMO, know of any?

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Nearing the end refinishing parts. I have the air cleaner, booster & steering column out. Beyond that the temperature boxes and done. Yeah right done, probably not. Still have the window trim yet. Really I'm not doing much this point pending radiator & cab.

I like the heck out of this Cerakote, he just sent some pictures. This batch is all cold processed.

In the end hardly anything is painted less body, long block & the parts mentioned above out with "Grease". He's my nephew, so to speak. Grease is another way of saying pay very well or it aint getting done, ever He's a neat guy and real talented. For the most part he paints Harleys.

Edit: Picked up the Cerekote parts today and went into a panic because the guy thought for sure he'd already returned the hood hinges He forgot he had them to do yet Anyway, this batch was mostly...

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Picked up the last of the cold processed Cerakote. The hinges came out nice, second time's a charm I guess

Cerakote is cool in that it changes shades or color under a variance of light etc.. That's from old colored blind eyes any way To those & this picture, these look to have some gray in there. They don't, these are black satin.

[Getter-Done]

Those Parts look Great.










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