Curt's '72 K20 Resto-mod

[Curt's_72]

Originally Posted by Mr-Jack

i wish my antenna looked as nice as yours does...nice pickup man

I've had people ask about that antenna. It was on the truck when I got it. It's not stock I don't think.

[Chevy1TonFun]

Curt, what is the plan for the front hub cabs?

[Curt's_72]

Originally Posted by Chevy1TonFun

Curt, what is the plan for the front hub cabs?

I've got hubcaps for the front wheels. I didn't put them on because it needed to go to the front end shop. I've had an adjustable drag link and dropped pitman arm installed. It needed aligned, and I wanted fresh new wheels up front to replace the ones with overspray.
Here's the shots of the suspension parts on.



We didn't use a dropped pitman arm back in the day. It was a big 'ol block that elevated the drag link on the other end.



As soon as I get the tires cleaned up I'll have new pictures of it with the hubcaps on.

[RINC]

Originally Posted by Curt's_72

As soon as I get the tires cleaned up I'll have new pictures of it with the hubcaps on.

Cant wait to see it !

BTW, I giggled cuz you have stickers already on the rear

[Curt's_72]

More windshield trouble.
I ordered the 67-70 trim to work with the new Presision gasket.
It fit worse than before.

These pictures show the upper corners where the gasket is pulled away from the windshield at least 1/4", about 6" long.





The trim isn't even down in the groove at each corner, either.
The gasket doesn't lay flat base of the windshield. Yeah, that'll work when it rains.





They sent me home, telling me to drive it, and maybe it'll seat. I suppose if I went off road it might jar it around some.


I've got another appointment this week to take it back out.

[Mr-Jack]

You must have better self control than i do...I'd be a bit frustrated cause it seems like your luck is batting a thousand. Hope you get it resolved soon...I wouldn't like being told to drive it around so that it can possibly seat properly. Not thinking this is gonna help you out much by the look of things

[Mr-Jack]

do you have any pictures of your radiator core support and how it bolts to the body mount? I got a new kit, and trying to figure out the stacking order

[freakshow108]

I had this same issue, by chance I used both hands, palm, and in a slapping motion at the same time also a Down motion pushed the glass dome into the seal. I know this sounds weird but it worked. As soon as I did the " down slapping motion" the seal rolled into place. If I haven't described this clearly, pm me and I will shoot a quick vid and email to you. I mean this in the sense that I suck at explaining this!. Good luck
Posted via Mobile Device

[ryanmctee]

I would love to hear the result of this. Last night I had a mobile glass guy work for two and a half hours on my windsheild. Couldn't get the repro trim to fit in the gasket to save his life, and the gasket won't fit in the truck at all. The gasket is a Counterpart brand - hope nobody else makes that mistake. Anyways, he's going to bring a Precision gasket on Friday and give it another college try....

[Curt's_72]

Originally Posted by ryanmctee

I would love to hear the result of this. Last night I had a mobile glass guy work for two and a half hours on my windsheild. Couldn't get the repro trim to fit in the gasket to save his life, and the gasket won't fit in the truck at all. The gasket is a Counterpart brand - hope nobody else makes that mistake. Anyways, he's going to bring a Precision gasket on Friday and give it another college try....

I've got an appointment this Friday at the glass shop, and I'll be there to help. I'll be sure to post results and pictures when we're on it.

Got the opportunity to go to Carb Day on Friday. There'll just be lot's of bikini tops and cold beer. I'd MUCH rather sweat it out on the windshield. LOL

[Curt's_72]

Originally Posted by Mr-Jack

do you have any pictures of your radiator core support and how it bolts to the body mount? I got a new kit, and trying to figure out the stacking order

I've gone through every picture I've got. I don't find anything helpful for you. All the straight on shots show nothing. It looks like you need a picture from the back side, like from under the hood.
I'll try to get something for you.

[Mr-Jack]

I appreciate it...i got a PM from a member suggesting i look at LMC truck catalog, and that helped a lot, so don't go out of your way bud...I appreciate the pic though. BTW the classic color combo is killer.

[freakshow108]

Any luck with that windshield?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Curt's_72]

Originally Posted by freakshow108

Any luck with that windshield?
Posted via Mobile Device

We've learned alot in the past few days.
We removed the windshield for the third time Friday morning. These pictures show what my glass guy, Mike doesn't like.
First, as I've discribed earlier, we replaced the header panel. Rather than cut the old one out, we laminated the new one in.
This can be done, looking back, but don't do it the way we did.
He's concerned that the additional material thickness of the pinch weld is causing the gasket not to fit in the corners.





The new Precision gasket and 67-70 trim just didn't fit.
But, the Counterpart gasket for 71-72 trim fit much better previously.
We reinstalled the Counterpart gasket and attempted to use the 71-72 trim.



We don't know how anybody can use the later style trim, with it's tiny insert flange.
This picture shows the gasket fitting better, and we actually got the top trim installed using the same rope technique used when installing the windshield.
However, the curve of the bottom trim pieces just wouldn't allow us to do it on them.

So, out it came.

[Curt's_72]

These pictures show what we have determined to be the real cause of our problem.
Notice how the header lip is extended well past the original pinch weld.





The little 'tabs' we figure are for aligning the header with the pinch weld. We aligned the header with roof inside the cab, not regarding this edge.
This just wasn't allowing the gasket to seat and fit up far enough on the pinch weld.

After much debate, I busted out the Dewalt angle grinder. Mike couldn't believe I'd do this, but I didn't see we had a choice.
We covered everything up and I sat on the dash, facing the cab and went at it.







After about an 1/2 hour, we cleaned everything up.
As you can see, this makes sense to our problem.

[Curt's_72]

After cleaning everything up, we installed the Precision gasket and the 67-70 trim. The 5/8" insert is much easier to work with.
After some creative 'slapping' on the windshield and working the gasket inside the cab, we've got it very close.





In the last picture, it looks like the trim doesn't fit properly. It's not nearly as it looks.
Mike didn't seal anything yet, he wants me to drive around for awhile so to seat the entire windshield.
After driving it this past weekend, I see a positve difference already.

[Mr-Jack]

Yeah...i might have been in there with a dremel with a grinder bit lol

[ryanmctee]

I like the grinder approach. Why screw around when you can take care of it immediately? So, you say you went with the 5/8" trim? Which year trim is that and what brand? I'm still waiting on my glass guy to try the precision gasket, but I have the shallow trim. Thanks in advance - Ryan

[Curt's_72]

Originally Posted by ryanmctee

I like the grinder approach. Why screw around when you can take care of it immediately? So, you say you went with the 5/8" trim? Which year trim is that and what brand? I'm still waiting on my glass guy to try the precision gasket, but I have the shallow trim. Thanks in advance - Ryan

Ryan,
The 5/8" trim is 67-70. The brand I bought was Counterpart. That small insert on the 71-72 trim is a PITA.
After a week, it still fits just ok. The gasket at the base is still pulled away from the windshield some, and the trim isn't quite flat. I'm not going to seal anything until it's flat against the windshield.

[yfs200p]

I'd also like to know the brand of the items that ended up working best for you. I also replaced my header panel inside and will be getting a new windshield and gasket too. I'm leaning towards eliminating the chrome trim to minimize the hassle, even though my truck is supposed to have it. Your truck really came out awesome, great work!

[Curt's_72]

Originally Posted by yfs200p

I'd also like to know the brand of the items that ended up working best for you. I also replaced my header panel inside and will be getting a new windshield and gasket too. I'm leaning towards eliminating the chrome trim to minimize the hassle, even though my truck is supposed to have it. Your truck really came out awesome, great work!

Precision gasket, Counterpart trim, 67-70.
If I hadn't invested in a set of each with trim, I'd go without the trim.
The trim does enhance the look, but to anybody else, you'd never notice. Hardcore's (like us) would notice the lack of trim, but in the long run, as far as fitment and hassle goes, I'd go without.
If the gasket and trim doesn't seat soon, I'm pulling it all back apart and going without. Getting fed up with this. All the issues with bodywork, mechanical & electrical so far pale in comparison.

[Curt's_72]

Now for something positive.
I had it on the lift for final detailing underneath.
Props to my Cousin Todd, for letting me use his toybox. It's pretty cool. No, really. He just had air conditioning installed!







These pictures don't show it, but I cleaned up the muffler clamps and painted them with the Eastwood metal coating. They won't rust so fast now.

Now I'm just showing off. I thought these were cool pictures.

[ryanmctee]

I'd show off too. Beautiful truck. Can't wait till mine is at that stage.

[72 tigger]

Looks great- really like the wheels & hubcaps. It has to feel great finally seeing it all come together. I'd like to see that big dog in person some day. Hope you get the windshield sorted out.

[1985-GMC]

Awesome truck! I love everything you've done to it, that that color is sweet!