Project Black Hole For Money

[Prathbun]

Thanks for looking at my build thread BLACK HOLE FOR MONEY. I got interested in these trucks because my Dad had a '68 Custom long bed and I really liked it. I have 2 builds going on, well one really. My first is a '67 C-20 long be that i converted from a 3 speed to a 700R4. It has a 283 with a 2 barrel. Its rusty but it always starts and I only paid $355 for it on Ebay. This truck runs fairly decent but is really rusty. I have added tilt, PB, PS and like I said earlier, 700R4 auto transmission. I am afraid to do too much disassembly because most likely I'll destroy whatever I touch because of the rust.

My second project is a '69 C-10. The truck originally had a 350, PS, PB, AC, 12 bolt rear (open diff) and is a long bed. I acquired this for $180. It was completely roached so the only thing I'm saving is the frame, the rear and the front end.

I have a delima that I'm wrestling with. Do I complete the '69 fame or do I continue to upgrade the running '67. My goal for at least one truck is to lower it, disc brakes front and rear, 5.3 engine upgrade with a 4L60 auto trans. Either truck I choose will need complete sheet metal transplant.

[Prathbun]

I have just aquired the 5.3 and trans for $1375. The engine has 39K miles on it and I have the original window sticker from the truck it came out of. I have already removed 3 broken exhaust studs (victim of a front end impact).

My next goal will be to inventory the broken or missing parts so I can get the replacements from the salvage yard that sold me the motor. This salvage yard man said that I could have what ever I needed to complete the motor or he would replace any parts that were damaged in the initial wreck.

[Prathbun]

Engine arrival Pictures

'67 & '69 in the background

These are the engine mounts I'm going to make (try)

[Prathbun]

Well, I'm just home from picking up a pristine lwb bed. ZERO RUST, I MEAN ZERO RUST!!!! It was a California truck that had a bed liner. This thing looks like the original paint on the inside of the bed. I put more scratches in it during transport than it had in 40 + years of existence !! Also, from that same truck, I got a very usable radiator support with only surface rust. I fell into a great deal and I feel like a very luck man to have found these items!!

As these pics show, I had to go through hell ..... snow, icy roads, biizzard conditions, white outs and all with 2wd. It was a great day!!

[Prathbun]

More

[nuke1]

Wow you got great deals on both the box and motor and trans. I do not know which one i would do, but in reality, why not just drive the 67 and do the 69, you said it needed everyhing anyways, and it is already torn fdown, so once it is done you can start on the 67, my thoughts, anyways great start to the project, will catch up later.

[OldCreek]

Road trip in the snow!!! Fun looking back isn't it!

You can't save them all and there is no shame in taking two far gone trucks and making one great one! The parts of one will go to a great cause and some can be sold to others who need them...

Carry on!!!

[Prathbun]

Okay, here is what I gonna do. I can't seem to bring myself to destroy a truck that is still functional just to make it better so I'm building a new truck from my '69 frame. The weather finally turned nice today so I got started again. Here are some pics of my newly found frame. Sure looks better than it did with the POS cab sitting on it!!! Also, for you guys that know about blazer tanks, can you give me some feed back on the tank and the skid plate that I have pictured?? The tank / skid plate is from a '73 Blazer. I have the matching filler neck as well. Will this work??

Thanks!!

[Prathbun]

more pics

[Prathbun]

Today was a great shop day. I was able to install the Transdapt plates on my 5.3 and install it in my frame. I needed to carve up the a/c bracket for the passenger side plate to fit. It took me all afternoon but I have it bolted in. My next phase will be tackling the transmission cross member, adding back the front motor accessories then manifolds.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Looking good to bad you were not closer Id give ya a free cab..

[Rokcrln]

Your gas tank is a 25 Gal and if you want you can get a sending unit out of an 87-91 25 Gal tank that is set up for EFI. This gives you the fittings for an in tank pump for the 5.3L motor. You will need to get the correct PSI pump for your motor but it will all snap together and you end up with a factory in tank pump set up and have the correct sending unit for your fuel gauge. I will try and find the right part numbers for the sending unit and pump. PM me if you need them and then you can post it up if you want.
I used this same tank in my LowBuck truck build as well as LFD's 4 door Tahoe build. Search for info on mounting and what not.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Prathbun]

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

Your gas tank is a 25 Gal and if you want you can get a sending unit out of an 87-91 25 Gal tank that is set up for EFI. This gives you the fittings for an in tank pump for the 5.3L motor. You will need to get the correct PSI pump for your motor but it will all snap together and you end up with a factory in tank pump set up and have the correct sending unit for your fuel gauge. I will try and find the right part numbers for the sending unit and pump. PM me if you need them and then you can post it up if you want.
I used this same tank in my LowBuck truck build as well as LFD's 4 door Tahoe build. Search for info on mounting and what not.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Wow!!!! Thanks Kevin!!! That's great information, I look forward to you PM

[Prathbun]

Had a good shop day today. I installed a PS box (easy) and started to mock up my blazer tank install. For my tank, I had to remove 2 rear frame braces so the tank and skid plate would fit. Check out the pics and give me some feedback. I think I'm on the right track but I really don't know.

Thanks

[Prathbun]

More Blazer tank pics.

[Prathbun]

Also did some U-bolt measurements.

Go here:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=346995

[kev2809]

so whats your plans for the truck for suspension? you keeping it long bed?

[Prathbun]

Originally Posted by kev2809

so whats your plans for the truck for suspension? you keeping it long bed?

I would like to keep the truck somewhat stock except for the motor and trans. Definitely keeping it a long bed. I might entertain a 2" front drop and add front disc brakes. I haven't decided about rear disc brakes yet. For the interior, some funky buckets (old thunderbird or Toyota Avalon wo the rests??) with a console and some type of aftermarket AC. Nothing fancy for the stereo but plenty of dynamat for sound control. I really like the paint scheme of the attached Blazer.

Anybody know this truck or the exact color??

What would the dash color be?? Same teal/blue color?? How about the color of the seats and carpet?? Any ideas??

[Prathbun]

Had a very successful week off this past week. I was able to score a complete 5 bolt front end ('72) and 5 bolt differential which included 4 ralley wheels & centers (3 holding air) for $130 at my local scrap yard.

I have been able to completely install the rear end (with new U-bolts) and complete my transmission mock up phase. I was also able to install my custom cut drive shaft (with new u-joints and carrier bearing installed).

Sanford and Son's have nothing on my operation!!!!

[Prathbun]

Drive shaft pics. Front drive shaft is 30 3/4" long measuring from the center of the carrier bearing to the center of the U-joint bearing cap.

[Prathbun]

Today I worked on the rear end. I removed both axles, and the brake backing plates then reinstalled the axles. Next I buttoned up the spider gears, C-clips and the rear cover all while showing my son how everything worked. Once that was finished, I mocked up Glock's rear disc brake brackets as you can see in the pictures. Finally, I topped the afternoon off with new upper and lower coil spring cups for each side. Doesn't seem like much but the rear end is coming together nicely.

I have some concerns with the support pieces within the frame just over the upper shock mounts. These look somewhat rusty and I think I should pop the rivets and investigate. I will also need to change out the upper mount for the differential cross bar (panard..sp??).