New comer from Utah 1972 Chevy Big Block project

[REEDS 72]

I bought this 1972 Chevy Nov. 09 after looking for a good project. Always loved this generation of trucks. Once you're into a project like this there's no turning back. This truck is all original drive train. It is a 2wd, 1/2 ton, 127 inch wheel base (and staying that way), 402 big block, 400 turbo tranny, 12 bolt rear end, ac cab, Cheyenne equipped.
Typical rust problems, as per most older Utah vehicles, did floor rust repair, replaced rockers and cab corners. I am trying to work from the inside out so I have had the inside cab painted as well as the top of the cab. I am staying with the original orange with white cab paint.
Power train completely rebuilt, motor rebuilt. Thankfully I have been able to find the parts I have needed. This is a work in progress and will still take a while to complete. These pictures show some of the changes and work that has been done.

[Autoblueprint]

Nice job! Looks like you are taking your time and doing it right.

I'd suggest some POR 15 for the floorboards. It is a great product.

You may want to check out the interior section of my web site, might give you some ideas about insulation and sound dampening.

http://www.autoblueprint.com/1971_pa...index_nav.html

Keep up the good work!

[mr.chevy]

Welcome! Your truck looks nice. Did you do the cab repair or a shop? Cause that looks real good!

I also live in Utah.

Keep up the good work.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Good looking truck.. Welcome to the board from southern oregon..

[VA72C10]

Welcome to the board and a nice project!!!

[pdxhall]

Things are lookin great, brother-in-law. You've made a lot more progress than I have. Happy to see you joined the site. There are great people here with tons of information and some great trucks. I'm looking forward to seeing more pics as you progress.

[JasonBird]

Welcome and Cool truck! Best of luck to you and your project!

[RCbowtie69]

Welcome from N.C., your truck is looking good

[REEDS 72]

I haven't posted for a while, but have enjoyed this site immensely! Been busy with the project. Installed a new brake booster and master cylinder. Went through brakes completely, excluding lines to be done at a later date. The existing lines seem to be holding strong.

After installing the rebuilt motor, had a rear main/oil pan leak. Pulled motor and installed new rear main one-piece oil pan gasket to exact manu. specs. At the same time, I installed 2400 RPM Stall converter, due to lack of power to the wheels. Reinstalled motor. Stall converter dead on! Made a major difference. Unfortunately, still having rear main/oil pan leaking problem. Frustrating, to say the least! This has set the progress back a bit. Eventually, the motor will be taken out again and the builder is going to install new oil pan, gasket and rear main to try to seal this up.

I'm going to move on for now and start disassembling the bed. I have found original replacements for the bed floor and drivers bedside, which I have had the body work done, already. Planning to have body work done on the rest of the bed pieces, reassemble and eventually spray-in bed liner.

[nick martorano]

Nice! I hate oil leaks!

[pdxhall]

Hey brother, how's the truck coming along? Any new pics to post?

[REEDS 72]

A lot has been accomplished since my last post. I decided to go ahead and pull the motor.Took it to the builder and had a new one-piece oil pan gasket, rear main and new oil pan installed. Reinstalled motor and NO oil leaks. Everything seems to be fine. Motor is running like a champ!

Went forward on tearing my bed apart, as planned. Decided to do a frame resto at the same time. Thanks to this site, I was able to locate some trailing arms in excellent condition, from a member. Removed cross members and other frame parts, due to corrosion, and had them media blasted. Used POR 15 on all frame parts, rear end differential, and reinstalled everything with grade 8 nuts and bolts.
Put on new lowering springs, new brake lines at the differential, and finished reassembling frame and differential. Previously had body work done on all of the bed pieces, just had to put it back together and reinstall new back bumper.
With warm weather approaching, the project will probably slow down, but I amwanting to get some body work done on the doors. Need to save time for car shows and swap meets.

[REEDS 72]

More pictures and frame "before".

[pdxhall]

Okay brother, it's been almost a year since you updated this thread and I know you've done a lot to your truck. How about an update. You know what they say,


Don't make me come down there a kick your A$$.

[daves72C10D]

Nice truck. Yea, lets see some more picts.

[pdxhall]

It's been almost a year since any updates and I know this truck is almost done.
Do I need to buy you a new camera?

[REEDS 72]

Here is the most recent update. The pictures show the rest of the frame being finished. All of the frame and surrounding suppension parts have been hand painted. The motor and transmission has been reinstalled. Original exhaust manifolds have been ceramic coated. Cab has been prepped and painted.

[REEDS 72]

It's off to final body work and paint. More pictures to come.

[BADAZ chevy guy]

Looks really good so far.
What part of Utah? I'm in Clearfield!!

[pdxhall]

Hey brother, how are things going? I am surprised you haven't updated your thread, I know you've got that rig painted and finished up. Well, they are really never finished. You need to let these guys see that beautiful truck.

[Jahloha]

Alright Reeds, looks like Im gonna have to get my fix of your truck by driving down and checking it out!

[Bishops Trucks]

Looks great so far!

[REEDS 72]

Truck is painted turned out real nice still doing some small things lowering the rear some more. Down the road changes I am going to do is aluminum heads air - gap intake and EFI also looking for new project keeping my eyes open for1950 era chevy cars or maby 67/72 chevy trucks my 72 has been a blast

[Jahloha]

Reeds, looks awesome! You do the painting yourself?

[Malamute]

That turned out very nice! I grew up in Springville and I'm familiar with those old payload stickers......you should have kept them on it!