'72 Project Deplorable

[TXBoudy]

Decided to start a build tread on this ole girl. After searching for 6 months, I found her for sale on craigslist just outside my backyard in Oklahoma. The PO was building himself a keeper so I think found the best start I could have ever hoped for. It never hit the road so EVERYTHING previously bolted to the chassis is still in new or rebuilt condition. Whole rig's got less than 15 miles on it, I'm so excited to have found this truck.

Where I'm starting:
- SB400 roller with forged internals, ARF heads, Edlebrock intake, Demon carb, Doug's Tri-Y headers, TH400, and mild cam for daily driving. Haven't dyno'd her but PO tells me it's north of 450 HP.
- Zero rust. Cab and one bed side is the only piece original to the chassis and had all poor areas repaired although he started with the best condition cab he could find. Fenders, doors, bed, and other metal are all either new or cherry picked from other trucks. Slant nose hood, markers and gas fill deleted, and early grill. Body is ready to start blocking for paint.
- Dropped 4/3 with spindles and rear springs from Early Classics. Panhard bar and shocks also from Early Classics. 5 lug with disk brake conversion with calipers and rotors from mid 80's along with a 1 ton front sway bar. All new bushings, tie rods, and ball joints.
- 15" Salt Flats with 275/60 and 235/70 tires. Mercedes bucket seats with OEM center console. No A/C, heat, or radio.

Where I'm going:
- Engine is going to have to stay, too much bang for the buck already there. I will however elevate the bump stick and massage the top end for flow. An upgrade to a Vortec serpentine set-up will actually be first on my list as I already commandeered the parts. I'll do a separate how-to thread on the conversion to save future guys from the exhaustive research and confusing information that I came across. Vintage Air parts will immediately follow the serpentine conversion with another how-to thread explaining part numbers and what to and not to order from Vintage Air to accommodate for the late model serpentine system. T-56 certainly in the future because I'm a road racer so it's a must.
- Doors will get the Brother's one piece window kit and bonnieclyde100's power window upgrade/modification. Also want Fesler's flush mounted glass set but waiting to see it in person. Body will get an extensive blocking with a decent paint job, it won't be a pure show truck.
- Custom leather interior with high end audio.
- Suspension will be changed to a C4 front from Flat Out but not sure about the final rear end configuration yet. Truck will be lowered to 6/5 and will ride on coil overs as it will see occasional track time.

The ride home:

[TXBoudy]

The outside:

[TXBoudy]

The inside:

[TXBoudy]

The heartbeat:

[GR8-68]

Wow !! That is one sweet ride

[68Gold/white]

I like it!!!
I wonder about engine specs...
Compression ratio
Those carb's initially just came in 650 CFM, 750 version came out later, 650 would be a choke point for big power...just wondering. Heard several good comments about that carb, though!
I like the wheels!
You did get a lot of good stuff, I've never pulled that off...LOL

[TXBoudy]

Thanks guys, I'm certainly excited with it. Can't say I stole it but surely couldn't have built it for nearly what I paid.

Not sure the exact compression. The block is .030" over with slightly dished pistons and the AFR's are off-the-shelf so nothing's been done to purposefully bump the compression. I intend to deck the heads slightly when I massage and match the ports but nothing extreme. The carb is a 1904 which is the 750 version. I can't sing it's praises yet because it needs a tuner's touch. The engine stumbles on the gas at the low end before it takes off and I'm not the carb tuner guy.

Boudy

[GR8-68]

Have you considered trying the Holley efi system ? That is what I am going with on mine.

[TXBoudy]

After I found the truck and realized it was a losing proposition to ditch the 400 I started looking into EFI. I want it, I want it, I want it! First I thought about running takeoff TPI but they really look dated and well, meh. Later I found this setup from a guy who was selling all his parts. He never finished the project so honestly I'm going to have to research the parts and talk to some guys smarter than me to see if the system will work before I start buying parts.

Edelbrock Pro-Flo XT (1986 and earlier) 71373
Edelbrock 90mm Throttle Body with IAC and TPS 38693
Edelbrock Pro-Flo XT Fuel Rail Kit 3627
MSD Distributor 8366
MSD Ignition Module 84665
MSD Ignition Box 6425
MSD Coil Harness 8876
MSD Coil 8226
Dynamic EFI EBL Flash computer
Custom standalone harness
LS1 style 36 lb/hr injectors

Sexy huh?

[RRR18]

Looks like great project.
These are my opinions if it were me. I'd ditch that carb. I'd stay away from that efi system. The self learning stand alone system are coming fast and furious and they are cheaper and easier to use/install anyways. Need more engine info though. I always tell people to make sure they build engines with reality in mind. So, main point being don't build a race engine for street and expect it to do what you want in traffic then go set a speed record at the track on Friday night at test and tune.

[TXBoudy]

My goal is 500 HP that is heavily driven so any input that helps me avoid headaches or regrets is appreciated. What I've read of the new systems so far is that they are getting better. Then... My understanding of the flash computers is they can be tuned on the dyno and forgotten so it sounded like a good way to go.

So in the meantime, is the Demon known for unfavorable issues?

Boudy

[TXBoudy]

Well after a long hard weekend, I feel like progress has been made. The bodywork is finally underway.

[TXBoudy]

Unfortunately, there was a casualty of the weekend.

[GR8-68]

Oops !!! Windshields are a pain Looking good though

[TXBoudy]

Yep, I get a new windshield now. That's what I get for trying to be a squeaky butt and save the rubber.

Here's where it'll be in a few weeks.

[Orange67]

That whole project has trouble written all over it! Great buy, can't wait to see updates

[TXBoudy]

Pretty much what my wife says... Thanks guys.

Boudy

[NC_John]

I like it. Great start.

[Low Elco]

Looks like a very solid start!

[TXBoudy]

Thanks again guys. The blocking continues this weekend and I'm starting the effort to smooth the firewall and cable track.

Boudy

[TXBoudy]

OK so there was another weekend of pre-paint production. The doors, fenders, hood, and bed are ready for primer. The cab on the other-hand has become a problem, actually I'm the problem but it's the cab bringing out my OCD tendencies. Once the cab got to the point of being ready for primer I decided the shave the A/C and vent holes from the firewall. Well that certainly wasn't enough so we shaved all the weld divots on the inside of the door frame openings. Once that was done I just couldn't leave well enough alone are stated filling the cable tray. Needless to say, not an ounce of primer met metal. The cable tray fill found the limits of my talent boundaries. I'll finish it up maybe tomorrow but it'll take a fair amount of Bondo to offset my skill deficiencies.

First we finished up the cab corners:

[TXBoudy]

Didn't realize it early on but the PO tacked the rockers in so they have to be fully welded and filled.

[TXBoudy]

More rocker finish-out.

[TXBoudy]

This is where the OCD started kicking in so we filled the welding divots.

[TXBoudy]

The other side is just as pretty. I think...