Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Thank you.

I haven't been able to do much the past few days, but I did just order all of what I think I need to re-build and install my Holley Projection FI set up. I think I may be able to fire it up enough to drive it over to the body shop in a week or so. If not, no biggy, I can drag it a block if needed.

I have been going through the boxes and bags in the garage attic and finding what I need. Still some things I can't find yet though. Putting a box of parts together to send to my bro-in-law for powder coating. So far I have the hood hinges, door latches, steering column piece that covers the grommet under the gage cluster, and that brace under the dash for the pedal, and the e-brake assembly. I should get the brake booster to firewall mount also. Can't really think of anything else right now. Too much crap scattered around for too many projects.

I think I'm going to go sand my kick panels now.

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Awesome! finally some color!

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Just got a new pc and smart phone on the same day and trying it out.
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Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

I had planned on spending most of the day working on the truck. I only managed a few hours of interrupted play time. As stated above, got both a new computer (hard drive was getting sketchy) and a new smart phone (freebie from sprint) on the same day. Then my youngest had a double header, and well, you get the picture.

Anyway, I started with getting the gas tank situated. I wasn't happy with how it was hanging there and liked the idea of pressing it against the bed cross sills even less. The top of the tank is domed in the middle and I was originally thinking I needed to notch those. But after looking at how others have installed non-original tanks under the bed, I came up with something much easier.

I went to a local machine shop and bought a couple pieces of aluminum angle, 2" x 3" x 3/16" and 12" long each. I figured out a good placement on the bottom side of the frame rails and drilled some holes.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_0615.jpg

I dropped the tank down a bit, slid my new brackets/supports in place, bolted them in with some good 3/8" bolts and tightened the tank straps back up.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_0616.jpg

Now the tank is slightly lower than the bed cross sills, yet still tucked up fairly high. It is solid in there now, no more worries. I set the rear bumper in place to see how much hangs down visible, and it's not much. I think it hangs less than a 72 blazer tank. This view is straight on at the same level as the bumper.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_0617.jpg

The only other thing I managed to get done was installing the new shocks, and that's not quite done either. One shock is loose until I get a couple more lock washers.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_0618.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...k/IMG_0619.jpg

I need to put another thin coat of filler in the kick panels, and I'm waiting for delivery on parts to rebuild and install the Holley Projection set up. I need to put a steering wheel on it to ease moving it around for the body shop. That's about it for now on the cab and chassis. The bed still needs a lot of work inside to repair the floor, install the gas filler, etc.

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Looks like some good progress to me.

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

I suppose. It all needs to be done at some point right?

Got my FI parts yesterday, but probably won't get any truck time for a few more days yet. Oh well :(

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

I'm really glad for you that you have gotten this this far and got some color on it! I'm with oyu and would have been nervous about spraying it your self. I'm sure you're like me. Could I do it, I'm sure. But I don't have the facility to spray a dirt free paint job, and if I get some runs in it that is more time I'm out repairing that when I could be getting much needed work done on the truck to be closer to finishing it up soon. Good descion. You still have other projects to practice and get comfortable with spraying paint. By the way, that color looks awesome!

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Agreed.

Got a bit of time in the garage, but just taking care of some details so it's ready to roll over to the body shop. Cleaning primer off the door gasket flange on the driver side from where it chipped off during adjustment, found the washers I needed to finish the shocks, laid another skim coat of filler on the kick panel bottoms and sanded it, drilled the holes in the front portion of the floor hump cover I made, etc.

I'm going to work on the fuel system this week and get the wire run for the fuel level gage. Take it off the dollies and have it ready to roll. Then I'll turn my attention to the bed repairs. I'll work on the gas filler neck first and then get the old tubs out. I have to spot weld all of the bolts to keep them from turning so they will loosen. Total pain. Anyone have a better idea? Please post if you do.

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

With a spotter on the top, torque them until they twist off. The spotters job is to let you know if the bolt starts to "waller" the hole (then use the method you describe).

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Body shop said thursday for the cab. Probably won't get it back til next week though. Which is fine, I have plans for the weekend.

Got the old fuel pump and connecting tubing off and the block off plate installed on the engine block. Started assembling the new electric pump and filters together, but need to figure out where to mount them. The instructions say it needs to be below the fuel tank, but that is kind of hard to do with the tank mounted behind the axle. I don't really want it hanging down on the bottom of the frame rail, but also don't want to do it twice if if won't draw fuel mounted a few inches higher. It'll also have to be mounted under the back of the cab because any further back and the frame is running upwardand higher than the fuel tank. Maybe I'll post a question concerning this on the engine forum to get some opinions.

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

The body shop called this morning and said they could take it in today. So there it is.
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Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Stopped by the body shop and pulled off the radiator support. Bought some black paint and will spray that and the inner fenders myself, probably next week. The shop is sanding, making progress. They plan on painting the firewall, windshield frame, inside the cab, door jams, rockers, door inners, probably next week. Then we'll put the support back on, mount the fenders and hood and they'll spray the outside.

The bed will be painted separately, then set on afterwards. Still hoping for mid june to complete painting it.

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Very nice! You're making great head way!

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Getting some work done on the bed tonite. One wheel well is out. Cut the rust out of the front and sprayed some galvanizing on the area cleaned out. The new piece of steel is fit up and I should get it tacked in yet tonite.
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Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Todays progress. Got most of the welding done on the longer patch up front. It will look better once its ground down smooth. Started welding the little patch. Then cut out some rust in the back. Quitting time early today to take my wife out for some fun.

The body shop has most of the interior and jams sanded. Just need to do the ceiling.
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Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Keep it up man!

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Thats what she said...;)

Once I have the time and ambition combined at the same time, things move along nicely. Time to get in the shower and get ready. Wifes friend is in a band and playing tonight in Mankato. Going to a bar for the first time in years to hear a band and rock out. :5150: :metal:

I'm the driver though and in a company car, so only a beer or 2 for me.:waah:

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Well enjoy it and have a great time!

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Nice progress. Have fun....but not too much :D

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

How "too much fun" is defined can be a wide and inexact science. :lol:

It was a good night. The band was good, the dinner was good, the company was great. The bar scene is kinda funny when you hit your 40's. More work to do later, then going to 93x fest tomorrow for another round of head banging:metal:

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Don't bang it too hard. :lol:

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Got a little more wElding done, and pulled out the other wheel tub. Surprisingly little rust there. Good thing.
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Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

More welding completed. The front edge is done and the rear corner patch is welded in. Lots of grinding to do. Not sure how I'm going to fix the small rust holes yet. Probably clean them up and try to weld them in first and use patches if thAt doesn't work. The biggest hole now is the size of a nickle.
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Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Working on my gas filler today. Doing something different. Using a modified blazer filler turned 180* so it is inside the bed. Still needs some work but you get the idea. Will cut a hole in the cover and clean it up for paint. Won't look exactly stock, but sorta will be.

Marked the bed floor
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...0truck/047.jpg

Cut the tube, then turned it 180*
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...0truck/048.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...0truck/049.jpg

Welded back together.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...0truck/050.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...0truck/051.jpg

Mocked up.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...0truck/052.jpg

Re: Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build
 

Looking good! So when's your target date to drop off the bed with the shop?