Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

Finally made a decision on the tailgate too. I couldn't find a suitable original, so I got an aftermarket one from LMC. We haven't fit it yet to see how good it is, but I have to say it looks excellent to the naked eye, and they did a hell of a job packaging that thing up for shipping. I'm impressed. Going to paint the letters white. It'll look hot.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_2769.jpg

Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

Looking good Dusty

Probably wise choice with the gate. At least you know what you have
Richard

Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

Just subscribed to the thread, looks good will be watching your progress!

Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

Working on reassembling the rolling chassis. Will post some pics soon. It would've been nice if LMC Truck told you ahead of time that you have to use THEIR leaf spring spacers if you're using their u-bolts for the rear susp. The one on the right is the original one that I restored, but the new u-bolts didn't even touch them because the shoulder of the aftermarket u-bolts are more round than the originals. So you have to spend another $40 + shipping to get LMC's spacers. Sheesh…

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3397.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3398.jpg

Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

Front axle is reassembled and ready to roll under the frame. I restored or replaced every component of the axle except the steering arm (still need to paint that one). I'm really happy with how it came out. It looks pretty much like new. Though I've had it under a tarp for a couple weeks and the rotors rusted over. So going to have to clean them up and get some oil on them for the time being. Here are some pics…

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3408.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3409.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3410.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3411.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3412.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3413.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3414.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3415.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3416.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3418.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3417.jpg

Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

Looking good, keep it up and you will be done in no time. Hows the bodywork going?

Richard

Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

Body work is done. It should be ready for paint in a week or two, then off to the Line-x shop. Then back home. It's getting really exciting.

Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

Stripped the motor down and took it to the machine shop yesterday for a complete rebuild. Here are the 'before' photos. Will post the 'after' photos once I get it back.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3419.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3421.jpg

Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

The body is ready for paint early next week. Going with Hugger Orange for sure. He did a spray out for me and it's a beautiful, rich color. it's going to look hot with the white wheels and accents. Pics from yesterday…

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3423.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3424.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3428.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3429.jpg

Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

That's going to look great!

Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

So turns out that's not a 350 in the pics above. It's a 305. AND it's not the original motor. So…the machine shop sourced what would have been an original 350 block for the first gen. Blazers and is in the process of rebuilding it as we speak. It should be done this coming week. Will post pics when I pick it up.

Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

Drum brakes are back together. I reconditioned or replaced every part of them. I'm two brake calipers away from having a rolling chassis!

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3634.jpg

Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

Well done Dusty, coming along nicely....is the paint done yet on the truck?

Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

Thanks Jim. No they actually haven't started painting it yet. They bumped it back in line at the shop because I told them I wasn't ready for it yet anyway. But they will be starting the paint this week. I'm trying to get the motor back and in the frame before the body comes back.

Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

Hope the paint comes out as you expect....nicely done on your attention to detail. Should be an excellant truck when done

So what is your thoughts on restoring so far......like, dislike, interesting, fustrating, or all of the above:-)

Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

I'm really enjoying it, though it's hard when it competes with family time. Buying Kurt Linder's project was a very smart move for me, because it saved me roughly $7K in body work according to a number of body shops I talked with. I was able to part out so much of that truck that I wasn't going to use so I got most of my $$ back. And so far I'm very happy with my decision to restore the truck to mostly original specs. I love the classic look of these things and didn't want to go with modern wheels, motor, etc. We'll see if I still feel that way once I have her out on the road. If not, I figure I can always upgrade bits and pieces. But for now, restoring it to close to original is the way to go.

Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

looking good dusty.

Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

Cleaned up and painted the 700R-4 Trans…

Before:

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3632.jpg


After:

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3703.jpg

Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

Restoring the T-case and all its parts (as well as some others)…

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3701.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3704.jpg

Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

We've got a roller!

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3712.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3715.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...u/IMG_3714.jpg

Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

Does anyone know if the steering arm mounts with the threads on the tie rod ends on the bottom (like I have it now in the pics above) or threads on top (like I'm seeing in LMC's catalog as well as some other diagrams? Looking back at the photos of the setup before disassembly it appears they went top-down like I have it now. But the diagrams threw me for a loop.

Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

Picked up the motor from the machine shop this week…

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps13e29d1a.jpg

Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

what are you planing for the intake and carb..... my suggestion would be a edelbrock Rpm Performer and a holly 3310 me and dad just did that swap on our 72 k20 suburban and its great and towing has become no more of a challenge. with the old set up have factory every thing 92k miles i was time for somthing better

Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

Is it in color yet dusty?

Re: Project OBS (Orange Blossom Special)
 

It is, but it's still at the shop and I haven't even seen it yet. Supposed to be picking it up at the shop tomorrow but depends on my buddy Mike with his trailer. Will post pics once I get it back.