1983 garage build
 

finally starting to get some work done on this 83 longbed thats been sitting at a stand still for the last 2 or so years! I'll be working out of essentially a 2 car garage. My "target" "official" start date is March 1st; got a few preparations that still need to be addressed but couldn't stop myself:metal:

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overall it has a very clean and dent free bed floor, only two dings I can see; I believe it had a large camper in the bed most of its life:flag:

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and a surprise rear cab dent of course:sexy:

the better of my two longbed bedsides/little heavier than the shortbed style:sumo:
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Re: 1983 garage build
 

flashback friday: here she is shortly after I brought her home from the Nevada desert; essentially rust free but definitely has a few challenging dents I'll need to deal with:banghead:

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Re: 1983 garage build
 

rollers showed up today.....if and when I get the blue 76 running, these will surely help in getting her safely over to a temp home = more room for this 83 project!

will mount these on some 15 x 6-1/2 steel wheels I've got laying around, look like sport wheels but not (made in Canada type):uhmk:

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Re: 1983 garage build
 

tires mounted on my wannabe sport wheels. I'll get these put on the blue 76 today and then start working on trying to get it running (been sitting for 2 years), should be fun right!:jest:

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Re: 1983 garage build
 

couple of updates:

"FINALLY" got some real power going on in the garage; installed a sub-panel with two dedicated 30amp 220 volt plugs and two dedicated 20amp 110 volt 2-gang plugs. ok, nothing earth shattering going on here but sometimes the little things make a big difference right!

Also, bought another four, 4 foot shop lights I'm going to try and strategically hang over work areas to help fill in some of the darker areas.

And, I'm in the process of putting up a couple of 16" deep (high mounted) shelves to store some of my power tools in an effort to better utilize space available.

other than that, I have some marvel mystery oil on the way to soak some sbc cylinders that have been sitting a while = never a dull moment!

Re: 1983 garage build
 

don't get jealous; here's the power-plant I'll be working with! 250 FTW!!


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Re: 1983 garage build
 

Keep up the good work and updates!

I mounted a few 4' lights vertically in some small buckets of concrete. That way I can move them around as needed. I learned it from an old paint guy that needed light wherever he was and it has worked well for me.

Re: 1983 garage build
 

Love you are staying with the six banger. I just got mine converted to old style heads and a few mods.

Re: 1983 garage build
 

thanks! still configuring the garage a bit but making a little progress everyday!

Re: 1983 garage build
 

Wanted to work on something I'm less familiar with and they are cool in their own way!

How do you like your AC bracket?

Re: 1983 garage build
 

Seems good so far. It is hard to get my fat fingers in around the HEI cap, but it was akward with the factory AC bracket also.

Re: 1983 garage build
 

I have the Davis alternator and power steering brackets as well; was thinking about getting their newer AC bracket

https://www.ebay.com/itm/10088-LOW-P...-/223716072126

Re: 1983 garage build
 

I had not see that one or I may have gone with it also. It will still be "compact" around a standard HEI cap, but it will work. I do like their quality. I kinda wish I went with the one that has power steering on top and alt on bottom like it was in stock configuration, but it works out this way. BTW, plenty of clearance with the hood with the regular one also.

Re: 1983 garage build
 

I think I have the same arrangement as you, power steering down low, alternator up high.

I have the stock HEI distributor but may run a stock points type housing with electronic trigger; that might buy me some room; nothing in stone except I need A/C in this desert I live in!

Re: 1983 garage build
 

So cool to get started on a truck that has been waiting its turn for a couple of years. Interested to hear the plan and watch the progress. It appears that piston #1 has been "strategically lightened". Is the plan to similarly "lighten" the rest of them to maintain balanced forces on the crankshaft?

Re: 1983 garage build
 

The previous owner was doing me a favor! Aero pistons FTW! :lol:

I have an idea rattling around in my head; we'll see how it plays out. Might even be cool when its all said and done.

Plan for the engine is to try and get 300-350 crank HP from the little 250 which means the stock cast iron cylinder head will need some work!

Starting with the frame/chassis and going from there:uhmk:

Re: 1983 garage build
 

got a little work done on the round light squarebody this weekend; removed all A/C components, all wiring, bench seat, both doors, steering column, windshield, other misc items. Bolts bagged and tagged.....time for some R&R.

Re: 1983 garage build
 

bed floor and hood made it to storage today.....looks like I got some scrubbing to do!

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Re: 1983 garage build
 

Wow! That is a very clean truck! Everything looks in great shape, albeit a little dirty. It'll be cool to see what you do with it.

Re: 1983 garage build
 

Thank you, she's a $1000 dollar desert truck I'd seen for sale on the side of the road for years. I bought the truck just after I retired from the Navy in 2016; towed it home on a u-haul dolly. It's taken me a good bit of time to start wrenching but at least she's well underway now! Lot's of ultra fine desert sand throughout!

Re: 1983 garage build
 

another small step forward:

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Re: 1983 garage build
 

Nice! I have been looking for a I6/SB with air

Re: 1983 garage build
 

I've never seen one like that but I know they exist! :metal: Good luck!

Re: 1983 garage build
 

one side down; used a Mayhew center punch and 3 drill sizes finishing up at 19/64"....seems to be a good size for knocking the heads off with an air chisel and allowing enough room for variance so as to not get into the frame and/or bracket metal.

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Re: 1983 garage build
 

more grip,
Nice job. I am waiting on my kit from summit & then will begin the drop proceedure. I will use the above info on my purches as well. Thank you for the tips!