Project "Shell Game"
 

Well just like the title says! I will be taking three projects that I have laying around and mixing them all up untill I come out with a few different directions. I have way to many projects of my own right now and I want to cut down on a few and make room for an English well, Power bead roller, 5' Shear and break.

The first one is known as "Slow Build" because it has be an ongoing project for over 9yrs now and I am just burned out and want to go in different directions but I am in to this project way to deep to just sell it for $0.25 on the dollar. Then I have Low Buck that I am hapy with but still want to change it up abit since it will be my only truck soon. Last but not least in my 70 Factory 2WD Blazer that needs everything.

So I will be tearing Slow Build apart and using the 92 vett LT1 and custom built 700R4 with Sanderson Headers and painless's Perfect RPM harness and computer kit into Low Buck. I have over 8k in this motor/tranny combo and if I tried to sell it I would get maybe 2-4k for it so I decided to keep it around. It is pushing about 360+hp and should get me in the low 20's for gas milage. The tranny was built by ATO in Northern Ca. to handle 700hp out of a small block and has a fully welded 2400rpm converter. I also have a full Vintage Air kit sitting in boxes that I will drop into Low Buck for these nice 100+ days in Winters:confused: I will drop the current 350/350 combo from Low Buck into the Blazer, it's a new crate motor that will make for a great power plant for cruising the streets.

Then I will take the full air ride kit and all the suspension out of Slow Build and swap it into the Blazer. It is 5lug, 3" drop spindles up front and out back is a 12bolt stuffed with 3.43's, eaton posi, ECE adjustable panhard bar and shock relocator kit. The rear arms have been cleaned, por15'd and have new bushing's. Then all the stock parts from the blazer will find their way into the Slow Build truck.

Then I was going to put the 68 front end from Slow Build on to Low Buck but my wife really likes the 67 hood I have on their now so I will pu the 68 front end on the blazer and with the tilt hood it should make for alot of head turning.

Once this is all done I will sell off Slow build. It has had all the normal rusted areas fixed, been body dropped 2", the bed floor was sectioned 6" to allow the truck to almost lay rockers. It was tubbed 7" and has a 35 gal SS fuel tank that is set up for an LT1 typ motor.

Today my Father in-law has been itching to turn a wrench for awhile now. He was a large truck machanic but the last 15yrs has been behind a desk so he came over and gave me a hand today on a few projects around the house as well on the tear down of Slow Build. We got pulled the front sheet metal, motor/trans, front cross member fully loaded and the rear suspension. If I get a chance this week end I will start pulling the motor out of Low Buck as well as the heat/AC system.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: Project "Shell Game"
 

Sounds like half the battle with these trucks was coming up with a plan. I bet you feel good now!

Re: Project "Shell Game"
 

I say you should keep things in their original state and find somewhere else to put the new tools. living rooms are over rated anyway.

Re: Project "Shell Game"
 

I read your other post about switching things around and like what you came up with. I hope it all works out for you. Let me know if you a hand with moving things around. Good Luck

Re: *SHELL GAME*
 

Sounds like a lot work but should be rewarding to get both the blazer and low-buck on the road. I love watching your builds, but I have a couple questions. Is low buck still going to be the "LFD Shop Truck" after the transformation and is a 2400stall converter a good choice for a truck that will see a lot of towing and hauling?

Re: *SHELL GAME*
 

Yes it will still be the shop truck and yes the converter is not the best chose for towing but it is what I have and it will be alot of fun! We also have a 2007 trailblazer SS with the 6.0 LS2 395hp that can tow alot if needed.

Here are a few pics of todays work so far. The engine is bolted in and it is time to start the fuel system.

Kevin
LFD inc.

Re: *SHELL GAME*
 

Not to bad for one days work. The LT1 is bolted into its new home, the fuel lines are all built and installed I just need to order one fitting for the return line. I made the power steering PSI hose out of the vett hose and flaired a new end onto it for my PS box. I also bent up a return line that goes from the pump over the cross member to the resevoir that is on the passenger side. All my guage's are hooked up and I pulled out the old A/C unit from inside the cab so I can start getting the new unit mocked up. I will be ordering a few items tonight if I get a chance and that should do it for the day.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: *SHELL GAME*
 

Nice!

Re: *SHELL GAME*
 

Seems like selling off one of those fords would help ya too.... I have been in the same scenerio and it sucks but a mans gotta do what a mans gotta do...

Re: *SHELL GAME*
 

One or two of them fords will be going as well. It is not like food is not on the table every night (too much in fact) but I keep my shop, toys and tools seperate from my house hold money. So what is made in the shop stays in the shop and vise versa. So right now I just want more tools and one or two finished toys to play with so the best thing for me is to sell off a few of the distractions and focus on customer builds and just one project for my self at a time. We will see what happens I may change my mind next week and go in a different direction once again:crazy:

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: *SHELL GAME*
 

Looks great!

Re: *SHELL GAME*
 

My week end was cut short in the shop but I got some more father and son time in so it was a good trade. I did get the exhaust cobled together for now and I will have my exhaust guy clean it up once it is on the road. I have almost all the new A/C installed and lines made up. I need to get the heater lines hooked up then on to the engine wiring. That should only take an hour or two and most of that time will be pulling the old system making room for the computer and relays. Then I will get the driveshaft shortened next friday and it should be almost ready to hit the road again. It's first time out of the shop should be pulling the Trazer to the blasters.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: *SHELL GAME*
 

Here are the rest of the pics from this weekend. Elect fans are mounted, A/C lines are rough'd in and it is starting to look like somthing.

See you next weekend!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: *SHELL GAME*
 

Well it's a live! Went for the first test drive today and our trucks mixed with Vett parts is a good combo. This thing has tons of power and the 700r4 just plane rocks! Lights them up in first gear right to 5k RPM, barks second, chirps third and by the time you hit fourth you are well over 100 and it just keeps on going. The install turned out real clean and I tried to give it a factory type look. I had to convert it from linkage to a cable pedal in order to use a factory cable for a 96 Impala then I had to shorten the cable down about 5-6" for it to fit and look right. I will get the exhaust done in a few weeks when I have a chance to head over and get duels put on it. The single worked well for a 200HP motor but with 360+HP now and good headers I feel it is a little restricted. I still have a few wires to address and wrap then it is time to get back on the Trazer. So what do you think?

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: *SHELL GAME*
 

Looks great. I bet it is a blast to drive. :c2:

Re: *SHELL GAME*
 

is that a trans crossmember in one of those pics? if so did you build that or can i purchase that from somewhere? i know you have an lt but would that work for an ls series motor? nice build so far though.

Re: *SHELL GAME*
 

Yes that is my cross member that I built about 8yrs ago and when I was having Sanderson's build some one off headers they ceramic coated it at the same time for me. It was built for a 700R4 but that style would work for any tranny if the bolts are set right. It is also designed for high mounted exhaust for extra clearance.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: *SHELL GAME*
 

Yes it is a blast! I only did about 60-100 miles so far but it is the most fun I have had in a street truck. You just dont expect this out of an old truck.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: *SHELL GAME*
 

Looks great! Your work is always impressive! I would love to see that combo in my lil C10 along with a Porterbuilt dropmember.........But until $ starts falling out my arse I guess I'm rolling as is for a while.

Re: *SHELL GAME*
 

So Are You Going To Start On Your Blazer Soon?????

Re: *SHELL GAME*
 

Looks great. Nice install. Good move with the projects. :gi:
Hope it all works for you and thanks taking the time to put this out.

Rich

Re: *SHELL GAME*
 

That looks really nice in there Kevin. I can't wait to see it and how the rest of the shell game is going.

Re: *SHELL GAME*
 

Man I swear that when I have the money to have a build job, your the one that is gonna put mine together.

Re: *SHELL GAME*
 

I had a friend drop it off at teh shop that built my 700R4 (ATO performance transmissions in Rancho Cordova) so he could fine tune the govenor weights. I picked it up late friday night on my way back home from working out of town all week and OH MY GOSH is this thing fast! I thought it was great before but not with the tranny tuned in just right this thing is a rocket. With it in drive shifting by it self and you hammer it from a stop it just lights them up till about 3500 RPM then it catches traction and at 5500 it shifts into second with a little sideways slide then right up to 5500 again before shifting into third then about 4500 RPM the lock up converter sets in then forth takes over and you are somewere about 120mph still pulling:crazy:

I will order my last A/C line Monday from Vintage Air so I can get the A/C charged up and then it is just drive time untill I tare it down for a quick paint job and re-wire. I need to get my speedo adjusted so I can check what kind of milage I can get but I will be happy with 16-22. At 70mph I am only turning 2100 RPM so it should not be to bad if I can keep my foot out of it for a tank.

Here are some final pics of the engine bay. Notice my engine bay light (over the old fan hole)!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: *SHELL GAME*
 

That came together quick Kevin. That is gonna be one super sweet daily ride, well heck it is now!