Re: My New Truck
 

Thanks everybody for the compliments!

Re: My New Truck
 

I have decided to repair my speedo cluster where the transmission selector broke that rides against the speedo housing. Unforunately for me the 50 year speedo housing cluster broke here last time I tried to install the little cable wire that controls the shift linkage cable. Thus, I have been trying to decide the best way how to fix it.

Yellow arrows.

Re: My New Truck
 

My way of correcting this turned out pretty well.

I first took some super glue (which I have terrible luck with) and installed the broken plastic piece back into to the housing and since I know this WON'T HOLD, I decided to reinforce it with a mechanical bond as well.

So I took a very small brad and made and hook into it. Then I laid it on a sodiering iron until it got quite warm then I pressed it into the weak portion of the speedo cluster to mechanically bond it back together.

Since I am still fearful this area is weak. I appied a fair amount Super glue and BAKING SODA to the back side of this area to make it nearly impossible to fracture at the cracked area again.

Re: My New Truck
 

So getting ready to start the truck and I realize that the trans cooler lines need to be hooked up AND since the front end is pretty much missing why not install a Tranny cooler, so we get started on this...

Guess I will learn about "AN" lines since I do not want a leak like I had before with the old tranny cooler.

Just ordered all the lines and fittings.

Re: My New Truck
 

The Auxiliary cooler/Fan is now mounted and installed just waiting for the AN lines to show up!

In case you are wondering why this Auxiliary cooler is down low and basically behind the front bumper, I DO NOT have any room in front of the radiator. Since this is a 1973, it has a very DEEP GMC grill.

I had previously installed the 75-76 GMC grill, and really like it better than the 73 grill. Now that I am installing the GM remote hood release (1977 year) on this truck, it doesn't PLAY well with my 75-76 grill, or a 73. The 1977 GMC grill is very SHALLOW and the center radiator support sticks much further out than the 73 Radiator Center Support.

But I think I will get it all to work together with my 75-76 grill (without hacking up the grill-or the supports for the front of the Radiator support). I am trying to get it to look as close as possible to being built by the factory.

Re: My New Truck
 

Nice solution for the coolers! :metal:

Re: My New Truck
 

Ok Here's what you run into if you opt for the hidden hood latch (year 1977 truck option). The 1977 center radiator support is on the right, and with all those curves would require cutting up the grill if you want to use the early Squarebody grills.

The Center Radiator support for a 1973 is on the left so I took the 77 hood latch/catch mechanism out and just grafted the hood latch mechanism into the back of the 1973 center radiator support, it has both bolts and screws holding it into place (still have to figure out the secondary hood safety catch mechanism).

Re: My New Truck
 

Now off to making a TRUE COLD AIR intake like GM did when they designed the LS. So many people just place a KN filter on a tube inside the engine compartment and believe they have good system, yet this isn't as good (IMO) as what GM engineered into the LS, they pulled and placed into their vehicle.

A stock GM truck with a LS has a true cold air system pulling, air in, from in front of the radiator support, a much better design than the original Small Blocks.

I saw a Gale Banks video where they are making up some air scoops that fit underneath the bottom of the front bumper and duct air directly into the air box (to get outside air into the engine) of course this was for a Diesel, but I thought why can't we do this?

Since I will be using the LS Stock air box, I figured what the heck, lets see what I can mock up.

The silver tube will pull in outside the engine compartment air (as I DO NOT want to cut up my original Radiator Support).

So...

Re: My New Truck
 

I don’t blame you for not wanting to cut your core support.

Re: My New Truck
 

Well I keep getting distracted. I started reading about how these Squares have a tendency to crack the frame at the steering box, ESPECIALLY on the 4WD models. Fortunately for me mine is both 2WD and NOT cracked, but to ensure it does not get cracked I installed this Steering box/frame stiffener from Offroad design. Unlike the 4WD models this one goes ahead of the front cross member, rather than behind it.

Since a good chunk of the front end was/is still off the truck I decided to order this and get it installed. Made for a pretty easy install.

Re: My New Truck
 

That's still on my list of things to do...:exit:

Re: My New Truck
 

Yes I know that feeling!

Re: My New Truck
 

I'm following along to see how that air intake setup comes together. I have one of those "filter on a tube" intakes and don't really like the look or sound of it as it sucks in air. :lol: I also like that frame stiffener for the steering box. I've never seen that before.

Re: My New Truck
 

Cool...No worries I will post when I have more. So far I have been traveling so much I haven't had a chance to spend ANYTIME in my garage in the last month or so.

Re: My New Truck
 

Finally got back to making some progress on the Truck. I decided since the front end is still disassembled I would get the AC condenser installed. So I order a condenser off of amazon, as others had decent luck making it fit on their trucks. I got the condenser and there was no way it was going to fit on my truck. Sent it back. I ordered the Vintage Air condenser kit and it turns out to be a really nice kit WITH a drier as well. Thus got it installed. This fits really well in a 1973!

Re: My New Truck
 

So now we can finally place the radiator/electric fans in the engine compartment for the last time, and bolt it into place.

Re: My New Truck
 

Since the radiator is in, now I can start reassembling the front end!

Re: My New Truck
 

That looks slicker than baby snot on a brass doorknob!

Re: My New Truck
 

I love the clean work getting done on this thing :cool:

Re: My New Truck
 

:thumbs:

Re: My New Truck
 

This last batch of photos/updates makes your engine bay look SO clean and factory fresh. I like it... alot. Maybe that's why they call you Factory Guy.

Re: My New Truck
 

Thank you!