More progress this weekend. No interesting pics however.
Fuel tank installed. Hot Rod Fuel hose 6an PTFE braided hose run for the full run, up the driver's side framerail. Still need to secure it down using the included brackets from the kit, but I need to get some fasteners. Working with that line is not all that fun.. especially with the stuff I used - the nylon over stainless braid. It's a little too thick for the fittings to work easily.
Used this bracket to secure the fuel filter -
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YV3RJPW/ the filter sits a little loose in there so I may wrap it in something to make it a little more snug. I used a piece of string to help measure for the line length... unfortunately they are a little TOO long, but I guess on the flip side there's plenty of play if I ever need to drop the tank again.
Since I'm going from a 16 gallon to a 20 gallon tank, the filler hose/tube no longer fits. I found a 90 degree bend 1-3/4 hose from Gates that I ordered, I'll cut it down to fit. The vent I'm just going to run some generic 5/8 heater hose I have left over. Since it's not actually carrying fuel, I hope it will be ok.
I hooked the battery up temporarily just to turn the key and verify that the fuel pump primes, and it does. I only did it once since the tank is dry, but wanted to verify the wiring was working and the relay was properly functioning.
Re-used the C10 pressure line for the power steering and got that hooked up. Need to pick up some generic 3/8 hose for the return line, the old stuff was a little questionable. I had to use a tubing bender to re-shape the return line a little, I'll still need to make a sort of loop since my bender doesn't do very tight turns. On that note, parts store people are generally morons, the good ones are hard to find.
"We don't carry any". What? "We just have heater hose and fuel line". Uh, okay. Cause your website has it by the foot. And says it's in stock.
Got adapters and fittings for the transmission cooling line, doing 6an for those as well. Radiator is in, but I need to figure out a shroud for my electric fans. I'm thinking of picking up some sheetmetal and a cheap bender and trying to make my own.
I also need a solution to run the steam line. I'm going to bypass the throttle body for the time being and run it straight off the head. I know lots of people use adapters into the heater hose or upper radiator hose... There's an unused heater hose port in the radiator, but it's quite a big step down from 5/8 to 5/16 (I think). Found a fitting on amazon I may try
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07PMPZWX4
Went to change the transmission filter. What a headache that's turning out to be. Someone punched a hole in the pan and stuck a plastic plug in there (was still full of fluid). I don't want to reuse it. Bought a filter/gasket kit, but had to take it back since I have a 'deep pan'. So I returned it and ordered the deep pan filter. BUT all the affordable replacement deep pans have a slightly different shape, with a corner bump near the dipstick. Apparently there's another version of the filter that actually fits that bump... so got another one on the way. Hopefully it works.
A few more steps forward. Hopefully be firing by next weekend.
Got a quote from Driveshaft Specialists of Texas. For my LWB, they recommend a one-piece aluminum shaft, 5" diameter. For the driveshaft with new spicer u-joints and slip yoke, roughly $650 + shipping. Could save $100 for a 4" with a lower critical speed, but may just go with the 5" for peace of mind.
Then the last thing will be getting a custom exhaust made up from the manifolds back.
I'm currently about $3k into this mess, including the motor and trans, not counting the driveshaft. Whee.