Build that 71 402 already

[zicc1835]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

Golly I'm in 4K for a transmission counting towing. I don't know which is worse compared to 2K for just a radiator counting towing as well. I'm probably in too close to 7K in do-overs.

The shop for the first rebuild filed down the reverse pin or something like, so it wouldn't engage. The new shop said perhaps that was done with the thought it would smooth out reverse, but regardless they messed up. The new shop said they had to replace the converter as well, and installed "something more heavy duty". They threw a rebuild kit at it, installed the Moroso gasket and ARP bolts, and said yes, the Allison approved fluid I'm using in the transmission is a good choice. Nice shop, great work, they R&R the transmission scratch-free to the tune of $1700.

Truck runs rougher than I'd like, but the next stop is for carb. tune and divorce choke. Then to a shop for alignment followed by an A/C charge. From there I get to install the grilles, and the bumpers I haven't selected yet. Came home from the shop to find my bench seat cover arrived, it's the exact material as it was new, wow. $900+ gets the same, and this one was ordered about 1 year ago.

I've developed a kit for how to build these from the ground up. The primary document is a 68 page assembly guide packed tight with details. The kit's nearly done pending installation of what remains. It's easier to say what it doesn't include. It doesn't go into the core of things short assembling drive shafts, oil pump, timing chain and some etcetera's. In other terms, it doesn't describe how to rebuild an engine, transmission, steering box etc. The document also doesn't ramble on like my posts☺, it's short and sweet with a rhythm to it.

Some background, I wrote business and system processes for many years. Other then research, the hard part was figuring out what everything was called; because all of this was new to me. At any rate, this document is the best I've written. Perhaps 1000s of original part numbers and identifications are captured by the guide and a document with part numbers. It includes approx. 650 images and illustrations as well.

I'm selling copies of the kit for $42.50, but heck, for board members let's say $32.50. If you're interested, you'll see that's money well spent, too many hours went into the development and research. More time was spent on that than building the truck itself.

Here's a Facebook page sampling some of the kit. Anyway, please let me know if interested. The kit will be ready by June. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091294598717

im going to have to have your kit I have 2 to finish and lord knows that are easier to take apart then to re assemble I have lots of pictures and labeled zip lock bags....additionally the aging process ...why did I go out to the garage syndrome is kicking in..... so count me in ...always nice to have another reference to verify
thanks for your efforts. lmk when available

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by zicc1835

im going to have to have your kit I have 2 to finish and lord knows that are easier to take apart then to re assemble I have lots of pictures and labeled zip lock bags....additionally the aging process ...why did I go out to the garage syndrome is kicking in..... so count me in ...always nice to have another reference to verify
thanks for your efforts. lmk when available

Noted and I will, thank you. You're telling me parts everywhere. Only benefit to smoking and knowing those who do are cigarette packs. I had hundreds of these, and that wasn't even for parts to finish. Somehow I'm about done and still have a hundred or so Nice to have extras.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Came across this tonight "by accident". Kind of cool

[Getter-Done]

Great Info

[68bowtie]

Wow cool. Is that 1972 truck specific?

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by 68bowtie

Wow cool. Is that 1972 truck specific?

I don't think so. I searched for a 71 wheel and this came up. Did the codes change often? Seems they wouldn't.

[68bowtie]

Awesome. Good point, I bet they didn’t change “much” aside from new options that came later.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Good day today, my A/C is charged. Kind of cool, I've owned the truck 34 years and the A/C hasn't been operational until today.

One thing I learned from building this truck is best to save as many o-rings as possible for last, at least in this climate. They had to replace all the AC o-rings, I had a feeling they would, the a/c was built a year or so ago. I greased the rings and tighten everything snug, figuring to let the experts tighten the nuts. Oh well. $450 on top I don't know, 3K to restore the rest of the AC from the evap core to condenser.

Polished these up today too, they came out super I was going to replace the decals, but one is as good as new; the other has mileage I can live with. Trying to decide on tires, the painter has the wheels and caps are ready. Leaning on these but kind of expensive.
https://www.performanceplustire.com/...1:ts:23575-15/

Did I mention I have a 4th radiator to install yet? Yeah I'm pretty good at it now Yeah sure, the first two were junk. Then what you'd expect to be a nice one leaked, and after installing their replacement I realized they installed the filler WRONG, wtf? Cap jacked up the finish on a radiator bracket, so WTH, now I have two sets of upper radiator brackets to have powdered somehow, another do-over, gross. My FIFTH attempt at a radiator is currently being built, they promise the A-team this time

My bumpers are in Fresno, I'm crossing my fingers. $1700ish. Other then that the seat is pending, door cosmetics and flooring are pending that, and I'll install the grilles someday, declare her done.

Oh yeah, speak of radiator brackets, for curiosity and another option, I bought a pair of NOS upper brackets. Part number matches the book. I had to bend the bracket's top nearest the shroud quite a bit, almost flat. The brackets come raised, and miss the shroud's holes by 3/8" or so, - same for reproductions. I don't get it beyond it's a great fit all the way around to bend them right. If that's what the factory was working with, then that could explain why so many shrouds were fitted wrong. At least for BBC, probably 4-row radiators (A/C), where many were struck by the fan at the bottom because they were off the bottom clips. The original shrouds don't lie, but the brackets sure seem too, at least for a 4 row radiator. Heck, the factory didn't even install one of my lower brackets right. 4 row requires a simple mod of the core support, but they only did one side.

[IronCanine]

Ever so close. I'm excited to see her get to the finish line. Can only imagine how you're feeling. Continued kudos on outstanding work.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

Ever so close. I'm excited to see her get to the finish line. Can only imagine how you're feeling. Continued kudos on outstanding work.

Thank you. I never expected this to be an 8-year deal

I forgot to mention, the A/C shop's owner took a look at my truck and then pulled the cover off his 68 Roadrunner 426, OMG original parts, and very clean. Not exactly a full restoration, a lot doesn't need it, the car speaks for itself.

I wish I asked to take a picture of the engine bay, mint and so impressive. I have to say an original BBC engine bay is a beautiful thing, but wow, that 426, with no A/C is basically a tremendous BLOCK with nothing but simple all the way around. Short the duel injecting carb business, I don't have a clue. He bought it from a guy who has 11 426 passenger cars.

[68bowtie]

What’s happening with bumpers in Fresno? Chrome plating used OEM?

Also, what’s the goal with the radiator, are you having it (them) rebuilt so they are original?

Those tires are awesome. I like a little wider stripe, but I’m sure you’re going for whatever is closest to original.

[mr.mud1]

hi Tony,great work,beautiful truck and off-the-chart attention to detail.i feel for you with all this rad trouble.wished we were closer,i'd build you a rad and it wouldn't take 5 attempts?you've built an amazing truck.you must be very proud.good for you.can't wait to see what you build next?
take care.all the best.Greg

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Thank you.

Yeah the OEM bumpers are being replated. Some places in Ca. still do triple plating, apparently. Place is called Moreno's Chrome. I hauled them to Fresno last week.

I may run with the 3/4" white wall instead of the 3/8". I was looking at Coker tires, but it would seem they're no longer built well. Folks seem real happy with Diamond Backs.

First radiator from Summit had bad transmission fittings, and really wasn't worth a dang to begin with. I never should have installed it. Second from Speedway was full of loose welds, I only installed it temporarily to run new transmission lines. 3rd came from US Radiator, it leaked. 4th from them has the filler in the wrong spot, they're sending another. US Radiators are heavy, look, and generally fit like OEM.

[68bowtie]

I’m guessing August 21st all that is final. That’s still a lot of waiting…

[Getter-Done]

Nice Work

You have an Over the Top build.

So you recommend US Radiator?

They are about 3 hours from me.
I may get my next radiator from them.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

Nice Work

You have an Over the Top build.

So you recommend US Radiator?

They are about 3 hours from me.
I may get my next radiator from them.

I don't know if I can recommend them. First one failed. Second one is great, but they put the filler on wrong and the cap barely squeezes by the radiator bracket. They said they were sending me a 3rd one built by the A team. No sign of it, but really, I'm just as well to keep what I got. That said, if I had to buy another new one, US Radiator seems to be my best option.

These wheels were on this truck 26 years ago, until today. It had 15x8 Rallys, which I'll restore as another option, but the truck drives far and away better on the original wheels and good tires. Tires are Diamondback Auburn. Bumpers are due to be finished Friday. Other then that, still waiting on a call for upholstery and flooring.

Edit, I still had to install the correct valve stem cap yet I bought some brass valve stems, but darn, wrong fit. The old man had some nice stems though, really, probably closer to original, which have a "clear" finish.

[68bowtie]

Looks amazing with the wheels all together

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by 68bowtie

Looks amazing with the wheels all together

Thank you. I can't believe how much better a drive the wheels are over the 15x8. Granted the tires on those are 26 years They're actually in decent shape, surprisingly.

[Shifty One]

Wow, what a nice build....

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Perhaps a coincidence I ran with double WW tires, just found this in the 1971 brochure. That or I had seen it before, and forgot, 50/50. Not quite a match though. Same trim level, Deluxe.

[cericd]

Oooweee, that's a purty truck! You just can't beat the look of OEM width steel wheels with factory caps IMHO. Love this thread, it's so detailed. I need to go back through it from the start. I should really check out that C10 Assembly Guide you made. I wonder how much of it would be applicable to my '70 C10. I don't see why people don't like ochre. It's a blast from the past for me. Guess I'm just showing my age, or my affinity for old stuff.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by cericd

Oooweee, that's a purty truck! You just can't beat the look of OEM width steel wheels with factory caps IMHO. Love this thread, it's so detailed. I need to go back through it from the start. I should really check out that C10 Assembly Guide you made. I wonder how much of it would be applicable to my '70 C10. I don't see why people don't like ochre. It's a blast from the past for me. Guess I'm just showing my age, or my affinity for old stuff.

It's not ochre, it's spanish gold Same thing I love the color, most of the colors are super nice.

If I had to put a number on it, 85% plus would apply to a 70 C10. I hoped to be done by now, where's my bumpers? Floor still pending too, but I plan to have the guide done before November no matter what. Prepping for that now.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Installed a proper battery in this. That took well over a year to get, seemed they stopped making them with covid mentality. But they're punching them out again. That and the air cleaner decal finishes the engine bay.

Bumpers are supposedly done. It's 500 miles round trip, so when they declared them done the first time I asked a guy to inspect them. Apparently the front had been scratched. Crossing my fingers.

The upholstery guy is slowly working on the seat, needs a spring or two. We plan to install that and carpet before December, declare it done. Unbelievable, I thought I'd finish by July 2022.

[mr.mud1]

looking great sir,you've done a marvelous job.all the best.Greg

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by mr.mud1

looking great sir,you've done a marvelous job.all the best.Greg

With help from guys like yourself. Thank you.