My 65 step build and first chevy

[step65]

I also have the hood all blocked and ready for sealer primer. Boy these hoods are big took me a long time to get the hood straight. I post pics later need to take some. My goal is to have this truck all painted by January 1. It will be 2 years this January since I started this project and I really want to drive this thing. It will be nice to start putting together rather than apart.

[step65]

Well it has been awhile since I have updated. Life has been busy lately. My daughter was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer last January. 6 months of chemo and a lot of prayers across the country and now she is in remission and no longer terminal. Truly a blessing and a miracle for our family.

[step65]

It seems that mostly all I do lately is sanding and sanding and polishing. Here is some pics when I did the aluminum grill and bezels. I used EZ off Oven cleaner and wrapped in tarp left in sun for about 6 hours. Then just used steel wool and anodizing came right off. I had to use the original yellow can when I first tried with the blue can it did not work. Then I sanded with 800 for rough spots then 1000 then 1500 followed by a good polish with power ball on outside and by hand for the middle. Came out really nice pictures not as good as looking right at it.

[step65]

Here is the light bezel before sanding and after polishing. And turn signal with anodized, stripped, and polished.

[step65]

Finally finished paint. Have almost all color sanded used 1000 then 1500 and then 2500. Polished with 3M. Still need to color sand inside of cab but was just tired of sanding for months so moved on to putting stuff together for awhile. Here are some pics of paint before color sanding. I will post more pics later when I start to get the truck back together.

[step65]

This was my first paint job and most likely my last until I forget how hard it was lol. I used Urethane single stage not perfect but I am happy with the end result.

[step65]

This weekend I dropped in the motor and trans and brought the frame inside. Still need to clean up suspension and freshen up paint been sitting outside for a couple of years now. I used the CPP new engine perches because the clippster headers I got hit on the originals. Another benefit of the CPP is it moved the engine forward about a inch so gave a little more room back by the distributor. I got a stage 2 700R4 from Bowtie with the cross member they have that allows you to use the stock ebrake set up.

[step65]

Trying work on truck a couple hours a night if possible. Got the back brakes done now. I waited until I brought it in to replace shoes, wheel cylinders and hardware. I also replaced the hard lines with a kit I got fit pretty good. The line from the rear to the front is 1/4" the kit I bought was 3/16" went ahead and ordered 1/4" line to make my own. Got plenty of extra to practice with lol.

[step65]

I had ordered my Boyd tank back on Black Friday. It was a great deal and the tank is quality very happy with it. Install was pretty straight forward. I got 3/8 line ordered as well for it. I still am not sure if electric or just a standard pump. The engine is pretty much stock 350 with Holley and headers so thinking standard pump should be fine need to make my mind up soon lol.

[step65]

Now going to get stuff to run vent line on tank and vent line for the rear end.

[step65]

Got some stuff done over the week and yesterday. Here are some pics of new fuel line 3/8" and 1/4" brake line I ran so I could get the cab on.

[step65]

Here is a few pics of putting cab on starting to look like a truck again. Really excited now how it is coming along.

[step65]

Here is a few shots from the front.

[step65]

I will be working on getting the brake system finished now. Then want to put the column in and hook up linkage. After that will start on exhaust. Still a whole lot of work but now you get to see results at the end of the day.

[step65]

Got some more stuff done over the weekend. Finished the hard lines for the brakes. This was more time consuming than I thought. There were a few failed attempts but pretty happy with it now.

[step65]

Here is the Patriot clipster headers. They did not just bolt in as thought I changed to the new engine mounts to get the clearance needed. I like where they dump out right at the frame. You could probably bend front pipe some and use stock engine mounts.

[step65]

Got a new e brake cable for the cab so will be working on column and brake assembly in cab next. And finishing the cable system under the truck.

[TJ's Chevy]

Boy you have been busy! lol Nice work!

[Joe Pass]

Very Nice Work

[62 Barnfind]

Nice work!

[step65]

Thanks TJ and Joe for your support. I really want to hear this engine start. Lol

[step65]

Thanks 62 Barnfind I like your truck hope you engine problems get sorted out.

[step65]

I picked up a pair of flowmaster 40 series about a year ago at the swapmeet. Got a good deal on universal flowmaster pipes with h pipe they came today. The hangers came as well. Will be a few weeks before I can install but still felt like Christmas today. Lol

[TJ's Chevy]

Hoping to hear a video of what they sound like! lol

[Jeff La]

Your doing some really great work. Paint looks flawless. Work to be truly proud of.