Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

The past few days I got the perchs welded back on, painted and rear axle secured again. I was able to slide over the hanger bearing mount to get the driveline straightened out. Pulled power train and got all the holes drilled for all the cross members. Started clean power train.

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Today was spent cleaning up parts for paint. Finished cleaning the power train and got it primed. Then I tackled the front cross member. I ended up using the '80's style. Wasn't to bad just took some time and a few choice words.:haha:. The cross member is actually in backwards compared to the way it was in the K30 frame. I put the cross member in the way the original cross member was and attached the sway bar. Now that I now the position it had to be in I squared it up and got out the torch. With the torch and a good set of welding clamps I heated the edges and pulled top corners up to the frame. I started off with some lighter clamps and they just didn't have the torque. I them did the same for the bottom drivers side. It's doubled up there so you have to get it good and hot then crank er down. Don't forget like I did and remove the bottom bushing. Luckily I caught it in time but still got a little deformed. I then started on the passenger side and worked my way around drilling and bolts. Making sure everything stayed square. For reference the top holes ended up being 2" forward of the factory holes. That was enough fun for one day.

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Also got the shocks installed

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Very nice work!

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

This morning I painted the power train and sandblasted a bunch of miscellaneous pieces for moving forward. I then tried out my new powder coating gun. It went pretty well for the first time but I am learning a lot. I purchased a stove for $25 on Craigslist to cure the parts. Did three batches now I will be ready to drop the motor back in tomorrow. This afternoon I changed transmission fluid and filter. Also put a new oil pan gasket, oil filter, and fuel pump. Had to stop there because I need longer bolts for the motor mounts.

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

I love the stance of Big Bird. Nice job! I will be keeping an eye as the build continues.

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Nathan, can you take a measurement for me on your frame rails. What is the height of the biggest spot on the frame behind the front cab mounts? Is it 8"? Thanks Trevor

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Nice progress!

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

7 1/2" right behind front cab mount. 18" back it's 8"

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Thanks Jud

P.S. I would be interested in buying the Longhorn back if that day comes.
;)

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Thanks a million!

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

One thing about building a truck is there are times when it feels as if I am just treading water. Clean, blast, clean, paint repeat. But when it comes to assembly it's like it's Christmas time and you get to put things together. I will have to say that is one of most enjoyable feeling to this hobby. Today was that kind of day. Bolted on the water pump and the engine mounts with transmission support braces. Got the transmission and front cross member installed along with my make shift steering gearbox brace. I just cut out that area of one of my donor frames and bolted it up. Not the ideal setup but thought it can't hurt. So the gearbox also got installed. Then it was time to drop in the drivetrain. Went together like a dream. I installed the transfer case shifter and the front driveshaft temporarily to get it off the floor.

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

A couple more pictures

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Looking nice! I really despise those 4x4 engine cross members. I'm doing a Longhorn C30 to K30 right now and i'm making a Napco inspired engine cross member for it. At least you went with the poly ones!

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

fyi your front dana 60 needs to get rid of the 80's warn hubs and get the early used spicer hubs on it .

stronger and look more correct for this build .

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Where does one go to find a set of those hubs?

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Break your wallet out when you find them. :lol: I just painted my knobs blue to hold off the purists. Haha

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

I kinda figured they were probably spendy. I have a couple blue sets for 3/4 tons saved for the future. What does a Napco cross member look like?

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Blue, can I get you to measure the height inside your frame c channel in the circled area? No rush at all- I'm just trying to make sure my frame isn't pinched, pulled, squeezed or tweaked. I'd greatly appreciate it!

Attachment 1748275

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Inside measurement is 5-1/8" top to bottom right in front of cross member. I posted in your thread also and wanted to post again here for future reference.

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Not a lot of progress tonight. Got valve covers blasted and powder coated. They turned out ok still learning. Cleaned the shop a little and brought Casper in from the cold. Went to loosen spark plugs and all of a sudden wtf. Anybody ever seen anything like it. WOW!! You know when you have a rusty truck when this happens. Thankfully it came out with an easy out.

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

acdelco plugs have been doing this to me a lot last few years .

and if you want a set of spicer hubs send me a pm . i have a set i might part with .

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Your K30’s moving right along, nice work! Ha, I’m afraid if tried to powder coat it’d turn into a this…. :lol:

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Nothing overly exciting just working on putting everything on, in and around the engine I can before I drop the cab on. Was putting new plug wires on and noticed that there was only 7 plug wires in the kit I bought from Jegs. Excellent service!! I called and told them what had happened and they got a technician on the line and we figured out which one was missing. Will be here in a couple days. Since I put Ramhorns on the original oil dipstick wouldn't work. Also the tube was so rusty it snapped while working around the manifolds. I ended up going with a '80-'82 Chevy small block dipstick and tube. Worked out good. I had to cut 7/8" off the top of the tube to get the dipstick at the right depth in the pan. Has a mounting tab that lined up with one of the manifold bolts. Got the last cross member blasted and painted also. Here are some pictures.

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Hi Nathan,

Curious how you knew how to set the proper dipstick height? Measure the original protrusion from the block, measure the overall length, subtract the former from the latter and duplicate on new setup?

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Yep I laid the two side by side and lined up protrusions on the assemblies. The bottom of tubes were different lengths but I don't think that matters. The dipstick from the original was 7/8" longer then the aftermarket stick. I then just cut that much off the top of new tube so that it would go the correct depth into the pan. Hopefully that makes sense. I will get some pictures.

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Here's some pictures

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

I fixed a aftermarket one last year for a guy .

it ran o.k. but always had a tick he said . dip stick showed full to top with oil .

I drained the pan and got just over 2qt of oil ! ! !

so I changed it and filter put in 5 qt and run it . sounded 10x better . then I marked it on the stick and cut off the extra . problem solved .

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Made some progress the past few days. Got the last cross member installed and everything on the engine that I can at the moment. Cleaned up the bottom of the radiator support. This is the nicest one I had in the stash. I painted it with Eastwood's Rust Encapsulator. I figured this should put it to the test if it works or not. It says you can wire brush clean with some sort of paint prep and then shoot. Let it dry then hung it on the frame. My next step is to get what I can done on the brakes before I put the radiator in.

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Then on to the brake lines and brackets. I had to drill one hole different for the proportioning valve since the cross member is in backwards compared to a square body. Got the proportioning valve mounted and the rear line ran back and connected to the original rear line that runs the rest of the way. For those who are following and plan to do this same conversion here are a couple things to remember. I was on a mission and welded the large hole in the frame that would work out right for running front brake lines. I would refer to 7dee2's 72 K30 Build thread on which hole to leave. I got to that part of his thread after I was done welding .:waah:. Also don't install the bump stops until you get your final engine placement determined. Once again got ahead of myself and the bottom bolt was in the way of the cross member. I figured one bolt should suffice. I don't plan on taking it off and big jumps right away.:haha::haha::haha:. My plans for the brake line error is to keep the line tight to bottom of the frame then bring it around to the front inside the rail

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

I may have missed it, but what are your axles geared? 3.73 or 4.10?

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Good question I don't think I have mentioned that. The gears are 4:10.

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Got the brake lines done up to the proportioning valve. Waiting to finish the rest once I have radiator, fan shroud on and cab installed. So that was the next step. Got everything done to the point I am ready to drop the cab on. A friend of mine helped me solder a couple holes shut on the radiator Friday night. Saturday installed radiator, shroud, upper and lower hoses. Thought I had more pictures of front brake line routing but I guess I will have to add them later. There looks to be plenty of run under shroud to snake the lines up to master cylinder.

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

I started in on taking apart the dash and removed pedal assembly. Did some research on the hydro boost setup and have a plan of attack when that time comes. Installed the clutch delete plate and hung the booster for brainstorming. Today I ordered a pile of parts from GMCPauls and Classic Parts. Also gave Big Bird a much needed bath. Shiny because it's still wet.

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Slowly plugging away. Got the cab back on the chassis hopefully for the last time for a while. Made the same brake pedal modification the other members have with relocating the pushrod hole and putting some more meat on the bone. Also got the pieces removed from cab that either need replacement or repair.

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

I had cleaned the glovebox right after I got Big Bird home. I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to what was in there. I just cleaned out the mouse nest and stuff they had destroyed. When taking out the paperwork I saved to get ready to remove glovebox liner I took a closer look. Wow I can't believe what I found. Of all the trucks I have messed with this is the first to have this much documentation. Man am I pumped. I was truly as excited as a kid at Christmas. Can anyone confirm if the sheet with the red lines on it is the build sheet? I am pretty sure it is unfortunately there's not much to read. Paperwork on the far right is the registration papers through the years.

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Nice work on Big bird. I've been curious how well Eastwoods rust encapsolator actually works too. Nice find on the paper work! I think the red and white one is but I can't tell you. I've never found one in one of these yet either. :lol:

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Some more close-ups. Look at the price when new. Pretty cool!! Also there is a window sticker on passenger side window that I find fitting for the truck.

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

Took off at noon today and started in on cab repairs. Went really well. I cut a piece out of a junk hood I had out back that had the right bends that I needed. Got the repairs done, high hump 4speed hole filled and cab cleaned and prepped. Feels good to have that job done.

Re: Big Bird - 1972 Longhorn K30
 

After the repairs I wire wheeled the rest of the floor. Vacuumed and cleaned with mineral spirits. Once clean and dry I wiped down the rusty areas with Rust-Oleum Rust Reformer. Once dry the rust turns purplish black.