Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

And it is still where you left it .

Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

Thanks for watching over it. I'll be up that way with new wheels/tires soon.

Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

Don't know how I missed this one Robbie, but I like it. That stuff on the paint was WAY worse than what I had to deal with on White Trash...

Have you gotten the brakes worked out yet?

Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

I think Robbie is M.I.A. ,I wonder what he is up to.

Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

Hey, guys! Thanks for checking in. I've been super slammed lately but I'm still here.

Aggie91 - I'm just glad I was able to get it off and preserve what paint was actually there. As for now, I haven't even touched the brakes and it's sitting in my garage. I do manage to crank it up every week or two though. I need to get back on it!

Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

So what is the word on Big Al ?

Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

Big Al is now enjoying his new home with Number98. He's already been making a few upgrades and has more planned to make it a good driver. :metal:

Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

Have you torn into your 307 yet? At one point my 307 had a very similar combination of parts to what you've listed (-416 heads and a Comp 262XE). I didn't really like it. There's not enough torque to move the truck around. If I were to use those heads again, I would match them to this Ultradyne cam:

254/262 112 .401/.432 199/207 Great in 305's bigger & better mileage and power. Smooth idle, broad power range. Works with stock valve train, power accessories. Biggest cam recommended for high altitudes. Great in 305 IROC-Z with TPI. IDLE-4800

The Ultradyne cams are now manufactured by Lunati. Here's a link to the cam at Lunati's site

Here's a quote from UDHarold, the cam designer:

Food for thought! Great looking truck, by the way.

Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

Thanks, burger! Based on overwhelming recommendations, I'm planning to use the Lunati 60101 (<---- old p/n) (256/262, Lift .454/.468) also developed by UDHarold for Lunati. It's powerband is supposed to be from idle to 5500 rpm and I already have the heads, springs etc set-up for that cam/lifter set. The machinist/engine builder who did my heads said he had a similar set-up in a c10 and it really surprised him. He also encouraged me to leave the intake valve at 1.84 instead of opening it up to 1.94 so as to maintain torque (and better gas mileage). Based on what I've read and the head gaskets purchased (Fel Pro #1094), I'm expecting my CR to be between 9.6:1 and 9.8:1. I'm no engine building expert but I do a ton of research and ask a ton of questions and this seemed to be the best route and consensus among many.

I'm just getting started back up on this truck and ordered a new rear brake line so I can just cut the old wheel cylinders out and ordered all my gaskets for the rebuild (oil pan, heads, and valve covers). I'm starting to get pumped about this ride again. Still need to purchase cam, intake and have my quadrajet rebuilt by Cliff Ruggles. :metal:

Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

I hope the cam works out for you! The 262XE, which is 218/224@.050, doesn't really start to make power until 3000 RPM in a 307. It pulled hard from there out, but still a meager 16.0 1/4. It was just too soft from a dead stop. Somewhere along the line I put in a 2800 RPM converter. At full throttle, that completely covered up the flat spot, but made the truck a real dog for normal driving, especially up hills. I never took it to the drags on that configuration unfortunately.

You're picking a smaller cam so I think you'll have better results.

Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

I'm really hoping it works out, too. I'm running a stock converter which Lunati and others said should be fine. We shall see. I can always put in a converter and change gear ratio if necessary. This will just be a shop truck so I'm not necessarily looking for gobs of power but I do hope it's strong enough to get out of its own way.

Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

The 262XE was too big for the stock converter. I would get a massive RPM drop from park to drive, meaning that I would set the idle at 1200 RPM in park and then it would die down to an unsteady 650-ish when put in gear. That made tuning the carb a bear, as the transfer slots were open too far with the idle screw turned in that much. Those issues (and my part throttle driveability) went away with the loose converter.

I want to say again that I really like your truck. The 4/6 drop and 15" steel rims really do it for me.

Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

I really appreciate that! I'm hoping to powder coat the steelies black and the caps white very soon. I think that will really clean it up and make it look sharp. I'll eventually paint the entire truck white with saddle interior but until then I'll rock the crazy patina/multi-layered paint.

Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

Any plans to restore the interior? A recovered seat and new dad pad would do wonders! The problem is that I just listed $800 worth of upgrades! Might be cheaper to find good used parts.

Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

Btw, my 73 came from the factory with white steel rims and the same white hubcaps that you have. I have rally rims now, but I'm thinking about going vac to the white rims as it is time for new tires.

Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

I'm definitely planning to do the interior eventually. I'll ultimately do carpet, door panels, and seat. As of now, I'm more worried about the drivetrain so it'll be a bit before I get to the interior. That stuff is expensive.

I love the steelies on these trucks. I got your pm and tried to message you back but it's full. Just text me when you can and we can chat.

Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

Following,

Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

Hey Robbie,

Any updates?


Ed

Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

Hey, Ed - I've been runnin around crazy lately but I have been ordering a few parts this weekend to get the motor running well. I bought some Doug's longtube headers, edelbrock EPS manifold, K&N X-Stream Air Cleaner Kit, and the Lunati 60100 cam and lifter kit. All I need to figure out is my carb. Either going to have Cliff Ruggles build my quadrajet or buy an Eddy 1406.

Thanks for steering me in the right direction on the cam. You're the reason I found some longtubes that tuck up in the frame to help keep some of the torque intact instead of the shortys.

Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

Sweet stepper with a cool story. I'm in.

Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

Thanks, slammed427.

Got some new parts today. More to come.

K&N X-Stream Air Cleaner kit
Doug's D-310 Longtube Header (will ceramic coat black)
Edelbrock EPS Manifold - returning since I decided to use my Quadrajet
Bought Edelbrock 2101 Performer manifold for Quadrajet
Sending Quadrajet to be built by SMI

http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/...psdqkkzbuo.jpg
http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/...psqxboi5s3.jpg
http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/...psclv6lzsd.jpg
http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/...pslwnovhjn.jpg
http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5wu9vhav.jpg

Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

Them are some nice looking parts .

Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

Cool

Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

Thanks, guys! Got him out and ran him down the driveway and down to the next street but the brakes still really need some work. The rear drum is sticking and the pedal is definitely not consistent. I'm hoping to get them all sorted out in the coming weeks and then begin the tear down. :devil:

SMI is going to be 6-8 weeks on my carb so I have a bit of time. :metal:

Re: "Oaky" Farm Fresh '73 Short Step
 

Hey Robbie this is Joe Blake's uncle .. I need a little help..how do you get the blue letters on your thread so they can be clicked on to go to your thread