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-   -   Project "My Happy Mess" (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=473575)

Steve Hafner 10-09-2011 04:24 PM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
. . . .

I'm enjoying following your project, it wasn't THAT long ago that mine was as APART as yours is now.

I'll have better pictures of mine as soon as the rear gears are installed this week and it can FINALLY come HOME !!!

VA72C10 10-09-2011 04:35 PM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
Nice!!! Grill looks great!

litew8 10-09-2011 05:48 PM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
Thanks! The grille surround came out shinny, but there are some lower spots on it from sanding out deep pits/scratches. I don't care so much - it'll give it a little bit of character (not too easy to spot, from a distance) and I'll say, that messed up part is from my hard labor! :metal:

Next up - putting the engine together (will take one night). Slap the tranny on the engine, paint the rest of the frame. After, will put new front pre-bent brake lines (in transit, maybe arrive Wed. morning) on from The Right Stuff Detailing in Ohio, then drop the engine/tranny. Also waiting on the parts that are getting cleaned up (sand blasted). Should be done Wed. also, if not sooner.

Here's the top end kit I'm using - Edelbrock 2097, in conjunction with these pistons.
I've bounced back and forth with the idea of building a 383, but in the end we decided to go with building a stout 355.
Rear suspension will be done soon after, it's easy enough it can wait.

--
Thanks Steve. I'm with you man, can't wait to get my truck back - together!

oldman3 10-09-2011 06:46 PM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
Still following after day one, grill looks nice, front end look great after new parts installed and painted, I will continue to follow as long as you update.....Jim

litew8 10-09-2011 10:18 PM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
Thanks for looking Jim. I'll prob. be posting more updates this week and next at a more constant rate (hopefully). Got the TH350 transmission back tonight also.
Rebuilt with a different torque converter installed. Not sure of the specs, though it should align better with the engine's build. :metal:

litew8 10-12-2011 09:13 PM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
Out of all the items I've ordered over the internet, the FIRST mishap happens durring my build.
Things were going so good until today. The Right Stuff Detailing shipped my brake lines and tranny cooler lines to NJ instead of IA. :whine:
Somehow they managed to change my shipping information from what I had entered when ordered. Same first and last name, different address.
This will set me back a few days (or more) :banghead: :thud:

I have new pics I'll try and post late tonight.

Dieselwrencher 10-12-2011 10:52 PM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
Great progress! It is looking great. One thing I'd recommend how ever, I saw where you said you're going to reuse the window gaskets? For $65-$70 I'd not fight the old hard shrunk seals and install new ones. But that's just me.

litew8 10-12-2011 11:37 PM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
Thanks Ryan. My window guy suggested reusing them and said you cannot find that quality any more.
I think the window was replaced in the late 90's, and most likely the seals also.

Dieselwrencher 10-13-2011 12:57 AM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
I can't imagine why the quality isn't any good in his opinion. You don't even know what brand the ones you have are. Art Cunningham can hook you up with some. That's where I got mine and they fit and look sweet.

litew8 10-13-2011 02:05 AM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher (Post 4950717)
I can't imagine why the quality isn't any good in his opinion.

I'll ask him for you.

litew8 10-14-2011 01:51 AM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
This is another poster's (can't find the thread) picture that looks nearly identical to my engine build.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1292294141
:metal: south side!

litew8 10-14-2011 04:22 AM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
Meanwhile, back at the ranch... putting the HD camcorder to work!

The front end pictures I hadn't posted before.

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/front_left.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/front_right.jpg

Upper control (a) arm shaft replaced w/new.

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/rig...aft_repair.jpg

Detailing -

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/detailing.jpg

TH350 rebuilt w/hd torque converter -

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/dtranny_01.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/dtranny_02.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/dtranny_03.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/dtranny_04.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/dtranny_05.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/dtranny_06.jpg


Cleaning the frame; blue and yellow paint exposed. Odd

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/gre...w_on_frame.jpg

litew8 10-14-2011 04:24 AM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
Looking around, this is obvious. Someone smeared the numbers 441 on the firewall with paint. I'm assuming it is a paint code. My back bed panel also has 441 written on it (with soap?) with a few more characters.

Authentic 1971 Chevy Factory assembly line markings. Very cool/rare!! :metal::metal:

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/num...n_firewall.jpg


My SPID shows my color scheme as # 551. That's probably because of the White addition.

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/MVC-837S.jpg


Moving along... here's the block on the engine stand.

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/blo...ned_bottom.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/blo...chined_top.jpg


This block comes equiped with two holes (L or R) for a dipstick. One plugged.

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/two_hole_block.jpg

litew8 10-14-2011 04:24 AM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
Prepping the block for assembly. Cleaning. Tapping to clean.

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/blo...ng_tapping.jpg


Next up, a couple good once overs... "Dawn takes grease out of your way!"

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/blo...g_products.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/block_cleaning_01.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/block_cleaning_02.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/block_cleaning_03.jpg


Air drying -

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/block_cleaning_04.jpg


Followed by a coating of...

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/block_cleaning_05.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/block_cleaning_06.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/block_cleaning_07.jpg

litew8 10-14-2011 04:25 AM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
Painted :metal: w/freeze plugs installed -

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/blo...e_plugs_02.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/blo...e_plugs_01.jpg


It's been a quick week. :metal:

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/engine_assembly_02.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/engine_assembly_03.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/engine_assembly_01.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/engine_assembly_19.jpg

Reading material: http://www.superchevy.com/technical/...8/viewall.html

litew8 10-14-2011 04:26 AM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
Time for assembly -

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/eng...embly_lube.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/assembly_lube.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/assembly_lube2.jpg

Other products used during assembly -

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/ultra_black.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/fastener_kit.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/bearings.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/engine_assembly_04.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/engine_assembly_18.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/engine_assembly_20.jpg

:metal::metal:

Roller lifters/rockers; installation.

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/engine_assembly_04.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/engine_assembly_06.jpg


Push rod, checking clearance.

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/engine_assembly_09.jpg


Positioned, roller rocker, adjusting.

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/engine_assembly_08.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/engine_assembly_07.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/engine_assembly_11.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/engine_assembly_10.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/engine_assembly_13.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/engine_assembly_14.jpg

litew8 10-14-2011 04:26 AM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
:uhmk:

litew8 10-14-2011 04:51 AM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/engine_assembly_16.jpg

http://www.ilsiciliano.net/truck/engine_assembly_17.jpg

:metal:

oldman3 10-14-2011 09:29 AM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
Looking real good....Jim

mightymouse 10-14-2011 10:22 AM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
looking really good litew8

Steve Hafner 10-14-2011 11:21 AM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
2 Attachment(s)
. . . .

That 441 is probably the build sequence or job number.

Mine had a 635 inside the right fender and on the firewall ( in grease pencil though )

I've never seen them written in paint !!!

. . . .

VA72C10 10-14-2011 01:27 PM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
Nice work and progress!!!

litew8 10-14-2011 09:13 PM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
Thanks everyone! It's a relief to finally see things come together.
Sorry if some of the steps/pics are out of order. I tried to keep them straight.

@mightymouse, good to see you.
@Steve, tomorrow if I remember, I'll take a pic of the bed back #'s.
There are additional characters you'd prob. enjoy seeing :D

I've got more pics to try and post late tonight. :metal:
Got the brake/trans. line issue sorted. They've already resent another order, in IA already. :metal:

Going to try and get the tranny and oil pan (reusing old) painted next.
I HAVE got to get the rest of the (front) frame/suspension painted Saturday.
Might be one of the last days of warmer weather left!

oldman3 10-14-2011 11:27 PM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
litew8, thanks for the note on my build, I always like watching what other's are doing, might learn something new. Your doing great.....Jim

litew8 10-15-2011 11:30 PM

Re: Project "My Happy Mess"
 
Me right now > :thud: Will post more pics tonight.


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