Project "Leon "
 

My name is Mike Myers, I am a 22, and live in the Dallas area. This is my first full on build of any type of automotive gig, but I'm ready to get on it. I have been wrenching on stuff ever since I received the hand-me-down family go-cart that had already been put through the riggers of my older cousins and siblings, and you can bet that it was beat on, HARD. I have been breaking and then figuring out how to fix things ever since. 4-wheeler, My old DD (1994 GMC 1500) 2001 KX250 that some one blew up for me.... The list continues. There is something to be said about being covered in oil and grease and turning the key to drive away.

I received a phone call from my grandfather, David Leon Myers, hence the name, project "Leon" (Man in 1st Picture) back in November of 2013. That's the crazy man that called me and said he has a project for me. He is a pretty steller dude. This is what I got. :metal:


Attachment 1218891
Attachment 1218892
Attachment 1218893

Its a titled and registered 1969 C10. (Someone had swapped the grille at some point in time.) It has a GM crate 350 already installed and a turbo 350.

The truck has some rust issues in the normal places. but isn't a total rust bucket.

My Plan. (In no specific order.) Full Frame-up restore

1. Long to Short Bed
2. All new painless wiring.
3. 4l60e with lockup kit
4. 2/4 drop.
5. 18's front 20's rear.
6. All new interior. (currently non existent)
Late Model seats with belts built in, center console, etc...
7 Vintage Air system. (For those hot TEXAS summers.)
8. Under bed gas tank.
And so on...

Re: Project "Leon"
 

Well after monkeying around last night, I pulled off the grille and core support. After pulling about 37 various size and shape fasteners out and having to whip out the angle grinder to cut the main support bolts. (Bolting the support to the frame). I finally got it free... Like I said in the first post, Someone has replaced the original grille with a GMC grille, And I think I know why. More about that later.

I have dug into rust!!!!:waah::banghead::cuss::m6:

That Didn't take long...

Attachment 1218898
Inner fender

Attachment 1218897
Core Support (under Battery Tray)


Now, My suspicion about the grille replacement is that the front end was wrecked. This is why I say that.

Attachment 1218900
The PS fender is dented in on the lower corner and the fender is actually bent in on the inside as you can kind of see here. Just add it to the list.


I also pulled out the wire wheel on the bench grinder and cleaned up the support brackets, and hit them with a coat of black spray paint. They turned out OK, I think I'll go back and hit them again, but this is how they turned out...
Attachment 1218899

Here is what It looks like now.



I may hit the shop again and pull off the fenders tonight.

Re: Project "Leon"
 

One more picture. I call this one Toothless...

Attachment 1218917

Re: Project "Leon"
 

Cool start & history.
One question for you.... What tire sizes are you planning for the 18/20 2/4" drop combo?

Re: Porject "Leon"
 

I found this picture on the SoKo Classics website. I really dig the outside of this truck. I'll be shooting for something very similar.

Attachment 1219056

I really like this setup. The tire sizes on the truck in this picture are. I really like this setup.

Front Tires: 255/45ZR18 BFGoodrich KDW
Rear Tires: 295/45ZR20 BFGoodrich KDW

Re: Project "Leon"
 

Got into the shop last night. Nice night to work, Mid 50's. (This Texas boy likes when it cools down)

Started by taking the hood and hinges off, pulling the radiator and draining the fluids. Pulling the old nasty carb off of the intake and began pulling the motor apart. I don't have a engine hoist at the moment, but I was just pulling things apart to check for any bad signs.

Here is some of the progress.

Attachment 1219928

Started off the engine tear down on the right foot by breaking off a thermostat housing bolt. I had a feeling that was coming. That puts my broken bolt count up to 5 now.
Attachment 1219927

Found some more rust in the driver side inner fender, just above the PS pump. It was put to great use. It was the perfect place for a screw driver. Attachment 1219929

Tore all of the accessories off of the front. Everything seems to be ok. The water pump spun freely and didn't make any noises. The alternator looks fairly new. The PS pump was bone dry, and that concerns me, but I'll look into that more, later.

Attachment 1219930

It always a joy to find red-necked truck parts like this "custom" throttle linkage.

Attachment 1219931

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Pulled of the valve covers and intake. Everything looks OK, nothing out of the ordinary. After removeing 15 years of oil, leaves, extra rusty hardware, and so on I found that the intake is an Aluminum Eddlebrock Performer. :clap:

I know how we all love pictures, so here are some photos for you.
Attachment 1219933
Attachment 1219932
Attachment 1219934
Attachment 1219936

This one sign concerns me. Maybe someone can tell me exactly why this is. There are two ports on the intake that one is fully clogged, and the other is 1/2 clogged. It looks to be carbon, but I didn't mess with it last night.

Attachment 1219935


BROKEN BOLT COUNT: 5 :banghead::censored::banghead:

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Looks like you are off and running on a nice project. Bummer on the broken bolt count. Lord knows I have busted more than my fair share of them. Not sure about the other ones but the one pictured for the thermostat housing should come right out if you will carefully weld a flat washer to the remaining piece, then break it free with some channellocks while it's still hot. Then it should come right out. You can see how I removed an exhaust bolt from my aluminum head HERE

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Sweet idea, thanks for the help sir! I'll try to hit it with a pair of vice grips first. I soaked it with some PB blaster (you can see it in one of the pictures) and left it over night. We will see what happens when I get home tonight. If all else fails, I'll whip out the welder.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Those ports are the EGR passages.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Well, unfortunatly I haven't been in the shop much in the past week or so, but I do have some good news, I finally picked up this little guy! :bling2:
Attachment 1224429
Hobart 190. Has the cappablity of running a spool gun too!:uhmk:
I didn't take any pictures, but the internet prevails!

I picked this up brand new in an unopened box for $450 off of CL. Man CL is awesome!:metal:

I also stopped by a friends shop and blasted some parts, I need to clean them up and paint them before they start rusting again.

I am going to pull the stock style gas tank. PO just put it in. I'll be posting it under the classifieds if anyone needs one. Includes sending unit. Basically brand new.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Time change is a nice way to keep you motivated to get out into the shop and get working. Spent a few hours last night working on taking down the truck a bit more. Got the inner fenders, fenders, and blower motor assembly pulled out, along with the gas tank drained and pulled. :metal:

Selling both Gas tank
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=619648

And Blower motor in the classified section.
http://67-72chevytrucks.co/vboa/show...51#post6569651

Attachment 1226306

Those Innerfender bolts are a pain in the A$$!!!! About the time I would get it to start spinning, the little J-clip would strip and it wouldn't come out!!! I was getting pissed, so out same the grinder and a hammer!!!:devil:

Also got the gas tank pulled, nothing much to see here, but here is a picture.
Attachment 1226308

Doesn't seem/feel like I did much, bit It felt like I did.

Anyone have a quick tip on how to get the wiper arms off. I fiddled with it and couldn't seem to get it to come off. Need to get them off so I can get the cowl off.

BROKEN / CUT BOLT COUNT: 11 :censored::banghead::censored:

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Well, I didn't get much work done on the truck this weekend, but I did get my welder all set up and ready to go.

Attachment 1228805

I got the Mig cart on sale for $30 at HF. Some assembly required, but nothing bad. The only "issue" is, like many others have said, The door to the welder doesn't come up unless you tilt it slightly because the lip on the cart. You can also see that I picked up a full 122CF bottle of 25/75 Ag/Co2 off of CL for $125!:metal:

I went out for a drive yesterday and some A$$ was following me way to close all the way home.
Attachment 1228806

Well turns out it was this guy! :uhmk:
Attachment 1228807

Picked it up for $1200 from CL as well. The FI Vortec 5.3 runs like a song and started right up!:devil:

I'm pulling the Engine/Trans/ECU/Harnes/ Radiator/Front seats/Gas peddle/Rear view Mirror/... I wanted the Rear end but I'm thinking its no good. :(

Not bad for $1200 ;)

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Ouch!

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Nice score on the Tahoe.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Thanks man, Need a set of Moto metal wheels? Only one missing! :lol:

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Nice score. The rear end would have been really wide vs the OE housing thats currently in 'Leon' (possible it's been changed in the last 40+yrs).

Re: Project "Leon "
 

I hadn't gone as far as measuring it yet. but thinks for the time saver. I guess I'll stick with what I have!

Re: Project "Leon "
 

The pre-71's (6-luggers) are approx 62".
71-87's (5-lug) are approx 63.5".
88-98's are approx 65".

I think the newer ones increased again slightly but I've haven't had an opportunity to put a tape measure to one yet.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

I tell you what, I'll throw a tape on it just for the heck of it.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Those dimensions are from the wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Nice truck and nice score on the burb. I did a similar buy when I did my son's truck. After I parted out the rest of the wreck, I had $400 in the engine/trans/ecu/and the acc.

Also, to add to Scoti's note on the rear ends. Sometime during the '70 model year the 6 lug rear switched to the wider 63" dimension...

Re: Project "Leon "
 

theres a little tab under the wiper arm where it attaches to the shaft. I used a small screwdriver to pull back the tab and then I had to use a crowbar to gently pull the arm up without denting the cowl. it sounds ore dangerous than it is although I wouldnt have wanted to do that with fresh paint.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Didn't get around to measuring due to another project in my garage. (2000 Ford "EXPLODER" transmission swap) But I'll let you know. I guess I could just Google it.

I'm hoping to turn something like that. I would be thrilled if I broke even!

Thanks for the tip. It's getting to the point of hacksaw and cutting torch!!! :devil:If I were to see how the clip works, I would have a better understanding. The Windshield needs to come out anyways, maybe that will give me another angle to get to it.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

No specific need... Definitely no hurry. Just nice to know when sharing info w/others.

For my personal builds, the narrowest housing (the 6-lug 62") is usually the widest I want to use. My 67/68 (RetroRod) will utilize something in the 58" range & I'll prob do the same for my 64 (Recycle).

Re: Project "Leon "
 

I was reading in another post from a few years back that you had commented in about getting your axles welded and re drilled for a 5 lug application. Where did you have them done. We live in the same area and I would love to just drive them over to the shop.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

What bolt pattern are you wanting? I still have the axles/drums in storage. They ultimately got swapped for new, stronger, aftermarket Moser axles.

The guy to know is Mike Minnette...

Minette Enterprises @ 972-241-7184 (last # I have for him). Not sure if he's still doing them (re-drilling axles) or not as he did mine around 1990 (?). I know I sent a guy I work w/his way a few weeks ago to re-drill the pattern on some custon/import wheels & he did them.

Super nice guy too.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Called the number, seems to still be around. The VM is great! I love business like this! Thanks for the contact.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

If you've been in this area for a while, he built a street legal sprint car back in the late 80's that was in Hot Rod magazines 'dare to be different' type story. A different guy owns it now but it stops in @ Kellers several times during the 'cruise' season. Pretty cool ride....

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Well, another weekend has passed and still not much progress on the 69. I did however get the Suburban off of my trailer and pulled the entire front clip off. I think I'll be tearing into the motor tonight. Time to get this junker out of my garage. So many parts to get though! I'll post some pictures tomorrow.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Well it has begun. I have started pulling the Burb apart. Just working on it a little at a time. Last Sunday my buddy Bruce came over to give me a hand tearing into the broke down blue whale. The first task was to get the thing off of the trailer. That is where the Red neck Engineering came in.

Since the reared doesn't roll, we had to make it. I'm so glad I bought an engine lift. I never knew it had so many uses. Should have gotten one long ago.

Attachment 1234094

Got the rear end up off the trailer , chained the lift to my work bench. (Wasn't to much load on the chain. It was simply a place holder.)

Attachment 1234095

Then pulled the truck Forward until the ramps could be put on the trailer.

Attachment 1234096

And then pulled it out the rest of the way.

Attachment 1234097

There you have it!

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Over the course of the past few nights it has been coming apart.

Not really much of a story to be told, but here are some pictures!
Attachment 1234098
The PO kept it fairly clean it seems.
Attachment 1234099
This is going to be fun!
Attachment 1234100
The package
Attachment 1234101
Somone don stow da motdr!
Attachment 1234102

Re: Project "Leon "
 

I finally got the burb out of my garage!!!! :bann: As it stands, I have kept the Engine/Trans/Gas Pedel/ECU/Wiring Harness/Seats/Center Console/Console Mounting Bracket/and the Rear View Mirror. I have sold everything but the doors and rear seats. Everything else is gone! I'm only in everything I kept $50:metal::metal::metal::metal: I can't believe that I pulled that off.

I have pulled the Engine and Trans and have "sold" them off to a friend.
Attachment 1240461

Then I moved onto the rear of the truck. Starting the cut down of the bed.
I used LFD's (Rokcrln) write up to start this. If you haven't seen what this man can do, It's incredible! Made it look easier than what it turned out to be, but it wasn't to bad. Here is the link to the WU. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=509442

Attachment 1240460
I used the old bumper that was in the bed of the truck when I got it as a brace because I didn't have any scrap long enough laying around.

Attachment 1240459
I started on the floor of the bed. (Don't mind the second line. I may have messed up the first time I measured that line.... What's the old saying? Cut 4 times measure once... Something like that. ;)

Attachment 1240462

I got the entire rear sliced off... here it is. Excuse the pile of junk that I need to haul off in the bed of the truck.





Just messing around in the shop, I decided to see how my Suburban seats fit into the cab of the 69. Here it is just sitting in, no bolts or holes for that matter.
Attachment 1240463

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Very nice progress! :metal:

Re: Project "Leon "
 

I splurged and ordered about $2200 worth of parts on Monday. Some of them have started to show up! :chevy:

This is what came in today!
Attachment 1240631:mm:

Got this set from KMJ Performance off of ebay for $128.77 shipped.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Prothane-7-2...bff8a8&vxp=mtr

More to come from CCP, Brothers, and Auto City Classics. Front end rebuild kit, Shock Reinforcement, 2.5" drop spindles, rear disk setup, under bed gas tank, patch panels for rockers, corners, and gas tank filler plate. Break lines, drop springs, c-notch kit... the list goes on...!!!

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Another box from Fed-ex showed up Saturday. My house is about to become a receiving dock.

Attachment 1241979

Got these from Auto City Classics
http://www.autocityclassic.com/index...mart&Itemid=66

$444 with shipping to TX. Came will all hardware and even has Drilled and Slotted rotors. Ordered them Monday, Shipped Wednesday, at my house Saturday. I will be doing business with these guys again. They shipped much faster than Brothers or CCP. Still waiting on parts from them... :(

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Hey Scoti, Is this the car?
http://www.empireexoticsales.com/0_C..._225066159.veh

Re: Project "Leon "
 

I think that is the car. I saw that thing back in the late 80's at the Waco Streetmachine Mini Nats. When I saw it, there was no wing on it then.

That was a cool car then and now!

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Looks pretty cool, and sounds like it should be pretty quick.



Well, more parts pictures. I really need to do more work on the truck, and stop spending so much cash. But I guess I look at it this way. I spend the money on the parts now, and when the following equation becomes true. (Lots of time=No Money), I'll have something to keep me busy.

Attachment 1242741

Some parts are one back order. Full under the bed gas tank kit and all 4 shocks.

Re: Project "Leon "
 

Yep... That's the one.