"The Black Crow"
 

Hello,
I have been following this web site for many years but never had anything to share in a build thread.
This thread is called the "The Black Crow" because I have a Black 1990 454SS that belonged to Great man, Great Friend and a Great Step Dad. I am restoring this truck in Memory of Jerry Wayne Crow 1954-2021.

Here is what I started with
[ATTACH]2274559

Re: "The Black Crow"
 

The Interior of the truck was in great condition so all it needed was a good cleaning. As you can see the shifter has been moved to the floor. Dakota Digital Gauges have been installed. The radio has been relocated and a new steering wheel. The dash is also in great shape, not a single crack. all of these changes was made by my step dad.

Re: "The Black Crow"
 

Yea, the red dashboards don't crack as much as the other colors. Cool truck.

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Very nice truck

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When Jerry Purchased the truck the 454 engine , transmission and rear-end were long gone. A small block was in the truck and was a very good running truck. The previous owner did have the original rear end that came in the truck new, so it was purchased as a separate deal.
From day one Jerry was on the look out for a suitable 454 for the truck. A engine was located in a wrecked motorhome with 42,000 miles on it. we tore the engine done so we could inspect the crank shaft and cylinder walls. you could see the cross hatching in the cylinder walls and the crank shaft area looked good so Jerry decided to leave the crank shaft and piston as they were. everything else needed to complete the engine was purchased new and installed.
Once the engine was installed and new transmission was installed along with a new driveshaft and the rebuilt limited slip rear end. when the truck was fired up it sounded great. Then the exhaust system was installed and the truck sounded AWSOME. Jerry look at me and said "What's wrong?" With a big smile on my face I said "I want one!!" (A Big Block)

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Unfortunately I don't have pictures of all these steps but here is what i have.

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In August 2021 my family got together and went to Destin Florida for a week of relaxation and fun. We returned home August 28th 2021 and little did we know Jerry had contracted Covid-19 and tested positive on September 2nd. He was admitted to the hospital on September 10th with his oxygen level dropping. on Sept. 12th he was moved to ICU and was Intubated (life support). On October 4th Jerry Lost hid battle with Covid-19 and passed away.

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When Jerry's estate was settled his 4 children game me the truck. I just want to thank them for this wonderful gift. I have so many fond memories working on this truck with him and this being our project together.

I have a tendency to name all my vehicles so this Truck was named
"The Black Crow"
From this point forward will be my vision for "The Black Crow"

First I found a body shop that I really thought would do a great job and help me create the vision I wanted on my truck. I dropped the truck off January 2 2023. Here is the day i took it to the paint shop.

Re: "The Black Crow"
 

I'm sorry for the loss of your step dad. Given the circumstances, it sounds like the truck went to where it will be highly appreciated - you. I hope that you will keep us up on your project. TBH, this section doesn't get a lot of traffic so don't let a lack of response bother you. There are some diehards here and we'll be glad to see what you're up to.

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:agree:

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Sorry for your loss, sounds like you had a great s-dad and friend as well.

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I am sorry I have not continued this build thread but I am so discussed with the paint job my truck received. I am going to vent a minute. I am so sick of people who don't do what they say they are going to do. I took my truck to a body shop for a paint job. when I picked the truck up the person told me we needed to wait a month before a memorial could be put on my tail gate to allow the paint to cure. they told me to look the truck over and let them know if they need to fix anything. I waited 40 days and no call from the shop. I called them and set up a appointment. the person came to my house to talk about what needed to be fixed.
I found 22 issues with my truck and in my opinion nothing was going to fix this truck but to repaint it. when I say 22 issues most of those were areas that had NO paint. that's right no paint in areas. once I showed this person the 3rd spot their attitude quickly changed and told me that I had went and saw their work and they would not be repainting my truck. they also told me that I told them I did not want a show car paint job. Needless to say things did not go well after that.

I am not looking for advice on my paint job. I am just so sick of spending my hard earned money and getting crap work.

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I know it's not going to help by my piling-on, but yeah, it's the new "normal".

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Man, sorry to hear about the paint issues. Can’t stand when people won’t stand behind their work, or do the best job they can.

I am excited to hear how the truck progresses, love the 454SS pickups and especially the sentimental value of yours and the dedication to Jerry. Keep us posted on how things come along!

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Sorry to hear about your loss and now to make matters worse, getting ripped off.

If I were you, I would take the truck and park it out front of the shop and show every new prospective customer what they did and tell them how they wont stand behind their work.

They just might want to help you then.

Good luck.

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I understand the frustration. Even shops that are pretty good are going toward making excuses rather than making things right. I hope you find a way forward. Such a good truck and story.