I picked up this truck in Belton, Texas about a year ago. My plan was to just stop the oil leaks and drive the thing. As I started the repairs, it became apparent that the motor had to come out. The transmission was leaking like a sieve and the wiring harness looked like the rats had been feeding on it. So begins the frame off rebuild saga. Out goes the engine. This is a 2 bolt main 1973 block Chevy 350. Nothing special, but pretty badly worn. At this point I started calling this project "The E**on Valdez" for all the oil leaks I had to clean up. The Engine is gone. Off to the machine shop for a rebuild. I brought the transmission to Ricky in Austin. He is a most amazing ****** wizard. Torque converter is being beefed up also. The engine was sent off to Bishop Automotive in Round Rock. At this point, I started taking the body off the frame. The fenders had a good amount of Bondo plastered all over. A real pain to get off. The interior was a real rats nest. No fusible links, bare wires all over the place. I decided to take the wire cutters to the whole thing. The frame was a bit hacked up also in the ****** support area. Before I took the whole thing apart, I had to convert a proper master cylinder to fit under the floor of the F1 frame. This adapter was made from a piece of 1/2 inch thick plate steel. under the floor. The adapter allows a modern Corvette style master cylinder to be attached And here it is, new master cylinder installed and ready to be removed. After removing the bed, I discovered a 1956 Corvette Rear end was put in. I was told the rear end was from a Chevy S10.
Next, I made a movable sled for the cab in order to work on it more easily. Off comes the cab! Now on to the sled. Next was cleaning up the frame. About 63 years of grease and rust had to be blasted off. I purchased a blast wand from Northern Tool that mixes sand and water from a pressure washer to blast steel clean. It is a pain to use for one person, but it cleans like crazy. The previous owner cut part of the frame for mechanical fuel pump clearance. Ebay to the rescue here. Disc brakes added to the front end. Master Cylinder re-installed. Engine is back from the machine shop. After a wee bit of work! New ****** mount installed. Engine is in!
Looks like a nice start. Body looks real good from what I can see,which is a plus. Whats the plan for the rest?
I'll post more pics as soon as I have time. The body work is taking time. I'm pretty **** about getting it right. Tonight I was so disgusted with the shape of the back wall in the cab, I ripped it out and am now saddled with making a new one. I like pain.I'll post more pics as soon as I have time. The body work is taking time. I'm pretty **** about getting it right. Tonight I was so disgusted with the shape of the back wall in the cab, I ripped it out and am now saddled with making a new one. I like pain.
Next, off to build an exhaust system. The guys at Muffin Muffler in Austin Texas are the friendliest, nicest folks I've met. They are incredibly helpful and very much into hot rodders. So we start at the collectors. Nice set of Flowmasters for the right sound. Making the X-pipe fit is a bear. A little more work, and it is more or less done. I rebuilt the old steering box and modified it such that I can hook up the Double D steering rod. Next, comes a sleeve to fit over the steering box top. I added an oil seal here. Looks purty! Next, off to the cooling system.
The Jalopy Journal
