Decision Time - Am I Ready For A Frame Off Restoration (1 Viewer)

[TCSTARK]

Tub is officially sold. I was surprised by how light (relatively speaking of course) it was. I hired a local hauler to drive it 20 miles and he showed up with his wife to move it. The guys picked it up near the rockers and the woman steadied it from the back. I was gonna type rear because it made me laugh... Anyway, we did it.

I didn't take any pictures of the tub being driven away because it was a bitter sweet moment. I think I was choked up. Then I remembered Bigger Blue was on her way home to me.

Another busy day ahead tomorrow. I am heading to Alabama to drop off the hood and bib and then racing back to help fj user pull the engine.

Phew, parting out a rig is tiring. A few more items to sell off of big blue and this project swap is a break even venture. Then I will sort through all of my duplicate parts and have another fire sale.

Time for a pizza and a non-alchie brew

 

[ElHefe]

Good work Chris.

 

[TCSTARK]

Yes, you are viewing page 19 of a build up thread folks. Although it Appears that this build is going in reverse it is not.

 

[TCSTARK]

Bigger Blue will be delivered today around 6-630 PM. I spent some time getting the garage ready. Here is a shot of what is left of my former project.
And here is a shot of where Bigger Blue will be...

 

[jmdaniel]

Another chapter, you have to be excited. From the spot on your garage door, you have a dog or two, what kind?

 

[TCSTARK]

That would be a 19 year old cat that has made those marks. I used kitty litter to soak up some oil and anti-freeze some time ago and well she had just assumed that was her spot.

Yes, the new chapter has begun. Bigger Blue made her way safely to Georgia and is in her new spot, I spent last night sorting through boxes of parts.

 

[TCSTARK]

Christmas Day cruiser porn...

I was sorting though my spare parts bins from my new project and I found this...

Re-plated OEM bolts...

 

[TCSTARK]

Ok, so I spent the better part of the day going through all of the boxes trying to get a grasp of what I have and what I need to get this project on track.

Here is the new plan...

I went ahead and pulled the trigger on a Howell harness specked out to my new 350, a new ECU and a new VSS. I may regret it but I trashed the donor wiring harness figuring I can get any missing bits (new).

I found some Ram Horn manifolds in the classifieds and went ahead and bought them. Once they get here I can mock up the Saginaw power steering setup to see if I have enough clearance to use what I have.

Next will be getting my brake lines squared up. I haven't decided if I should get a pre-formed brake line kit or make my own. Furthermore I am not sure if I should upgrade my booster to the 80 series setup. Since I am back to drums in the rear I do not think it is necessary.

After that I will begin researching my fuel line setup for the primary and auxiliary gas tanks. I am sure 10 things will come up in the meantime to distract me. I am glad to almost be through the part out phase of Big Blue.

Speaking of which,.. I met up with Clemsoncruiser and his Dad when they came over to pick up the axles. Nice folks. This forum has got some real nice people. I am glad there are others out there with the same addiction.

 

[TCSTARK]

I pulled Bigger Blue out of the garage so I could take photos of the parts and assess what my next steps are...





Chevy 350 from a 1993 PU



Sensor that needs to be identified



Stock location for a GM slave cylinder



AA adaptor

And a few more of the engine and transmission set up.

 

[TCSTARK]

Here are some from underneath.





ARB locker in the front

 

[TCSTARK]

Here are a few of the throttle body and firewall

 

[TCSTARK]

And lastly,... The body.

 

[shipmag]

Nice project looks good. What color are you going to paint it?

 

[G-Cat]

Nice project looks good. What color are you going to paint it?

I pulled Bigger Blue out of the garage...

Probably blue.

 

[TCSTARK]

No worries Garth, it will be Smurf blue a.k.a code 854 Sky Blue. We need to figure out when we can meet up. That rattle can blue is calling your name,

Thanks for the compliments Shipmag. I feel a bit overwhelmed by the amount of stuff left to do and the lack of knowledge. Putting a 40 back together is a lot harder than parting one out.

 

[jmdaniel]

You'll be fine, it looks like you have a very good base to start with.

 

[TCSTARK]

Test fitting the bows and OCD top.

 

[skully3]

Test fitting the bows and OCD top.

So how did it fit overall? Looks good. Is it canvas or cordura like the last one.

 

[TCSTARK]

The top is a bit saggy in the front. I am hoping that I can make some adjustments to tighten it up a bit since the Cordura fabric will not shrink to fit. Overall I am happy with the construction.

 

[antFJ]

windshield looks like it doesn't have the spacers/bolts to hold it at the right angle. Should be fine once you get those in there.