She's doing well, thanks for asking!

I've been meaning to post some recent pics, but I've just been so busy these past few weeks. After doing a compression test (135-140 across the board) and vacuum test (21-22) on the 18RC, I figured it was worthy of keeping for the time being, while I gather the bits necessary to do a tranny/motor swap.

I'm just glad she doesn't have to sit in the driveway collecting dust during the whole "project phase". As a matter of fact, I drive her to and from work (45 miles round trip) 3-4 times a week and on all my Pick N Pull visits.


Things I've done in the past month:

Sandblasted & Resealed gas tank.
Weber 32/36 DGEV. Redline throttle linkage.
New 2-1/4 exhaust system w/ Magnaflow mufller.
Re-cored stock radiator.

No where near as powerful as a 2x'r. But I feel fortunate in having a healthy "running project" and actually get a kick out of the fact that the 37 year old motor can still keep up with modern day traffic.

 

Refurbished Stock Tank

BEFORE:






AFTER:

 

Tank looks great! What did you use to clean the inside and what did you put on the outside?

 

Thanks!

I was going to do a whole write up on the subject, but work has picked up these past few weeks so i haven't really had the time.

Anyhow, this is the link that got me thinking I can do it on my own. (http://www.ratwell.com/technical/FuelTankRestoration.html) Even went so far as to buy all the POR-15 products and began washing the tank out with Muratic Acid.

The catch is, the acid wash doesn't lie. It will definitely clean out ALL the rust. As soon as that's done you will either spring a leak because the rust in certain areas ate through the metal, or you will still have enough meat to work with and re-seal it yourself. Ideally I would have loved to have sealed it myself. Would have saved me approx. $130

But, mine sprung a leak so I exchanged all the POR-15 gas tank re-sealer stuff for some of their other products I planned to use on the underside of the truck....and found these guys online. (http://www.gastankrenu.com/)

$230 out the door.

Kinda pricey, but compared to what garbage materials my local radiator shops were offering and their weak ass warranties at damn near the same prices, (RENU offers a lifetime warranty) I have no regrets.

 

Your tank looks really nice. Is it the same coating inside and out? I had 1960 Corvair with a tank that was rusty on the inside but not as bad as yours. I put a bunch of gravel in it and rolled it over and over to clean out the loose rust and then coated the inside with a can or two of something I had gotten from a motorcycle shop for about $30. It dried to a hard white surface. I never had any problems after that but sold the car a couple years later. Who knows. The current owners may be cursing me to this day.

 

Thx for all the info.

 

Stock Transmission X member

Stock transmission cross member re-worked to accommodate a 5-speed.

Special thanks to Dillinja666 for sharing your experiences in performing this upgrade, down to the exact measurements! Off the f-ing charts helpful.

Special thanks to Burnzya for those sweet-ass welds! Absolutely beautiful work.

So freakin' sexy I've been sleeping next to it!

 

Recent misc. pics.

18rc with a Weber 32/36...like giving grandpa one of those little blue pills...







Magnaflow with 2-1/4" pipe... So the old man can breathe.

 

Sexy

 

Did the x-member show up tuesday?? Glad you like it!

Looks like you've got a lot done lately! Did you notice any extra h.p. with the new exhaust?

 

Tuesday like clockwork. Thanks, man. Actually meant to post all those pics at the end of April, just never got the chance. As for the Magnaflow - most definitely. That and the Weber made all the difference in the world.

 

Is that a biplias spare tire?!

 

Spare tire untouched since 72'.

 

that's pretty legit dude. It's been a while since I had my spare underneath, but am going to start keeping one with again. How visable is it from outside the truck? From the rear and/or the side. Can you get a pic?

 

I'll try and get a pic for you, but even at stock height and from behind you can't even see it. I plan to eventually pull it down and put a more worthy tire up there. Aside from the obvious benefits, at the very least it will help add some weight to the rear. Especially for you guys running bigger motors.

 

Well I am sure you saw my drift blowout. So I should keep a spare with me.

 

Sweet, I want a weber, if this engine seems reliable. My exhaust is gheto, its whatever stock size is to a 3inch magnaflow, everyone says it sounds good, I dunno, bad exhaust leak at the manifold though.

Your truck is awesome.

 

On behalf of Toy Boy and myself: thanks

 

Thank you both.

 

Steering Box Swap

The steering box on my 72' has had a bad leak since I got her back on the road. Not to mention the flexible coupling (rubber disc) was weathered and torn. The one on my 77' doesn't leak a drop and it's coupling was in wonderful shape. Decided that the steering box would be one of many parts I'm going to pull off the 77' and swap over to the older truck.

Pretty much a bolt-on swap. The only difference between the two is 1 of 4 bolts that hold the steering box down to the frame is slightly off. If you look at the picture - it's the bottom left mounting hole...

Otherwise, even with just 3 bolts it's pretty secure and functions as it should. Eventually I'll just drill a correct 4th hole....or.....wait till I get my custom frame and deal with it on that instead.

77' Steering Box (left) - 72' Steering Box (right)