Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

Thanks! Yeah, I feel like more's been done in the past 3 weeks than in the last 3 months... Definitely starting to feel like we'll see the end of all of this sooner-than-later now!

Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

Ok, so I found a website that sells these 3-pc aluminum engine covers that I kind of like. I already have the factory 3-pc engine cover that GM used & it looks Ok, but I kind of feel like something like this would be a little more fitting given the overall theme & look of the truck.

No so much looking to buy this companies kit, rather to have the shop(s) fabricate something similar. I have always been a little concerned with trying to paint those plastic covers & it possibly not lasting for very long...

Having them making something like this would be a much better base for paint & has the added benefit of allowing a little better view of the valve covers given that mario is going to be painting red. I'd also want the valve cover plates to have

I'd like to know the forum's opinion of going with something like this over the plastic covers. I'd also like to know if you think it'd be better in a bare brushed aluminum finish, painted with pin stripping or some sort of combination.

Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

I think they'd look pretty good with some pin striping to match the rest of the pickup. It would set it aside from all the other ones.

Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

I think they would look better if they had at least one edge welded on them hanging down towards the engine so they would like they actually have a purpose other than just a flimsy cover. Something of this effect but of coarse not a actual valve cover.
http://www.shafiroff.com/images/smvcbbc_bung.jpg

Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

Paint and pinstripping to match the rest of the truck should definitely set it off. It'd look pretty freakin sweet.
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Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

dont do it man! I personally love to see some engine....no need to cover up a nice engine...although in this topic you can use for inspiration, if needed...
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=364147

I personally love these engine bays with engine covers:

http://image.truckinweb.com/f/831767...e_bay_view.jpg
http://image.truckinweb.com/f/186571...c10+engine.jpg

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...e/BLAZsema.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1254144964

and my favorite one from N2TRUX: this one looks SICK
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=187680&page=2
see attached image

Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

Well, unfortunately the LS motors are far from attractive without any kind of cover over them - especially the ones with the truck style intake like mine has.... Definitely not going to use just flat sheet metal, already mentioned to the shops when I sent this to them for input that I wanted to have rolled edges & some sort of raised area or bead along the inside as well.

And personally I think it would look great in cleared brushed aluminum with red pin stripping to match what's around the hood stripes & the anodized fill caps in the engine bay!

Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

Since you are building your truck for looks as much as being a solid purpose built driver I think I would go with some fabricated sheet metal covers to base/clear over base/clearing plastic. Plus with fabricating sheet metal ones you will have the ability to tie in some of the details from other parts of the engine bay into them for a more unified look.

Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

O.K. Finally time for me to add my .02

1) Your engine looks SICK.
2) There is some KILLER fab work going on under your hood!

Everything is kinda looking futuristic Star-Wars-Fighter-Mega-Bad-A$$ with all the work that has been done!

Why hide it, why not cash in on it! have some covers made for the wiring and some clamps for the hoses to make everything look more "mechanical" Then have some sheet metal dimpled like your tranny cooler mount plate to replace the inner structure of your fenders (cuz the factory stamping is gaudy and useless) and then have some inner fenders custom bent (no re-worked motorcycle fenders, bends would look better on a square body)! You would be opening the hood to the heart of "the Machine" rather than a dolled-up engine bay!

Like I said, just my .02, it's lookin freakin awesome already!

Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

Well, inner fenders kinda need to stay solid as I do plan to drive this thing & not just on the sunny days... Mario is supposed to do some work on the inner fenders as well as all the inner panels in the engine to "spruce them up" a bit - he has some freedom to play.

I am really leaning on going with something custom for the engine covers - not necessarily like the ones I pictured, but definitely something custom made!!! Appreciate your .02 cents worth BTW - not enough people seem to put that in...

Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

Mario does know how to make an engine bay look spectacular - here's one he did in a Chevelle. Not specifically what I am looking for, but he does have the skills!!!

Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

yeah! thats what I am talking about...looks great!

Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

Hey my4by2.....been following your build for quite some time now. Just have to say, wow and I love it!!!! :metal:

Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

Thanks man - always nice to hear that!

Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

Ok, so I had a totally epiphany this morning on my engine cover design & all!!! Drew it all up & am sending it to WFO & Mario to look over. It so totally fits the overall look, theme & general look of the engine bay & only accentuates the motor even more!

I am not going to reveal all the details yet, but I will say that it's a fabricated intake cover & a change of the valve covers & coil mounts so they're more visible & better looking. Will post more about it once I get something a little better looking than my drawing to post...

:four:

Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

Will go so far as to show you the valve covers I am wanting to go with.

Have decided to paint the engine block & valve covers Hot Rod black (you'll see why a little later on), but want the embossed Mast logo to remain in a bare aluminum finish if I can get it.

Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

nice its gona look badass

Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

I just read through this, amazing work.

Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

So here's the poor Suburban that'll be donating it's power window doors to my project. It looks pretty clean & Trevor said it's in good shape. Doors are all I want off it though as I like the look of the 73-80 front ends better than the newer ones.

Nice thing is these doors are already drilled for the style mirrors I went with & don't have the holes from the camper mirrors that Mario would need to fill!!!

Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

WTF??? So the ididit column we ordered came in ALL wrong... We wanted paintable with the keyless start & got chromed with a key - how the heck do you get those two mixed up???

Oh well, they sent it back & the replacements on the way. The new Budnik wheel did show up & hoping for pics of it soon too!

Keven & I are now going back & forth with the whole intake plenum cover idea. What I came up with was very basic & think that working together on it we can come up with something that look totally SICK!

We're a go on the Mast valve covers though - need to do something about the ugly stocker....

Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

Am so TOTALLY happy that I purchased the Budnik GTO steering wheel!!! :metal:

This thing is gonna be KILLER to look at every day when I get to drive this truck!

:bling:

Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

Hmmm, Keven now wants to look at fab'ing a different rear bumper than the one that was on there already... He sure has the skills & visions - just want to be sure it can match the general theme of the truck. Any thoughts on if I should let him go for it?

Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

Looks like I might have my air box lid final proof in early next week & it's scheduled to be completed & shipped by the 29th. Will post the pics as soon as I get 'em!

Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

Do you have a pic of the current bumper and a plan for what he wants to do?

Re: 1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build
 

Good choice on the steering wheel!
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