The Return of Black Betty: AKA: Long Term Project

[LDO]

I figured I would start this so I can keep some motivation up and also document the actual work. Starts like this, I've got a perfectly good running 66 short fleet with a 4.5 drop in the front and 5 drop in the rear. Good running 283 with a Saginaw 4 speed and an underbed tank. Sounds good right? But nooooooooo, wife gives me a 290 HP 350 for Christmas and suddenly, everything I've been wanting to do to this truck sort of snowballs into an afternoon of pulling stuff off and grinding and planning and oh, by the way, I've got no money for this? Before I knew it, I have this, and this.

[LDO]

One of the things that always bothered me about this truck is that the shifter was half on the low hump and half on the back side (curve) of the low hump.




LT1Burb hooked me up with a high hump and this is what I ended up with.

[LDO]

So far, the only things I see that I will need sheetmetal wise will be the driver side inner fender and the passenger side rear wheel tub.

Everything else is looking pretty good.

Going to go with an M20 4 speed using the original bellhousing and crossmember.

I've got some small parts that I have been grinding and sanding on to paint, the rest of the stuff is going to powdercoat along with my frame.

Thinking of going with CPP tubular LCAs & UCAs along with trailing arms.

I can't afford to go crazy all at once so I try to work on something every day or every couple of days just to keep me going.

Here are my plans.

raptor liner the inside of cab, fenders and engine bay.
dakota digital dash.
new (red stained) bedwood.
Rear disk brakes (when Captain fab gets the parts ready for a 5x4.75 kit!)
Wilwood master cylinder.

**This weekend:
I pulled off the rear wheel tubs, worst shape than I thought.
Pulled the under bed tank.
grinded and sandblasted the fresh air vents, passenger side inner fender and finished up restoring the thrift air/heat parts. I will post pictures of that tomorrow.
The wife usually documents all the pictures but she's been sick lately so I have been going solo and I am terrible about taking pictures when I am working.....

[LDO]

Not too much progress lately. I do try to do something every day to keep the motivation and flow going.

Restored heater box with new SS screws.

Not too shabby for a guy that can't paint!

[DPowers]

Nice

[Palf70Step]

Very Nice!!

[Vics63Chevy]

Merry Christmas! I'm sure any gearhead will tell ya that's probably one of the best gifts you could get!

[jlsanborn]

I'll follow this along! Do you have a c-notch? What size rubber on there? More photos man. Do I spy a blue stepper with Vette rallys?

[LDO]

Originally Posted by jlsanborn

I'll follow this along! Do you have a c-notch? What size rubber on there? More photos man. Do I spy a blue stepper with Vette rallys?

LOL,
yes the wife's 57 stepside is in the background.

17 front, 18s in the rear, no notch.

There are links to both trucks in my sig line.

[focusedontheprize]

"...wife gives me a 290 HP 350 for Christmas"

This my friend is the quote of the month.

[Hollow65]

I run 17f - 18r I like the lil rake it gives. No tub with 6" drop springs and I've ran 285/45/18 with no problem. Fronts are 255/55/17. Rides nicer with some sidewall. Keep up the good work!