NJ Suburban

[Average Joe]

Nice work!

[pwdcougar]

Been a while since the last update. Wasn't going to pull the motor and trans originally but the right way was to get down to the bare frame as much as possible. Kinda weird how parts of the frame were rusted completely through and other parts still had the original primer (light grey) and original black paint. I've ordered up a new double roller timing chain and will get rid of the one with the plastic teeth. Some days I work on the frame and others I work on getting the motor ready for paint. Any recommendations on engine paint? I've used DupliColor in the past. I'm going with the original Chevy orange.

Paul

[Average Joe]

Originally Posted by pwdcougar

Been a while since the last update. Wasn't going to pull the motor and trans originally but the right way was to get down to the bare frame as much as possible. Kinda weird how parts of the frame were rusted completely through and other parts still had the original primer (light grey) and original black paint. I've ordered up a new double roller timing chain and will get rid of the one with the plastic teeth. Some days I work on the frame and others I work on getting the motor ready for paint. Any recommendations on engine paint? I've used DupliColor in the past. I'm going with the original Chevy orange.

Paul

DupliColor has always worked very well for me as long as the surface is CLEAN. If you are going to paint the exhaust manifolds you might want to look at POR15's high heat manifold paint. I have heard good things about it.

[pwdcougar]

Been busy the last few weeks. Got the frame finished up after re-welding one of the reinforcing plates and using the die grinder with a wire brush. The KBS paint went on and is finished even after the screw up with 6 cans of the top coat "Blacktop" being bad. KBS did overnight 6 more cans and a couple cans of primer to replace the bad stuff.

Got brave and rebuilt the power steering box. There are some great websites out there with step by step instructions. Only problems I had was 1) getting the darn thing apart. and 2) having to redo the teflon seals. Either the seals were bad in the first rebuild kit I got or I stretched them out too much when I put them on. The kits are only 22 bucks at Autozone though.

Now I'm sandblasting parts for paint. I don't have enough cash saved up to buy the next step, rebuilding the brake system.

Any one know of links to the correct colors to paint under hood items? Steering box, pitman arm, power steering pump and brackets?

Paul

[pwdcougar]

A couple more of the clean up process.

Paul

[zicc1835]

great progress see you this week

[pwdcougar]

Got then new brakes on. New shoes, springs and had the drums cut. Next up is the brake lines.

Can say for certain that the rear parking/emergency brake lines listed in the LMC catalog are a perfect match to the originals. Kinda screwy listing. They list only one rear cable for all 4WD trucks with Jimmy/Blazer listed in the notes. Now I realize that they don't carry a 4WD front cable.

I'll post more pics when I get the lines done.

Paul

[pwdcougar]

Engine painted and ready to re-install: check!
Brake lines done: check!

The nickel copper brake line may be expensive but it is very easy to work with. It would have been tough to make the bends I made with regular steel and with stainless it would have been impossible. The rear line was on it's way to being one piece from axle to master cylinder until I tripped over a box and kinked it with one bend to go. I must have looked at 30 pictures of correct brake line routing when I just gave up and decided to do it the way I thought looked best. Hopefully in the next few weeks I can get the engine trans/transfer case back in and the fuel tank treated with one of the tank preps out there.

Paul

[richard2717]

Paul,
Looking good and starting to take shape. You will be done in no time.
Richard

[zicc1835]

love the V covers engine looks great
jz

[chewiebarker]

Engine looks purty! Did you paint the manifolds yourself or are they coated? If you did paint, what did you use? Thanks! Keep on truckin'!

[pwdcougar]

Chewie I used KBS high temp paint on the manifolds. You can still see the brush strokes but the instructions say they will come out during the first heat/run cycle.

Paul

[pwdcougar]

Refilled both rears, trans and transfer case with gear oil. Close to 3 gallons of oil. Also scored a set of really nice fenders from a local board member via Craigslist. Robin you have to post some pics of all the work you have done on that truck!

Cant wait to finish up the frame and get some work done on the body this winter.

Paul

[pwdcougar]

Finally got the frame done and stored in a friend's garage for the winter. Can't wait to start bringing home body parts to work on over the winter.

Paul

[richard2717]

Looking real nice!!!

[pwdcougar]

Thanks Richard!

Paul

[Number98]

That chassis came out nice! looks really good.

[pwdcougar]

Originally Posted by Number98

That chassis came out nice! looks really good.

Thanks!

I'm still dragging home the fenders and doors to see which ones I want to repair and which I'll sell off. I do small engine repair on the side and I've been swamped with leaf blowers and am starting to get a lot of snowblowers now too. On one hand the cash is nice so I can start buying paint and body supplies but on the other hand I don't have too much free time!

Anyone know what gaskets/seals are irreplaceable on the doors or can I buy replacements for pretty much everything? I'm going with rear barn doors.

Paul

[zicc1835]

did you get the body up to the house yet i picked up those SWB fleetsides from Robin, nice Kid, if weather was better today i come up with the Cheyenne headed to AZ next week need anything ill ask about the Gaskets Tom sells prescion stuff

[pwdcougar]

I've got doors and fenders piled up in the garage but that is it. Been overwhelmed with small engine repair.

[pwdcougar]

Body work has begun! Had my one good barn door and a front fender sandblasted. Welded the trim holes up before priming with epoxy primer.

Paul

[pwdcougar]

Welded closed all the trim holes in the fender and the GMC badge holes in one cargo door. I never used to like doing body work but find it to be relaxing now. Put on two coats of PPG 940 primer. Wen I get the money I'll get two more parts sandblasted.

[zicc1835]

looking good

[LockDoc]

-
Looking good Paul. Once you get the body work all done it should go together pretty quick.

LockDoc

[richard2717]

Looking good Paul. Never thought to ask you if the cross member that I sent was the right one.

Richard