Just been driving the truck lately. Filled the rear tank full yesterday, filled the front tank half full. Seems to be getting about 10 MPG in this freezing cold weather. Doing lots better than last winter. Possibly because it actually runs 190* F in the 20-30* weather now, as opposed to 150-160* from that POS Motorad 180* Thermostat. Oh, yeah. I don't miss electric choke a bit.

 

The truck is from New Mexico, and that is all sun damage. I'm just getting new ones.

 

Matthew - Rusty got 10.5 running 65 MPH pulling a car-hauler trailer. With an e-choke that performed perfectly.

Critter - I've never seen that much sun damage. Wow!

 

I've been running around town a lot. Lots of stop and go, go here, go there. Took it on the freeway for a couple miles 3 times. But, I'm sure going up hill on the freeway used more fuel than it saved just going a short distance. Especially since all of the on ramps are up hill. I really like having the manual choke, especially in cold weather. I can set it to warm up at almost any RPM I want, it warms up much faster due to the richer mixture I can cause, as opposed to the electric choke warming up and going wide open 50 seconds later.

Also, that is the worst door panel I've ever seen.

I made this video yesterday demonstrating the manual choke, just messing around before I left really.

 

Got it off the trailer, which was a major effort given that it was sitting on the rims so no jack would go under anything. I finally got it high enough to get the arms of the lift under it. And then the side rails of the trailer had to be taken off. But, it is off the trailer.

(The title doesn't say "What Did You Do With Your Ford Truck Today.)

 

I gotta say, that Chevy is pretty sweet.

 

Thanks. The conundrum I'm in is what forum to join for a Chevy truck, and and old one at that. I got lucky with FTE, so want to find something similar for that truck. Any suggestions?

That's not to say I'm leaving FTE. Just suspect others might have more experience with how to restomod a Chevy. And, the tentative plan is to lean more to "mod" than "resto" as the suspension and steering on this thing is very primitive, as is the driveline - it doesn't even have oil pressure to the rods.

So, all suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Suggestion

Mod it with a ford driveline. Run a crown vic front suspension and ford 9 inch. Then you do not need those other forums.

 

True. But one of my many hang-ups is using other brand "stuff" in a resto, like a Chevy engine in a Ford. Dunno why, but it just galls me.

On the other hand, I have a 31-spline 9" rear, and I'm told that is the hot ticket as the axle tubes are straight so it is easy to narrow. And a 300 six, with some hop-up goodies would give it all the "go" needed. Plus, trannies for that bell housing are numerous, inc auto trannies since my son doesn't get along with manuals very well - at least not yet. Hmmm. I wonder if a 400 will fit?

Seriously though, I don't want to make this another "belly button", so really don't want to go with a 350/350 combo. Would much prefer to use an S10 frame and driveline, even if we warm the V6 up a bit. And, that means bouncing ideas off of the folks who've been there, done that.

 

Gary,
Are you interested in a new 383 GM crate motor?
I have no idea about shipping to OK, but I do know it has an Edelbrock 1407 and mechanical fuel pump, MSD red cap dizzy and Blaster coil, chrome valve covers, starter, alternator, etc...

I just opened the crate to see, and screwed it back up.
I can check the BOM and dyno sheet when I get back to that garage.

 

Jim - That's a pretty engine. I'm not sure which way we are going, but I would like to know more about it. Please send me some info.

Having said that, there is no hurry as the 50 comes after the Bee, which comes after Dad's truck. And we are just now in the very, very early stages of planning. But, we will consider all options.

 

Dropped the old center-mount fuel tank, got the old rear tank hanging by a metaphorical thread, put shiny new parts in the shiny new center-tank, and became overwhelmed at the pile of shiny new parts for the shiny new rear tank. Ordered more parts for both tanks (because what fun would it be to have all the parts when you need them?). The plan for tomorrow is to have the old rear tank out.

 

Replaced a sending unit in the fuel tank discovered the strength difference between case hardened steel bolts and non case hardened. Turns out you can in fact bend steel bolts with a wrench. Made 6 trips to autozone and my corner bolt store. Changed a million light bulbs. Probably more like 20 but it felt like more. Bought a speedo cable then returned when I realized I didn't seat the original properly resulting in user error. And on trucks maiden voyage once again to autozone broke down in their parking lot until traced my issue to needing a new battery and cable ends. Also set an appointment for tomorrow for 1000 dollars worth of tires on an 800 dollar truck. Strange math there for sure.

 

The math is right for these trucks.

 

I'll tell you what I think that more so every time I jump in it though it would be nice if there wasn't so much dang rust. And if it also magically became 4wd without me having to hunt the parts and swap them.