Since a lot of folks have threads regarding their projects, I've decided to start my own. Collaboration is always a good thing and you never know what other people can add to make a project even better.

Phase I of my Frankentruck is complete!

Yesterday marked the first day I was able to drive her around and she did well.

Last week I drained the fuel tank, blew out the fuel lines, removed the distributor to prime the oil pump and system, replaced the battery, and replaced the ground wire. After about 20 min attempting to start her, I discovered the nose cone had broken completely off the starter. Luckily, I was able to get my local alternator/starter shop to fix it for free. (Can't beat C&P Auto Electric in Moore, OK.) Once I had the starter back on I primed the carb and she started right up. Of course I had some bad fuel line, so I had to replace that as well because the fuel pump was only sucking air. Once I did that, fuel supply was no longer an issue. The issue I did discover, which was a complete surprise, was the lack of any fluid in the transmission! This was on Thursday and I had to go out of town for the weekend so I had to take a break.

When I returned on Sunday, I went ahead and added 1 can of Seafoam and about 3 1/2 quarts of fluid to the transmission. I let her warm up for about 30 minutes, shifted through all of the gears in the drive way for a bit, and away we went. No issues, drove great (except for the brake surfaces cleaning themselves), and today I even went and paid the taxman to update the tag.

So, I've slowly been rounding up parts for the 4X4 conversion and I've even located a small block bolt pattern ZF-42 (which hasn't been easy - lots of BB and diesel patterns floating around, though). Hopefully it will be in good shape and it won't be long before I have everything rounded up.

Regarding my engine mods, I should be able to get them completed before the big 4X4 conversion and I can't wait until I do. I can really tell the engine is being held back by the stock intake and exhaust.

I'm just happy she sounds so good for sitting for 5 years. I did a good job on the engine rebuild 50,000 miles ago.

I'll get some pictures taken and posted and keep you all updated as things progress.

Aaron

 

I can't wait to see the pictures.

 

Pics or didn't happen....

 

I know, I know. Gotta have truck ****!

 

We like nitpicky grammar corrections here.

 

I see you noticed that, Curtis. Good eye!

 

Are you talking to me (Chris)?

 

Grammar correction, FTW! Real name guessing...fail lol

 

I think you just got your knickname Curtis (aka Chris).

That was close enough for us Okies. Thats the Oklahoma translation for Chris for all non residents of the Sooner State.

Gary moved down here from KS. He was tired of being a Jayhawker. There is no telling what his name was in KS its Gary now that he is in OK. It was probably Jebedia or Malachai whatever KS proper names are.

 

 

Curtis sounded right at the time, don't know why. Sorry, Chris!

 

'tis OK.

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Curtis will be fine Yaga. He already thinks we live in Podunk so he needs a Podunk knickname.

 

Update for today:

So, I've been driving the old girl around a bit (hard to think this truck will be 30 years old next year) and I've decided I really don't like AOD transmissions. My truck was originally equipped with a higher ratio rear end and I remember the truck not having much power then. The rear end had to be replaced at one point while my parents still had it and the rear end the shop put in (which is the read end in it now) is a 3.55, at least that is what the tag says; I'll need to verify that at a later date. Well, even with the different gear ratio the AOD still sucks in my opinion. I don't care for the shift patterns and I don't like that it waits so long to downshift. I'll be glad when it's gone.

During my driving around, I've discovered quite a bit of rattles in the cab. So, all the window channels will need to be replaced along with striker pin bushings and door hinge springs. I'm sure I'll eventually get to the door seals as well. All fun stuff.

The resistor assembly has burned out so the cabin air fan only works on low and high. I'm actually glad this is the case because I know there are leaves in the heater box and fan area as I can hear them being ground up in the fan from time to time. Speaking of cabin air, it is stuck on the "vent" setting so I'll get to play with that some, of course, because having the ability to use the defroster is a must.

I'll need to rebuild the linkage assembly in the tail gate as all of the plastic clips have failed. Having a functioning tail gate is a good thing.

I can tell my engine is really being held back by the stock intake and exhaust, so I can't wait to get those taken care of. (It's always been a love/hate relationship between me and that 1bbl carb.) Bit by bit I'm assembling the parts and I'm sure the engine modifications will be finished before I convert it over to 4X4 and the ZF. (I actually managed to located a small block bolt pattern ZF!)

And yes, I did take some pictures of my truck. Now I just need to find a little bit of time to get them posted (and to read how to post them properly).

As always, thoughts and opinions are welcomed.

Aaron

 

To post pictures you would upload them to a hosting site such as Flickr or Photobucket then link from that site. In the advanced posting there is an icon that looks like a mountain and a sun. Just paste the URL into that and it will pull the pic from the hosting site.