I'm just so tired of parts that are supposed to just bolt right in, not bolting right in. I was fighting with the hydroboost and couldn't get the rod to the brake pedal to even drop down enough to go on. Looks like the best solution is to cut the eye off the vacuum booster and the one off the hydroboost, thread them and use a coupler.... Wasted 3 days on that so far. I finally just ordered the hydroboost kit from powerbrakeservice.net I wish I would have started there. For $200 more than what I spent pulling a junkyard booster, I could have gotten one with all the brackets and parts.

Next, I bought a champion radiator. Supposed to be a direct bolt in. NOPE. I'm going to have to make some sort of flange since it is too narrow.

Try to put air cleaner on.... NOPE. the HEI distributor messes with it. So change of plans. Guess I'll go with the chrome round filter. NOPE doesn't work either. Guess I need to find a spacer for under the carb to lift it up .

Headman headers. Yeah they didn't go in per the instructions either.

Just need a day when some things fall into place...... probably too much to ask.

 

 

These issues arise when you deviate from stock parts. I had to modify my drop in Champion radiator for my GTS. It just goes with the territory and yes i can be frustrating. I find stepping away and thinking it out helps. Sometimes the fix isn't always clear or apparent when your doing the work than it is when you take a step back.

 

X2 on all those parts are not stock, so you get to make them fit. Like he said, just take a step back, think it over, regroup and go at it again. Hang in there, you day is not really going that bad is it?

 

Once you take a truck and start adding custom pieces and aftermarket parts, no, nothing will be "bolt on" to an extent. Aftermarket is aftermarket. Honestly on my '77 I have yet to have an issue with parts not fitting, but that's because it's 100% stock.

 

 

I hear ya Larry. This thing has been kicking my butt. I spent half a day yesterday fabbing a bracket for the radiator. I finally have it finished. I've found the best way to manage this is to just try and accomplish something, each time I work on it. I have to quit planning to "put the radiator in" because that just seems to not happen. Some days are better than others. Today I went and put the cotter pins in the tie rods that I hadn't done. Then I hooked up the driveshaft. Then tightened the transmission motor mounts and cross arm. Those little things add up to a lot. It is still aggravating that when I get a good day to work on it, and I plan to knock something out, that nothing fits, even though it is SUPPOSED to be a direct bolt in. I guess it is because I see the truck coming together, and I'm really not that far from being done, but it's just like I can't quite get there.

 

TXTrailerdaddy,
I hear you, some days are better than others. Just try to remember, were still alive and able to make a difference. I've done more times than once as Rich suggested, step away, though that been over the last ten years. Before that I went at it regardless of how frustrating the task became. Not anymore, the self imposed stress take it's tool on you and just isn't worth it. My attitude, "it's better than I deserve". Alive, honest, clean living and I feel fortunate, I came home, unlike allot of Brothers in arms that weren't so lucky. Hang in their fellow forum member.
Listen to some good music, like here come that rainy day feeling again by the Fortunes, or I'll be true to you by the Oak Ridge Boys, Charlie Pride, Elvis If I could Dream. Enjoy your Day.

 

I have never found a problem that a lawn chair, some George Straight and a few PBR's couldn't help solve. It took me a week to figure out that the spacer on my carb was overhanging the manifold by a 22nd of a millimeter not letting it run. I went thru everything, problem was I always removed the carb and spacer first and put it back on last........ I timed it by watching the valves open and close and marking the distributor, vacuum lines out the wazoo, fuel filters and pumps. All to be a lousy Edelbrock spacer on an Edelbrock manifold with an Edelbrock carb atop all bought at the same time at the same place from the same person who "knew what they were talking about".. That is when I learned the lawn chair trick. Works like a charm every time.