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The frame project looks great so far.
Good luck with the NOS parts chase and with home hunting.
Have you decided where your next move (location) will take you & your family?
Difficult to pack up everything for a regular move but with a restoration project in parts and bins it's even more challenging.
Best of luck.
Hello everyone. The family and truck are now back in California where the restoration has resumed. Progress was very slow the past three years while in Alaska but did move forward along with the acquisition of several more NOS parts. This week, the original carburetor is headed out to Holley for a full restoration and the valve covers out for powder coating. I anticipate completing the engine restoration/rebuild by the end of Spring. Thank you for all your support with this project. Will post pictures along the way.
I love these builds to follow and see the nice work. But words like restoration, concourse and NOS always make me a little sad that there is another great old truck taken off the road of life, where they were meant to be.
The original Holley 2300 2-bbl carburetor is back from restoration looking factory new; the folks at Holley did a superb job. The entire unit was disassembled, cleaned, all components re-dyed and re-plated in their original/correct finishes, and re-assembled with a new brass float, gaskets, and needle/seat assembly. The last of the NOS engine parts have been slowly trickling in. The plan is to have the engine block machined in June/July, at which point the entire engine is ready for re-assembly with nearly all NOS parts and then painted (heads, crankshaft, and rods are complete).
NEXT:
-Re-install cab on chassis in preparation for drop-off at body/paint facility.
-Disassemble transmission and prepare for restoration.
-Send differential carrier out for concours restoration and rebuild using all NOS parts (in hand).
I appreciate you guys keeping me engaged in the project. Between multiple military moves over the past four years and spending time on other projects, my interest began to wane over the last few years. Now with the largest garage I've had to date and opportunity to stay/retire in place, conditions have never been more ideal to complete the project. My career does have me busy and away from home often, however, I do intend to make significant progress this year.
On a separate note...I refused to pay Photobucket's ransom and now the restoration photos are no longer linked. Anyone have a recommended 3rd party hosting site to use in lieu of Photobucket?
Thread resurrection! You all were not forgotten…just required some time to settle into the new place and re-gain the motivation to proceed forward with the project. Progress is moving forward at a rapid pace.
Completed since last post:
-Removed front clip assembly and cab from storage (stored since 2009)
-Placed cab and front clip assembly on restored chassis (temporarily)
-Sent chrome steering wheel horn ring out for re-plating
-Engine bay horn wire, front head/signal lamp, generator, and main firewall harness professionally replicated (exact matches to originals)
-Purchased a plethora of NOS parts
-Stripped cab to the bare shell
Four-week taskers:
-Send seven final cab wire harnesses out for replication
-Send steering wheel out for restoration
-Send box of small chrome parts out for re-plating
-Send instrument cluster out for a complete restoration
-Send hood hinges out for restoration (strip, replace rivets, and paint)
-Purchase more NOS parts as available
Much of the upcoming month will consist of sending parts out for professional restoration. Progress has outpaced the photos, but here are some teaser images during the cab deconstruction.
You guys are way overdue some pictures. Rest assured, progress is happening at its fastest pace in 5 years.
Completed since last post:
-Dissasembled entire front clip -Chrome steering wheel horn ring re-plated -All cab wire harnesses (minus main dash) professionally replicated (exact matches to originals)
-Instrument cluster professionally restored -Purchased a plethora of NOS parts
Four-week taskers:
-Complete engine block machine work
-Media blast engine attaching parts
-Powdercoat oil pan and valve covers
-Purchase final few engine components in preparation of assembly -Purchase more NOS parts as available
Much of the upcoming month will consist of sending parts out for refurbishment and collecting the final few pieces necessary to assemble the engine. Ten years of collecting NOS parts leaves very little remaining on my list. Short-term goal is to complete engine assembly by the end of Summer and move right into body and paint thereafter. More pics to follow...
