Frame & undercarriage advise!

[Scott91370]

I did do the POR15 but mine was a frame up build so I was able to sand, clean, prep and paint without anything in the way.

 

[Fode140]

Wauconda! Small world. I grew up in Grayslake.
If you’re cleaning it up then it makes sense to paint it.
May as well get a paint gun. You’ll be buying stuff by the case if you rattle can. But up to you.
Pressure wash. De grease. Wash again Completely.
Get any flaking rust down to solid metal. Anything that is more than surface corrosion I’d do Ospho or Por 15 etc. Then paint it all with chassis paint. Some good hard single stage paint.
If it’s not going to be a winter rig, that’s a 20 year resto for fair weather. If the kids are gonna wheel it all winter, spray the under carriage every year with whatever your favorite oil is. Fluid film Krown whatever.
If you’re not down with doing all that, I’d rattle can everything that isn’t oily and send it.

It is indeed a small world, that's great! I know Grayslake well, spent and still spend a lot of time either there or passing through. I think I will break down and buy a sprayer. I do plan on pressure washing it, scraping and sanding, and Ospho as needed, and then spraying the body with paint as most have suggested, but then thinking chassis paint or RP-342 for the frame and components? Also, any suggestions for the gas tank? I'm dropping it anyway to put a new fuel pump and harness in it anyway and it's not the best looking, lol.

 

[Fode140]

Here is a link to the 73 and what it took ME, not you to do what I did,

https://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/1973-k20-350-to-454-swap.29840/page-11

starts #164, can just scroll by the text and look at the pictures.

Thank you! Great info and pics!

 

[Fode140]

I'm from McHenry and have family in Island Lake.... Crazy the people you meet on the internet.

That is crazy, so glad to be able to meet so many great and helpful people and some from so close to home! I've also spent a lot of time in McHenry and Island Lake, both great areas, I at least pass through them frequently.

 

[Fode140]

This is great, I'm so glad I found this site and so many knowledgeable, helpful people! I've learned so much in such a short time! I think I'm going to take the advice of about everyone who posted and keep it simple. Pressure wash, de-grease, scrape and sand, and Ospho as needed, spray the body with paint, and chassis paint or RP-342 for the frame and members, etc. And fluid film for upkeep. I thought the weather was starting to break since it's sitting outside as it was 78 degrees on Friday so had a chance to do some tinkering and prep yesterday, but then we got 2-3 inches of snow this morning and it's 30 degrees again, so oh well! Guess I've got to wait a bit more! Thank you so much for the advice and examples, I know I'll be back with more questions and I'll post as it goes along!

 

[Kelly vice]

Boiled linseed oil mixed with black rustoleum

 

[Fastduramax]

When I did the LS swap on my truck, I wire brushed and painted the front half of frame while the drivetrain was out. I used VHT Chassis Paint from the parts store. It looked great and has held up very well after 4yrs/50k miles. A simple wipe down and it looks nearly as good as it did when it was fresh. The only thing I've found that really hurts it is brake clean, I've hit the frame here and there doing other jobs and it streaks it/tries to wash it off. But I just scuff it with a scotchbrite pad and respray that area, good as new

This was freshly done. I used pieces of cardboard boxes set on top of the frame rails to keep the paint off the bottom side of the cab and did small sections at a time

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And here's a year or so ago during the T56 swap. There was ~30k miles on it at this point, you can see how nasty dirty it is. But a good wipe down and it looks near cherry, I'm very impressed with this stuff

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I see a Texas Steelworks W crossmember ! I think anyway ! Bought one for my 86 4x4 total frame reinforcement project prior to dropping in my 572, everything else is ORD of course... That Texas crossmember sure is a work of art...

 

[Cyrillious]

Don't mind my mockup for the exhaust trying to figure out fitting etc. I used what is says on the can on a white background "primer" for the underbelly of my cab. I noticed it was burgundy from the bath coming out of the factory so I decided to go with a close matching colour. Or you looking for chassis suggestions only?

 

[TotalyHucked]

I see a Texas Steelworks W crossmember ! I think anyway ! Bought one for my 86 4x4 total frame reinforcement project prior to dropping in my 572, everything else is ORD of course... That Texas crossmember sure is a work of art...

Yessir! Everything Scotty does is art! I’ve got his engine mounts and radiator fan shroud as well