Resurrecting Clifford the big red 87 R3500
- Thread starter Georgeb
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Yeah glad you caught that now before it got worse. Nice job!!
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No doubt. Good Catch. Looks like and easy fix at this time. Had you let that go and missed it, in a few short years that'd have been real ugly and not much left to get a hold of to make a repair.
Georgeb
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So after some thought about this project I came up with another one of my crazy ideas. I still have my old tan square with some features that I really like and I have the red GMC with some features I really like. I am considering blending the two trucks together since the old tan truck is basically shot due to frame and suspension rot. Here is what I am thinking:
1. My TBI 350 needs to be replaced due to a cracked block and general poopy running and the 78 4 bolt main 350 in the tan truck runs like a clock but needs a freshening up. I would pull and rebuild the 78 350 for use in the red truck with a Q-Jet and standard HEI.
2. Since I am swapping cabs on the red truck I would use the wiring harness from the tan truck thus ditching all the ECM/TBI wiring.
3. Both of the boxes need work but the home build step side box on the tan truck is really tough and very unique. It uses a 32 gallon tank between the rails in the rear. I figured on fixing up the issues with that box and installing the lift gate to the back of it. With some engineering I could also use the jib crane I have for it as well.
4. I can use the front clip off of the tan truck and install the 87 GMC grill.
5. Paint the whole hodgepodge of parts light buckskin tan like the original "Butterscotch" truck everyone in town knows and loves.
I think this may be the best use of the collection of parts I have and basically be another purpose built truck with he best features of the two current trucks combined. Plus I wont have to go through the emotional damage of parting with my beloved "Butterscotch".
Then I can liquidate all the leftover parts to recoup some of the cost.
1. My TBI 350 needs to be replaced due to a cracked block and general poopy running and the 78 4 bolt main 350 in the tan truck runs like a clock but needs a freshening up. I would pull and rebuild the 78 350 for use in the red truck with a Q-Jet and standard HEI.
2. Since I am swapping cabs on the red truck I would use the wiring harness from the tan truck thus ditching all the ECM/TBI wiring.
3. Both of the boxes need work but the home build step side box on the tan truck is really tough and very unique. It uses a 32 gallon tank between the rails in the rear. I figured on fixing up the issues with that box and installing the lift gate to the back of it. With some engineering I could also use the jib crane I have for it as well.
4. I can use the front clip off of the tan truck and install the 87 GMC grill.
5. Paint the whole hodgepodge of parts light buckskin tan like the original "Butterscotch" truck everyone in town knows and loves.
I think this may be the best use of the collection of parts I have and basically be another purpose built truck with he best features of the two current trucks combined. Plus I wont have to go through the emotional damage of parting with my beloved "Butterscotch".
Then I can liquidate all the leftover parts to recoup some of the cost.
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Georgeb
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I wish this was in the budget right now. Gitta wait for a little bit.
http://m.ebay.com/itm/350-1987-1995-Chevy-Long-Block-Engine-Free-Shipping-/131557359356?nav=SEARCH
http://m.ebay.com/itm/350-1987-1995-Chevy-Long-Block-Engine-Free-Shipping-/131557359356?nav=SEARCH
Georgeb
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Well thatnks to the fact that there is no place in this stupid town to buy welding products I ordered some filler rod from amazon because I didn't feel like driving 20 miles kne way to buy it. Its CRAP! Sputters and spits. Is harder and doesnt freaking melt into a pool unless there is enought heat to blow a freaking hole!!! Good thing I was practicing on scraps first! Now I get to drive for it anyway. Lesson learned.
Georgeb
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Well, I think I was actually using ERCuSi-A filler rather that ER70S-6 to begin with. So I may have been more TIG brazing that welding perse. Anyway, it worked really well so I will pick up some of that filler and see what happens.....
DoubleDingo
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That sounds like a good idea.
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