buds truck Posted September 20, 2010 Report Posted September 20, 2010 after taking a bunch of time off from working on the truck (I chose to walk away for a while), I threw open the shop door and got busy again today. The first thing I did was to un-suicide the right door and put it back the way it was (one of the reasons I stopped working on it... I hated it and just couldn't bring myself to do the other). I had found a pair of doors on Ebay and bought them for little of nothing, gave the drivers door to one of our members for the cost of shipping it from the ebay location to his home. I used the other one to restore the door back to its proper hinged location. Since the suicided door was chopped to match the roof,I just measured and cut the frame off the old door and new door and welded the chopped section back on. Should be finished with that tomorrow night. The 318 is mostly together and the engine is mounted, I need to take the cab off and build a trans mount. Then I will get the exhaust built and get the motor in running condition. Lots to do, but the wife says I need to have her driving it by next summer.... Quote
Bob_Koch Posted September 20, 2010 Report Posted September 20, 2010 I think we've all taken a few vacations from our trucks at times, for a variety of reasons. Good to hear you're back at it. And nothing like a little push from the wife. Quote
Allen I. Posted September 20, 2010 Report Posted September 20, 2010 Breaks from time to time are great things. I love how easy you make things sound. "I just cut a little off the top here and slap it together there and VIOLA..." I look forward to future updates. The only push I get from the wife is to make space for the 67-69 Firebird ragtop she's been hunting for since June. Quote
48Dodger Posted September 20, 2010 Report Posted September 20, 2010 You're keeping it fun Bud...nothing wrong with that. I washed the Bonneville truck today and said to myself....."whew"...meaning, "I need a break"... Maybe I'll take a trip to Washington and see how its going...ya just never know what I'll do... 48D Quote
buds truck Posted September 20, 2010 Author Report Posted September 20, 2010 You're keeping it fun Bud...nothing wrong with that. I washed the Bonneville truck today and said to myself....."whew"...meaning, "I need a break"...Maybe I'll take a trip to Washington and see how its going...ya just never know what I'll do... 48D now THAT would be great!! If the timing was right, maybe I could even talk you into helping me get the truck started for the first time. I have an extra bedroom available anytime you need it. I will be in Agora Hills, Calif the first week of October for some classes for work. How far away from there are you? Your Bonneville trip was amazing, color me green with envy. :D:D Quote
48Dodger Posted September 20, 2010 Report Posted September 20, 2010 Its 6 hours or more...closer than Washington, but lookin forward to seeing you and your truck together. lol. Give me a heads up when you're ready to start that engine! 48D Quote
buds truck Posted October 26, 2010 Author Report Posted October 26, 2010 boy, the headaches just never end with this motor. I found out that a motorhome motor like my 1968 318 is more of a different bird than I ever imagined. Not only were the heads and intake different (water heated instead of exhaust), but the water pump placement (via the timing cover) is different, got all that changed out, went to put on all the pulleys and front accessories and brackets only to find out that THEY are all different too. crud!!! so I went and put an ad on craigslist asking if anyone had a complete 318 with all the brackets, accessories, pulleys, ect, so I could get a complete matching set. Fortunately a gentleman about 20 miles away from me has a 69 Satellite that has all I need and still on the engine so I can even take pix to make sure all goes back the same way. I will get them this upcoming weekend. Just another small blip on the radar screen of life.... at least I now have the heads, intake, rockers and manifolds on the motor. some progress is better than none Quote
Dave72dt Posted October 26, 2010 Report Posted October 26, 2010 It's not that different, just like every other 318 they put in a motorhome that year. 4 years ago I could have helped you out but the motorhome is long gone. Progress is progress, no matter how dim the light is at the end of the tunnel. I'm not leaping and bounding on mine either. Some day..... Quote
cwcars88 Posted October 27, 2010 Report Posted October 27, 2010 Wondered why we havent heard from you lately, glad you are back in the saddle again. Keep the news coming there is a lot of interest in your project. The next time I get up your way I will try to check your truck out again. Wayne Quote
smallblockjunkie Posted October 27, 2010 Report Posted October 27, 2010 good to hear that you are going again. It helps when the wife says to get it done. when she says are you ever coming in? All you have to say is I thought you wanted me to get this done. Quote
buds truck Posted November 7, 2010 Author Report Posted November 7, 2010 I got the front pulleys, alternator and power steering pump off the 69 satellite, painted them up and I FINALLY have the front of the motor together. Next step is the exhaust. Quote
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