Well, we have been making pretty marked progress today and yesterday. Considering we had a half day yesterday and so far today, another half day, I am pretty happy.

I started out working on the coolant crossover tube which is now a part of the radiator. This was necessitated because the old radiator is a downflow and the new one is a crossflow. Crossflow is more "modern" and more efficient. I made the crossover tube with a 45* angle on it, and it will be welded to the bottom of the radiator (you will see this in a few pictures).


Then, I began building a new bit onto the end tank of the radiator, since I did not want the pipe to make a 90* turn into the radiator. I cut the old hose barb off, cut out the section of end tank that I was going to rebuild, then welded the end tank and crossover tube onto the radiator.






I will get some installed pictures of the radiator, sometime. For now I am just trying to get the pump put back together from replacing the governor spring.

Also, dad has been working on the VGT controller. This is our second edition of the controller and thus far, I think we will have positive results. He built the ram on a swivel, which will keep it from binding, which is part of our issue last time, we think. We are also integrating the drive pressure onto one side of the ram as well. So, hopefully some real world results from that soon!


ANND! In other news, I passed my nursing boards and will be getting my license in the mail most likely this coming Monday or Tuesday! I will also find out the results of an interview on Monday or Tuesday! If I get the job offer, I will be starting orientation on Sept 3rd (most likely), so that gives me a hard finish date for the truck!

 

Been crankin' away again today and should be fired back up by the end of the night or noon-ish tomorrow (depending when I call it a night tonight).

Getting the front end back together, basically. Since I chopped the core support so much, it lost much of its rigidity, so I made a brace to stiffen it up again. I also made the intercooler mounts out of all-thread, pretty convenient and allows a lot of adjustability.

The core support brace is just 3/4" angle with some flat welded onto it for the intercooler support.


The intercooler supports, like I said, are just all-thread that I bet up to meet the core support and the metal I welded on the brace. Not the prettiest, but definitely were quick and easy to make (they'll be hidden anyway). You can also see I painted the core support brace...


And, finally, the first time Rusty has had a grille on in over 3 years... looks weird


So, later tonight we will put the pump back together, dad will work on the battery tray while I do that, and maybe, just MAYBE we'll be ready to roll coal once again.

 

Looking good man!

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Dad got the hot side of the VGT controller hooked up tonight, too. Used copper tubing and coiled it to help cool the air running the ram. If we did it right, high drive pressure should open the housing up to relieve it, and boost should shut it down. The way it's hooked up right now should be about a 1:1 drive:boost pressure ratio. Gonna see how this works, but we have some regulators to skew the ratio, if need be.



So, in reality, we're down to the short list before firing up again! Gotta put gaskets on the grid heater, change out the upper radiator hose, install the radiator and intercooler, and tune the pump in. After we get her starter I will see about doing the valve springs...

I start my new career as an RN on the 3rd, and I want to drive Rusty to work on the first day, so that's the goal

 

Well, this is the time we have all been waiting for... 3.5 years and she's finally left my parent's shop

Had a few issues with the indexing of the throttle lever, which made the hour drive back to the apartment nearly unbearable, but I got that all fixed up this morning and have got the pump half tuned in. Didn't want to push it too hard without a helper handy.

She's not DONE (is any project ever totally done?), I need to modify the front bumper and put in the interior pieces and find a headliner. With the bumper, I am going to cut a couple inches off the stock one so it sucks closer to the body, and I am going to cut in some fog lamps. Should turn out well and really round the whole project off.

Anywho, I know you are all dying to see pics (all 2 of you still watching the progress...), so I washed her up and took some pictures. Not the best pics from my cell, but they'll do.

 

Looks awesome man congrats.

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Thank you! Just a few loose ends to tie up then I think I will call it "good".

 

I would have to second that quote. Still planning on the long maiden voyage before starting the new job?

 

No, I am severely short funded for any sort of road trip, I sure wish I could stretch her legs though. I would like to get cruise control in it before going on anything too long as well.

 

Yeah having the funding would defintely help