[Prowbar]

Completed the firewall paint strip. Wanted to touch up spots first but decided to re-paint as a whole. Primer was next, it also serves as the conversion layer between the old and new paint. New 2K epoxy paint was mixed in the correct color, using an old panel as a reference. The firewall was then painted Flame Red, the original color of the truck.

Now the 478 can be installed (finally!!)

Did a lot of preparation work also. for example, the throttle and clutch linkage are all steel-on-steel. All of the linkages and holes showed excessive wear. I welded up the worn parts and filed or turned them to original size. Bronze bushings were made up, the old holes bored out and the bushings are pressed in and further secured with Loctite. The throttle linkage is shown as an example here. I also added a washer on the clutch linkage rod, as it did not have a good surface for the axial reaction forces.

Parts such as the timing indicator on the front pulley and other small parts are sent off for zinc plating.

There is also a picture of the balancing fixture for the front pulley.

Lizziemeister made a good comment about the undercoating last time. I check other trucks and indeed, what you can see on the firewall is the original undercoating. However, some spots are so thick, I figured it to be asphalt. How thick is the undercoating on your trucks? In the nooks and crannies of the front fenders.