The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre Old member...new Poster....

I have to admit that for many years I've been one of those guys that has been lurking in shadows (I'm sorry) and not sharing my project (too busy? and intimidated by this site...I'm not a computer guy, so I hope this post works!). This site has always been a place where I could get some invaluable help when I was stuck, or just get some entertainment. All you guys are great! Well, I got 'er done pretty much this past year and would like to come out of the closet (with my truck): titled as a 1948 3100 but a combination of all kinds of other vehicles. Here we go: 327 from a 69 Impala (10:1, double hump heads, Isky cam) on to which I grafted a 1992 S-15 factory 4.3 TBI system; 700R4-Camaro/1990; Old Air AC and Heater; Camaro 3.73 Posi; Camaro front disc brakes; power steering; solid front axle w stock riding height; S-10 rear main springs; tilt w stock steering wheel (Line-X coated); power seat; Kenwood AM-FM Bluetooth; bed is from a 1987 step-side with repo rear steel fenders; Line-X coated running boards; white oak bed w ss strips; Bridgestone 255/70R15 w Progressive solid wheels; full size spare under bed; dual Fiero fuel tanks parallel to drive shaft; bench seat is from an Aerostar; vacuum wipers--since they still worked; LED tail lights; I did all the body and paint work (it's a 10 footer). I've owned his truck 37 years and it took me this long because life happens. I just turned 1000 miles on it...driving it is the best feeling in the world!!!

Here are the photos.

Welcome to the site. Sounds like quite a hybrid, I have to ask, are there two headlights on the left and one on the right? LOL. Actually looked at the pics just now, looks awesome! No reason not to share this with the group. Have fun with it.
Leo

Flatblu4748, the hard work/years certainly paid off. That is one nice pickup you have. Just awesome and thanks for the pictures.
The bed looks good and I like the steering wheel. Is the wheel coated with bed liner stuff?
Glad to have you here. I'm sure with your experience you can certainly "guide" a lot of us here on how to do things and what works! Welcome aboard.

A chipmunk: Yes, I had the steering wheel coated w the bed liner stuff as the wheel had hairline cracks in the corners. The Line-X will easily bridge small cracks. Plus that stuff leaves a texture which feels good on a steering wheel. Also, although the Line-X is black it holds paint really well so I shot it with some grey rustoleum. I've gotten lots of positive comments about the steering wheel.

Thanks for the response. It'd be nice to post the pics in the general truck forum, or the Paint and Body forum. I'm sure others would love to see how one comes out.
(not everyone comes by the Welcome centre every time they visit) That's also the reason to make sure all questions go in the most appropriate forum so you get max results.

Thanks again. I like it and it'd sure help cure the "crack" problem on so many steering wheels!

Good point Achipmunk....Ill take some close up pics tomorrow and see if I can get them in my Flickr file.....I'm new to Flickr too,....and try to post them in the body and paint forum or general truck forum....I'm learning.....keeping that old steering wheel on the truck just feels right......like I have this direct connection to all of the ghosts who drove this truck before me.

Nice truck! Even after all the stuff you did to it, it still LOOKS like a truck! I like that. Nice job!

flatblue, Not sure but the Flickr host use to not let "us" view unless we were a member?? Not sure how things are today. Maybe ask in the IT forum and see what the guru's say is the best hosting site today?? Just thinking....

welcome, can anyone post a link to his pic or can that be done..

Very nice work! Looks beautiful and also looks like it's a joy to drive!

Link works--- nice truck!

Brad

Okay, we've got this story in the Gallery now. You need to read this one. Lot of fun; lot of good detail; lot of quotable quotes!

Thanks for the good work Dave.

Peg

How are the 6 degree shims working out for you? and, what power steering unit did you use? Impressive work with everything you did! tom

Tom, thanks for the compliment. The steering box is from about a 73 C10. I then had too much power steering assist and it was twitchy at highway speeds and I had no steering feedback. The 6 degree shims definately improved both of those issues although I still feel there is still too much assist. I'm toying with maybe putting in one of those pressure reducing valves at the pump. Also, by increasing the positive camber w the 6 deg shims I ended up w some mild death wobble at 55-60. It's all tolerable but I still need to tweak a few things. Any input u might ha be would be welcomed.

I followed your steering wheel thread in the other forum but this is the first time I've seen the whole truck. You do beautiful work!

What turned you onto the Fiero fuel tanks? That is a very interesting setup. What is the total fuel capacity? Was the fab work on the fuel filler hoses difficult? How is the under the seat fuel filler working out? I'd be afraid of over filling the tank and spilling fuel all over the nice carpet. Have you had any issues with spilled fuel?

I may need a new tank in my 58 Suburban. Since nobody makes a replacement tank, this might be an option.

Larry, back when the Fiero came out in the mid 80's I had a GM connection and remember seeing the underside of the car and made note of the fuel tank shape and size (10 gallons). A number of years later it was time to get serious about a fuel system and I wanted to keep my spare under the bed at the rear; it was a no brainer. Back in the early 90s you could pick up a clean low mileage Fiero tank for $50 so I got 2 of them. Plumbing the filler pipes was fairly easy if youre comfortable with how to sweat solder copper pipe (1.5") plus NAPA sells fuel rated 1.5" fuel hose w 90 degree bends. I have never burped any fuel into the cab, the trick being that you have got to plumb the aspirstor line back to the filler neck. One other thing I did was plumb an atmospheric vent from the unused return line from my aux right tank to outside of the cab (through a pleated paper filter, to keep the dirt out). Larry, I'm sure this would work fine on your Suburban considering all the room you have under it.

Blu;

Thanks for the feedback. I had forgotten I posted this question and just remembered to go back and look. I doubt anyone is still making Fiero gas tanks. I don't know if I'd be able to source two good replacements.