Up to Ames

Took the truck up to my buddy's shop in Ames, Iowa, Swagger Customs. Austin is going to be doing the major surgery / transplant of all of the Chevy van running gear to the Apache! Beau, my 15 year old son went with to check out the shop and made friends with a giant shop dog.

Raod Trip

The Apache will be heading north 30 miles to my buddies shop in Ames, Iowa. Austin will be doing some major surgery over the fall and I hope to get the truck back before the snow flies. I'll post pictures of the progress as I can. Truck is heading north on Saturday or Sunday.

Update August 22, 2012

A couple of thing to report: sold the 235 engine and 3 speed manual transmission to a fellow hot rodder from just up the road. I'm glad it will be put to good use.

I also had the good fortune to have my friend Tony and his future son-in-law (kidding) come over and help me install the rear green tinted glass and seal. I have to say that it was a lot more difficult than I would have guessed but nothing that a few beers and some elbow grease couldn't handle!  haha

And....it's out!

The engine and transmission are out!

Pulling Engine

Removed the carb, manifold, and exhaust. I also got the cherry picker in place.

Not much to report but I did manage to get the drive shaft out tonight.

A little progress to report. I was able to sell the 1978 Camaro front clip and all of the associated steering and suspension parts. I no longer need them because I found a 1991 Chevy conversion van and I am going to use as many parts as possible from it. It has a fuel injected 350, automatic transmission with overdrive, air, power steering and brakes, front coil over suspension with disk brakes, tilt steering column, drive shaft and rear end. At the end of parts taking, I'll still be able to part out some of the valuable pieces for $300-400 and the scrap value will also be around $200 so this will be a very reasonable way to upgrade the truck's running gear.

In preparation for the swap, I have started to remove the engine. So far I have removed the generator, the fan, the radiator and the front two motor mounts.