Liam-B

Whats involved straightening them? Also, is it easy to come across jets for those carbs? Got me thinking...

I would get the radiator checked out and rodded by a shop most definitely.

I had a KP starlet once, back in 1999. Paid the grand sum of $40 for it, even had reg but had a burnt out 2K engine. Still managed to thrash it back home. Using just a piece of 4x2 and some dodgy rope we removed the engine with 2 guys, put in a really good 4K that I had lying about then did skidz and compression slides in it everywhere. Never once broke down with all the abuse thrown at it. I ended up abandoning it in around the corner from where I was living when I borrowed the engine to put in my KE70 wagon. Like so many other starlets at the time it was left forgotten on a back wellington street and eventually towed. shame really as it was actually fun little car that went to red rocks many times, the fire breaks all around the brooklyn wind turbine, up Mt Vic town belt dirt tracks and even around the velodrome one night. Not to mention countless beer runs, mid night burn outs and getting me or who ever else needed it to work. Good times.

Rust is lame.

Dark satin green would be awesome!

Satin black does hide a multitude of sins though...

Paint the engine Chevy orange, fit chrome rocker covers. Problem solved.

Sounds like my budget! Mind you I just spend $220 for a inlet manifold I don't even need yet...

I guess the big question is do you actually have vents that fit, or do they need cutting up to fit the roof chop? Both my Falcons have vents, but on both cars they don't open for fear of them not closing again or falling out haha.

I think no vents suits your theme a bit better though?

So, carby was leaking a bit of fuel. I pulled it apart, gave it a big clean out and fitted a new kit through it. Seem's to be a bit better idling now as well when its hot, although the idle jet is pretty worn on the needle itself but it will do for now. At least its stopped dripping precious fuel onto the exhaust. Last thing I need is the thing bursting into flames on me! I bought a cheap ebay electronic distributor for it, man its made a big difference to the smoothness at higher rpm, it starts first turn of the key when cold now and I have advanced the timing up for a little more power. It goes really good now, the engine seems a lot more eager. Probably the best bang for buck mod you can do. I highly recommend one for the money! Oh, its also got a Bosch transformer ignition coil that I had laying about, it happens to be off a Porsche 911 Turbo haha, maximum fat spark now. Still other things to do as expected for an old car but I can jump in and drive it anywhere for ute duties or just cruising around in

Sweet VC, I used to have a silver one with black interior back in the late 90's. Was 225 manual with drums all round. I put VG discs on, bolt in swap and a dual master cylinder also. Oh, the wheel nuts are RH thread on the LH side if you did not already know, although someone might have swapped the studs out if it has discs. Chur.

sounds interesting. I've seen people use old bath tubs, they work sweet as for diff housings etc. Are you guys talking about molasses or something else?

Depends what way your going with this build. I think solid front axles look cooler, more traditional etc. but a IFS is pretty much hidden on a truck anyways so that could work well.

They are pretty easy to narrow, just need another housing then swap the short side tube & axle. Sorted. Yeah, Hilux stuff used to be all the rage, once upon a time. I had one in my ke70 turbo wagon years ago.

Yeah, springs in my XP are only 2 inch wide. I got them reset for now but I too want to 4 link and slam one day. Many exploder diffs around up there? I have never seen one at a pick a part down here in Melbourne. Seem to be a few on the roads though...

One U bolt to hold the diff in would have been totally fine... Its hard to say if the 2 studded wheel would have let go first on you though haha. Anyway, nice work mate, making great progress getting the running gear and body work sorted. Those rear springs look like they have had helpers added, totally need to get them reset I reckon.

Nice! You should be able to weld a new section in, paint it and nobody would ever know

The other cab looks sweet! Is it in the usa still? Also what to do with chassis rust, do you have another frame for it?

You should watch all these as episodes as well, pretty cool build up! http://www.powerblocktv.com/episodes/TK2009-05/classix-part-1

You could probably get away with doing the rusty body work but just getting some paint to blend it in etc? Mind you, you never know what you will find when restoring an old vehicle. Trust me I know with my XP sedan haha

Here are a few, got some more to come. I seemed to get heaps of heavy chevy's for some weird reason at the street party in Cowes Phillip Island. Must be because my girlfriend is keen on getting an impala and told me to get some pics for her haha. World's mintist original RX-3 coupe engine bay. This car was so original it looked straight of the show room. Seemed weird being with all the american and aussie stuff though I still loved it.

I would get it roadworthy, bare minimum body work, slam, steelies and drive as is. I think a style side tray would look cooler than a well side bed but thats just me

Pic of the ute tray, finally got around to it! Bonus! I got the fuel gauge going today, put a new 6 volt regulator, as the old one was stuffed. Still no go, so also had to replace the gauge as it had burnt out. Its good knowing how much petrol is left, that is for sure! Also gave it a oil change ready for the cruise to Phillip island Kustom Nat's. Should be a big turn out, its a 3 day event but I am just going for the sat. Will have to cruise at a leisurely 80-90 as my diff gears are really short at 4.0:1 However I just won a 2.83:1 ring and pinion to fix that though just need to install it one weekend. Then I can get back into the XP sedan again. I have been neglecting it a little bit as of late getting this one sorted!

PS, been driving this heaps. Pretty happy with it, just need to put a Carb kit in as its leaking to the point all the fuel disappears from the bowl after leaving it for a bit. Might throw in electronic ignition distributor for bit more reliability. Need to change diff ratio though, its way to low with 4.0:1 100kph is achievable but engine is revving pretty hard. Have 3.5:1 ratio diff sitting in garage from the XP, might swap it or maybe even hang out for a 3.2:1 if I can find one...