The photos will tell a story, but I hope to provide a little insite. This vehicle developed an exhaust leak, because the exhaust manifold studs rotted off so it was a little loud. To fix it, the heads would need to come off, the broken studs, would have to be drilled, and tapped, and then it could go back together. As long as the engine needs to come apart, we may as well refresh the engine... I looked at the cylinder walls, and they were slightly scored, So the engine needed a rebuild.

A needle scaler helped to remove the rust scale off of the sides of the block. The Cylinders were bored out to make this 496 cu in engine to a 502 cu in. The heads and block were decked. All the valves were decent, but cleaned and lapped. I also happened to have a spare 8.1, so as long as I am rebuilding one engine, I rebuilt a second for a "spare".

While the engine was out of the engine bay, new brake lines were made, I ended replacing shocks, pads, rotors, and complete exhaust. All of the pieces to bolt on to the engine (like the water tube, water pump, exhaust manifolds, valve covers, etc) were cleaned and reinstalled or replaced (like the starter and alternator).

The rockers started to show some signs of rust, and I wanted the truck to look decent, so I may as well replace the rockers (inners and outers), then the floors, new cab corners, and of there was rust in the doors too. I found some rust free doors to replace the original ones, and ordered new front fenders and hood. The box came off the back. The frame had the needle scaler, cleaned and painted, a new fuel tank filler neck installed... and I almost forgot, new tires too!

There's nothing like a deadline to get this all done. My sister-in-law wanted to have my 48 Oldsmobile in her wedding, but she lives 4 hours away. The day we were to leave to bring the Oldsmobile to her, I was still painting the truck. The Box was installed on the frame, and my wife was packing it, while I was hanging the front clip. As soon as it was loaded, and the parts were in place, we took the truck on a 4 hour "shake down" while towing the Oldsmobile.

My 2001 Chevy Silverado 2500HD, 8.1 liter (plow truck and road hauler)