78 Scottsdale preservation project
 

Hello, I just wanted to share my new-to-me 1978 C10 pickup that I was able to purchase from the original owner. The ol fella was 83, and felt it was time to pass it on so he listed it on Facebook marketplace. Luck was on my side I suppose because I beat everyone to the punch (he counted over 130 messages). Now here is a couple caveats. The truck has its share of rust, and lastly the 305/2bbl runs, but has a pretty substantial knock. Let’s load up, and get home.

Re: 78 Scottsdale preservation project
 

After I got the truck home I set to cleaning it up, and re-attaching the missing trim. Good thing he had kept all the pieces. I’m a sucker for documentation, and especially old dealership badges.

Re: 78 Scottsdale preservation project
 

Well now that I had a decent looking truck, I started search for an engine. Facebook marketplace came through again with a 78 L48 350/4bbl that had 30 some odd thousand miles. It had been swapped for a LS engine. It should do just fine in the old Scottsdale.

Re: 78 Scottsdale preservation project
 

Love it. Great color, great history, looking forward to seeing it on the road!

Re: 78 Scottsdale preservation project
 

While waiting to get the truck down to my in-law’s shop, I reversed the usual order, and buffed the 47 year old paint out by hand. The Holly Green must have been some good paint, as it really cleaned up nicely. The Seamist did ok, but will have to work. I installed a new grille, painted the rear bumper, and threw on some new center caps, and lug nuts after painting the wheels. It’s amazing what a little sweat equity does for an old truck.

Re: 78 Scottsdale preservation project
 

Said a prayer, and made the 6 mile drive to the shop. It wasn’t happy, but we made it. Time to get dirty.

Re: 78 Scottsdale preservation project
 

The 350 going in. Now I got the TH350 still mated to the Vette’s engine when I got it. I checked the tail shaft in hopes that I could just drop it in as 1 unit, but it 3” shorter than the truck TH350. Darn. Let’s swap the trans around. I found it amusing that 3 little 3/8 torque converter bolts are really the only thing putting power to the ground when you think about it.

Re: 78 Scottsdale preservation project
 

Install completed. They make it look so easy on the internet haha. The 350 runs pretty good! Geeze, I need to clean the bottom side of the hood.:Dohh:

Re: 78 Scottsdale preservation project
 

New tires, and some shakedown miles. The pups approve.

Re: 78 Scottsdale preservation project
 

So much goodness!

Re: 78 Scottsdale preservation project
 

Little update to the post. We met our goal of the Southeastern Truck Nationals being the first event I drive the truck to. It did great on the 340 mile round trip.