My new project 86 Silverado

[naphtali5725]

Here is my find, was sitting in a field 13 years, had a few trees growing around it. scored it for 1200.00.
it is a 86 Silverado, cruise, tilt, power windows/locks, ac. It has a 305 4bbl, with a swapped in TH400. It currently is sitting with only the cab on it, as I am in the process of doing a frame off. It will have all trim removed, has surface rust only, all panels straight, and will be flat black once it is done. I hope to start a build thread once real warm weather starts here in the mountains

Kind regards,

[Big Blue]

Welcome naphtali5725, Great looking 86. I like the style truck.
Keep us informed on you progress.

John

[bbbc10]

nice start!!!

[Lost 40]

Welcome. I have an 86 Silverado as well, and look forward to hearing more about your build.
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[bigsj]

Thats a good starter truck .

[Pop's C-10]

welcome

[SBTork]

make sure to take plenty of pictures for the build thread, it looks like a nice start!

[bayou boy]

Nice start im in the same boat with ya good luck

[naphtali5725]

that's the route i'm going, all smooth, no aluminum trim, or any moldings.

good luck with your build, start a thread if you haven't already!

kind regards,

[naphtali5725]

Body pics - as you can see, this truck's panels are very straight

[naphtali5725]

more body pics

[naphtali5725]

rolling frame

[naphtali5725]

Well, i have decided to keep the 86 Silverado. I have an Oldsmobile 455 that I got from X-cabsquarebody on c10forum. I was also given a complete engine rebuild kit for it, pistons rings, etc. etc.

I have an engine builder in SC. that donated their machine shop services, and their time to put it together for me. The engine will be a torque monster.

Truck is down to the rolling frame now, and pressure washed, and cleaned as much as possible. I'll attach pics to this thread as soon as I can. I am probably going with the budget build route, and probably will not paint a lot of stuff...that's just how it goes, function over form.

I'm going to follow my buddy X-cabsquarebody's recommendation of leaving the body alone, and keeping the patina finish, and not priming/painting it.
I just got a new cab bushing/bed mount kit from LMC, so I can get the cab/bed back on here in the next few weeks.
I'll be taking apart the front suspension in a few days, and will replace all upper/lower control arm bushings/ball joints etc. I should have those in a couple of weeks as well.

stay tuned...

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Man I actually kinda like the patina. It's straight as hell. I would lower it and tint the windows and make the inside comfy as hell and a newer style or injected engine underneath
But that's me

Loom forward to seing how it turns out. Make it yours!
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[naphtali5725]

Thanks insidious for the comments

I'll need to have tinted windows anyway, because I am sensitive to the light and it gives me migraines.

As far as the engine, the Olds 455 big block makes tremendous torque with minimal modifications. A bone stock 455 with 10:1 compression and stock camshaft makes 350HP and up close to 450 ft lbs of torque at low rpm, so it's the perfect engine for a heavy truck (plus it was all free)

I want to lower it too, but I do not want to cut the frame for a C notch or anything like that, because I want to keep the frame intact. I'd like a nice coil over suspension front/rear though

[naphtali5725]

Talked to my buddy X-cabsquarebody yesterday from c10forum... he gave me lots of advice regarding the procedures for Z'ing the frame, and the steps for lowering the rear of the truck... that guy knows his stuff, and is a good friend because he offered to assist me in any way I needed, and I appreciate it big time.

I don't know which way i'll go yet, so i'm just going to concentrate on rebuilding the front suspension since all of it is worn out or rotten because it sat for 13 years (all ball joints, upper/lower control arm bushings, tie rods, idler arm, pitman arm) have perished.

I have a 12 bolt rear I got from X-cab with 2 inch drop shackles.. not sure if i'll swap out the 10 until i pull the cover and check the gear ratio to determine what would be best for my engine/tranny (TH 400) combo

March 5th i'll be taking the engine to have it machined and assembled. Once complete should put out 450+ HP, and gobs of torque which the Olds 455's are known for.

So that's it for now... stay tuned.

[69GWC]

I had a 79 square with a 455 olds in it and man that thing would fry a tire..lol. I would have to show people the motor most would not believe it had a olds motor in it.
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[Gigem]

nice project, and thanks for your service...

[rs74]

Good job on the find. It is nice to see others going through the same process as I go through mine. I will be watching your build. Here is how mine sits today. Putting on a lowering kit and all new steering and suspension parts then its off with the cab and everything to the body shop. Good luck.

[naphtali5725]

updates...



I have the truck up in the air to disassemble the front suspension, so i'm going with mcgaughys 2.5"/4" spindle/hanger/shackle kit part #93130
I ordered a front end rebuild kit from performancesuspension, hopefully it all will be here in a few days, and I can get cracking on it.

Also got a spray gun kit from TCP global, waiting on it as well.

For the body I am going with the Kirker Black Diamond paint kit from smartshoppersinc, color will be the PLATINUM SILVER METALLIC LVB-61235

For the frame, and suspension parts It will be the Kirker epoxy primer + their hot rod black urethane

so that's it for now, i'll post pics as i tear down, and install the kits

stay tuned

[rs74]

We are at about the same point in our builds. I just got the flip kit on mine and tore off the contol arms last night. I still have the cab on mine but am looking for another one to put back on.

[naphtali5725]

Originally Posted by rs74

We are at about the same point in our builds. I just got the flip kit on mine and tore off the contol arms last night. I still have the cab on mine but am looking for another one to put back on.

your making good progress then, If my parts/paint come in, i hope to have the frame, control arms etc. painted and back together by next weekend...we'll see how it goes...good luck with your build

[naphtali5725]

Update...
Received my spray guns in the mail yesterday.
Dropped my 455 off with Joe at cmengines.com. He walked me through their shop, and explained all the steps they'll use when building/balancing/dyno'ing my engine for the performance build. You can see the procedures on their website.
More to come...

[rs74]

Cool! That ought to be one torquey son of a gun.

[naphtali5725]

Originally Posted by rs74

Cool! That ought to be one torquey son of a gun.

I sure hope so