First Square Build going INSANE!!

[CrazyJesster]

first of all i want to say i enjoy looking at builds here.
there are alot of people that have done wonderful jobs.
on there trucks longbeds or shorts or stepsides.
and alot of people here have tons of knowldge.

but i must ask how do yall do it without running your head through a wall.
your first project did ya set there and bang your head for hours or days?
trying to figure out what to do and if i should do this or that.

what keeps yall sane about thease projects?
this is my first build or first one to jack with in the link in my sig.
i regret even letting get the way it got to be honest but i was a dumb kid.
ive even thought about selling it and starting fresh with another one.
i even bought an 84 and didnt even like it an sold it lost a total of $50.

im on my first build well motor rebuild i should say.
im trying to sell a 400sb thats 60 over.
because its not really what i wanted nothing bad towards 400s.
but something just tells me to get rid of the 400 a gut feeling.

this was my first truck ever and man heh.
now im racking my brain on what i should really do.
if the 400 sells start on a 383 stroker or what.
wiht what i amke which isnt much the motor build alone.
will take along time to do the money i have from the sell.
will help some a good start but not much.

im just a puzzled duck over this project and lost.
i know no one can tell me what to do but something might help.
now it might seem like i moan and groan on here alot to some folks.
or ask a bunch of silly questions that i might have heard or read.
but there is alot of stuff i do not know at all about trucks.
but i will say this there is alot of knowldge on this site thats for sure.

do the projects get at other poeple like this or what?
have some of yall been stumped and just not sure what to do?
its not like im mad or anything just kind of not sure of what to do.

i sure hope this isnt off topic and is in the right section.

[mineralgrey01gt]

Ive had my truck a year and settled on my engine combo when I first got it. I want to do a 6.0 swap or a 5.3 swap with a built 4l60E or 4l80 tranny and built rear end. I want it more for the drive-ability. I love my 350/th400 combo in it now but it sucks having to mess with the carb and such. Id rather just jump in and be able to get 18mpg instead of the 9-10mpg im getting now

[CrazyJesster]

well ivegot a daily driver 03 z71 so that gets me from and to work.

i miss driving my sqaure and wouldnt mind it having.
a good punch when i hit the accelator to the floor.
ive thought about a ls swap having fuel injection.
and getting 18 mpg and about 430hp after some mods.
but i like the style of a carb and old school sbc aswell.

[xrcr]

Relax, if it isn't your primary mode of transportation you have time. I look at it this way, if I bypass something or cheap out will I be pissed when I'm done because I didn't do it. Even if you completely restore these trucks with a checkbook it takes time. On the 400 issue, if it runs that's one less thing to deal with. Motor swaps are easy compared to alot. My opinion...
xrcr

[BigBlocksRule]

First, decide exactly what you want the truck to be or do.
Daily driver? Don't get too radical, they're a royal pain to drive with big lumpy cams. You don't need to spend a lot of time wrenching on the ride that gets you back and forth to work. Smaller engines tend to get better gas mileage...
Street/strip? Works better if you have a good daily driver and can afford to have a second ride to build as a hot rod. You can sacrifice some ride quality and driveability for a fender shaker for cruising and an occasional visit to the strip. Bigger engines tame the driveability issue and provide plenty of torque for tire smokin' and running at the drag strip.
Race only? The sky's the limit. Be aware that these things can get out of hand, finance-wise. As long as your goal is to make it deep into the 10's, it can be done with mostly factory pieces in a well thought out combo. Suspension tuning is a must, too.

[CrazyJesster]

i have no meaning of running on the drag strip at all.
just a street toy to play with on the weekends.
or to go cruse in here and there not going to tub it or anything.
dont care if it runs 10s or 9s just something i can enjoy on the street.
something where when i hit the gas i know ive mashed the gas on something.
im thinking a good street 383 stroker 430ish hp.

its just not an easy thing to work on money wise for myself.
and its been setting way too long and the 400 i just dont trust it.

[Cherub]

If you look at some of these build threads they will span several years to do. Project trucks are never done and there will always be something that you will want to improve upon. So dont think your under the gun to finish anything especially cause you have a daily driver.

So now that you know your end goal, work tward that goal. If there is nothing wrong with the 400, keep it and put the money to good use else where.

good luck boss.

[BigBlocksRule]

400's are great engines, you can make tons of torque and still get decent mileage with a pair of Vortec heads. What is the casting year and date of your block? Most of the early '509 castings can handle .060 easily, but I'd be leery of any of the others. If you have an early 509 block, take it to a machine shop and have 'em sonic check it. If it checks fine, build it, you'll like it! If not, find a late 90's 4-bolt vortec block that's set up for hydraulic rollers, it'll be a great basis for a budget 383.

[CrazyJesster]

I always thought like a 96 Vortec be a good base for a 383.
And that's what i want the 400 I just have doubts.
The sellin of the 400 will fund the start of the 383.
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[grayharville]

Take a look at my 85 swb frame off, I've owned it since 2008, and to be honest I haven't worked on it in a couple months. I think ill go play with it today...
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[CrazyJesster]

Good to see another fellow texan here.
I'll have a look at that thanks.

Bigblocksrule a 96 Vortec block is what i had in mind.
Wit some of the dart sph aluminum heads.
Here local all i been able to find so far.
Is a full Vortec motor for like 1200.
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[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Originally Posted by CrazyJesster

Good to see another fellow texan here.
I'll have a look at that thanks.

Bigblocksrule a 96 Vortec block is what i had in mind.
Wit some of the dart sph aluminum heads.
Here local all i been able to find so far.
Is a full Vortec motor for like 1200.
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probably half of this forum are people from Texas.....

[grayharville]

Bro, come to east Texas. Parts are cheap, I bought a complete 4.8 ls for 275$ yesterday
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[Gordonr1973]

Hey, just a word of encouragement....everyone has to learn as they go and no matter what the problem is at any point in your build, there is an answer or a fix for it somewhere.

I've been ready to sell my build truck several times when I've ran into a problem that seemed impossible....but I have gotten alot of help here and managed to keep moving forward.

I never rebuilt a differential before, never painted before, never rebuilt a wiring harness before and never did a LS swap before...but I'm learning and everyone here on the forum is helping with my questions.

Some days will go fast, other days with problems will go slow.

But I think you will be okay!

[vegas80step]

I've learned to walk away and come back a different day... lol..

The other day my 2 year old told me he was going to fix his power wheel... he took his (kids) home depot tools and sat next to it.. took a drill to the "lugs" a hammer to the fender and a screw driver to the head light... then stood up with a smile on his face and said "god damnit, piece of $h@t... all done fixxing dadda... fix it like you..."


so yea.. I get a little worked up working on my truck some times..



.

[CrazyJesster]

LOL Vegas that's funny about the young one.
On mine im not sure where to began.
In October I got new tires for the rear and put them on.
Thats been bout it money been tight.
Ive thought bout getting a running 350.
And a cam just so I can drive it.
But that's money lost towards the 383 build.
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[dv8customs]

Just pick a direction ang go, but try not to do anything you will have to undo later.

I am going on year 6 of my build and come up with new ideas all the time. The trick is to not try and implement every new idea you come up with.

[stroker87]

I let my build get away from me and yeah it got insane lol

I got the engine built, then the trans followed by the swap to a 12 bolt, lowered it, bed cover, auto meter gauges and on and on over 3 years

then one day the 383 stroker died found out the cam gear eat the distributor gear pulled the engine and parked it for going on almost 3 years now I needed a brake I was spending to much time and money with it seamed like I turned around and my kids grew over night kinda felt guilty so bought a boat and spent the last 2 years with my wife and kids, now I'm sick of them and ready to get that engine in and run this truck again LOL

peace your self dont cut any corners take a brake every now and then Do not leave your self broke over it either

[CrazyJesster]

I've thought about replacing the windshield now.
But afraid it would just get damaged again.
Ive had the vent window busted out also.
And two carbs taken kinda funny.
I started rasin Hell about that.
And the carbs returned somehow.
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[CrazyJesster]

Stroker you going to rebuild the 383??
Or go with a different motor.
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[stroker87]

Originally Posted by CrazyJesster

Stroker you going to rebuild the 383??
Or go with a different motor.
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I rebuilt it already with a bigger cam and mild port work upgraded some of the internals

its was a fun truck before ran mid 13's looking for 12's now

[CrazyJesster]

I'm thinking a 383 for me would be fun.
On the street I could mess with mustangs.
Ive got some other ideas also 3.73s posi.
Ive got 4.11s now its one tire fryer. Well it was
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