I finally did it!!!!!

[Mrturner1]

Some of you guys may know about my truck and a lot of guys probably have no idea what I'm talking about but I gotta share this.

I've been working on my '70 c10 for probably 6 months straight, it started with just wanting to identify the cam that was clearly in it by the lope of the idle. I posted a thread and a bunch of guys jumped in and walked me through pulling the whole motor out, putting it on a stand and stripping it down to just the block and crank/rods/pistons. Up to that point I had never done more than maybe a water pump and some brakes, a clutch here and there, and a timing chain once on a 5.0 stang.

Short story long, I found a Lunati cam and some nice camel hump corvette heads, but decided to change everything for the experience and because I just can't leave well enough alone I rebuilt the top end with RHS 170cc heads that have new comp valve springs, comp pushrods, and comp roller tip rocker arms, a Comp 280H cam .480" lift and 230 duration @ .050" installed straight up, an Edelbrock Performer RPM manifold, Holley 750 double pump, long tube headers and Flowmasters. The rear end was stock and terrible, now it's a 3.73 mini spool which is loads of fun. Trans is a th400 that can with it, but now has a B&M Holeshot 3000 rpm stall and an auxiliary cooler plumed into the system along with the built in one the radiator has. Flexalite dual electric fans replaced clutch and 5 blade clutch fan. MSD Pro Billet replaced the GM HEI that I locked out with JB Weld trying to make the truck run good like a dummy. I also put a bunch of Autometer gauges in it and a B&M truck ratchet shifter so the interior looks kinda cool.

I fought with this thing for 6 long months, tried 3 different carbs, 3 different distributors, and every timing curve you could imagine with every spring weight and bushing available on the market. I tore it down to the block twice changing head gaskets trying to dial in quench and get more compression and power, and thought I blew a head gasket once lol. I also re-adjusted the valve lash about 9 times in 2 weeks trying every method out there, and even thought I flattened a cam lobe once and tore it down AGAIN only to find out that the throttle cable pulled a spark plug wire off the distributor....I know, wow.

Today I put in a new harmonic dampener that had degree marks all around it because none of the 3 dial back timing lights I got read right. I also put on a Weiand high flow water pump that seems to have taken care of my creeping idle temp. I adjusted the air/fuel on my carb and found out it wasn't the 3 different power valves or 6 sets of jets I tried, it was just air/fuel mixture....again, wow. Timing with this new balancer is really a lot of fun because I can watch the curve and dial it in perfect, which has finally happened. So it's not overheating, my timing curve is perfect, carb is dialed and all is well, so obviously I have to drive it. I took it out for 2 hours, which is amazing because I couldn't go 15 minutes without a serious issue before turning me back home. It doesn't ping or detonate, it shifts perfect manually or in Drive, stays below 195* no matter how I drive it, and it FINALLY breaks the tires loose from a 20 mph roll! I've been waiting for that moment for a looooong time! After I got the hot rodding out of my system I got to do something in this truck I haven't done for a year at least, and that's just hang an arm on the window ledge and cruise for a good hour with the windows down. It was all worth it when I was able to do that breaking the tires loose from a roll is awesome, but after these past 6 months I really just wanted to be able to trust the truck to not break down or overheat or have some other problem.

It's my first build, and I bet a 100 bucks to Grumpy Old Mans 12 pack of Heineken it's got 400hp I'll post a pic of the motor before and after so you guys can see the difference.

[firedemon]

I have always had problems with holly carb air fuel screws staying put check them every time you think somethings off

[Grumpy old man]

Good for you ....Now did I hear someone mentioned Heineken ? ? I wish you were closer we could see how it does next to a dinky ol 292 short bed with a few old extra parts bolted to it ?

[Grumpy old man]

Now that you got it to GO , it's time to fix the whoa ! Upgrade the brakes and suspension ,sway bar to handle your new found power ! I know it never ends !

[Mrturner1]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Now that you got it to GO , it's time to fix the whoa ! Upgrade the brakes and suspension ,sway bar to handle your new found power ! I know it never ends !

I was thinking the same thing. When I finally came home I shut it down and had this huge relief that now I could finally start doing the brakes and suspension! And I'm definetly ready, I thought it would never end. I even started making a plan last week to get a GM crate and put my cam/intake/carb on it.

I don't know, I think she could take that 292 short bed haha the stall converter changed everything regarding performance, definetly a crucial part of the combo

[Mrturner1]

Originally Posted by firedemon

I have always had problems with holly carb air fuel screws staying put check them every time you think somethings off

I'll definetly be checking a/f screws and spark plug wires if anything screwy starts happening lol

[Grumpy old man]

Originally Posted by Mrturner1

I'll definetly be checking a/f screws and spark plug wires if anything screwy starts happening lol

How much have you learned thru this adventure ? It's a whole different feeling when you turn your own wrenches and build it yourself , anyone can write a check not everyone can rebuild an engine and have it run great when their done . You've done well even if there were times some of us wanted to ... let's just say encourage your forward motion using a lower appendage at speed !😁

[Money_pit]

Congrats on job well done.looks good

[sleepertruck72]

Nice rig !!! Glad to hear you didn't give up

[Mrturner1]

Originally Posted by Money_pit

Congrats on job well done.looks good

Thanks man! And thanks for the help along the way too

[Mrturner1]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

How much have you learned thru this adventure ? It's a whole different feeling when you turn your own wrenches and build it yourself , anyone can write a check not everyone can rebuild an engine and have it run great when their done . You've done well even if there were times some of us wanted to ... let's just say encourage your forward motion using a lower appendage at speed !😁

I learned a lot, definetly some things I never would have known if I didn't screw up a few times and yes a swift kick in the butt at times is useful lol

[snj8198]

hahahahaha! Congrats Matt!

Grumpy: better cash in before Matt burns up all the beer money.

[Mrturner1]

Originally Posted by snj8198

hahahahaha! Congrats Matt!

Grumpy: better cash in before Matt burns up all the beer money.

That's hilarious lol and true. Thanks man I'm glad it's done for now

[Mrturner1]

This is the first tear down that started as a cam identification lol

[Mrturner1]

This is what it looked like when I bought it

[Mrturner1]

Engine bay a mess, and a rats nest for wiring

[Mrturner1]

Sorry for the sideways pics, I hate that