51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap

[focusedontheprize]

Truck is looking great. You'll be driving that sooner than you think.

Those Xenons give that truck such an unique look - I really like it.
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[Atommik]

As I get closer to "start up", the money spent is piling up!!

Just bought plugs, plug wires, more electrical connectors and heat shrink,electric fuel pump, carb cleaner, carb rebuild kit, fuseable link.

It's getting closer!

[oldman3]

Moving right along...Jim

[xpickup]

Atommik, Yes, you have all the big stuff bought and you think you are doing good money wise. Then you buy all the small stuff and it nickels and dimes you to death. It is amazing how all that stuff adds up so quick. Truck is coming along great.

Shannon

[rambler]

very nice... look forward to interior work..

[mknittle]

Originally Posted by Atommik

Last week my boss gave me this T shirt. He saw it at Tractor Supply and thought of me. He didn't know it was 2 days before my birthday!!

That's pretty cool! truck is really looking great!

[Atommik]

Thanks for all the comments!!

I got the "AC" installed today...my cowl vent!! A new gasket from LMC and a little adjustment and it works like new!!

Wired and installed the headlight switch. It's new from a 80 chevy truck. All of the lights turned on and blinked as needed!! All the wiring is now done except the gauges and heater. Haven't bought the gauge refacing kit yet.

So do I convert the temp and oil pressure gauges to electic, or convert the senders to mechanical?? Any opinions??

Also installed the 1951 to 1991 s-10 converted fuel filler neck. Found the filler cap after I took the pic.

Installed the left side running board for the last time!! Did a little more adjusting of the front sheet metal. Finally happy with the gaps!

Next up...carb rebuild, fuel pump install and steering shaft. Should be getting the steering parts and Lokar shift cable on Monday.

Couldn't resist the urge to quickly turn the key to the start position to make sure the starter turns. It does!!

[Daze57]

what a sharp lookin truck !!!

[99 to Life]

gas neck came out nice. oh what a great feeling to give it that kick over with the switch! congrats, its all coming together. The little things eat up sooo much time and brain space, I think we all forget about it until we dig back into a build like this.

[oldman3]

Nice going, keep it up...Jim

[focusedontheprize]

Been out with strep throat for a month...hell it has been, but I did want to respond to you as I was in the same mindset.

So your gauges...I would keep the mechanical setup. I wanted to keep mine, however I am running a 1970 292 so I had to make sure all the hook ups were there. The only thing I converted was the fuel gauge from 6v to 12v. All the rest hooked up (temp, oil, and battery). So moving to the speedometer, I am running a 5LM60 (NV3500) transmission and that is running an electronic speedometer and my truck is mechanical. When I was searching the Internet I came up with this article (http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...t=vintage+tach) so there is hope at the end of the tunnel for me to keep the speedometer.

I tried to do a little searching for you and came across this:
http://www.camaros.net/forums/archiv...p/t-37084.html

Do you have these locations they are discussing about?

Also I am running the EZ Wiring harness, I think you will really like it.

----
J

[Atommik]

Focused,

I have the oil sender at the rear, near the dist, and the temp sender on the drivers side near the exhaust ports. If my 216 mech senders will fit in there, then I'm all set.

Thanks for the help!

[focusedontheprize]

Originally Posted by Atommik

Focused,

I have the oil sender at the rear, near the dist, and the temp sender on the drivers side near the exhaust ports. If my 216 mech senders will fit in there, then I'm all set.

Thanks for the help!

Ok great. For my temp sender on my 292 I needed a reducer http://www.classicparts.com/1941-54-.../#.UX5jb7Up_To to make mine fit.

[skymangs]

Looks great! I used that exact harness in the kids truck, and I couldn't be happier. Very simple to wire, and very small fuse block.

I also did the same with my filler neck. Looks SWEET!

[Atommik]

Focused,

Thanks for the link to the reducer...that will be just what I need.

[Atommik]

Fed Ex brought the Lokar shift cable and DD shaft and U joint. Looks like it will be a busy Saturday!!

[Atommik]

So...Todays progress...I got my steering shaft figured out and installed. It is a tight fit but actually worked out like I hoped it would. I never could have done it with out the S10 V8 swap headers!! I had to remove the brake lines coming down from the master cylinder and reroute them towards the back and along the firewall to avoid the header on that side.

It's a close fit from header to inner fender. I will put a small heat shield in between to keep the paint from cooking!!

Also installed the Lokar shift cable. Nice kit, good directions. Although the nice billet aluminum bracket that goes on the front end of the cable and attatches to the column, would not work on my set up. So I made a simple steel bracket. That's probably the one part that makes the kit cost so much!!

Also finished bolting up the pass side running board, filler and rear fender.

Carb is also getting rebuilt this weekend!

[99 to Life]

nice, how much those joints run you? crazy how much companies ask for those. I used some out of a chevy van, a little bulkier lookin tho.

[Atommik]

The u joint was Jegs brand, $60. Seems like good quality...

[Atommik]

Also started putting on the blue anodized aluminum valve covers that I got for free...I didn't like the look of them on the motor. So, I stopped at the local parts store and got a nice pair of chrome valve covers! Also picked up a battery, and throttle cable. Gas pedal was ordered last week, should be here soon!

[OLDIRON69]

Great build, but beware of the cheapy chrome valve covers from the parts house. They are prone to leak. I probably would have opted to paint the aluminum covers.

[Atommik]

No work on the truck this weekend. My brother and I took our mom out for breakfast Saturday, then quality time with my wife and kids on Sunday!! Hoping for more truck time next weekend!!

Carb is ready for install, gas pedal and throttle cable ready for install, fuel pump and battery ready for install. I need some 48 hour Saturdays!!

[Atommik]

Originally Posted by OLDIRON69

Great build, but beware of the cheapy chrome valve covers from the parts house. They are prone to leak. I probably would have opted to paint the aluminum covers.

It wasn't just the color...they are "hidden bolt" valve covers so they are wider and longer with a thicker sidewall. The pass side was almost touching the firewall! I bought Edelbrock valve covers so hopefully they will work out well.

[Atommik]

I had a little down time at work today so I got a head start on tomorrows projects!

Installed the battery tray and battery,(still need to make a hold down). I decided to put the battery under the bed floor. I will have a removable section for battery access.

Installed the new valve covers and got the rebuilt carb installed.

When I got home, my radiator had arrived (early) from JEGS! Also gauge re-facing kit and chrome bezels for the gauges from LMC.

[99 to Life]

sweet, get that baby fired up. word to the wise on that carb, run a fuel pressure regulator and no more than 6psi. I know you were asking about temp senders. Do you have room in your head and intake? I run my gauge off of the intake and my efan sender in my head, works well.