1972 C10 ... SoCal BBC/TH400

[68Gold/white]

Good work on the engine stand!!!

Some time, if possible. I'd like to see some pictures of where there the drip rail was removed. Front and side, for reference...Thanks!!!

[bs46488]

Its officially...8 mile maiden voyage. No major issues, but a couple things to address.

First stop....the gas station.

[bs46488]

68Gold/White...not sure if this drip rail removal is the best example. It looks like the previous owner removed the rail with a dull axle, then randomly welded the aftermath with a stick welder in the dark.

I added some more mig welds and some time with the grinder wheel. Then there is a "fair" amount of body filler in there to make it look presentable.

[rustytruck50]

That turned out great!

[RedRider]

This is a sweet truck! I love everything about this build, especially all the DIY you put into it.

[stevenfromtexas]

Originally Posted by bs46488

Its officially...8 mile maiden voyage. No major issues, but a couple things to address.

First stop....the gas station.

pickup looks good brother. we spoke a few weeks ago about the metallic issues you had. do you have any other advice on technique/distance form the panel/top to bottom spraying.....stuff like that.

thank you

[beaterku]

Originally Posted by bs46488

Got the cab painted

Today I put the bed (and wheels) on it. Feels like I was actually getting the truck back together vs still taking it apart. Now I'm hoping to start adding more and more parts to the project.

Going to switch gears and start doing some wood working on my bed floor.

What wheels are these?

[Willie G]

Looking real good B.

[bs46488]

I have the US Mags - Rambler wheels. I bought this set used off another board member. I recently painted them gold.

Regarding the paint - I would certainly paint another vehicle, but I'm not sure metallic will be used. I think you just need more practice to spray a good metallic paint. Most likely my other project will get a solid color paint job.

As I expected, the bugs are starting to surface with some miles. It didn't run well. Checked the timing (it was at 4 degrees) and replaced the plugs to find 7 fouled plugs and 1 plug that was cracked in half. Its running better now.

The steering on the truck is horrible, so I've been working on that this week.

And still have a persistent drip from the trans.

But its a lot of fun to drive!!!

[beaterku]

Thanks!

[Willie G]

Keep up the good work B. mine should be drivable before Christmas , if all goes well. lol

[bs46488]

Well that was short lived....

Ended up having an electrical gremlin and the truck would just shutting down. Decided it was the old MSD stuff that the previous owner had. I put in a HEI and haven't had an issue since.

Update on the steering: Ended up replacing the steering box. Was fighting a couple of
stubborn leaks and had a bind with the rag joint, but now it everything is smooth and responsive. Much nicer than the old worn out box.

So this past Sunday I got the truck out for a cruise to test out the steering. Was just cruising down the street and got a nasty sounding misfire. I just turned around and went home. Monday night I pulled the valve cover off to find the rocker stud on cylinder #5 was snapped in half.



Last night I pulled a good stud to get some measurements to order new rocker studs and found the valve spring on cylinder #1 is cracked and the spring is basically riding on itself.

So now the heads need to come off and I need to figure out how to rebuild them or what to replace them with.

Total miles driven on project....48

[bs46488]

Finishing up the bed of my truck....

[Willie G]

That's Awesome B. I finally got back to the truck, been out of it almost a year. Really hitting it hard this time around. No set dates, just lots of working on the truck. We will see how that goes. I'm glad you are posting updates, its inspiring me to keep on trukkin. LOL. Wil

[bs46488]

So many bolts, washers, lock washers, and nuts on the bed!

But starting to look a little different....

[bs46488]

I think this is considered a change order....LS swap in the very near future!

[RedRider]

Originally Posted by bs46488

....LS swap in the very near future!

Yes! I'm in the process of an LS swap myself, but my engine wasn't has pretty as yours.

[Willie G]

Also in the process of LS Swap. lol.

[bs46488]

Found a used 5.3/4l60e from a 2005 Silverado.

Now comes the fun part

[Willie G]

sweet. Looking good. Is it ready to pop in or are you going to work it? Cam, springs?

[RedRider]

Yeaa buddy! Time to change the thread title

[builtbyKane]

Score that looks like a clean motor. Hope the install goes smooth for you.

[bs46488]

Been working on doing the DIY stand alone wire harness (and a little custom wire tuck) while waiting for parts to arrive.



And parts are arriving. Its like christmas in July in the bed of my truck

[Willie G]

Nice goodies. Gonna be sweet. what oil pan is that. What you gonna do to the 5.3?

[bs46488]

I'm not planning any engine mods to the 5.3 (yet). I'd like to get the engine in the truck and get a few hundred miles in it before I make changes.

The oil pan is a factory replacement F-Body Camaro purchased dirt cheap from Rockauto.com

The wire harness modifications are done. Just need to complete the fuse box and relays. Then I'll wrap it in split loom

Got a bracket mocked up to mount my DBW pedal. Need to finish weld and paint



Modified the sender on my LMC bed mounted gas tank for the return line