Project 67' C10 LWB Mistress Build

[nsuengineer06]

Here are the photos of the disassembled engine and the WELDED ON harmonic balancer..

[nsuengineer06]

Well, time for a little update. Since tearing the motor down and taking the block to the machine shop, I have been trying to focus my attention on gathering the parts needed to get the front suspension put together. So far I managed to get my hands on a set of 79 disc brake spindles and lower ball joints. I cleaned and painted the upper control arms and cleaned the bottom arms. I was about to get ready to paint the lowers when I noticed my driver's arm is bent (photos to follow). I have a line on another one so maybe it'll work out. Anyways, the big brown truck of happiness paid me a visit today with a couple boxes of goodies from CPP. They contained 3" front drop springs, 6-lug disc brake rotors, and a wheel bearing and seal kit. I love shiny new parts!

straight


bent


Shiny new goodies..

[barthmonster]

Originally Posted by nsuengineer06

Here are the photos of the disassembled engine and the WELDED ON harmonic balancer..

Well if you need a new crank, it's a good time to consider a 383, or did you mention that already ??

[nsuengineer06]

No I haven't mentioned it yet, and I was kinda saving that little tid-bit for when I get my block back from the machine shop, but since you asked... lol I thought seriously about stroking it, but I like the idea of the short stroke and as always, I like to be different. So, with the block bored .060 over and a stock crank I hope to have a 337 c.i. high revving lil' monster. I searched high and low for a 327 crank with no luck, so when I called the machine shop to check on my block, I asked if they had one laying around and turns out they had several. So they are gonna go ahead and do a grind job on it for me while the block is there so it will all match up and I can pick it all up at once. Any thoughts on all this?

[barthmonster]

What ?!
Don't you know more is always better ? haha!! A 383 with the good-stuff in the bottom-end can rev pretty high !! It's okay, if gas goes back to $4.00, the 327 may have an advantage...

[nsuengineer06]

Yea, I know more is better, which is why if I am unhappy with my little creation, I will drop in a big block. Different strokes for different folks, don't ya know!?

[mcbassin]

I have the same problem with a bent lower arm. Have you found one yet? the pass. side on my son's 69 is bent. I need one if you come across one.
On the engine thing you should be happy with the 327 if not............
no replacement for displacement!

[nsuengineer06]

mcbassin, I have been talking with a guy that is a member of our Louisiana Classic Truck Club that lives in the same town as me that says he should have one. I've been waiting on him to get in from work, which he should be in tomorrow I think.. Anyway, when I go over there later this week or next week I will see if he has one he can get rid of (he has several parts trucks). If he does I'll put you into contact with him, he is on this board as well.

[mcbassin]

Thanks nsuengineer! The only thing I need to find out for sure if the one I have is a 71-72 or the later 73 up since his truck had 5 hole pattern and disk brakes.

[nsuengineer06]

I'm about 93% sure that they are all exactly the same.. I can get some good photos of mine if you want to compare them. Or you could post a question on here..

[nsuengineer06]

Well I spent most of this evening and night beating, banging, grinding, prying, and cussing at this thing. The PO chopped it up with a torch to make way for a one piece drive shaft so I got to have all the fun of removing all 14 rivets and 2 extra brackets to take it out. Somehow during the process I managed to make a cut-off wheel EXPLODE. Yea, it came all to pieces at about 13,000 rpm with me laying on my back and my face like 2 inches from it. Luckily I had sense enough to wear my safety glasses. Anyway its out now and I can move on to repairing it.

[barthmonster]

wow, not much holding that rear-end in place is there. Hope the E-brake is on !!

[nsuengineer06]

Actually it is completely loose and ready to come out. I'm working on making room for it in the motorcycle bay of the shop.. Just about ready to tear into it. Its been driving me crazy to know what gears are in there. I know its an open diff, but I don't know what the ratio is.

[gferris5]

Great! Always good to see another lwb out there. I might have missed it, but what are your plans for it?

[VA72C10]

I'll be watching your build! LWB rule

[gcburdic]

Hey nsu....I spy a BFH....those are always handy in the tear down!!!

With the rear end ratio, an easy way is if you can get it in the air, spin one wheel forward two complete revolution and count how many times the u joint housing (forgot what it's called) spins (mark the housing and how many times it passes a set point).....little over 3 probably a 3.07 or 3.08, 3 and 3/4 probably 3.73....or probably what you'll do is read the stamp on the carrier once you get the cover off??...

[nsuengineer06]

Thanks for the comments guys. I have always liked the lwb trucks.

Originally Posted by gferris5

Great! Always good to see another lwb out there. I might have missed it, but what are your plans for it?

So far the plans are a 3/4 drop with enough tire on the front to fill out the wheel well and all I can stuff under the rear. A 337 c.i. small block with aftermarket heads, big cam, etc.. hooked to a 700r4 trans. Probably 3.73 posi out back. Custom interior. As for the paint, I'm saving that as a little surprise. Just remember, I like to be different.

[nsuengineer06]

Originally Posted by gcburdic

Hey nsu....I spy a BFH....those are always handy in the tear down!!!

With the rear end ratio, an easy way is if you can get it in the air, spin one wheel forward two complete revolution and count how many times the u joint housing (forgot what it's called) spins (mark the housing and how many times it passes a set point).....little over 3 probably a 3.07 or 3.08, 3 and 3/4 probably 3.73....or probably what you'll do is read the stamp on the carrier once you get the cover off??...

I have heard of this before and I tried it once, but what I didn't know at the time is if you have an open diff you have to hold the other tire in place or else it halves the actual ratio.. I was confused as hell for a while until I figured that out! I was like where did a 1.5 come from!? I'm guessing it is either a 3.07 or 3.42 but since I'm gonna take it all to pieces anyway I have just been waiting until I get it out. I'll count the teeth when I get it out.

[eastcoastcivil]

Looks like your coming along. Wouldn't mind having the 6 lug disc set up.

[nsuengineer06]

I made a little more progress than is represented here before all work slid to a stop due to work, the holidays, hunting season, etc.. I had tons of trouble getting the ball joints right, but I think I've got em lined out, and I have one side of the front suspension mounted less the shock and rotor.

Deer season is almost over and I think the weather is supposed to be above freezing the next few weeks, so I may actually get back to work on it soon. I plan to return to work on it with a vengeance and as always, I will be sure to provide plenty of photos.

[fishingjred73]

Looking good, now get back to work on it! LOL