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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Columbia, MO
Posts: 58
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My 80' silverado
Finally beginning to work on my old truck. This truck means a lot to me and I finally have the monetary means to fix it right. Here is a little history of the truck:
Late 1979 My grandfather purchased this truck new from the local Chevrolet dealership. It is a 1980 Chevrolet Silverado 1/2 ton LWB. It came with an Olds 5.7 Diesel, two-tone gray (gray/charcoal), tilt wheel, a/c, p/s, p/l, p/w. As many of you are probably aware the truck suffered the same issues as most with that motor. The head bolts kept stretching out by 1983-84 or so the dealership refused to keep fixing it and my grandfather parked it in his shop. The truck only had 36,xxx miles on it. The truck remained in the shop covered in dust until around 1994-1995. I used to play in this truck pretending to drive it when I was a young child. In 1994-95 my grandfather put in an early model 6.2L diesel motor. Within 3 months of the install the motor started getting water in the oil. My grandfather once again parked the truck except outside this time. In 1996 my grandfather passed away with the truck still sitting outside. In 1998 I turned 15 and my grandmother gave me this truck to be my first vehicle. Not having much money I ended up putting stopleak in the radiator and oil stopleak in the oil and drove it that way for a year before it finally blew up. After the 6.2L diesel I put in a 455 buick out of an old electra. The motor was supposed to be a good motor however it was instantly apparent that there was at least piston that had stuck rings. I've never seen so much smoke come out of a truck. Out came the 455 and in went a 305 pulled from a chevelle. The 305 had a mild cam, holley intake and carb. 3-5000 miles later the truck was parked yet again. Life happened and I moved on. The truck sat for another 2 years. Then my gf's dad gave me a "good" motor so in went a 307 Olds this time. Yet again motor was no good. Present day: The truck has been sitting since 2006. The 307 Olds had no oil pressure. I have started working on the truck again and this time I'm doing it right. The motor is a 350 bored .60 with mild cam, edelbrock performer intake and carb. I am replacing all suspension, lines, gaskets, seals, whatever can go bad from the firewall forward. here are some pics from the tear down last weekend. I'll have more pics after this weekend.
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1997 Chevrolet 2-door Tahoe 1980 (LWB soon to be SWB) 2wd. Last edited by rchadhaney; 05-17-2011 at 08:34 PM. |
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#2 |
Semper Fi!!!
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Sherrills Ford, North Carolina
Posts: 971
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Re: My 80' silverado
sweet! cool its been in the family!!
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Brandon... "IT ONLY TAKES EVERYTHING YOU GOT!!" Semper Fi ![]() |
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#3 |
Registered User
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Location: Hot Springs, AR.
Posts: 1,215
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Re: My 80' silverado
Welcome to the forum! Looks like a great start to a project & can't wait to see more pics.
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1977 Chevrolet K30 LWB Crew Cab 497HP Mast Motorsports 6.0L LY6 HO engine GM NV4500 5-speed, Centerforce clutch + NP205 D60 + 14-bolt FF w/ Eaton posi + disc brakes Skyjacker 2.5" full spring lift w/ Nitro shocks Custom paint + interior http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=435722 |
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#4 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: memphis
Posts: 2,537
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Re: My 80' silverado
Tha hoods been off that thing alot!! LOL Welcome to tha site..
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1981 C-10 (Pop's) 1978 Camaro 2006 Lacrosse Last edited by old Rusty C10; 05-25-2011 at 07:49 AM. |
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#5 |
Robert Olson Transport
![]() Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: recent transplant to NC USA
Posts: 20,289
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Re: My 80' silverado
that is an awesome story to go along with what looks like a great truck.. best of luck with your rebuild... do you want me to transfer this to the builds section so you can keep us updated with lots of pics?
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Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!! |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Columbia, MO
Posts: 58
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Re: My 80' silverado
Sure, I plan on updating with lots of pictures as progress is made so the Build section is probably the best place for it.
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1997 Chevrolet 2-door Tahoe 1980 (LWB soon to be SWB) 2wd. |
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#7 |
78K & 79C Jimmys
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA
Posts: 7,901
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Re: My 80' silverado
welcome it's always cool hearing people keeping a family truck
as time goes by you will be gad you did
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John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350 |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Columbia, MO
Posts: 58
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Re: My 80' silverado
Almost finished with my new motor.
350 bored 0.60 over. mild cam, edlebrok intake and carb. I did not buy the valve covers not a fan of chrome but they came with the motor.
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1997 Chevrolet 2-door Tahoe 1980 (LWB soon to be SWB) 2wd. |
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#9 |
Registered User
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Location: memphis
Posts: 2,537
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Re: My 80' silverado
scuff those covers down & paint em black
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1981 C-10 (Pop's) 1978 Camaro 2006 Lacrosse |
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#10 |
Happy to be here
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Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 39,023
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Re: My 80' silverado
Awesome story, thanks for sharing. If it were me, I would keep the chrome covers and loose the old school T handle bolts. The chrome look really sharp against the motor color. If you clean, paint, and detail under the hood before the motor goes back you will have an eye catching set up when your done.
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Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra" Last edited by N2TRUX; 05-22-2011 at 11:53 AM. |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Houston
Posts: 970
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Re: My 80' silverado
You got to love the history.
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2014 LTZ Z71 Silverado 82 C15 LQ4/4L80E Conversion 78 Suburban build (SOLD) 83 4x4 Suburban(SOLD) 82 C15 (my first truck) |
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#12 |
78K & 79C Jimmys
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA
Posts: 7,901
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Re: My 80' silverado
yup looks nice
my t handle bolts i found loosened up in my case they were on it,when bought i tightened them and the covers kept distorting/and loosening/leaking I ended up using other ones i had
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John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350 |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: auburn ne
Posts: 230
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Re: My 80' silverado
looks good i roughed mine up and painted them with duplicolor bedliner lol and if you can find the cast iron spreader clamps they seem to work good instead of the cheaper made chrome ones.
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85 GMC sierra classic : 350, 4spd, 205, 3.42s, 35s ![]() |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2007
Location: East Haven, CT
Posts: 882
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Re: My 80' silverado
After all those engine swaps.... you just can't go wrong with the ole' reliable 350 GASSER LOL
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87 Chevy 2wd SWB: 305/700r4 Dual Exhaust, K&N Filter, Injector Pod Spacer, TBI Spacer, Belltech Front Sway Bar, Corvette Servo, Western Chassis 4/6 and c-notch |
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#15 |
US Army Veteran
![]() Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 1,049
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Re: My 80' silverado
Great story! I can only imagine the influence your Grandfather must have had on you. Can't think of anything more honorable than what you are doing....keeping his memory alive.
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1972 C10 Highlander - The making of a daily driver |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Columbia, MO
Posts: 58
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Re: My 80' silverado
Thanks for the positive comments guy. Anyone have any answers for my radiator issues? I bought a new radiator that is 17" tall and the old radiator is 19". Supposedly this radiator is compatible with this truck but I don't know how....
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1997 Chevrolet 2-door Tahoe 1980 (LWB soon to be SWB) 2wd. |
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#17 | |
US Army Veteran
![]() Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 1,049
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Re: My 80' silverado
Quote:
I believe the 19" tall are for 350s and the 17" tall are for the lower size(s) 305 and v6. If you ordered it locally, just return it and get the correct 19" tall.
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1972 C10 Highlander - The making of a daily driver |
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#18 |
Chevys Kick A$$
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Zootown, MT
Posts: 12,699
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Re: My 80' silverado
Wow what an awesome story defiantly got tons of history! That's cool your finally doing it the right way. Going to be well worth it and sweet when you get all done. Keep up the good work
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*HOODS is what I answer too* -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold ![]() -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit ![]() ![]() -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER ![]() I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Columbia, MO
Posts: 58
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Re: My 80' silverado
I like the way that looks. I may try that. I did take the t-clamps or whatever they are called off and just used bolts which looks like a lot better.
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1997 Chevrolet 2-door Tahoe 1980 (LWB soon to be SWB) 2wd. |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Columbia, MO
Posts: 58
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Re: My 80' silverado
I ordered it through Summit Racing. I contacted them and they are sending me a new one the right size for the difference and then picking up the old one and taking it back.
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1997 Chevrolet 2-door Tahoe 1980 (LWB soon to be SWB) 2wd. |
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Columbia, MO
Posts: 58
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Re: My 80' silverado
Does anyone know where I can get an original style breather for this truck?
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1997 Chevrolet 2-door Tahoe 1980 (LWB soon to be SWB) 2wd. |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Columbia, MO
Posts: 58
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Re: My 80' silverado
Here's what I got done this weekend. I got the front end suspension off and rolled the cab
back and painted the frame. In two weeks I'll be able to finish the suspension and put the new motor and tranny in. ![]()
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1997 Chevrolet 2-door Tahoe 1980 (LWB soon to be SWB) 2wd. |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Columbia, MO
Posts: 58
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Re: My 80' silverado
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1997 Chevrolet 2-door Tahoe 1980 (LWB soon to be SWB) 2wd. |
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Columbia, MO
Posts: 58
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Re: My 80' silverado
Motor and tranny back on frame....
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1997 Chevrolet 2-door Tahoe 1980 (LWB soon to be SWB) 2wd. |
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1980, 350, silverado |
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