Here We Go - 65 C10 LWB - For the Kid

[ctandc]

Originally Posted by 2manyprojects

Nice build. If you need 6cyl parts or misc 64-66 stuff I have more than I will ever use and they are in Richmond.

I need a few things. Email me at ctandc@comcast.net

[2manyprojects]

Originally Posted by ctandc

I need a few things. Email me at ctandc@comcast.net

email sent

[ctandc]

So I’m still working on the engine. Friday night I got the engine down to the bare block. I’m cleaning parts as best I can as they come out, so that definitely slows down progress.

Also, I can’t tell you how glad I am for technology. Oil in the 60’s and 70’s is light years away from the oil we have now, even cheap oil.

I’ve had more than my share of engines down to bare block. This thing is FILTHY. It ran great. But my god the parts coming out are just impregnated with grime.

Rebuild will stay low buck with VERY minimal machine work for sure now. I will be polishing the crank myself shortly. Before someone scoffs, I know years ago it was actually in one of the Chevy Power manuals. It’s not for cranks that need turning, and in reality any hand polishing is not likely to take any material off that could be measure by normal devices. I’m looking to smooth a small nick and also just generally clean it up.

400/600 grit wet/dry paper cut to width AND length for each journal. Taped together, add some WD-40 and use a shoestring and go to town.

I’ve got the block pretty much ready for primer and paint. I forgot how much “fun” that is. Of course I wanted to get primer on it Sunday, and it rained. ALL DAY. And the temp must have dropped 20 degrees from Saturday.

I also rediscovered an old friend and in the process really got ticked off.

Took the cylinder hone back to the local O’Reilly’s to get the deposit back. This store is literally 2 minutes from my house, it’s less than a year old, and I’ve gotten to know the staff there. Good people. Most of ‘em gearheads.

So I’m at the counter and I see this guy buying a big gallon can of Berryman’s carb cleaner. You know the kind you dunk your carb pieces in and let ‘em sit? LIGHTBULB. That stuff would work great for internal and other engine parts. Especially bolts, main caps etc.

So I pony up $26 for a can and take it home to try it. WORKS GREAT. The mains look GREAT. I can even read the factory stamping of the main number now.

So I’m in need of a few things so I run to Walmart yesterday. I need more blue shop towels. They are the cheapest by far, two rolls for less than $4. Also you can get carb cleaner and brake cleaner for much cheaper than the parts stores. (Also great parts cleaners). What do I see on the shelf there below the carb cleaner? That’s right, Berryman’s parts / carb cleaner in the gallon can. And it’s $18. WTH????

How is the SAME EXACT product $8 more at the local parts store?

I plan to ask the manager that same question this week.

But now I have two cans, and I’m starting to soak the piston / rod assemblies. After just an hour or so and a little scrubbing with a tooth brush, the one piston I tested almost looks BRAND new. Removed all the rings and hopefully this will help loosen up the crud in the ring grooves, along with help from a broken ring.

Started taking initial measurements for piston-to-bore clearance and I’m well within spec. I need to start looking for some .001 main bearings as well.

[ctandc]

I’m starting to rethink keeping the 230 engine. After gathering numbers, a small block w/ a 700R4 swap looks more and more sensible every day.

If I don’t have to do ANY machine work to the 230, I’m looking at the following:

- Main bearings(I need .001 bearings – the budget rebuild kits don’t have this option)
- Rod Bearings
- Full gasket kit

So I’m looking at $130-150 shopping around.

Next up I need the following:

- Double groove harmonic balancer
- Double groove water pump pulley
- Replacement exhaust manifold
- Carb rebuild kit
- Spark plug wires (for the HEI distributor I already have)
- Later model alternator (swapping to internal regulator and match the ’79 Camaro 250 setup which I have the power steering pump and brackets from

Add another $250-300 (and that’s hunting around for deals)

Then to make the 230 a bit more drive friendly, I plan on swapping in a 3.08 rear, since I’m going 5 lug in the front anyway. So add another $250 or so. I can find good deals on rears, but nowhere near me. Found one in NC for $175, but it’s gonna cost me $100 in gas to go get it.

Add in another $200 or so for a used Turbo 350.

So that puts me right about $1000 to get it done. Not counting the little things (that I’d need with any engine setup / install).

I’ve seen 305/350 TPI / 700R4 combos from running vehicles (with harness etc) for for $500-800.

I could also keep the 3.73 rear in this case and either buy 6 lug rotors for the front or get my axles redrilled for 5 lug in the rear.

I’m going to keep moving forward with the work needed on the internals for the 230 (cleaning / prepping etc) but hold on buying hard parts, while I keep an eye out for any deals.

Hmmm……..

[ctandc]

So I just got off the phone with the local shop where I dropped off my donor spindles / lower control arms, as I couldn't get them apart since they were already off the truck when I bought them.

Told them I wasn't in a hurry, whenever they could get to them.

$92 friggin dollars.

Really?

They've got a press and every other tool known to man.....it really took them $92 worth of labor to get them apart.

Wow.

I specifically asked the the shop guy how much it would run. He said "Shouldn't be more than $40 or so, shouldn't take more than 30 minutes if that."

Lesson learned.

Do it myself, every bit of it, from now on.

[Captainfab]

Wise thinking on considering a small block and OD trans.

Sorry to hear you got stuck by that shop. If they told you $40.00 then that is what they should have charged you. That's how I run my shop. If they had treated you right, you probably would have been back, but not now.

[ctandc]

Well time to work on the truck this week has been pretty much non-existent. High school baseball games to attend, and travel baseball season (which I coach) kicks up next month. After that pretty much every weekend will be a wash (as far as the truck is concerned) so work will be limited to weekday evenings.

I have gotten all the main caps / bolts cleaned and bagged, and I'm starting on the piston rod / assemblies. That Berryman's is the ticket for this job. The pistons look almost new after a soak and scrub with a soft bristle brush. I forgot how much I just LOVE cleaning ring grooves.

With an almost 20 degree drop in temp and plenty of rain and wind, still haven't got primer / color / clear on the block, even though it's masked and ready.

More than likely this weekend is a wash too, since my wife is throwing me a 40th B-Day party. Who knows, I may start drinking and tell everyone to leave so I can work on the truck LOL.

Right now the 230 is still on, I'm going to get all the internal parts cleaned and ready before I start buying bearings etc.

I found a 3.08 rear...but it's in NC and the gas would add an extra $100 to the price of $175. Not in the cards right now since I have to go to Georgia for a big baseball tournament in June.

I need to win the lottery.

Tonight I plan to squeak some time in on cleaning parts.

I also dropped the nasty, rusty, crusty battery tray in the Prep and Etch soak. I can't believe the difference.

I need to rig up a container so I can use the Berryman's to soak the cylinder head once I get the valvetrain out.

I'll try to throw up some pictures tonight.