Carolina K10, 1979 Reg cab short bed.

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by rusty76

Cool valve covers. I'm sure a trans will turn up just got to keep digging.

Thanks. There aren't as many squares in this area compared to yours so parts are kind of scarce.

[rusty76]

Originally Posted by TheBlueBomber

Thanks. There aren't as many squares in this area compared to yours so parts are kind of scarce.

They're around here but you don't see as many round eyes on the road as you do the '81-87s. Some and about most of the junkyards around here don't keep them either. Kinda sad really. But they can be found.

[1963c-10]

Hows the build going?

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Hows the build going?

I've taken a momentary pause in the build until I figure out what I'm going to do about the engine.



I found a guy a little past Siler City that will build the TH350 for $450 so I'll drop that off next week.

I've seriously been contemplating putting a 5.3L engine into the truck and I need to come to a decision if I want to reseal the 305 and drive it while I wait or just save the money for the 5.3l swap.

I ordered some LED bulbs for the gauge cluster that should be here tomorrow. I need to get a new circuit board for the back of the cluster because it is shot. Those go for about $80 and for $70 more I could get a tach cluster to put in.



Glad to see you back and well Jon.

[1963c-10]

I say save the $$$ and upgrade to a tach cluster. That will also replace the circuit board at the same time.

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

I say save the $$$ and upgrade to a tach cluster. That will also replace the circuit board at the same time.

I might as well. I've been wanting a tach cluster for a while now and have been hawking all the local yards might as well pay a little more and know it works /looks good.

[TheBlueBomber]

Decision has been made. LS it is!!!! Have a lot of planning and thinking to do as to how exactly I want to do this.


Basically, 5.3/4l80e/np241.

5.3 stock bottom end with LS6 top end plus or minus 2 turbos... Most likely plus!

Stock transmission and a stock tcase. I don't know about Axles just yet and if I want to keep the 12 bolt or not.

The truck has to be as stock looking as possible so I'll keep the gas tank underneath.

This quickly turned from a "kind of built fun daily driver" to a full out twin turbod LS powered square body.

End goal is 600hp. Without blowing up. Some say stock bottom end won't work. I'm going to make it work. And not blow up right away lol.

[TheBlueBomber]

The plan of action as of now is:
•to get the engine/transmission/tcase.
•get LS6 top end
•get my turbo setup (from headers to exhaust tips)
•remove bed clean up/reinforce frame as needed. Body work and gas tank/fuel pumps
•remove cab and do the same thing as above
•remove front clip (again do everything like above.) Drop everything in and hope to God it will run.

IF it doesn't blow up, off to get dyno tuned it goes. If it does I'll just cry for a minute and start over.

For the gas tank I'll start looking at either newer tanks or building a sump in mine. I want to keep the truck looking as stock as possible from the outside so like I said above, no in bed tanks for me.

If anyone has any questions/comments/concerns/complaints, put me on blast. I want all the help and ideas I can get.

[TheBlueBomber]

... In other news, I got the plate mounted.

[swamp rat]

Been reading with interest, I don't know nothing about this new modern engine stuff.

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

Been reading with interest, I don't know nothing about this new modern engine stuff.

I didn't either until about two weeks ago. I have a friend who's big into fuel injection motors and I've been going to him for information. It's really quite simple. Not as simple as a mechanical motor but it's definitely manageable even for a noob like me. It just takes patience and understanding that if one thing isn't tuned in or out the truck won't run. Just about every upgrade you make needs to be tuned in the computer for maximum performance.


At the end of the day I'll be able to walk outside to the truck at any temperature, hit the key and immediately start driving.

Oh and you become an expert at disconnecting PITA switches haha!

[swamp rat]

I started out life wanting to be a mechanic for a living back in the 70's, trained in over the road, farm and construction diesel mechanics, then one day i came to the realization that sensors and computers were the wave of the future, i bailed from that line of work in the mid 80's, so i never became the big gear head i imagined i would be when younger, a new career and riding dirt bikes kinda took over my life. i still like old technology and hate computers today. Reading posts like yours is just another reason I like this forum, maybe one day i'll get brave and try a transplant, but then again maybe not LOL! EDIT: but at least i'm learning about new stuff.

[bohmankid]

Nice, let me know how the top end swap goes. My 5.3 needs a head rebuilt so I haven't been in the mood to touch it lately.. I'm considering LS6 heads and cam for mine. Good for boost.

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by bohmankid

Nice, let me know how the top end swap goes. My 5.3 needs a head rebuilt so I haven't been in the mood to touch it lately.. I'm considering LS6 heads and cam for mine. Good for boost.

I think the mostly stock heads will be just fine with the turbos honestly. I'm more worried about the bottom end letting go more than anything and even that isn't a big concern to me. There's a few of these builds out there already and they seem to be holding up pretty well. LS6 cam is a must have unless you go with a custom cam.

[TheBlueBomber]

Had a little time to pressure wash the engine today. Looks a lot better. I'm thinking of painting the block either silver, black, or Chevrolet orange. I got a little water in the cylinders but I got most of it out with air and a little WD40.

[Hankster]

Go Chevrolet orange, Idk about where your at, But we dont see that much anymore round here..

[silverbear]

This may could go without saying but as some people may not be aware, I will mention it anyway. This series of engines are notorious for getting water down in the pocket for the knock sensors when power washed. Make sure to get that water out or it will ruin your knock sensor.

Have been enjoying your build. I remember the days when I had a truck to take out in the woods and had no worries if the paint got scratched or dented. Keep up the good work.

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by Hankster

Go Chevrolet orange, Idk about where your at, But we dont see that much anymore round here..

Yeah same here. Plus it'll give it a little bit of an old skool look.

Originally Posted by silverbear

This may could go without saying but as some people may not be aware, I will mention it anyway. This series of engines are notorious for getting water down in the pocket for the knock sensors when power washed. Make sure to get that water out or it will ruin your knock sensor.

Have been enjoying your build. I remember the days when I had a truck to take out in the woods and had no worries if the paint got scratched or dented. Keep up the good work.

Thanks, I took everything off and noticed right away that the knock sensor pockets were slap full of water. It looks like the water runs down the valley's between the intake and heads.

[1963c-10]

Engine cleaning up real nice Austin, be real cool once its installed. Id keep the heads aluminum and go w/black on the block

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Engine cleaning up real nice Austin, be real cool once its installed. Id keep the heads aluminum and go w/black on the block

I've still got to get in there with a wire brush so I can still think about what I want to do. I have lots of Chevrolet orange and a little bit of Chevrolet orange red so If I do go with a color other than black it'll be one of the two. Just need to decide if I want to do it all or just block/covers or only block.

EDIT: Manifolds will be silver.

[TheBlueBomber]

I'm really digging the red and I think it will go great with my color. So the options I'm weighing are,

Red block/covers and polished heads







Chevrolet orange block/covers and polished heads







Or all Chevrolet Orange





I apologize if I stole these pictures from anyone on here, found these images on Google.

[TheBlueBomber]

Heres how my bay looks as of now... should be selling the motor this sunday.

[swamp rat]

All red or all orange, when i rebuilt mine i picked up the Chevy red but i thought it was the standard Chevy orange, got it home then said to hell with it, was never disappointed by the color.

[bohmankid]

My favorite is red with polished heads. Whatever you pick will look cool though.

[1963c-10]

That red looks sharp.