Time to start my project

[mcgoo26]

So a bit of history on this one. This is my grandfather's C-10 which was purchased in '76 I believe. Since then it has remained in the family. I took possession of the truck last November and have been eager to restore it. Overall the truck is not in too bad of shape, but in need of some TLC. Anyhow, in the next month or two I will be sending her off to get cleaned up and repainted. I want to stick with the current color as much as possible, but that is for a later post. As much as I would like to dig into the body work and all myself, I am restricted on what I can knock out. You see, I live in a community controlled by a HOA. Recently, the HOA pitched a fit because my tags were expired. Truck is on private property and they pitch a fit-whatever. I managed to cram the truck in my garage. Problem solved...for now. Bottom line is, I cant go all out as much as I want to with out getting a nastygram. So today, I started taking parts off to minimize what will need to be done in paint and body. Today, I started in the cab. I started pulling the old carpet out and cleaning things up. Here in the next couple of weeks Ill start pulling apart the firewall pad and heater box and so on. I plan to post more pics as I go along. Any tips, tricks or pointers would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[mcgoo26]

More of the cab...For the most part, pretty solid. A lot of surface rust on the driver side; mainly where the kick panel and floor panel meet. But I dont think it is too bad...

[mcgoo26]

Now for the good stuff.

[mcgoo26]

Now for some of the junk...If you look at the receipt, in 1994, gas in So-Cal was going for 1.27 a gallon. Also found the tripod jack and handle. Before I really started digging in to things I found the factory build sheet. I have since recreated it. That is all for now, I will ramp it up as the everything takes shape. Cant wait. Again, if anyone has any advice or pointers, Im all ears.

[mcgoo26]

So its been a little while since I started my project and I was able to get the funds together to strip the truck down and send it off to have paint and body work done. I live in a HOA and they have griped at me in the past for having the C-10 in my driveway with expired tags so I had to cram the truck in my garage. Dumb. Anyhow. I stripped off what I needed to and removed the engine and transmission and had the old girl towed away for a face lift. While she is out getting done up, I wanted to get the engine and especially the transmission taken care of (I have no reverse or neutral) while I have the available space so I can drop everything back in and get it back in the garage and work on everything else like re-doing the interior and re-wiring the truck and so on.

[mcgoo26]

So, for the last two week or so I have been picking away at rebuilding the transmission. I can see why it cost so much tho have done. Overall, not bad considering it is my first rebuild. I purchased the book on Amazon and I found it pretty helpful for the novice like myself who has never tore down or rebuilt a transmission. Honestly, after I started to rebuild it was fairly easy. Just make sure you have a good set of punches to remove and replace bushings and a press (to undo the spring cages) or fab up something (as suggested in the book). Once I tore the transmission down, it was very clear it was done. Friction plates were worn smooth and a few were burned and fused together
I used a kit from Summit that had just about everything one would need for a simple rebuild.

Summit Racing Automatic Transmission Rebuild Kit
SUM-705000--Kit which includes 9 frictions - forward, direct, 3 frictions - intermediate, 5 frictions - low reverse, 9 steels - forward, direct, 3 steels - intermediate, 5 steels - low reverse, 1 -band - 2nd gear, 1 filter, and 1 bushing kit.

[mcgoo26]

Next on the agenda is the engine. It has been reworked in the last five years or so. Problem is, I don't know what exactly has been worked. It ran solid before it was pulled and for the most part seemed good-to-go. Debating on tearing down and rebuilding so I know what is in it or just leaving it alone and doing a little preventative maintenance while it is out and components are easy access. For now, I just gave it a quick degrease and will figure out what to do later. Thoughts?

[swamp rat]

I'll be interested to see the rust repair on this one!

[88fordf150]

Originally Posted by mcgoo26

So, for the last two week or so I have been picking away at rebuilding the transmission. I can see why it cost so much tho have done. Overall, not bad considering it is my first rebuild. I purchased the book on Amazon and I found it pretty helpful for the novice like myself who has never tore down or rebuilt a transmission. Honestly, after I started to rebuild it was fairly easy. Just make sure you have a good set of punches to remove and replace bushings and a press (to undo the spring cages) or fab up something (as suggested in the book). Once I tore the transmission down, it was very clear it was done. Friction plates were worn smooth and a few were burned and fused together
I used a kit from Summit that had just about everything one would need for a simple rebuild.

Summit Racing Automatic Transmission Rebuild Kit
SUM-705000--Kit which includes 9 frictions - forward, direct, 3 frictions - intermediate, 5 frictions - low reverse, 9 steels - forward, direct, 3 steels - intermediate, 5 steels - low reverse, 1 -band - 2nd gear, 1 filter, and 1 bushing kit.

Is there a transmission shop in your area that can dyno your trans before you install it?

[mcgoo26]

Originally Posted by 88fordf150

Is there a transmission shop in your area that can dyno your trans before you install it?

Good point. I will have to look around. Thanks for pointing that out.

[mcgoo26]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

I'll be interested to see the rust repair on this one!

I am too. The shop is suppose to start on it next week some time.

[kehstr]

subscribed to keep watching

[Coley]

With respect to the engine...you mentioned it ran solid.
It may not need anything overly substantial unless you really want to dig into it.
I would start by giving it a compression test and see how close the cylinders are to one another and a 150 psi benchmark.
This will give you a reasonable datum to decide from.
Did the engine offer good performance? This might be the time to be a new/improved cam and lifter set in it to get a little more oomph.
Also might be a time to check to see if the timing chain is in good shape....double roller?...and also an easy task to re-gasket it while you have it out to seal up any oil leaks, etc.
Looks good so far!...keep the updates coming.
All Good
Coley

[mcgoo26]

Originally Posted by Coley

With respect to the engine...you mentioned it ran solid.
It may not need anything overly substantial unless you really want to dig into it.
I would start by giving it a compression test and see how close the cylinders are to one another and a 150 psi benchmark.
This will give you a reasonable datum to decide from.
Did the engine offer good performance? This might be the time to be a new/improved cam and lifter set in it to get a little more oomph.
Also might be a time to check to see if the timing chain is in good shape....double roller?...and also an easy task to re-gasket it while you have it out to seal up any oil leaks, etc.
Looks good so far!...keep the updates coming.
All Good
Coley

Well. In response I decided to rework the engine. Probably a good thing considering that this is what I've seen so far.
Posted via Mobile Device

[mcgoo26]

Originally Posted by mcgoo26

Well. In response I decided to rework the engine. Probably a good thing considering that this is what I've seen so far.
Posted via Mobile Device

Sorry. Having issues posting pics.
Posted via Mobile Device

[mcgoo26]

Ok here we go...

[butler57]

I really admire you for tearing into that tranny like you have. That's a gutsy play. Truck will be great when you're done.

[mcgoo26]

From what I can tell using calipers, the engine hasn't been bored out yet. If I recall, a 350 had four inch cylinder bore. Which is what I measured. Trying to figure out which direction to proceed. Curious: what is an average going rate for having the block and heads machined. I understand there are many variables, just looking for ball park. Any input is very much appreciated.

[mcgoo26]

Originally Posted by butler57

I really admire you for tearing into that tranny like you have. That's a gutsy play. Truck will be great when you're done.

Thanks. I really hope it works out in the end. In all, I didn't think it was too bad, but then again, I was able to take my time. Its not like it was a daily driver.

[El Dorado Jim]

nice truck, I will be following your build, and HOA's are a pain in the rear, I would never live where there is a HOA or CC&R's, cannot stand someone telling me what to do on my property.....

[mcgoo26]

Originally Posted by El Dorado Jim

nice truck, I will be following your build, and HOA's are a pain in the rear, I would never live where there is a HOA or CC&R's, cannot stand someone telling me what to do on my property.....

Appreciate you following. Yeah, the HOA is a pain. I cant understand how low the property value would have dropped on mine and surrounding properties due to expired tags on a vehicle in my driveway that was intact and not an eye soar.

[Joesjunk]

subscribed

[Freddo]

Originally Posted by butler57

I really admire you for tearing into that tranny like you have. That's a gutsy play. Truck will be great when you're done.

I Agree!
Great start on your truck. Sounds like your HOA needs some new blood!
Keep on Keeping on!

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by mcgoo26

Appreciate you following. Yeah, the HOA is a pain. I cant understand how low the property value would have dropped on mine and surrounding properties due to expired tags on a vehicle in my driveway that was intact and not an eye soar.

I hear you on the HOA. I have had more that a couple "little reminders" of the rules when I have to leave a vehicle outside here in Mesa AZ. Really not the single vehicle like yours or mine, but the rule is in place so the guy across the street doesn't have 3 dead cars sitting there at all times with one in the air getting a motor/trans swap, one getting parted out, and one runs and is for sale. I get it, but a P.I.T.A it is for sure.
Nice truck by the way.

[SKT]

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Progress is looking good!

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