51 Chev on a S10 frame, named Dale

[joedoh]

thats a looker for sure, sorry about your covid problems

[Tempest67]

Had a problem with the truck, at 40 mph, under load, the engine would sputter, cough, and chug. This only happened under load, if I depress the clutch and rev it, no problems.

Hmmmmm, is this a fuel problem? or an electrical problem? So, added some 93 octane fuel, no change, then I replaced the fuel filter, no change.

Maybe it is an electrical problem?? I used a brand new distributor, so it should not be that?? but what else?? maybe the coil (HEI) was breaking down? So, I had an old distributor, and changed caps, still no change.

OK, maybe it is the module in the distributor??? so I went back to my used distributor, removed the module, (added some dielectric grease to the bottom) put it in the truck and ...... FIXED ! no more problems, cruising along past 40 mph without a hiccup.

I purchased a new complete distributor the the very reason of not having these problems, but they still occur.

All is well, and noticed I have just put 500 miles on it so far this summer.

Hope you are all enjoying your trucks this summer.

[8man]

Nice work on the find and fix.

[Tempest67]

KISS , Keep It Simple Stupid... that is my motto, and this is a perfect example why I like Carburetors and Distributors.

If this was happening with a computer controlled motor, I would be lost.

[olcarguy]

computers suck....Points and condensers, rock.

[joedoh]

wwwooooooty wooot. congrats on the push/pull fix.

[6DoF]

uuugghhhh ... that kills me when you do preventative maintenance and make things worse. at least you still had the stuff to correct it!

[Tempest67]

Time for an update, and a recap on the build.

I/we put about 1000 miles on the truck for our first summer. Other than a faulty ignition module, it ran perfectly.

Overall, I am very pleased, drives straight, is reliable, and relatively comfortable. I did not 'service' the rear leaf spring bushings when I built the truck, but I think if I did it may ride more smoothly.

I noticed a rear axle seal leaking in October, so installed a new one with rear shoes. I guess, when using a rear end from a junk yard, I should have done that in the first place. (for $4 per seal)

I was getting bored, so I decided to paint the 'Supertest' logo on the door (old Canadian Gas Station) and then sand it down to make look old/patina.


This winter I have a few things to do. Nothing major, but something to keep me amused.

1. the motor mounts that I purchased, "made for V8's in a S10", need to be raised about 1/2 an inch, as the stock exhaust manifold just touches the upper A arm. ( I purchased these as I thought it would be a perfect fit, very disappointed)
2. The 'vented' gas cap that I used does not allow the tank to vent, so I will add a 1 way air breather to a blocked tube the sending unit.
3. the interior light switch on the door jamb has been damaged so I need to add another.
4. I am going to install some plastic fender welting between the fenders and the cab/box to reduce some rattles.


Thank you to everyone that has shared their experiences when building their truck, as your help made this build possible. (and eliminated a lot of guess work)

Merry Christmas everyone

[youngrodder]

Looks great.. I dig to door logo. I have enjoyed the off (non driving) season to fix a bunch of little things. Sounds like you are doing the same.

Happy Holidays

Marc

[Tempest67]

Thanks Marc, your seat belts and sound system looks great.

You are right, as much as I enjoy driving it, I do enjoy working on it as well.

I need to sell something before I get another project, but am having a tough time with that.

All the Best for 2022

[olcarguy]

Love your Supertest logo, Remember them from when I was a kid, Always hung around and helped pump gas....

Where in Ontario are you located..Ruffly is good enough....Roy

[Jason 56]

I wish I could drive mine… it’s coming. I think the logo gives it a great appearance. Now that winter is here for us northerns it’s time to work out a few bugs… build on I really like the stance you ended up with.

[Tempest67]

Thanks olcarguy and Jason56,

Yes, I am pleased with the stance, low enough to look good, but not not so low that I need to worry about bumps in the road, and winter is a good time for 'working out bugs'.

I am in Oakville, just west of Toronto


Merry Christmas

[edgeleycanuck]

In my opinion, you have the perfect truck, drive it anywhere, no need to spend hours fussing over the finish, corner windows, perfect stance. Get that thing ready for the season next spring and drive it! Got mine on the road this past summer, hard to describe the pleasure it brings to put miles on it!

[olcarguy]

Thanks Tempest...I know Oakville, used to drive truck down that way when I lived in Missisauga. Love your truck

[joedoh]

i agree with edge, this is the truck everyone should see when they ask about s10 swaps.

merry christmas!

[Tempest67]

Wow, thanks Guys.

I just looked back at my first post, and here was my list of goals


The goals are -
1. aim for a budget of $15K (that's about $12 K US)
2. small block Chev (would love to use a Pontiac V8, but was worried that they are just too big for the small engine compartment) and I can grab a SBC for less than 1/2 the price to rebuild a Pontiac.
3. solid, reliable, safe vehicle that could be used as a daily driver
4. standard transmission
5. clean comfortable interior.


and all but 1 were met, and yes, you guessed it, the budget. I was thinking I could pick up a used SBC for less than $1000, and I did, for $700, but the SOB sold me one with cracked heads and a cracked block. (he was a car guy and seemed trustworthy, boy was I wrong) So, after finding some redone Vortec heads (for $700) and repairing the cracked block and machining ($2500) my engine cost me almost $4000.


My total build cost was about $22K (CAN) and the only work farmed out was to the machine shop to clean up the block. (I assembled it)

My wife and I drive it all the time, take it to Home Depot and run errands, and she even takes it to visit friends and feels comfortable in it, thanks to power steering, power brakes, tilt column, and adjustable seat. (which is very important)

However, I have a confession to make, when I started the project my intentions were to have something for my wife to use, but I find I use it more than my Pontiacs because it is just so easy to drive, and I don't worry about it when I park it.

Thanks to everyone here for sharing their experiences, as it made this build possible.

[Tempest67]

My wife picked up an accessory for the truck.

it's running great and we are having alot of fun with it this summer.

Hope you are all enjoying yours

[6DoF]

is that thing new-vintage or actual vintage? either way, the perfect accessory

[28TudorAZ]

Thats awesome its working great!! Exactly what this kind of build is meant to do.

[Tempest67]

I am afraid it is 'new' vintage as the bottom red part is plastic, but the rest is metal.

It is amazing how many people ask me questions about this truck when I am parked beside high dollar classic Corvettes, Mustangs, Chevelles...etc

When I let the kids sit in the truck the parents always take a pic and are very appreciative. (maybe I will make a old car lover of one of them?)

[6DoF]

Originally Posted by Tempest67

It is amazing how many people ask me questions about this truck when I am parked beside high dollar classic Corvettes, Mustangs, Chevelles...etc

When I let the kids sit in the truck the parents always take a pic and are very appreciative. (maybe I will make a old car lover of one of them?)

you see big-money restored muscle all the time now (cuz it's worth it) and it's nothing new or different. that truck is awesome and something worth looking at!

that's great! i always make sure i downshift and make lots of V8 noises passing any school bus or whatever. can't have them kids growing up making "whooshing" sounds playing with toy cars!

[Tempest67]

that's great! i always make sure i downshift and make lots of V8 noises passing any school bus or whatever. can't have them kids growing up making "whooshing" sounds playing with toy cars![/QUOTE]



That's funny, hard to be cool in a car that sounds like a golf cart

[Father&son56project]

Originally Posted by Tempest67

It is amazing how many people ask me questions about this truck when I am parked beside high dollar classic Corvettes, Mustangs, Chevelles...etc

I have been experiencing the same thing with Project Fargolet. I'll be at a show with my rusty 75 year old truck, parked beside a gorgeous high dollar build, and probably 2/3 of the people will walk past the muscle car and look at the truck instead (and ask me a bunch of questions about it). I should be a little ashamed of the perverse pleasure this gives me, but oddly, I'm not!!!!

[Tempest67]

\
Father and Son, Yes, I agree, it gives me satisfaction as well.

Hope you are driving and enjoying Fargolet this summer.