Restoring 1980 C10 big ten.

[68Timber]

Nice start! You need to post up a bunch of "before" pics first or we won't know if you actually did anything. Just kidding, but it would be nice to see what you're starting with. I like the theme you picked, it's perfect for fixing up your dad's old truck.

[jgorzitza]

Originally Posted by BRUISER

Nice start! You need to post up a bunch of "before" pics first or we won't know if you actually did anything. Just kidding, but it would be nice to see what you're starting with. I like the theme you picked, it's perfect for fixing up your dad's old truck.

Indeed, I started this project 14 years ago, digital photography was expensive back then.

I did just go an snap a few of the current state of shall we say issues.

[jgorzitza]

As for the rest of the drive train that is where I started and then it sat for some time in that state.

383 stroker
world s/r torqer heads ported/polished
decent cam (can't rem the specs right now)
summit 750 cfm carb
5.7" I beam rods with the cap screws for clearance on the crank
SCAT crank
flat pistons (federal mogul I think had a lightning bolt cut out of the special coating on the side) and if I remember correctly about a 10:1 comp ratio Premium gas is required anyway.

Had the deck blocked, honed, magna fluxed and all that other good stuff at the local machine shop.

put a shift kit in the th400 and added an aux tranny cooler

Ran braided lines for tranny cooler and fuel - will get close up pics of that when I move the front clip over.

[68Timber]

That's not too bad, I was wondering how it would look surviving in AB. Given similar year model, half or better look the same here in Alabama.

[jgorzitza]

Originally Posted by BRUISER

That's not too bad, I was wondering how it would look surviving in AB. Given similar year model, half or better look the same here in Alabama.

I think I may have made the mistake of priming first. The paint seemed to stick better to bare metal than with the primer coat first.

[greg64]

Nice job on the axle! Snow doesn't seem to be serious either yesterday or today.

[jgorzitza]

Spoke too soon about the axle. I put the second coat on and may have cooled down too much or too much moisture. Not sure but I sanded it all away to start again.

[jgorzitza]

darn snow is delaying the repainting. all sanded away the gross finish though.

[motornut]

nice save,warming up later this week they say

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by jgorzitza

darn snow is delaying the repainting. all sanded away the gross finish though.

LOL Mother Nature isn't ready to let up on winter yet

[jgorzitza]

Nice weather is back so I stripped back down the axle and treated it again for kbs rust blast. Should be warm enough tomorrow to get the thing painted. Now let's try not to goof it up again... .

On another note I finally got all my brake parts, even the really difficult to track down ones.

First the brake bar. Dorman help 21147 three different parts guys couldn't find this in their computer. Thank you google.

Second brake shoe guide - dorman help 13896 similar experience to above.
Both had to be ordered and were not regularly stocked.

Finally the parking brake lever, no after market manufacturer. Again thanks to google and way too much time I was able to get a gm part number 15594178 for the rh lever (lh is different number but I have it still)
Nothing was located in Canada and took two weeks to get here from the USA at the local Chevy dealer. $25 bucks.

Oh well leaf spring bushing next. Remount the rear end. And finally move the box over from the donor... I was thinking of using rust seal on the underside of the box. THOUGHTS?

[jgorzitza]

Success..... The rear is nicely painted in rust seal and topcoated with a princess auto spray bomb flat black for uv stability. I like how the gloss underneath the flat looks.

[greg64]

Wow, did you get the paint done yesterday? The weather here was pretty cool.

[jgorzitza]

Originally Posted by greg64

Wow, did you get the paint done yesterday? The weather here was pretty cool.

Yeah it was just warm enough, turned out great.

[jgorzitza]

Well who would have thought a couple little bolts would be such a pain... removing the leafs on the drivers side they seem to have permanently rusted themselves to the bushing... Trusty angle grinder and a cut off disc took car of them but took way longer then I would have liked.

In order to save some money or so I thought I figured i would spray bomb the springs rather than use the kbs rust seal. I finished the first one with primer and flat black anti rust. One can of primer and 2 of paint later may have been pretty close to the same cost to rust seal it. I did however test out the anti rust spray paint on another unit and it seemed to hold up pretty good.

I shall post a pic of them all finished tomorrow as it is now too dark.

[enaberif]

Ahh good ole Princess Auto paint.. Potent smell but sticks to everything and coats well.

[jgorzitza]

While i was waiting for some paint to dry I figured I would poke around the donor c10. Oh what's this a little rust around the fender. poke poke.... crunch.
SERIOUSLY....

Take the wire wheel too it and disintegrate some fiberglass over top of what looks to be expanding foam..

Oh well.... we shall get some proper metal for that soon.

[greg64]

Axle looks great!

[jgorzitza]

clean, rust treatment, paint. repeat. such is my life these days. Got one leaf pack painted up. Did the rust blast this time and will go back and do rust blast on the other. I just wasn't happy with the spray paint on it.

Also did up the back drive shaft in the two piece system. Punched out the U joints and got some replacements ready to go.

Leaf spring bushings were supposed to be here last week, delayed until the 24th. Lame. Oh well mangled up the shackles trying to get the outer shell for the bushing out this will give me time to get some replacements. I guess with the shackle O being welded shut vs the leafs having some spring due to being open made the difference in getting them out.

Once the bushings and new shackles get here I can throw the rear half of the truck back together, install the new master, bleed the brakes. Then it should be drivable.

[jgorzitza]

Good news, finally got in my new shackles and picked up some new 9/16" X 4.5" grade 8 bolts for the leafs and shackles. Back from a work trip to Banff can finally get some "real" work done.

Also looking at some houses this weekend, may finally get myself a garage for the winter.

[jgorzitza]

Ahh finally back at it... Leafs back together, installed rear brakes and new master.. Now to bleed.

For some reason was having a heck of a time with one spring on the self adjusting arm, came back to it the next day on in two minutes vs 3 hrs of cursing the day before..

[jgorzitza]

Combination / proportioning valve ...... What a Pain. When the rear drums destroyed themselves before it caused the valve to trip to the Forward position. I could not get the stupid thing to reset for the life of me.

Swore at it for about a week trying all kinds of tricks from the interweb.

Including
- Open the front bleeders - Hammer on the brakes. No Go multiple times.
- Bleed rears while holding pin on the valve in, should reset once back side has pressure. - NO GO.
- Take CAP off sensor sending unit and manually move pin back. - NO GO stuck.

Anyways I gave in and bought a new one. This one came in Brass instead of cast iron. So at least I know this one won't rust.

Stupid thing is in such a pain of a position as well, right under the fan shroud on the Frame cross member.

Done and have brakes again... Even took it for a rip around the block.

Some nice magnetic trailer lights hooked up for the back and she is good to go for the move to the new place. At least I don't have to trailer it.

[Corts60]

You are one patient man. That is a virtue. I don't know if could've waited 14 years. Glad to see your progress.

[jgorzitza]

Well, it has been a while since I last updated. Sorry folks. I got the truck to a point where I was able to drive it under it's own power as we bought a house and needed to move. Unfortunately for progress it meant I was stuck doing household stuff.... Until now. Spend the day removing front clip, engine and transmission so I can make the frame look as pretty on the front as it is on the back.

As well plan to remove the cab and fix up the rust holes.

[LT7A]

Didn't see this build back in '15 since I wasn't on here yet. You are doing nice work. Really like the truck and paint combo. Good to see your perseverance. That motor sounds like it will be a beast.