Knomadd '71 SWB C-10

[knomadd]

Ok, so I made a little progress this weekend... I did a bunch of research and realized my air tanks and compressors had too much angle on them, so I had to re-drill/relocate my brackets on the driver's side. Unfortunately I had just finished drilling for the passenger side, so I had to re-drill those holes too.

As for pictures I did take... Not very exciting, but still progress.

I replaced the brake lines with stainless, replaced the rubber fuel line with hard line (from the filter to the front cross member - Still flexible hose between tank and filter and frame to fuel pump), added a newer canister style fuel filter from a 90's Silverado (ready for fuel injection at a later phase), and got it all strapped down with the original hardware.

Note: you can see the re-drilled hole at the lower left of the first pic.

[Zoomin]

I didn't realize compressors had angle problems. What did your research say?

[knomadd]

It wasn't so much that I read anything, I just saw several pics that they were all mounted flat (or at least appeared to be). I don't think it's so much the compressor that needs to be flat as the air tank. I'm betting it has to do with the drain plug being centered in the tank and not near the domed end. Since I'm using the Porterbuilt brackets, the compressor would be at the same angle as the tank.

There may not be any issues with it. But I'm still pretty sure I'll be happier that I changed it if and when I have to drain the tanks.

[knomadd]

The big brown truck dropped off some goodies yesterday!


I started painting the calipers last night. Got dark and was a bit humid so the clear looked white... They looked more baby blue than medium blue. I might have to strip and repaint them, but I'll let them cure some more in my warm garage today and see how they look after work. *fingers crossed*

[Z10]

Duane,
The truck is really looking good! Once you get your brakes sorted, let me know how your hydra boost is working for you. I'm not convinced I'm getting enough boost out of the CPP booster I have installed. I just may need to do what you've done.

Oh, sorry to hear about the damage.

[knomadd]

The hydro boost system is a must for me on any classic that I intend to drive. Especially if you have any type of cam that doesn't produce the 20" Hg required to run a vacuum booster. Note: I've read and been told 18" Hg is a minimum, but I had that on my GTO and didn't get near the braking power from the front discs as I did with all drums. Once I went with hydro boost, it stopped almost as well as a new car.

Same experience with the C10. The 350 has a cam in it and can't produce the minimum vacuum so the discs were horrible. My wife wouldn't drive it for fear of running into someone. When I went to the hydro boost system, she thought it stopped like her 2013 Explorer. Much better... until the old crap failed anyway...

I expect the new 4 wheel discs and all new lines should be awesome with the hydro boost system.

[Blown06]

Just read through your build thread and figured I would hop onboard for the ride. You've done a great job on things and several items are on my list too, just haven't got that far yet.

Anyways, looks awesome so far. Even with the front end tweaked it still turns heads.

[Z10]

Originally Posted by knomadd

The hydro boost system is a must for me on any classic that I intend to drive. Especially if you have any type of cam that doesn't produce the 20" Hg required to run a vacuum booster. Note: I've read and been told 18" Hg is a minimum, but I had that on my GTO and didn't get near the braking power from the front discs as I did with all drums. Once I went with hydro boost, it stopped almost as well as a new car.

Same experience with the C10. The 350 has a cam in it and can't produce the minimum vacuum so the discs were horrible. My wife wouldn't drive it for fear of running into someone. When I went to the hydro boost system, she thought it stopped like her 2013 Explorer. Much better... until the old crap failed anyway...

I expect the new 4 wheel discs and all new lines should be awesome with the hydro boost system.

Thanks for the feedback. Double E and I have measure 15.5", but also discovered a non functional booster check valve, replaced that and found a leaking booster. CPP strikes again! This is the 3rd booster that was either wrong or didn't work. I'm getting ready to test their lifetime warranty.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by knomadd

The big brown truck dropped off some goodies yesterday!


I started painting the calipers last night. Got dark and was a bit humid so the clear looked white... They looked more baby blue than medium blue. I might have to strip and repaint them, but I'll let them cure some more in my warm garage today and see how they look after work. *fingers crossed*

Awesome looking brake package! That will be the first thing to upgrade in my truck when I can afford new wheels too.

[knomadd]

Here are the rear calipers painted to match the fronts, which match the truck.

[Zoomin]

Those are nice!

[knomadd]

This past weekend, I took Friday off to work on the truck. Saturday was spent at a family luncheon, so I didn't get anything done that day. I did finish up my weekend with a full Sunday of working on the truck... How 'bout some pics?

Installed new CPP modular drop spindles and brackets... replaced the old drop spindles for future brake upgrades.


Here's the finished product... Sorry for the crappy cell phone pic.


The things you can't see: Replaced the bearings and races, took the air bags out and replaced the 1/4" air fittings with 3/8" air fittings, added a bulkhead fitting to the cross member (you can barely see it near the back of the upper control arm, it's shiny silver in color), and reinstalled it all.

Here's how it looks with the truck...

[Z10]

Looks great! Love the color match.

You and I are tracking similar right now. Willwoods installed but going in tomorrow to install McGaughys 2.5" drop spindles.

[jmking9]

Looks great. I love those calipers painted body color.

[knomadd]

Originally Posted by Zoomin

Those are nice!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Z10

Looks great! Love the color match.

You and I are tracking similar right now. Willwoods installed but going in tomorrow to install McGaughys 2.5" drop spindles.

Thanks! How do you like the Wilwoods? Have you had much chance to test them out?

Originally Posted by jmking9

Looks great. I love those calipers painted body color.

Thanks! I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Just need to get the rears installed.

[GAc10boy]

Calipers look smokin'!

[Advanced Design]

Looks great! I am wondering how they perform too.

[Z10]

Duane, the Willwoods are working fine, but I need to replace the CPP booster, because it's just not holding a vacuum. Just got my drop spindles installed and the front end aligned today. I'll be posting some more pics on my build thread as soon as I can make a little time.

[mcbassin]

Awesome new brakes! I would like a full consumer report on these Wilwoods when you get to test them. I want to do this upgrade myself.

[knomadd]

Originally Posted by GAc10boy

Calipers look smokin'!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

Looks great! I am wondering how they perform too.

Thanks! I'll post my thoughts once It's drivable again.

Originally Posted by Z10

Duane, the Willwoods are working fine, but I need to replace the CPP booster, because it's just not holding a vacuum. Just got my drop spindles installed and the front end aligned today. I'll be posting some more pics on my build thread as soon as I can make a little time.

Cool. I'll check it out.

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Awesome new brakes! I would like a full consumer report on these Wilwoods when you get to test them. I want to do this upgrade myself.

Thanks! I'll be sure to post my thoughts after I have a chance to test them out.

Been raining here, so it's slow going, but I did manage to get the rear axles pulled last night. Sorry, no pics.... it was dark. Hopefully this evening I'll be able to get the new seals in and the Wilwood backing plate/parking brake installed. If I can do that I'll probably install the axles again... if I can get that far.

[knomadd]

Well, I did manage to get the old axle seals out, paint the ends of the axles and install new seals


Then I installed the backing plate/parking brake assembly


By this time it was pitch black and the bugs were attracted to the drop light I was using, and were buzzing around my face. So I cleaned up and called it a night. I'll get the axles in tonight.

[rincones]

Sharp. It will have awesome stopping power.

[knomadd]

I got the rear discs on before we left for the holiday weekend... here are a couple pics.

[boostedc10]

Looks good Duane. One question, what did you paint the rotor with?

[knomadd]

Thanks! I just used rattle can black. Semi Gloss rustoleum to be exact. (edit: it was actually an engine paint... Duplicolor I think) I'll scuff off some of the pad area just to keep it from clogging the new pads, but I wanted to make sure it's coated everywhere the pad doesn't touch.

I've heard that you can just leave it and let the pads scrape it off, but I'm still not convinced it won't cause any problems for the pads.