79' C30 Camper Special build thoughts

[Anchorism]

Originally Posted by cal30_sniper

I'd stay with the 454. The cummins is going to end up running you far more than 2k when you figure out all the odds and ends needed to put it in. It's the nickel and dime stuff that gets you every time. Plus the dang thing weighs far more than a 454, which is going to make it quite nose-heavy.

Keeping the 454, I'd look into 3.73 gears. An NV4500 swap shouldn't be too difficult either if you source the parts relatively cheap. That'll give you overdrive and much lower overall engine RPMs. That's the exact combo I'm running in my C20 Suburban. Headers and intake on that 454 really woke it up, and the NV4500 was just the connecting bit I needed to really get that torque to the ground. I just got through moving 8000+ lbs of stuff from TX to FL (including a dual axle trailer) and averaged 10.7mpg doing it on 32" all terrain tires. Haven't got mpg figures yet unloaded, but I'd be willing to bet I'm getting real close to the 15mpg mark. I was over 14 on occasion before the NV4500.

Best of luck, that's a great looking truck!

Yeah I have the nv4500 in my scope its just a matter of finding one for the right price. I'm curious to see what you are getting mileage as well.

[fourfiftyfour]

Originally Posted by cal30_sniper

I'd stay with the 454. The cummins is going to end up running you far more than 2k when you figure out all the odds and ends needed to put it in. It's the nickel and dime stuff that gets you every time. Plus the dang thing weighs far more than a 454, which is going to make it quite nose-heavy.

Keeping the 454, I'd look into 3.73 gears. An NV4500 swap shouldn't be too difficult either if you source the parts relatively cheap. That'll give you overdrive and much lower overall engine RPMs. That's the exact combo I'm running in my C20 Suburban. Headers and intake on that 454 really woke it up, and the NV4500 was just the connecting bit I needed to really get that torque to the ground. I just got through moving 8000+ lbs of stuff from TX to FL (including a dual axle trailer) and averaged 10.7mpg doing it on 32" all terrain tires. Haven't got mpg figures yet unloaded, but I'd be willing to bet I'm getting real close to the 15mpg mark. I was over 14 on occasion before the NV4500.

Best of luck, that's a great looking truck!

Which intake/header combo did you go with?

[Anchorism]

Here is a pic of the radiator. My guess is its non repairable..... but ive never seen any radiator repair done before. What do you guys think?

[Tx Firefighter]

That radiator is repairable. The shop will install a new core with your old tanks. And you end up with a better radiator that what parts stores are foisting off on us nowadays.

[cal30_sniper]

Originally Posted by Anchorism

Yeah I have the nv4500 in my scope its just a matter of finding one for the right price. I'm curious to see what you are getting mileage as well.

I did a complete write-up on my swap (including parts list) here if you're interested:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=610659

I also did a writeup on the electronic speedometer unit that I built to get around not having a mechanical speedo output. This allows you to use the usually cheaper and easier to find GM NV4500. There's a writeup and parts list linked inside the thread above. I highly recommend the swap, its a blast to drive and really brings out the best qualities of the 454.

Originally Posted by fourfiftyfour

Which intake/header combo did you go with?

Doug Thorley Tri-y headers into dual 2.5" aluminized exhaust with Magnaflow mufflers and a true H-pipe near the midshaft crossmember. Headers are Summit Part #DTE-303YC. I got them used off eBay for $100 bucks and used your typical High-Temp spray ceramic coating after a good deal of sanding.

Intake is an Edelbrock Performer 2.0. I'm also running a Mr. Gasket quadrajet heat shield and phenolic spacer, along with a wide-band AFR jetted quadrajet, rebuilt HEI distributor, Ram Air Intake kit, and some 8mm Accel plug wires. From the results of my compression test and bore scope, it's got a 9.3:1 compression ratio with some sort of forged pistons in it. Planning on upgrading to 454 Vortec heads at some point down the line to take advantage of the larger port on the Performer intake. I might really bite the bullet and try a set of AFR's new oval port heads, although that's really getting excessive for a truck motor. Getting the whole kit together and tuned is where its at. Thing runs like a scalded monkey and has torque galore. Here's a shot of the engine as of a few months ago before the NV4500 swap and plug wire upgrade:


Feel free to PM me on any questions or build up ideas you might have. I've been tooling on these engines for a long time, and backed up hands on experience with some heavy degree work in combustion science and internal combustion engine design, so I've got a few ideas on how to wake these old engines up while making them as economical as possible.

-cal30sniper

[Anchorism]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

That radiator is repairable. The shop will install a new core with your old tanks. And you end up with a better radiator that what parts stores are foisting off on us nowadays.

So do you think its worth repairing or finding a replacement? I found one from a 6.2 diesel for $90 that looks almost new. I just wonder how much it would cost to repair something like that damage.

[Tx Firefighter]

You'll have to decide which route to take. The modern replacements are usually aluminum and plastic so I always have my old ones rebuilt at the radiator shop so I end up with a proper old style copper/brass radiator.

If you found a mint condition used copper/brass unit for 90 bucks, that would be a great deal. Just make sure its nice and clean down inside. You will pay more than 90 to have yours rebuilt with a new core.

[Anchorism]

So I have been offered a great deal on another truck however am at a cross. My cousin offered me a 1975 no rust quad cab long bed 2wd in dang good condition for 2k.... only thing is he will be pulling the block. Exhaust cooling system and everything else stays with the truck all of which is new less than 5k miles on it. What I'm thinking of doing is pulling the block from my current rig then parting it out. Everything seems perfect for the exception of the dually being given to me by my grandpa. I need some insight and opinion on the idea.

[mrolds88]

I wouldn't part grandpas truck. I think in the long run you will regret it. If you want to swap the 454 into the crew cab, no problem. It will give you a runner to haul what is needed and relieve the other truck so it can really become a project truck. Since you are in the land of hot-n-dry, you shouldn't have to worry about it sitting and rotting away. You can now get it cleaned and properly prepped for the cummins.

[Anchorism]

The main part im looking at is the quad cab isnt rusted out. So i wouldnt have to source a clean cab or replace rusted floor pans and cab mounts. Also ive got a growing family. A wife and 1 daughter with a kid on the way. It would be smart to have more seats. I spoke with some of my family and they see my point. Ive still got to call my grandpa about it tonight though. For everyone else, if i do end up going through with this, there will be a LOT of parts up for grabs! Almost the entire 79' and what ive got left from the parts truck at my fathers.

[Anchorism]

PS... i wont be offended if someone calls dibs on anything...

[mrolds88]

You can still drop that bed off at my place!! LOL

[Anchorism]

You know I've got two dually beds right?

[mrolds88]

Yes. At least one is blue and white. I made a joking comment before about dropping that one off at my place when you were getting ready to pull the front clip off of the truck to put on your grand dads truck.

[Anchorism]

Oh yeah thats right. Other than that im going to look at the quad cab tomorrow. Ill make sure and take lots of pictures of it.

[Anchorism]

Went and looked at the quad cab yesterday. Here are some photos of it. BTW its got blazer front seats that the dealer put in when purchased in 1975. Story goes that they ordered the bucket seats, and it came with a bench. They complained and got the dealer to install blazer seats with custom brackets that dont require installing the blazer mounts on the cab. I have thought of pulling those to do the interior i want. Although they are in GREAT condition. Without further adieu here it is.

[Anchorism]

Oh and at the moment im selling off some of my other hobby stuff to possibly not have to sell the 79'