1975 Chevy SWB Fleetside

[RPOZ11]

Bought more stuff for it.
Picked up a drivers side GM saddle auxiliary gas tank with brackets nuts and bolts and gas fill neck assembly.
Picked up an early wood grain dash panel; pretty nice and no cut up holes.
Picked up a good used tinted rear slider window.
Got the rear gasket with it. Just need a new spreader lace.
Dropped off the 496 to the Fab Shop.

Drove the C/20 today to do all of this.
Man, spent a whole tank of gas just doing all the errands.
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[RPOZ11]

Question....

What is the correct dimensions for a factory 454 Radiator in our 1973-1975 trucks?

I am going to believe that the 19" version is correct.
I see that I need to use the shorter upper plate and wider rubber pads for the radiator.

I am looking at Aluminum Radiators.
Or should I just run the Brass unit?
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[BIG V]

I regestered my 97 tahoe told the lady behind the counter it was a diesel.. Its regestered as a diesel. It made me laugh everytime i got the renewal notice in the mail. i loved that tahoe to bad someone had to steal it.

[RPOZ11]

I am only fortunate to what a previous owner did.
I once purchased an RZ500 out of Canada and had it legalized in California.
Back then, only a select few DMV offices knew to look for the Canadian VIN.

My shop wanted to Dyno the 496 but I will wait until ALL of the suspension is done.
I initially thought: OK; then decided that the motor would sit again after the dyno-breakiin and I felt that having the motor sit was not to my liking.
I am still contemplating the Radiator.
Aluminum cools the best; Brass is durable.
Also looking into doing the rear 30 gallon Gas Tank add on.
That should get me around 62 gallons for a non-stop trip anywhwere around here.
The Manual Gas Tank valve I purchased is a 3 port unit.
I think it was for the earlier in the cab and 2 under the bed type.
I want to bypass the electrical tank switching system.

[Dsquared]

LMC shows it to be 19x28 1/4

[RPOZ11]

OK, That makes makes sense.
19 being tall for the big blocks, 17 tall for the small blocks.
The width must not change then....

[RPOZ11]

I purchased an upgradeed pinion yoke for the 10-Bolt rebuild.
I "believe" that the stock u-joint size is 1310.
1310 Series universal joint is 3 7/32 inches wide with 1 1/16 inch bearing caps.

The Yoke I purchased is for the pinion's 30 spline count and using the 1350 u-joint and the strap/bolt type u-joint securing.
1350 u-joints are 3.625 inches wide in both directions & All 4 bearing caps are 1.187 inch diameter.

This improvement will allow for, with using the T400, having a 1350 u-joint at both ends of the driveshaft.

I cant think of much more to get for it, unless I went rear discs.

Anything else I can do to the 10-bolt besides what I already have?

[RPOZ11]

Just got back from picking up these gas tank rock gaurds.
SWB & LWB for each of my trucks.

[RPOZ11]

Originally Posted by RPOZ11

Anything else I can do to the 10-bolt besides what I already have?

I was internet searching 10-Bolt Rear Axle information, and not much was really shared.
I see a few suppliers offering stuff, but I wanted to find some overhaul links, videos, or whatever.

I located on You Tube a 67-72 12-Bolt Truck rebuild that involved Currie doing a Ford Torino axle bearing swap.
Rather cool.
I wish GM had done this with their axles.
Anyways, It made me wonder about doing that to a future 10-Bolt for my Truck.
Currie used the Torino axle tube end bearing style, and cut up a new set of axles to match it and the GM spline side of the Posi Unit.
Cooloest part is is the it eliminates the C-clips and almost eliminates losing an axle under most conditions.
It doesnt look all that difficult for that to be done, so long as you have a proper shop doing the work correctly.

Just a thought, and something to share here....

[RPOZ11]

Update on the truck...

Took in the 15 X 8 Rally Rims for repainting.
They walnut blasted them and are now repainted back to Silver.
Not quite the tone of Silver I wanted.
I'll pick them up next Saturday and post a pic of them.

Picked up :
bolt in trailer hitch frame
Blazer rock guard
new Modine 4-row Brass radiator
Upper 454 radiator plate and insulators
passenger's side 454 heat shield for the preheat tube to the air cleaner
some AC kick panels Gray (need to find more Gray or Black interior parts!!!)
Hi Torque OEM type starter
Interior door handles
Woodgrain door panel inserts ( not sure that they are correct as they are different from my 73 ones )

My guy hadnt started on my front suspension, so I had to kinda give him a nudge to get going; if you know what I mean.

I would just do it myself but I am working 50-60 hours per week.
Just frustrating me on waiting on him...

[RPOZ11]

What are you guys doing about the bench seats in these?

I think Ive seen a later 88-up seat used.

There is a Van/Dually aftermarket seat currently in it.

I'd like to get more seating room between me and the steering wheel.

Has anyone shortened a factory Tilt column?

[RPOZ11]

ttt...

Got more parts for the rebuild.
Picked up:
Rock Gaurd plate for a Blazer rear tank ( will buy tank later )
Manual valve gas tank splitter to change between tanks while driving
Extra front bumper; straight needs rechroming
454 Fan Shroud and 454 top radiator plate with cushions
454 passenger side heat shiled for the pre-heat tube
Valley "THICK ", bolt into frame, rear tow hitch; nice!
1350 U-Bolts and New AllStar pinion nut for the pinion flange

Lastly, On my way to go pick up a core 10 Bolt rear axle, drum to drum, including parking brake cables.
A complete take out unit.
It has 3:07 gears.

Now, what I need help with is TIRE diameter.
You all know I purchased those 2:56 gears.

What I am leaning towards in TIRE size is :
235 or 255/70R15
or
275/60R15
Does 28 to 30" sound roughly correct?
Can you guys offer up TIRE diameters for either of these 3 sizes?

[RPOZ11]

Originally Posted by RPOZ11

Where can I purchase Drop Leaf Springs

Still been searching for these and possibly, who knows if that they still available, but...



http://www.performancesuspension.com...omponents.html
1973-87 C10/20/30 4" Drop : $427

[J Knight]

Wow, $427 for 4in drop leaf springs. You could save about $300 and buy 4in drop shackles and hangers for about $125 and get the same drop.
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[RPOZ11]

Price for brand new springs seems to within this price range.
I had tried to decipher BellTech's PDF catalogue to no avail.
Maybe you need to be a dealer to obtain thier parts; dont know...

Anyways,
I think I am going towards a new set built locally.
I went to their shop today but they closed before I got there.
I want new parts on my suspension for my rebuild.
I plan on this being my daily driver for several years to come.
New parts will give me some piece of mind whenever I want to go on a parts drive, or whatever.


This afternoon, I hired a seperate mechanic to work on my parts for this truck.
Seems my Fab Shop guy hasnt prioritized my truck.
So off I go getting it done myself.
I dropped off the 8.5 10-Bolt truck rear axle for the rebuild.
Ordering up a rebuild kit and a total brakes system overhaul as well.
All new when he's done with it.

The 15 X 8 Truck Rally Rims got painted.
However, they decided to use an off color that was no where near the factory Silver wheel color.
SO, they are being repainted correctly.
Dropped off a 5'th rim so I can have a matching spare.

I still need help with tire diameters.
Plugging into the calculator these #'s so I can determine proper tire diameter with the 2:56's I am having installed.
I "MAY" be able to go a lower profile but I dont wan't to compromise the ride quality.

Some help here on this one guys???


Late add...
Just picked up a set of 1/2 ton rear leafs, U-Bolts and hangars.
I want to see what the ride heigth is with these minus the short thick bottom plate.
Question:
What should be the correct rear leaf drop while using the 2" front drop spindles?
2", 3", or 4"
I am looking for as close to even level stance as possible.

[RPOZ11]

15 X 8 Truck Rally Rims painted

[RPOZ11]

10 Bolt 8.5 Truck rear axle rebuilt.
2:56.1 8.5 ring & pinion.
2-series Eaton Posi.
Moser Axles : Brand New.
New drums, shoes, wheel cylinders, spring kits, bearings, seals, crush sleeve, 1350 U-Joint Heavy Duty Pinion Flange.
This 10 Bolt came from a 1985 1/2 ton.

I didnt have time right now to fully strip this and repaint the housing, backing plates, nuts & bolts....etc.
I need this to function as needed immediately.

I am having a custom set of rear drop leaf springs made.
These should really finish my ride off as I am attempting to achieve.
I will post up pics of the rear leafs once they are done.
If you like them, I could have them made for your truck.

[RPOZ11]

Drop leafs done!

If anyone wants these made, contact me and I can get these done for you.

They are not cheap but they are definately done right!!!

[RPOZ11]

So, after a few months of dealing with someone uninterrested in completing my needs, I am still off and running towards completing (sp) it myself.

I am prepared to using a new shop guy who wants to help me.

My issue is time.

If I didnt work so many hours I would have had some much more done by now.

Will pick up my engine and trans soon and get it prepared for install.

So many things to do!

[RPOZ11]

7-04-2012 Update...

I have a new mechanic and shop now for this truck.
The last guy did nothing to it for 3 months,
so I pulled it out with help from 2 awesome La Verne Police Department Officers.
Was not a amicable seperation!

I dropped off my GM Factory Truck 15 X 8" rally rims.
I have ordered a set of BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires for it.
The fronts will be brand new 245/60R15's.
There is already a used set of BF Goodrich Radial T/A 275/60R15's with about 40% tread left.
I will use those on the rears until I burn them up breaking in the 496. Then buy new ones.

Ordered new glass for the front; already have new rubber seals front & back.

The Truck goes up on the rack on Friday.
He will start by removing the truck 12-bolt and rear leafs out of it.
The rebuilt 2:56 Posi Truck 10-bolt that is already done along with the brand new rear drop leafs is ready to go into it!

The 496 is already broken back down to a short block.
Will be measuring up the camshaft currently in it.
The guy I had do the build would not give me the cam card for it.
Will buy a new cam most likely.
I am looking for the biggest torque cam off idle that I can install.
Degree it in and a complete gasket kit reassemble.

He also does transmissions.
He will be checking what I gave him that was already rebuilt.
Check the sprag to see if it is the big one, soften up 2'nd gear shift, reseal it and bolt it all together.

We should be ready to install it a week from this coming weekend.
I have purchased ALOT of parts for this thing to have had it done a month ago.
With help of my friend, a retired 35 year GM Line Mechanic, everything should be in the fastlane towards assembly.
Below is the Truck, being pulled out of that corrupt shop!

[RPOZ11]

New tires on the front :
BF Goodrich T/A Radials 245/60R15 tires

I reused an existing set on the rears :
BF Goodrich T/A Radials 275/60R15 tires

How do they look to you?

The rears fit nicely!!!!

Still need to check for any inside rub on the fronts

[RPOZ11]

Now, my 496 is being taken back to a short block for all new gaskets throughout.
The cam is being swapped out for a smaller lift R/V cam.
More off idle Torque.
I had this low plane GM cast iron 454 intake manifold Chem-Stripped clean.
It turned out super nice.
Sent it off to have the intake runners gasket port matched.
I went back to using this as I didnt think that the Edelbrock was overly neccesary.
With the simple port matching, not revving past 5000, it fits exactly what I need this engine to do.

Also, dropped off these BBC Cast Iron exhaust manifolds at the Chem-Stripper.
Everything is going to be really clean for a brand new install/assembly.

Moving along now!

[superwade57]

at the risk of re hashing old wounds.... front clip is very obviously neither 75 or 77 looks to be an 87 front clip, however the bed is pre 80 per the gas cap nice clean truck in any event, at least you dont have emissions, i did breifly when i lived in st louis county, i had to get a po box three counties over to pass my F--- Mustang. live near smaller cities and im oh so glad i can do as i please with my motors! also on a side note... check ur front frame horns, i believe its either a newer frame 81^ or the horns have been cut to fit that style bumper on it.

[RPOZ11]

Yes, I am aware of the front square nose being 82-up.

This is how I bought it.

2 owners prior come to find out did the cab swap out; per the prior owner.

I will check the front frame rails.

The bumper you see on it currently does not fit well at all.

I do have someone putting together a 1975 front sheetmetal group.

Purchased some grill supports and brackets already as well as a 1975 grill.

Just waiting for my guy to amass the parts.

May take the whole square nose off for the engine swap.

Will sell this Square Nose.
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[superwade57]

I just took side by side frame pics ill post in a bit or sooner if I knew how to post pics off my phone
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