68 K-10 SWB build thread - project Money Pit...pics galore!

[1969k10stepside]

Originally Posted by RACINJASON22

BTW are you and Dustin in a race you guys are neck & neck but I think he may be ahead by an engine.

RJ22...

I never looked at it as a race..he isnt far behind but I rebuilt the motor and axles completely!And also have done about half the body work...but other then that Mike isnt far behind!
Now I race off for the shop to finish the truck...!

[RACINJASON22]

Originally Posted by 1969k10stepside

I never looked at it as a race..he isnt far behind but I rebuilt the motor and axles completely!And also have done about half the body work...but other then that Mike isnt far behind!
Now I race off for the shop to finish the truck...!

I knew you guy's would get a kick out of that! And yes I watch your builds very closely to see what you have been up to. Alhough it will be kind of fun watching you two progress in sequence now And here come's msgross down the back stretch and 1969k10stepside into trecherous turn three
Both of you guy's are lookin good and it means nothing who is finished first here.

RJ22...

[msgross]

I tend to take weeks off at a time for some reason (burnout vs. time?) so it's good to see some progress... Don't worry Dustin, i'll let you win... FYI i'll be out of money really soon and I leave in Oct for 6 months for a school so it will sit all winter

I also might be getting into another project. My brother-in-law wants to sell his 72 Chevelle since it doesn't get driven. 307cid Malibu with 90K, plain jane but to keep it in the family it might only cost me $1,000. Even the wife knew that it was a good deal and that it would be nice to have a muscle car in the driveway.... Deal isn't done yet but I should know by the end of the week. If that happens then all work stops in July on the K-10 ($$).

[msgross]

Picked up 6 quarts of Mobile 1 synthetic gear lube (90W) today from a buddy at work. He has restored a few of our trucks (sold them all now) and had them left over from his installs. Only paid $25 so that's better than $8.50 ea at autozone! he is also looking for a new set of WARN premium hubs that he never used. he's one of those guys that says "pay me what ever you think it's worth". I also picked up my in-cab rancho 9000 system from him for $40, new in box!

[msgross]

Messy day today... got the tranny and TC cleaned up. After scraping inches of oily sand off of them I soaked them with oven cleaner. Then loaded them up on the trailer and visited the local car wash (I don't want that crap in my driveway!). Also got the engine cleaned up and removed the oil pan. THinking about changing the rear main seal while i'm in there. Any thoughts? I'll have some pic tomorrow but I left my camera at work all weekend...

Between softball and the truck this week i'll be pretty busy. Still plan on having the drivetrain in by weekend then I can set my pinion angle, weld the perches in and tow it home...

[1969k10stepside]

I know what you mean with the grease on the t-case...now it probably weighs 15 pounds less Still heavy though! I just put de-greaser on mine and let the pressure washer loose on it..Rear main seal,it wont hurt to change it.I'd change all I could get to though,dont want any leaks!

[msgross]

Got some good work done tonight....

1. Replaced rear main seal, don't know if it really leaked but I wanted to clean the pan out so why not.... Now it will probably start leaking

2. Cleaned out oil pump, full of gunk

3. Installed new oil pan gaskets, didn't get the one piece but figured the good old fashioned kind would work....

4. Primered entire engine... I used duplicolor engine primer rated at 500 degrees. Is this an ok base coat? What about the basic engine paint in a praycan for Chevy Orange? Anything better? any way to "gloss it up"?

[msgross]

Also got the T-Case cleaned up as stated before...

Fezzik likes going to the shop, to bad the truck will be home this weekend...

I'm thinking the the engine should be Chevy Orange and the tranny and TC should be red.... is that original? Doens't have to be perfect but close will be good. I picked up some Chyrsler Red engine paint...we'll see how it looks tomorrow... With this humidity that we have I am waiting 24 hours between all coats...

[68K20]

What kind of t-case is that, it is certainly a lot different than my NP205 (which I know is not original, truck was originally a C20 that someone had thrown a 1971 K20 running gear under)

[1969k10stepside]

Thats a Rockwell T221.They were used up till around 70 when they went to the NP205.They are good t-cases,just are harder to get parts for than the 205

[msgross]

parts are available, but they are salty.... A full rebuild kit costs over $300 and $175 for a seal kit. For that price I would switch to an NP205 any day. I'll see how it goes for now...

Painted the engine and TC tonight. Forgot to take the camera down to the shop though... I'll have pics up tomorrow afternoon. Amazing what a little elbow grease and some engine paint can do.

[68K20]

Both of y'alls SWB 4x4 trucks are going to look sweet when done, makes me not want to look under mine for fear of what it may cost me in time and money to get mine half as nice.

[msgross]

thanks, yours look better on the body side than mine though! I'll be out of money (am now) before I get to the cab and body.....

[msgross]

Here's the pics of the paint..... Is the orange to bright?

[msgross]

OK, so it pays to shop around.....

NAPA clutch pack = $214
AutoZone = $190
Advanced Auto Parts = $133 (+10% military discount for in stock items )

Also the best $2 I have ever spent is on the spraycan holder....

[RACINJASON22]

It may be a tad bright but, when you get it in and everything else on there to break it up some it will look killer

And with the spay can holder being a good idea. They are very slick. I only feel sorry for the fact that it was not me that invented that to become a million air

Looks GR8 and will look even better between the fenders.

RJ22...

[msgross]

Thanks.... I flew up your way today... Made it past williamsport and a bolt of lightning struck the ground about 1-2 miles in front of me.... soooo, I made a left and went to Johnstown... I still want to make it to Denny's sometime...

[1969k10stepside]

Mike,I know what you mean about the motor glowing in the dark That motor is brite!

[msgross]

yeah, once I get some satin black pulleys on it and a few chrome pieces then it should break it up.... I hope!

[1969k10stepside]

I think some good (not cheap chrome!) chrome valve covers and a good quality chrome timing chain cover would make it look good.Maybe some like the ones in this thread. I think those would make it looks good and not make it look like it has cheapo chrome everywhere.Just dont add chrome dipsticks,oil pans,etc!

[va_tlc]

ohh thats looking great mike.... orange is never to brite lol.. just a shame ya gotta put a body back on it...we sure can see the detailed work you have done keep up the good work...

[msgross]

thanks...it won't have a body for a long time though! Hopefully it will have a cab by the end of Oct when I have to leave...

[Bishops Trucks]

Nice progress Mike. Looking real good.

[1969k10stepside]

I just noticed you finally got some open center caps for the front,how much did they cost you?

[68K20]

Is that the Dupli-Colr Chevy Orange? I used that on my valve covers on my truck and really like the color. Doesn't seem to like my camera though because the pics came out more red...

Originally Posted by msgross

Here's the pics of the paint..... Is the orange to bright?