1984 K30 Project Plow Truck

[Greenlee]

Looking good! Do you still need ballast with all that snow in the back?

We had enough snow here that it actually stuck to the ground for a few hours. Everyone went freaking crazy since we never see snow in this part of the country!

[GM72K10]

Following

[MTCK]

Thanks greenlee, yeah added about 400 lbs of sand bags at the very back of the bed. Seems to have good traction and doesnt squat at all. I think I’m substantially lighter than I was with the flat bed and lift, but that is based purely on seat of the pants feel.

[DirtyLarry]

I’m still digging this 292 truck too Markus! Glad you haven’t ditch the cool 292 yet. Kinda sad you ditched the flatbed though.

Got a request for you, next time you have the hood open can you snap some clear pictures of the passenger’s side engine mount where it fastens to the frame? You know I have that 292 and I’m working deal to acquire a K5 and trying to determine if I can just move the V8 mounts around or if I need to go fish for 292 specific engine brackets.

Thanks!

[MTCK]

Larry, no problem on the pics. I’ll be doing my spring oil change soon and get those uploaded. Don’t worry - the 292 isn’t going anywhere. It has to be the best plow truck motor ever. Torque is immediate off idle and it is so smooth and linear.

The flat bed was literally falling apart. Rust took its toll. The new bed is super solid and I bet you change your mind when it’s all the same color! Lots of work coming this summer if time allows.

[DirtyLarry]

Hey Marcus! Hope all is well. You’ve been pretty quiet for a while.

So, I’m getting close to start collecting pieces for my 292 project. When you get a minute can you snap some pictures of your 292 engine mounts and front crossmember so I can see what I need to look for as I go on a parts scavenger hunt? I seem to recall the engine crossmember is also different on the 4x4 trucks with 292s due to the offset engine mounts. Curious to see how yours looks compared to V8 crossmembers. This engine is going into a 1985 K5.

Thanks!

[MTCK]

I’ve been way quiet! Work and the little guy are keeping me busy. Wife got me this sweet console for holding my coffee while I plow. I’ve also started to install and wore my beacon and flood lights, but progress is non-existent.

PS Larry check your email!

[MTCK]

Almost three months later.... beacon and floods are on the back rack and wired. I got a whelen switch panel and it is very well made and pretty sweet. 60 amp ignition switched relay feeds it and I have room for two more circuits: light bar facing front and probably some bumper lights in the rear. Way better than plowing in the dark!

[MTCK]

Aforementioned switch box.

[MTCK]

Also scored 5 new crack-free clearance marker lenses from the salvage yard.

[COS399]

lights are good in your part of the world this time of the year. Light control box looks nice.

[1967KaiserM715]

Hey, MTCK, if you could post pics of the passenger mount for the 292, information is very sxarce, I believe I may have found the correct bracket, but would like to verify.

My 292 is going into an '86 K30. Much appreciated.

[Dads79GMC]

How did I miss this one, great build. It's nice to see a real truck doing real truck work!!!
Thanks Mike

[MTCK]

Thanks guys. There is no life of leisure for the old trucks around my house...

Pardon the battery box for the 4D battery.

[1967KaiserM715]

Originally Posted by MTCK

Thanks guys. There is no life of leisure for the old trucks around my house...

Pardon the battery box for the 4D battery.

Thanks, I thought that engine bracket was supposed to be different. Is the cross member design different then? Information for these 292's has been hard to find, and what information I have found is conflicting. Is that supposed to be the original engine to the truck?

[MTCK]

Here’s the drivers side. The cross member looks the same to me, but DirtyLarry might be a good resource to ask. Yes it’s the original motor. I bought it from the original owner and have the build sheet on it. Best luck!

[DirtyLarry]

Originally Posted by MTCK

Here’s the drivers side. The cross member looks the same to me, but DirtyLarry might be a good resource to ask. Yes it’s the original motor. I bought it from the original owner and have the build sheet on it. Best luck!

Well, I couldn’t ever find OEM engine mounts for my 292 but I did find an aftermarket one from 12bolt.com that would work. Unfortunately, it blocks the fuel pump boss so you’d have to run an electric fuel pump. The good thing about that mount is the fact the engine drops right into the V8 position.

As far as my 292 project, it got canned. Over Christmas I opened up the engine as I was going to reseal it and freshen it up only to find it was a dud. The cam was wiped out and the main bearings were toast. Basically, it needed a full rebuilt that I wasn’t in the mood to do since I had a near drop in ready TBI 350 on the shop floor with harness plus the fact we don’t have any machine shops around here anymore to even get into an engine rebuild. I ended up selling the 292 the day after I advertised it on CL. BUT, I have my eyes on another 292 for a different project. I want a 292 rig, damn it!

Here is the 12bolt.com 292 engine bracket. They have driver’s side mounts in stock too


I see they also have another that doesn't block the fuel pump. I didn't notice this one before

[MTCK]

Lots going on in the past six months. The plow truck got some maintenance: new water pump, functioning block heater, steering stabilizer, front light bar and backup lights under the bumper installed. We also moved to a new house with another garage bay and had a second kiddo. The plow truck gets more attention than the camper truck currently because it is for “work.”

[MTCK]

The extra light is great!

[COS399]

Marcus,
Thanks for the updates and Congratulations on the new kiddo.

[MTCK]

Thanks buddy! Eventful night at the ranch. Ran over my phone, kissed the wellhead and bruised my ego a bit. Always good to have a second one ton around and a wife who knows how to drive...

[79oldj]

That is the coolest 80s model i have ever seen! 292 K30 Awesome!

[MTCK]

Thanks oldj! I like it. Been running the heck out of the plow truck like usual this winter. Hope she gets some maintenance and upgraded soon. I have a retro sound stereo that was a gift ready to go in and just got a new muffler and tailpipe kit too. 2.5” mandrel bet pipes and a magnaflow straight through muffler. Hoping it’s not too loud like the camper truck.

Got more than 6” of snow yesterday and it was wet and heavy.

[MTCK]

Going to need some bigger eq soon.

[farmall]

What's eq?

I don't know how you can live like that. If it were me I would have to have a new Cat skid steer with a cab and heater included in with the mortgage. And maybe a large front end loader as well.