1963 C-10 in NC

[Vics63Chevy]

Geeze, outstanding job! Keep it up, loving the pictures.

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by Vics63Chevy

Geeze, outstanding job! Keep it up, loving the pictures.

Thanks a bunch. Been away for a few months, but getting back at it hard again now. I'm ready to have her back on the road and then complete the fleetside.

I take a lot of pics as there are just a handful of big block swaps and even fewer running hydraulic clutches on a manual trans. I hope that the pics help someone else who will encounter the same issues and save them time.

[1963c-10]

Got the exhaust kit pulled out and will try and install tonight

[TJ's Chevy]

What muffler your going with?

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

What muffler your going with?

The ones that came with the kit....I'll get some pics tonight on install.

[1963c-10]

TJ the kit is Thrush #WLK-89027 ordered from summit. Was around $250 shipped
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/wlk-89027/overview/

Advertised as a 2.5" bolt in kit for 66-72 chevy/gmc truck sb/bb applications auto or manual. Came with all the hardware, hangers and mufflers too. We'll know how it goes tonight.

I opted for band clamps from summit for the header reducer to head pipe though.

[1963c-10]

Started to mock up the exhaust last night and ran out of light. Have some more tweeking to do on the fitment but so far it hasn't been to bad. A 2nd set of hands would help greatly, but some jack stands and properly placed 4x4s seems to be working for now. Will get some pics tonight.

[1963c-10]

Ran late from work, but got a little more work in on the exhaust. Will try and get out there this weekend and button it up. I need to put the rear bumper on for final bolt down so I can get the exhaust hanging where I want out the rear fenders....
I found that 2 ft zip ties work great for holding the system up and in place plus you don't have to work around jack stands.

[1963c-10]

Couple pics of the undercarriage. Still need to complete from the x pipe to the header reducers. I have the pipes just sitting on the reducers to keep crap out of them. The system will raise up level.

So far I like the placement in the bottom left pic of the post above best for exhaust pipe exit.

They did a nice job on this kit. Plenty of clearance around rearend and trailing arms. Takes a lot of small tweaking but I'm satisfied with the kit and the ease of a home install with no lift. The only cutting required is the pipe of the header reducer to the x pipe. Simple enough. I got a metal cutting disk for my circular saw and did some test cuts yesterday and got very nice results.

[Ta2Don]

Lookin' Good Brotha!!!

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Lookin' Good Brotha!!!

Thanks a bunch. Seems to go at a snails pace....but were still in the race.

[TJ's Chevy]

X2 looking good!

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

X2 looking good!

Thanks TJ.

[pimpston65]

gotta let that BIG BLOCK breath!!! good thing gas isnt $4 a gallon!!!

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by pimpston65

gotta let that BIG BLOCK breath!!! good thing gas isnt $4 a gallon!!!

Yeah....i'll be happy if it stays where it is that's for sure. Can't wait to break this engine in and go for a spin...

[pimpston65]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Yeah....i'll be happy if it stays where it is that's for sure. Can't wait to break this engine in and go for a spin...

its a fresh build?

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by pimpston65

its a fresh build?

Oh yeah. Block, crank, rods and heads are all that wasn't replaced. Had all the proper machining done and everything else was replaced new. The carb was an old edelbrock I had and did a new gasket kit on. I used Comp cams for all the valvetrain components. I got the "master cam kit" so comp cams matched all parts to the camshaft.

I still need to get the other valve covers on and wire the engine. Other than fluids, its about ready to start up. I have the new harness to convert the existing harness to HEI. The only alteration will be extending the alternator wires since its a LWP system and now on the passenger side. Hoping to get inner fenders and core support in this weekend. Then we'll see what kind of radiator clearance I'm dealing with. The engine is set between the fornt/rear holes on the frame.

[1963c-10]

The exhaust clamps that are in place will be replaced with the band clamps once fitment is done.

[1963c-10]

Spent most of the weekend in the yard, but did finish the inner fenders. Went with the 3m black weatherstripping glue for the new seals. Truck bed liner on top and undercoated underneath. The fender closing panels I redid with staples. They are ready for install. Hoping to paint the front end this weekend and get the truck back together.

The blocks of wood are holding a little pressure on the bends. Let it cure overnight and they looked good this a.m.

Don't mind the dust on them. Had to mow 2 acres Saturday and the wind was kicking up pretty good, but its not in the finish.

[clemdaddy]

right-on...they do look good.
i do it the same way, why staple the inner fender to cab seals, they can't go anywhere anyway.

sure like that big block...

[1963c-10]

Thanks for the compliments.
That was my thinking too. They fit pretty snug against the firewall, so glue was a lot less time consuming. Redoing the staples was very time intensive to make them look good.

Pics of the closing panels being done are on post 980, but heres a few pics in case it helps anyone else.

[1963c-10]

Got a few minutes in on the truck last night.

Hydraulic clutch line install complete as is the -an stainless oil pressure gauge line.

Got the master cylinder remounted and all lines fastened down. Will work on the brake lines soon.

[1963c-10]

Then got the inner fenders mocked in. Will paint the core support, radiator support and front fenders this weekend after mock up this week. Starting to come together....much more fun reinstalling parts than all the restoration work and tear down.

So far we are good on all clearance issues.

[TJ's Chevy]

Its looking very nice! Little by little.

[1963c-10]

Thanks TJ. I agree...even slow progress is progress though.