How to: Ruin a perfectly good C10

[rustytruck50]

That would be cool...I'm trying to get the brakes fixed on the '72 in time for a Trunk-or-Treat this weekend

[gringoloco]

Well, the new axles arrived in short order (next day from Summit for most things here), but the dimensions are not exactly the same as the stockers that I removed. It’s only a few thou here and there, but enough to require a trip to the machine shop. If I’d known, I would have just ordered a set of Mosers and been done with it. Oh well...

[gringoloco]

So while the axles are at the machine shop, I figured I’d tear into the little five-three for some freshening and upgrades. So far I’ve got it all torn down and have cleaned the carbon deposits from the pistons and combustion chambers. It’s now sitting at #1 TDC awaiting installation of the BTR truck cam.

While it’s apart, it will also get new lifters, hardened pushrods, valve springs, oil pump, timing chain, and gaskets. This was a good running motor, so I’m not rebuilding the bottom end, just freshening her up a bit. Hope that doesn’t come back to bite me like every other time I try to cheap out (see axles above)...

[aggie91]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

So while the axles are at the machine shop, I figured I’d tear into the little five-three for some freshening and upgrades. So far I’ve got it all torn down and have cleaned the carbon deposits from the pistons and combustion chambers. It’s now sitting at #1 TDC awaiting installation of the BTR truck cam.

While it’s apart, it will also get new lifters, hardened pushrods, valve springs, oil pump, timing chain, and gaskets. This was a good running motor, so I’m not rebuilding the bottom end, just freshening her up a bit. Hope that doesn’t come back to bite me like every other time I try to cheap out (see axles above)...

I've done something similar to the 5.3 that is in my '65. When my son upgraded his short block on his turbo truck, I got the old set up. When he pulled the cam out to swap to the new set up, 2 of the cam bearings fell out of the block. I got the whole package in pieces, I mean everything was apart. I cleaned it all and reassembled using the factory 240k mile bearings on the rods and crank and used new cam bearings (and an old stock cam & lifters) and all new gaskets, I even reused the factory torque to yield bolts...I have more time and elbow grease value in the engine than actual money. Most expensive thing was the gasket kit with MLS head gaskets. Think all told in parts I bought, I have about $175 in a running 5.3.

So far it has held good oil pressure and runs smooth...

[knomadd]

That was a good helper at one point...

I guess your wife is tired of waiting on this one. We're glad you're back on it too though.

[gringoloco]

Good to know, Aggie, these are pretty astounding little engines. Fingers crossed...

New cam, timing chain, oil pump, and f-body oil pan are installed Next up is valve springs, then bolt the heads back on and she’ll be ready for a coat of chevy engine orange

[shearjs]

You’ll be good to go with your engine upgrades. I did the same with my 6.0 in the GMC and had zero issues. Actually contemplating doing the same thing to my 5.3 for the Burb. What kind of gains are you looking to make with the upgrades?? Keep up the great work!

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by shearjs

You’ll be good to go with your engine upgrades. I did the same with my 6.0 in the GMC and had zero issues. Actually contemplating doing the same thing to my 5.3 for the Burb. What kind of gains are you looking to make with the upgrades?? Keep up the great work!

Thanks, fingers crossed! From what I’ve seen, I’m guessing somewhere in the neighborhood of 400 at the crank. Should be plenty of fun with the Muncie and 3:73s. Reminds me, I need to start looking for an Eaton carrier...

[gringoloco]

Welp, the long block is completely reassembled with the new cam, lifters, hardened pushrods, valve springs, valve seals, oil pump, timing chain, and head gaskets/bolts. Nothing pic worthy to write home about, but a significant step nonetheless. She’s now ready for final scrubdown and a coat of chevy engine orange before stabbing for (hopefully) the last time.

Also did some work on the radio opening in the dash. Turns out I mis-measured one of the holes, so out came the cutoff wheel to reaccomplish what I thought was complete work. Ah well, it’s now all squared-away in primer, ready for final sanding and paint. Starting to feel some momentum, wonder what will go wrong next

[gringoloco]

More progress with the dash final sanded, in color, and cleared. Color match is pretty good and the clear laid out nicely. I got some trash in the ashtray lid that I hope to wet sand out, but overall I’m pretty happy with how this turned out

[jaros44sr]

Nice work, Chris. Nothing like a factory unmolested dash. I thought you had a blemish in your paint, but it was my dirty screen

Great work so far!!!

[TA_C10]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

More progress with the dash final sanded, in color, and cleared. Color match is pretty good and the clear laid out nicely. I got some trash in the ashtray lid that I hope to wet sand out, but overall I’m pretty happy with how this turned out

Super nice build thread Chris. I have been keeping up with your thread for about 6 months now after reading the bulk of it and not being able to stop

When your doing small work like the radio portion of the dash, are you using an aerosol primer or are you using a gun? And what brand of primer are you using? Do you use epoxy and 2k high build or something else? Just looking for similarities to what I'm about to do on my build.

Thanks,
Tom

[rustytruck50]

Nice job Chris!!! Love that color!!

[smbrouss70]

Looks better than I could have done! I have runs in the paint on my engine block... But nobody will see that unless they want to change the oil for me, which I don't think will ever happen.

I can't wait to see this truck on the road.

[cornerstone]

Really looks nice man. Is that a factory color? Medium blue? What kind of spray gun did you use?

Brian

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by rustytruck50

Nice job Chris!!! Love that color!!

Thanks a lot! I like it, too and it’s on the list of potentials if I ever decide to make this a shiny truck.

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

Looks better than I could have done! I have runs in the paint on my engine block... But nobody will see that unless they want to change the oil for me, which I don't think will ever happen.

I can't wait to see this truck on the road.

Trust me, it’s not perfect, but I’m learning to accept flaws as character Engine will likely be the next thing painted—hoping for no runs, but I’m ok with hiding them, too.

It may be driving soon-ish? I feel like it’s gaining momentum and most of the big stuff is either bought or planned for. Just gotta stay focused...

Originally Posted by cornerstone

Really looks nice man. Is that a factory color? Medium blue? What kind of spray gun did you use?

Brian

Thanks! The color is a very near match to the original medium blue poly, but in modern base/clear.

Believe it or not, this was a rattle can job; the base I had custom mixed at my local paint shop and the clear is a 2K hardened product from SprayMax. The clear is excellent and rivals the quality you get from “normal” 2-part paints. The can has a special nozzle that fans the spray pattern which makes the paint lay really nicely. Not a cheap spray bomb, but perfect for this small job. I’ll have to break out the HVLP when it’s time to squirt the firewall.

[gringoloco]

With the paint cured, I started sticking things in holes. The way Retrosound has you install the radio, the knobs stick out from the dash too far and look funny, IMO. I used a set of factory AM radio mounting cups instead of their supplied washers/spacers along with modifying the faceplate and brackets to tuck the knobs in as close as possible to the dash. Much better, now

Still not sure on how I feel about the faux dial screen protector. I’ll leave it stuck on there for a while and see if it grows on me...

[gringoloco]

Hmmm, maybe I’ll order one of these screen protectors instead; it looks a bit more appropriate for this era truck:

[smbrouss70]

Looks way better than a single DIN radio in there. How does it sound?

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

Looks way better than a single DIN radio in there. How does it sound?

Unknown at this point, and probably for a while. It’s just mounted, not yet wired. Lots to do before I get to hear any sound outta this thing. Currently no battery, wiring harness, or fuse box installed.

First up, finish body work and paint firewall and engine, then install drivetrain for the last(?) time

[mcbassin]

Very nice work on the dash repair and the engine Chris!

[knomadd]

Nice work so far Chris! The dash is looking good.

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Very nice work on the dash repair and the engine Chris!

Originally Posted by knomadd

Nice work so far Chris! The dash is looking good.

Thanks dudes! Moved on to final clean, prep, and paint on the engine. Gotta say, I’m digging it

[C10_ustacould]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Thanks dudes! Moved on to final clean, prep, and paint on the engine. Gotta say, I’m digging it

What did you use to clean and prep the engine for paint?

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

The firewall and valve covers look great! Keep at it..

Thanks, Mike!

Originally Posted by GSFMECH

Chris, it's been ages since I've been on here and I have to say it looks great bro, can't wait to see it in person.

Thanks Mike, too! Hopefully soon...

Originally Posted by C10_ustacould

What did you use to clean and prep the engine for paint?

Sorry for the delay, hope it’s not too late. Initial clean was with oven cleaner to get rid of the gunk, then simple green/power purple/whatever skin-eating acid cleaner I had around with various brushes, rags, scrapers, and implements, then final prep with laquer thinner and 3M scrubbies. Lots and lots and lots of time spent in all of the little books and crannies.