How to: Ruin a perfectly good C10

[gringoloco]

Ok, folks. Need to some honest input, here. My original plan was to do everything under hood in black and orange, like a truck engine, but I kindof accidentally mocked up the engine like a late ‘60s hipo car big block and I also kindof accidentally like it. Thoughts?

[ajgriffin]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

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

Sorry for bringing up old stuff, but it seems like you weren't too concerned about paint in the threads or fluid passages. Did that work out well for you? I'm getting ready to paint my engine so I thought I'd ask. Also, what was your prep process before you painted the valve cover adapters? Thanks for the info - really enjoying your build!

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by ajgriffin

Sorry for bringing up old stuff, but it seems like you weren't too concerned about paint in the threads or fluid passages. Did that work out well for you? I'm getting ready to paint my engine so I thought I'd ask. Also, what was your prep process before you painted the valve cover adapters? Thanks for the info - really enjoying your build!

No worries and thanks for checking in. I wasn’t super concerned, but you could stuff some paper in the holes or carefully tape them off. I did have rags in the intake ports and covered any areas that I thought might get paint into oil passages. Personal preference really, can’t hurt to be overly cautious. I like to run a tap into all of the holes I’m using, too, especially with an *ahem* gently used engine.

Valve cover adapters I simply sanded and used a self etching primer to help the paint stick to the aluminum.

[gringoloco]

Took some time to get the exhaust plumbed over the rear axle. Im using mandrel bends for everything and “snapper” bushing hangers. I had to replace the magnaflows with these Borla pro-xs, due to the outlet configuration; hopefully they sound decent, hard to tell from YouTube clips. It’s all tacked and ready for final weld tomorrow

[smbrouss70]

Mmmmmmmm, love me some Chevy Orange!

[shearjs]

Beautiful! Hope mine looks that good some day soon! What kind of paint did you use to spray the engine?

[rustytruck50]

Nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

Mmmmmmmm, love me some Chevy Orange!

Originally Posted by shearjs

Beautiful! Hope mine looks that good some day soon! What kind of paint did you use to spray the engine?

Originally Posted by rustytruck50

Nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks guys, I’m diggin it. It’s sprayed with Seymour EN-48 which layed out really nicely

[mcbassin]

The engine looks great! Should be running by Christmas huh

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

The engine looks great! Should be running by Christmas huh

Ha! If I’m lucky, by summer. Time to start block sanding this firewall...

[gringoloco]

Welp, the firewall fooled me into thinking it was pretty flat, until I started block sanding it. I get the feeling there will be quite a few more rounds of making filler dust before this thing is ready for color...

[gringoloco]

I recently had a flashback to a few moths ago at HRPT with smbrouss70 and 65StreetCruiser. As we walked around checking out trucks, a comment was made regarding the “unfinished” look when the firewall isn’t properly capped where the blower motor used to be. I knew at that moment that I had work to do before this firewall could be declared officially complete. Thanks for unintentionally bringing this to my attention, Steven. This one’s for you

I welded in two strips of 18ga to closely replicate the look of the cowl panel edge and set them in at the same depth as the rest of the gutter. The whole business will get self-leveling sealer and should blend in seamlessly. Should... This is one of those mods you only notice if it’s not done, but I’m glad I took the time to make it look “right”.

[sprint_9]

Looks good, you will be glad you did it. Its probably one of my favorite things Ive done to my truck.

[smbrouss70]

Hey, if that's the worst thing I get blamed for, I'll take it! It does look much better when it's "finished" though. Good job.

[rustytruck50]

Well done, Chris! Those subtle mods are the best because they make you take a second look

[C10_ustacould]

Killer work Chris, firewall and engine look great! I love the Chevy orange.

[gringoloco]

Thanks dudes. Lotsa blocking going on to get this thing acceptable. Arms (and everything else) are sore

[65StreetCruiser]

Just re-read through the whole thread again, Chris. What an amazing transformation from day one. Funny how these projects just keep evolving. Keep up the excellent work. Looking forward to seeing it on the road again.

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by 65StreetCruiser

Just re-read through the whole thread again, Chris. What an amazing transformation from day one. Funny how these projects just keep evolving. Keep up the excellent work. Looking forward to seeing it on the road again.

Thanks Kevin! Driving yours definitely helped motivate me to get back on it. 13 years I’ve had this thing now; they’re never done...

[gringoloco]

Still chipping away at projects, consuming this elephant one bite at a time. Got the valve covers and adapters painted and installed:

[gringoloco]

Rebuilt the disgustingly crusty Hurst Muncie shifter and converted it from bayonette style to bolt on stick:

[smbrouss70]

It'll all be worth it when you can open that hood with pride to show it off! I've got a few things that I want to get painted under my hood before I'll be really happy to open it for people.

Keep going, you're getting so close. When you get it back on the road, I may have to fly up there to check it all out and get a ride in it.

[rustytruck50]

Looks great Chris!!! My '98 has been pretty needy lately and it's been good watching you get stuff done...hoping to get back on track with my '72 soon!

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

It'll all be worth it when you can open that hood with pride to show it off! I've got a few things that I want to get painted under my hood before I'll be really happy to open it for people.

Keep going, you're getting so close. When you get it back on the road, I may have to fly up there to check it all out and get a ride in it.

You know you’re welcome any time, we have a place for you to lay your head. If all goes well, I’ll be bringing it a little closer to you this summer, prayers in and fingers crossed. No ride required, you can chauffeur me this time

Originally Posted by rustytruck50

Looks great Chris!!! My '98 has been pretty needy lately and it's been good watching you get stuff done...hoping to get back on track with my '72 soon!

Thanks! The OBS trucks need love, too. I’m kinda hoping one of my kids wants a truck so I can build one...

[gringoloco]

‘Nother little project, speaking of under hood. Got rid of the Holley logo on the intake runner using a half-round, some 80 grit to smooth out the scratches, then 40 grit and a body hammer to recreate the as-cast look. Hoping it all but disappears once primed/painted. There will still be logos remaining on the Holley fuel rails and the Wilwood master cylinder cover; will see if they bother me bad enough to do something about it.