Finally "Silvers" build thread!! ('78 swb 2wd silverado)

[LiveAnimals]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Suggestion: If you're opting to rebuild anything on the motor, swap in a stroker crank. It's undetectable by the smog PoPo & w/the right heads, intake, & cam (all smog legal of course), you'll easily surpass the 300hp goal (more like 300+ @ the rear wheels).

I agree, a buddy of mine had a 76 with a roller 383, he ran the smog pump and passed just fine.

[menace121978]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

I started reading this build thread when you first got going but didn't catch-up until yesterday/today (took a bit to get through all the progress). You're moving along @ a great, consistent pace which is the best thing for a frame-off build. The attention to detail is fantastic. The thoroughness while keeping the budget somewhat 'low' makes a build like this much more appealing to the masses (regular guys like me). Nice job!!

Did you physically measure the rear rotors from the BB kit? Are they actually 1.25" x12" like the fronts?

Suggestion: If you're opting to rebuild anything on the motor, swap in a stroker crank. It's undetectable by the smog PoPo & w/the right heads, intake, & cam (all smog legal of course), you'll easily surpass the 300hp goal (more like 300+ @ the rear wheels).

scoti, thank you for the kind words. i'm doing my best to keep everything going in the same direction. this is my 1st build and keeping it somewhat low buck but still fixing everything w/ new stuff is my goal to keep my wife happy and not have to bust into savings..... yet!! i know if this breaks the bank i wont be allowed to do another. (2wd K5) doing everything "right" and the details are whats going to make this truck "seem" like a high dollar build! i'm having a lot of fun!! as for the brakes i measured a hair under 11 5/8" diameter and a hair over 1 1/4" thick.
we'll see about the crank. i'll need to bust into the bottom end and get new rods and stuff and i've never dealt w/ that before besides high school auto. so i'll start looking into it. thanks again!!!

Originally Posted by tvblazer78

Looks super man, the brakes look better then mine.

thanks trav, yours are the one i copied from!

Originally Posted by LiveAnimals

I agree, a buddy of mine had a 76 with a roller 383, he ran the smog pump and passed just fine.

thanks animal, we'll have to talk.

[3r!c84]

im liking the hole black and sliver thing going on

[menace121978]

got the passenger side rear brakes done today and started sandblasting the driver side gas tank brackets. got one done and ran outta sand. need to go buy a double flare tool and pick up more sand. gas tank sending unit sock/filter should have been here by now and still waiting for the anti-squeek kit so i can get the tanks on.

[SCOTI]

You can use the same rods for the stroker combo (383). It will typically want different pistons though.

[JohnC]

Yeah my gas tank is still sitting in the floor.

[GMC Guy]

really nice build you have going on here. i love the black chassis with silver accents can't wait to see it all done!

i'm curious about what equipment you're using for sand blasting? the parts really come out nice and i would love to be able to do the same

[menace121978]

Originally Posted by GMC Guy

really nice build you have going on here. i love the black chassis with silver accents can't wait to see it all done!

i'm curious about what equipment you're using for sand blasting? the parts really come out nice and i would love to be able to do the same

thanks man! as for the blasting im using a 6.5 hp 80 gallon mac tools air compressor. and a 5 gallon bucket w/ 30 grit sand from lowes. and a cambell hausfeld siphon feed gun. i recommend a sandblast pot rather than the bucket if your compressor isnt putting out at least 18cfm@ 120psi. the key is the compressor($$)... bigger is always better! and dont use play sand pay the extra for the good stuff so the gun doesnt clog and the finish is consistant. good luck man, some/most people hate it but i have learned to love it. beats the heck out of wire wheels and sand paper.

[menace121978]

another small but time consuming update
1st few are kinda random...
got the gas tanks on



just about finished w/ 1 of the mags and put it on. what a pain getting the nicks and dings out of this sucker. its not perfect yet but its going to have to do until i atleast get the others looking the same.

heres the time consuming part... brake lines reflared, sanded, painted, and bent to my liking along with the fuel lines.

i ran all the fuel lines through the frame for a cleaner look...

[menace121978]

this is the line from the sending unit that goes to the canister. i ran it inside the driverside frame instead of on the outside. looks a bit cleaner w/ everything on the inside of the frame [


this last one is of the gas tank brackets after sandblasting just to show people how clean the metal looks after.

[joe231]

Nice work!!

that is one sexy frame!

[JohnC]

Looks awesome man!!!!

[nlped]

Wow, just read this whole thing and I must say that it looks GREAT! You are making great progress too. Keep it up.

[menace121978]

the frame is upside down in those pics and the frame is bent like that from the factory for the big cat. converters they used to use i think. i have checked under alot of trucks and they are all the same. (i was worried too!)

[nlped]

Cool! I just wondered. It does look great though!

[ndametz32]

Everything is looking awesome man!

[menace121978]

hey, thanks a ton guys!

next is front rotors, bearings, seals, calipers, bolts, pads, rubber hoses, prop. valve and the brakes will be done. (of course after a few hours of sanding and grinding!) then front shocks and steering gear box. then she'll be back to a rolling chassis again. (after i finish polishing and sanding the slots)

good times!!!!!!

[bigbadjohn84]

SWEEEET!!! man that looks great! did you use a factory switcher for the dual tanks or what? on my 83, it has been sitting for a loooooong time and I was thinking of replacing it. just curious to see what others use in that dept.

[LiveAnimals]

Welcome Back from the well needed vaca

[menace121978]

Originally Posted by bigbadjohn84

SWEEEET!!! man that looks great! did you use a factory switcher for the dual tanks or what? on my 83, it has been sitting for a loooooong time and I was thinking of replacing it. just curious to see what others use in that dept.

i just took my orig. one to napa and they matched up with (i think) a universal one. thanks for the compliments!!

Originally Posted by LiveAnimals

Welcome Back from the well needed vaca

hey animal!! thanks man... been off work for a knee surgery since june. i think the doc is going to send me back to work next week. so its back to reality. had a great time in fort bragg and the goat was a monster on hwy 20! couldnt find his limits!

we need to have a get together sometime soon!!

[LiveAnimals]

Sounds good Dennis

[menace121978]

boy is it hot out there! today i bought napa premium front rotors, loaded calipers w/ new pins, brake hoses, spindle hub nut kits, bearings, seals, and dust covers. (not sure if the dust covers are going to fit.) the calipers and rotors are going to match the rears real nice once i test fit and grind them (calipers) down smooth. i got one rotor painted today and one brake hose on. i'll post pics later tonight. need to get them all together so i can see if i need to grind anything down to get the slots to fit w/ the drop spindles.

all i need now is new prop valve, steering gear box and front shocks. and this baby will be ready to roll down the driveway!

[JohnC]

Awesome man!

[80chevyshortbox]

man thats sweet. it looks so good. i cant wate tell its on all 4s agen its gona looks so awsome also the rims are looking amazing they really shine now.

[menace121978]

thanks guys!

actually i have been working on that same rim some more (everytime i go out to smoke in the mornings with lots of ) and its "almost" flawless. the 1st pic was pretty forgiving there were alot of scuff and scratch marks from the die grinder but they have been coming out w/ mothers and 600grit and then 1000g and then 1500g. the mothers mag polish is the key ingredient. only 3 to go LOL