How to: Ruin a perfectly good C10

[C10_ustacould]

I like this direction, I'd paint the intake orange and the air cleaner lid black too.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

I really like the air cleaner setup. Is that the LT1/Z28 base?

Yes. The only mod was the breather tube @ the bottom of the base. It required tweaking for my app (to clear the TB).

[mcbassin]

Either way Chris, These setups are way sexier than 99% of the LS motors out there in our trucks. Including my own. I dig it either way.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Either way Chris, These setups are way sexier than 99% of the LS motors out there in our trucks. Including my own. I dig it either way.

I have absolutely no problem w/a 'de-cluttered' OE-LS look or a cleaned-up & engineered appearance on the LS platform. That being said, the truck style engine cover is the only one I care for as others appear 'gimmicky' when used in swaps.

[Orange67]

I agree with your Muncie/Hurst/grey spoke idea for the hi-po look. Tough decision, because they both look awesome. You could do like some guys do with wheels, keep both around and switch them out when you get bored with the current look. Keep it up man, you are doing great.

[slowcpe]

I'm starting to really like this look. I've been considering something like your first pic on my '67 but more of a cast/brushed finish for the breather and valve covers.

I also saw on IG where someone painted the engine with script valve covers a fawn color which would match my interior. I thought that might look cool.

[Daryl87]

I've finally made it all the way through this thread so far!

After a long hiatus, I'm just at the point of body re-assembly (inside of cab painted and firewall) and cab ready to be installed on the frame. Unfortunately my rolling chassis was pretty much completed before I got pulled into this build thread otherwise it probably would have influenced a bunch of the choices I made then (3-ish years ago). I'm also going 6.0 LS but with a 6-speed, so am interested in your setup and detailing of the engine.

Thanks gringoloco for all the effort you put into showing and explaining all the great work you are doing on your builds!

[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

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by Daryl87

I've finally made it all the way through this thread so far!

After a long hiatus, I'm just at the point of body re-assembly (inside of cab painted and firewall) and cab ready to be installed on the frame. Unfortunately my rolling chassis was pretty much completed before I got pulled into this build thread otherwise it probably would have influenced a bunch of the choices I made then (3-ish years ago). I'm also going 6.0 LS but with a 6-speed, so am interested in your setup and detailing of the engine.

Thanks gringoloco for all the effort you put into showing and explaining all the great work you are doing on your builds!

Appreciate it, very much. I just hope that my rambling can be helpful or entertaining.

Originally Posted by TA_C10

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

Thanks for the kind words. For the dash, I used aerosol products from SprayMax. Super high quality, professional, 2-part paints in the convenience of a spray can, highly recommend. I also had my local paint store mix up the base coat in a rattle can, so that whole project was “spray paint”.

I did break out the real paint gun today, though (more to come).

[gringoloco]

So, a brief update on the valve covers: I’ve decided to stick with the orange and black theme under the hood. As much as I like the “chrome” look, I’m just not in love with it.

Since I don’t want plain valvecovers, but I also don’t want the leaks that come along with stamped steel stockers, I decided to modify the billet specialties pieces to look more like GM parts.

I used the aluminum brazing rods you see at all the car shows to attach 2” x 1/8” strips to the tops. They still need a bit of body work, but I’m liking the concept. They will get painted orange to match...

[SCOTI]

Interesting. I like this direction.

[gringoloco]

I also placed an order with Rick’s Upholstery in TN. I came up with a door panel design that pays homage to the ‘72 style, but without the bulky plastic feel. While they are building the door panels, they will also be providing a new seat cover to match. I hope to see these items in the next month or so. Finally doing away with the “temporary” horse blankets that have been there for, what 7-8 years now

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Interesting. I like this direction.

Thanks, Scot. It came to me in a dream

[gringoloco]

...and in other news:


Firewall is painted! Layed some HotRodFlatz LeMans blue today and it came out looking pretty good. Not perfect, but as I age, I’m learning to live with that

[gringoloco]

And with the masking removed, still not fully dried, but I couldn’t wait

[rustytruck50]

Looks great Chris...may need to borrow/steal the seat cover design...if not a couple more things....like the old saying goes "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery"

[smbrouss70]

Everything looks fantastic! It's showing all the effort that you put into it. Unfortunately, now I'm going to have to modify my valve covers.

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by rustytruck50

Looks great Chris...may need to borrow/steal the seat cover design...if not a couple more things....like the old saying goes "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery"

I have no copyrights, yet

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

Everything looks fantastic! It's showing all the effort that you put into it. Unfortunately, now I'm going to have to modify my valve covers.

We seem to keep doing this to each other. If it helps you feel any better, every time I see your Blazer I think I need new wheels...

[3757chevy]

I like the door panel plan , can't wait to see it done. Seat looks good . Oh ya, the firewall looks great.

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by 3757chevy

I like the door panel plan , can't wait to see it done. Seat looks good . Oh ya, the firewall looks great.

Thanks a lot. Really looking forward to getting the upholstery installed

Feels good to be finally bolting some things on again. The truck now has 3 pedals! The CapatainFab hydraulic clutch master works nicely, but took a bit more trimming than I had planned for. Still managed not to destroy the freshly painted firewall, so that’s a bonus...

[cornerstone]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

So, a brief update on the valve covers: I’ve decided to stick with the orange and black theme under the hood. As much as I like the “chrome” look, I’m just not in love with it.

Since I don’t want plain valvecovers, but I also don’t want the leaks that come along with stamped steel stockers, I decided to modify the billet specialties pieces to look more like GM parts.

I used the aluminum brazing rods you see at all the car shows to attach 2” x 1/8” strips to the tops. They still need a bit of body work, but I’m liking the concept. They will get painted orange to match...

These creative subtle modifications are why this truck will truly be one of a kind. I can't help but pat myself on my back thinking that I had some influence on your no chrome decision I'm seriously loving your orange and black choice! Chris, you mentioned Rick's Upholstery will be providing a seat cover to match your door panel design. The blue seat cover you posted appears stock to me, is that the one from Rick's?

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by cornerstone

These creative subtle modifications are why this truck will truly be one of a kind. I can't help but pat myself on my back thinking that I had some influence on your no chrome decision I'm seriously loving your orange and black choice! Chris, you mentioned Rick's Upholstery will be providing a seat cover to match your door panel design. The blue seat cover you posted appears stock to me, is that the one from Rick's?

Appreciate the compliments and the influence

The example seat cover pictured above from Rick’s mimics the factory “waterfall” style, yes, but will be patterned to fit my 88-98 bench seat. There will also be French seams around the edges, instead of piping. Just a few subtle changes to modernize the classic, original look. I think I may have just unintentionally established a theme...

[gringoloco]

duplicate...

[timmytimm3]

Love it!

Save the manuals

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by timmytimm3

Love it!

Save the manuals

Thanks, and I agree 100%. I just read a Car and Driver article about the new GT500, and the moment I read “manual transmission not available”, I flipped the page to the next article. Not that I would buy one, but I don’t even wanna read about a paddle shifter