C10CJ: A Pro-touring '71 Stepside on a No Limit Pro-C10 Chassis

[1971_c10]

Ok all ... The electrical system is FINISHED! and TESTED!

It's been a long time since these gauges saw power. I've got all the circuits I can test before running the engine tested. I've intentionally had the fuel pump disconnected as there is no fuel in the tank and the pump would not like that.



Need to figure out where these two are going to go. That little Dakota Digital Heater/AC control is going to be awesome. Just set a temp and it adjusts the unit to maintain that temp.


Soon ... that tach will say something other than 0 RPM.


Priming the LS ... yep, it can be done. I followed some directions here loosely, and did not put a hose on the oil pan. That was why their system didn't work as it restricted the flow too much. They also used too large of a bucket so the oil pickup would come uncovered. My mods:
-3 gallon bucket
-No return tubes, just a funnel under the oil pan to catch the oil and return to the bucket
-Total cost, about $60.

The SBC oil pump is perfect. Why? because a 1/4" NPT taps goes right in to the pump output without any drilling. Seriously, I put the pump in a vise and tapped away. It was harder to install the pickup tube.

Oh, and boy was that fun at the autoparts store getting the SBC oil pump. I walked in, there were 3 of them, a younger one helped me (let's say early 20s):
Clerk:How can I help you?
Me: I need a SBC oil pump.
Clerk: What year vehicle?
Me: (holding a straight face) A 2017 Home Depot 3 gallon bucket
Clerk: (just stared at me)
The others: one started laughing, the other was dumbfounded
Me: (I finally smiled)
Clerk: Ok, seriously...
Me: I was being serious.
Clerk: (finally started laughing)
Me: It's a priming bucket for an LS
Clerk: I gotcha
Me: Let's just go with a 1972 Chevy 1/2 ton van with a 350

I'll say, this thing works great so far. I was getting around 40 psi of oil pressure as measured through the gauge/ECU. LS engines are actually a bear to prime. They can take over 15 minutes of constant priming and manual crank rotation to get all the circuits primed. Hence why many guys just pull the plugs and roll it over until they get pressure. I'm old school I guess.


The bucket just feeds right in to the plug on the driver side of the block at the oil pump.


Oh, and I did roll this thing over briefly when I checked the starter. Um, it's like a dragon stuck in a cave fighting to get out. I mean, it hit hard. I could feel EVERY.SINGLE.COMPRESSION.STROKE. Three to be exact. I don't know if my 10 yr old yellow top Optima is going to like this one.

[1971_c10]

Originally Posted by nuke1

Chris, gotta love how wiring can be so time consuming hey, I try to tell customers that is is the worst job on the entire vehicle, so tedious and time consuming just to make it all look great, hidden and accessible at the same time. Love it btw!!!!

Thanks again! Yes Sir! You know it!

[67cheby]

very cool build, nice work on all the details!

[1971_c10]

Originally Posted by 67cheby

very cool build, nice work on all the details!

Thank you sir! Much respect for you and your builds!

[aggie91]

Just finished checking out your build thread. Great job. Thanks for sharing the info on the PDM's. Looking back, I wish I would have done it with the parts you used. I did a quick and dirty set up that works, but just does not look as clean. I might have to redo it some day when I decide that looks are important...lol.

[1971_c10]

Originally Posted by aggie91

Just finished checking out your build thread. Great job. Thanks for sharing the info on the PDM's. Looking back, I wish I would have done it with the parts you used. I did a quick and dirty set up that works, but just does not look as clean. I might have to redo it some day when I decide that looks are important...lol.

Thanks Karl! An old quote (not mine) from back in the day seems fitting ... "Looks don't make it go and paint just make it slow" -on some dudes drag car back in the '90s at Bandimere Speedway in CO.

[1971_c10]

C10CJ is ALIVE!!!!

That Don Hardy Stroked LS fired right up the 1st try!

A major milestone for the truck.

Now setting the sites on the LMC C10 Nationals in May. Who wants to join me?

C10CJ 1st Fire Up - YouTube

[jus2qwk]

coreyjonesdesigns sells panels that go in place of the factory heater controls that fit that heater control

[Ramjet51]

Originally Posted by 1971_c10

C10CJ is ALIVE!!!!

That Don Hardy Stroked LS fired right up the 1st try!

A major milestone for the truck.

Now setting the sites on the LMC C10 Nationals in May. Who wants to join me?

C10CJ 1st Fire Up - YouTube

Fan-damn-tastic Chris!!! You had to be just trembling when that happened! This is one prime truck and we appreciate all the great information, I wish you speed in making that May date....you’re giving me ideas for a trip! Received my Waytek order the other day.....going to be fun! Thanks a million...

[gringoloco]

Beastly, congrats!

[1971_c10]

Originally Posted by jus2qwk

coreyjonesdesigns sells panels that go in place of the factory heater controls that fit that heater control

Thanks for the info! To be honest, I haven't decided where to put it as I really want it where the ash tray is located. So as part of phase 2, I'll probably (purists cringe) cut out the whole center area and make a new layout that houses a double DIN radio, the AC controller, and then blends down to the console. But that's a few years down the road at this point, but things change and a good buddy now has what he needs to make dies for his pullmax. Hence why I'm dragging my feet some.

I've never dealt with aluminide material. Can it be sanded smooth? I'll definitely keep you in mind though when I get to deciding on something for the near term.

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Beastly, congrats!

Thanks Chris!

[jus2qwk]

thats cool brother. just thought Id pass along some info. yes it can. its super easy to sand.

[1971_c10]

Originally Posted by jus2qwk

thats cool brother. just thought Id pass along some info. yes it can. its super easy to sand.

Thanks again! If I stick to the "stock" location you're at the top of the list for sure!

[1971_c10]

Hey all ... I tossed together a short video on that priming bucket in case you have some interest in seeing a few more details.

LS Oil Prime Bucket - YouTube

[nuke1]

Nice Pro Venoms!!! I am the canadian distributer for their mufflers. The boys are awesome to deal with and work with!!!

[builtbyKane]

Victory

[meenaggie]

Very nice build! Have you thought about making your radiator overflow out of hardline instead of hose? With all the tube bending you have done I think it would look more consistent. And please don't take this as anything but a compliment. I hope to see it in May at LMC C10 Nationals.

[1971_c10]

Originally Posted by nuke1

Nice Pro Venoms!!! I am the canadian distributer for their mufflers. The boys are awesome to deal with and work with!!!

Haha ... nice!

Originally Posted by builtbyKane

Victory

Yes sir! Oh so close to a shake down drive on the streets. Got a few things left to do before then though.

Originally Posted by meenaggie

Very nice build! Have you thought about making your radiator overflow out of hardline instead of hose? With all the tube bending you have done I think it would look more consistent. And please don't take this as anything but a compliment. I hope to see it in May at LMC C10 Nationals.

Thank you! And yes, I have actually thought about making the overflow line from hardline. I'll admit I tossed the rubber line in there so I could get the thing running. So stay tuned, at some point it will go hard line.

So far on track to getting down to C10 Nationals. Real question will be if I can get enough seat time to feel comfortable racing it in the autocross. Next couple months will be interesting!

[gringoloco]

Love it when a plan comes together

[1971_c10]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Love it when a plan comes together

hehehe! Yes Sir!

[BigDaddyV]

Love the amount of detail and awesomeness in this truck! I hope mine turns out half as nice one day. long road still ahead of me.
Killer Truck!

[1971_c10]

Originally Posted by BigDaddyV

Love the amount of detail and awesomeness in this truck! I hope mine turns out half as nice one day. long road still ahead of me.
Killer Truck!

Thanks man! I'll say my short road turned in to a semi-long road, but I also had some "scope creep" along the way. Keep your focus and your truck will turn out just fine.


---------------------

I got some further run time on the engine today, actually got it warm enough to find out I thought I had flipped closed loop off but didn't. O2 sensors don't read well with no exhaust, well, it's really they are only 2 inches from the exit so they get washed out and the air/fuel readings are junk. So when the ECU flipped to closed loop when it reached temp, it struggled to put the right fuel in and stalled. Luckily I have enough experience in all this EFI stuff it didn't bother me and I didn't panic. So hopefully I'll get some more run time on it tomorrow. Before that though, I had to fix a few leaks, one which required a new olive/ferrule in a power steering line (that sucked).

In the meantime, more pics.

I can actually take a photo of the engine compartment now, so here it is! Note: the inner wheel tubs will get some further mods / repainted this summer when the weather is more friendly to spray expensive paint. I'm not too thrilled with the A/C lines so those may get hacked whenever I take it to someone to charge the A/C.


Man I love how the stance turned out. I'm so used to seeing the truck with a huge rake that seeing it leveled out still blows my mind.

[Stickman]

Awesome truck, the detail work is incredible.

[builtbyKane]

I can't find anything to dislike on this truck. excellent job.

[1971_c10]

Originally Posted by Stickman

Awesome truck, the detail work is incredible.

Originally Posted by builtbyKane

I can't find anything to dislike on this truck. excellent job.

Thanks guys! Rock on!