85 K10 Build

[85square]

I contemplated going ls or building an old sbc. I had a complete 350 in the garage and a 400 small block in pieces. I decided to go with the 400 just because I feel like you don’t see as many of them as you do a 350, and there’s no replacement for displacement. So I started ordering parts. Everything is new except for the block. Balanced eagle rotating assembly, Aluminum brodix heads, etc. Brought it to my machinist and had it decked, bored .30 and honed making it a 406.

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by 85square

I contemplated going ls or building an old sbc. I had a complete 350 in the garage and a 400 small block in pieces. I decided to go with the 400 just because I feel like you don’t see as many of them as you do a 350, and there’s no replacement for displacement. So I started ordering parts. Everything is new except for the block. Balanced eagle rotating assembly, Aluminum brodix heads, etc. Brought it to my machinist and had it decked, bored .30 and honed making it a 406.

You will like that a lot.
There is something about a 400 sbc that cant be explained.
I have had one in a previous truck.
Best throttle response EVER

[85square]

Engine assembly

[85square]

Down the road I’d like to install a Holley sniper efi system instead of a carb, but for now I went with a demon 750.

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by 85square

Down the road I’d like to install a Holley sniper efi system instead of a carb, but for now I went with a demon 750.

.

[85square]

Engine/trans set in. I run an sm465 but would like to run an nv4500 eventually if I can find one. The 4 speed can be fun but isn’t ideal.

[85square]

I needed a way to be able to start and stop the engine for break in so I took the wiring harness And steering column from my truck and hooked everything needed to the engine. This worked very well and wasn’t a big deal because I was swapping all of that stuff over to my other cab anyway.

Got it fired up, broke in, then changed the oil.

[LT7A]

Originally Posted by 85square

Got it fired up, broke in, then changed the oil.

That's a nice engine run stand you've got there.

[85square]

New McLeod clutch installed.

[85square]

The cab I’m using is not perfect. It has its fair share of rust but is in pretty good shape for New York, and I got a good deal on it. As you can tell, I’ve been building this truck on the side of my garage. The days are getting shorter and pretty soon the temperature will start dropping, so for this year I’m going to get it running and driving, then next year I will do the body work and paint.

I took everything off of the firewall, cleaned it up and painted it before putting it on.

My frame is somewhere between 73-80 and the body is 81-87 so I had to make up some body mounts to go with my new poly bushings.

[Greenlee]

Nice work!

[Bigblueburban]

Looking good, the motor looks fantastic. I have an 85 k15 I got that is in need of freshening up. Nice to see some more updates. Keep it up!

[85square]

Got kind of sidetracked from posting. Here’s when I put the fenders on. The fenders I had on my truck were not in the best shape and I couldn’t find any oem rust free ones anywhere around me so I had to get aftermarket ones. I’m actually pleased with them, they fit pretty well.

[85square]

Swapped the doors over. The red doors are power and in better shape. This truck has quite a few different colors.

[85square]

Engine bay

[85square]

Took the maiden voyage into my back yard where I had the bed stored.

[85square]

And here’s where I’m at today. Definitely a lot more I want to do but I got it where I wanted to before winter. I’ve been driving it a couple times a week and enjoying it. We spent a lot of time tuning it and still have some more kinks to work out with the carb but it’s getting there. Since I took these pictures I put the front driveshaft in and put the interior all back together. If I think about it I’ll take a picture of my interior.

I’ve already got a list started of things I want to do next spring. I can’t quite decide on what color to paint it but I’ve got all winter to think about that. I’m undecided on wheels and tires too. I want a wider tire, either 14 or 14.5” wide, I just can’t decide between 33” or 35”. I might get a little hate on this but I’m pretty set on boggers. It’s not going to be a daily driver or go on long trips so they won’t wear too quick. I’d like to find an old set of 16.5x12 weld wheels too, but they’ve become extremely popular lately.

[85square]

Going back and reading the beginning of this thread i started when i was in college, i really can't believe the transformation this truck went through. Its a good feeling making a vision i had back in high school become a reality.

[70inbville]

hello, I have been thru your posts several times and enjoyed your work! Glad to see a sbc and granny four still in use what year truck did your wheels come from? keep up the great work

[85square]

Originally Posted by 70inbville

hello, I have been thru your posts several times and enjoyed your work! Glad to see a sbc and granny four still in use what year truck did your wheels come from? keep up the great work

Thank you, the wheels are off of a 2005 2500hd. They came on 2500/3500 GMs from the early 2000s to 2008 or so.

[85square]

It really sucks not having a big enough garage to work in. My truck is in storage for the winter and its killing me not being able to work on it. Still trying to decide on paint. I never imagined it would be this hard to settle on a color! I think I'm going to swap out the lift block in the back for one a bit smaller. It has a little more rake to it than i was anticipating.

[Getter-Done]

I understand about the workspace

I am still watching your build

Great Job

The rear needs to be 2 inches lower than the front.
No (More no Less) In my Opinion










.

[85square]

If anyone has a good set of weld wheels either 16x12 or 16.5x12 in 8x6.5 i would be interested in them!!

[85square]

The truck is in winter storage now and I'm thinking about what i want to do next. Last summer i pretty much spent getting the carb dialed in and just driving the truck. Body work and paint is about all thats left, but I've been enjoying it just the way it is. I put 35x14.50 boggers on it and couldn't be happier with the stance it sits at now. We also took it to the Adirondack Nationals in Lake George this past year, that was a really good time. Heres a few updated pictures.

[85square]

I'm itching to get the truck out of winter storage to get back to work on it. I need to buy a set of 1" zero rates for the front. The truck has a little too much rake as it sits now for my liking.