Better late then never. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Irish's_79_Step · 02-16-2010, 07:19 PM

Well i've just joined this group and i've already set up to make a purchase from an existing member so i figured my title appropriate.

My name's Charlie (Irish) 23, just getting into Trucks. Had a 92 Camaro RS for about 3 years didnt do much with it, Picked up this 79 SWB Stepside from a buddy and just loved driving it. so camaro was out,... to the junk yard. yay 50 bucks.

I was going to fix the bed and cab which were rusted out pretty much but thats my purchase, along with a frame. So i should have some more pictures next week.

Oh and i have a sbc 400 4 bolt to put in it. I know the horror stories but i want something different and its in my price range. and i want semi decent gas. i'll build up the 350 i have in it for the real fun later.

jayman68 · 02-17-2010, 02:34 AM

Welcome from NW Washington. If it wasn't for rust we would not have anything to do. Enjoy your stay. Btw the 400 is a good engine if you treat it right. That is what I have in my project.

Irish's_79_Step · 02-17-2010, 06:57 PM

That is the one area i'm going to need a lot of help with. i know nothing of what to get for it. (the 400) can i ask you what you did? like the setup maybe a little simpler then normal. I'm learning here.

justpball · 02-18-2010, 12:10 PM

nice pick up!

Driveway Dreams · 02-18-2010, 01:31 PM

Welcome aboard! Nice looking start. You find out soon, if you havent yet, that this place is AWESOME! But it can be very addicting.

jayman68 · 02-18-2010, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irish's_79_Step

That is the one area i'm going to need a lot of help with. i know nothing of what to get for it. (the 400) can i ask you what you did? like the setup maybe a little simpler then normal. I'm learning here.

My engine is completely stock from an RV. So the cam is set up for RV use, I don't know the horse power it is producing. Also I have not driven the truck since I rebuilt the engine about 10 years ago. I'm not 100% sure of all the issues involved in the 400, but I do know they can have heating issues if you change the heads. The cylinder walls touch between cylinders, so the heads have extra(or bigger) holes for better flow. Right now I have a TH350 trans attached, But I have an '87 700R4 to put in.

jayman68 · 02-18-2010, 04:14 PM

On the setup I hav a '78 Front cross member and suspension. I used the engine mounts from the '78 also, and cut the top down to match the frame height. I think that they are holding the engine too high, so I am going to try something else. Your truck is newer than mine, its a '68. So the engine mounts probable are not an issue for you. Was there any specific question you have?

Irish's_79_Step · 02-18-2010, 10:32 PM

the holes are extra. is what i've found out. they are two 1/8" holes inbetween the cylinders to help with cooling. only found on the 400's. so when people switched the heads from a 350 they'd cover the holes and cause problems. can be fixed with a drill from what i understand. i want to build this into a pretty quick truck, to compete with my buddy's swb with a 454. but all natural. no supercharger or bottle. any tips would be greatly appreciated. pretty much have a sbc 400 block. all internals i have will be replaced. (they are stock). 73 4 bolt block.

Irish's_79_Step · 02-18-2010, 10:33 PM

As to the addicting part. i've been on this site since i found it. I like it here i think i'll stay for a while.

02-16-2010, 07:19 PM	#1
Irish's_79_Step Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 122	Better late then never. Well i've just joined this group and i've already set up to make a purchase from an existing member so i figured my title appropriate. My name's Charlie (Irish) 23, just getting into Trucks. Had a 92 Camaro RS for about 3 years didnt do much with it, Picked up this 79 SWB Stepside from a buddy and just loved driving it. so camaro was out,... to the junk yard. yay 50 bucks. I was going to fix the bed and cab which were rusted out pretty much but thats my purchase, along with a frame. So i should have some more pictures next week. Oh and i have a sbc 400 4 bolt to put in it. I know the horror stories but i want something different and its in my price range. and i want semi decent gas. i'll build up the 350 i have in it for the real fun later. Attached Images

02-17-2010, 02:34 AM	#2
jayman68 Fun Stuff Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sedro Woolley, WA Posts: 400	Re: Better late then never. Welcome from NW Washington. If it wasn't for rust we would not have anything to do. Enjoy your stay. Btw the 400 is a good engine if you treat it right. That is what I have in my project. __________________ Jay 68 C10(project) 88 Honda Accord(DD) 93 Chevy Astro EXT 2wd Last edited by jayman68; 02-17-2010 at 03:18 AM.

02-17-2010, 06:57 PM	#3
Irish's_79_Step Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 122	Re: Better late then never. That is the one area i'm going to need a lot of help with. i know nothing of what to get for it. (the 400) can i ask you what you did? like the setup maybe a little simpler then normal. I'm learning here.

02-18-2010, 12:10 PM	#4
justpball Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Silverhill, Al Posts: 2,026	Re: Better late then never. nice pick up! __________________ Fuzzy Dice Club Member 87 Crew SWB Build for the crew http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=430082 http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3232925 90 burb 2wd Build Thread For The Burb! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=383055

02-18-2010, 01:31 PM	#5
Driveway Dreams I have car A.D.D. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greeley, Northern Colorado Posts: 4,147	Re: Better late then never. Welcome aboard! Nice looking start. You find out soon, if you havent yet, that this place is AWESOME! But it can be very addicting. __________________ -Gerald Building vehicles in memory of the first "car guy" I ever knew, my Grandpa. Bob Dunham 1935-2009. Rest in peace. 61 GMC Suburban SOLD The 86 build thread SOLD Are you a Colorado member?Click here.

02-18-2010, 04:14 PM	#7
jayman68 Fun Stuff Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sedro Woolley, WA Posts: 400	Re: Better late then never. On the setup I hav a '78 Front cross member and suspension. I used the engine mounts from the '78 also, and cut the top down to match the frame height. I think that they are holding the engine too high, so I am going to try something else. Your truck is newer than mine, its a '68. So the engine mounts probable are not an issue for you. Was there any specific question you have? __________________ Jay 68 C10(project) 88 Honda Accord(DD) 93 Chevy Astro EXT 2wd

02-18-2010, 10:32 PM	#8
Irish's_79_Step Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 122	Re: Better late then never. the holes are extra. is what i've found out. they are two 1/8" holes inbetween the cylinders to help with cooling. only found on the 400's. so when people switched the heads from a 350 they'd cover the holes and cause problems. can be fixed with a drill from what i understand. i want to build this into a pretty quick truck, to compete with my buddy's swb with a 454. but all natural. no supercharger or bottle. any tips would be greatly appreciated. pretty much have a sbc 400 block. all internals i have will be replaced. (they are stock). 73 4 bolt block.

02-18-2010, 10:33 PM	#9
Irish's_79_Step Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 122	Re: Better late then never. As to the addicting part. i've been on this site since i found it. I like it here i think i'll stay for a while.



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