Shucks First Build

[Shucks]

Hey guys, this is my first truck build/restoration. I'm just a 17 year old kid who wants to be proud of something that hes built. The truck body will be mostly at home work and the motor will be a project in my auto tech class in school, mainly because my teacher knows a motor inside and out and my dad really never got too into that stuff. So, since that I am 17 and may not do things right, hell or even get it done, I still came here so I can get some input from you fellas!
Heres what I got goin on...
The truck was free, its a 1979 Chevy 2wd reg cab Stepside with 75,000 original miles with no motor and transmission. The truck is a 2 owner pickup and sat for a long time. But this truck will get me experience with all the bushings, cab mounts, welding panels, motor and trans installation which I already know the basics... just about everything I want to know.








Todays first process.


Hopefully sandblast the frame before it gets too chilly. If you wonder why I'm starting the frame clean up now, its because I dont have a motor and tranny to work around, so Ill clean the frame in sections, rear first, then the front last. I really want to take the cab off but I'm not sure how to without a cherry picker..

My free 1978 4 bolt 350 and free motor stand. Motor runs but needs rebuilt, Main bearings are probably shot. Its my school project.

Also came with free shorties!

I know I have a handful of stuff to do and its gonna be a slow process. I have a good paying job at John Deere so I dont plan on running out of cash, unless I get fired and Im trying to stop chasing girls around so I dont have to pay for movie tickets
So far I havent payed for anything! So I cant complain too much at this point...

[muffintop]

going to drop or raise the truck?

[Shucks]

Here's how I want my stance.

[StarDust]

Originally Posted by Shucks

Here's how I want my stance.

im guessing a 3/5 drop?
edit:4/6 lol

[TheBlueBomber]

Sweet truck man. Got to love '79s. Almost done preparing for my motor build. Should be ready to yank it out in the next 1-2 weeks.

[Shucks]

The 4/6 stance is what I'm looking at! Haven't gotten too serious on my search yet, still looking for the right one, All I know is, I just want to go as low as I can without having to run bags. Cant afford those...

[StarDust]

Originally Posted by Shucks

The 4/6 stance is what I'm looking at! Haven't gotten too serious on my search yet, still looking for the right one, All I know is, I just want to go as low as I can without having to run bags. Cant afford those...

you can go as low as you want without bags just that you wont be able get back up there's a guy in houston 7/10 with no bags lol
i second the 4/6 though nice stance

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by StarDust

there's a guy in houston 7/10 with no bags

That is insane...

[Shucks]

Well I started the tear down in class today. So far everything looks pretty decent. Teacher was impressed that this motor was free for how clean it is...

Not too bad, the crap sitting inside came from the intake when I pulled it off.

Rockers dont look too nasty.

This is basically the only 2 pistons covered in carbon, its been burning some oil.



Cylinders are actually pretty good, the ones covered in carbon have smooth walls also.
Don't mind the coolant coming from the holes, I flipped it over just a little to fast and didn't realize there was still coolant in the motor, the oil was drained so I figured the guy I bought it from got that out as well.. Oh well, I'm just too anxious to get it done...
Now, the washer/bearing thing not sure what its called, that sits between the nut and the rocker would get stuck about 3/4 of the way up the stud. This happened to 2 of the rockers and they both were the ones that were on top of the carbon covered piston. Does that mean anything at all?

[77ChevySharkBite]

Got a sweet looking project there man going to look sharp!! Good luck!!

[Shucks]

So today I learned why the motor was free...
Started tearing into the block.

My 3rd cylinder had a spun bearing.



This is why I hate that its winter and I dont have a place to work on the truck. Its already dark by the time I head home...

Anyway.. I'm probably getting a new crank just because it cut so deep. Anyone have a recommended cheap and solid crank?

[nekkidhillbilly]

no but..............i figured that speedo would be at higher number than that lol. you should paint like it is when you get done.

[truckfan]

another local will lurk

[Shucks]

Tiny update
Block is now bare and fresh from the washer... Going to the machine shop Monday for new cam bearings, rods and a head job.


My poor sandblasting job with the schools blaster. My frame will turn out better...


hopefully invest in some billet pulleys in the future. This'll do for now!
And this is basically as much work as I can do out in this insanely cold weather, and I even dressed like poor Randy on The Christmas Story

[TheBlueBomber]

Yall get hit by that winter storm weather? By the time it hit the east coast, all the excitement was virginia and up. Getting work done on my '79

[Shucks]

Well it was intended to hit us but just disappeared when it got to my city... A lot of Kansas got hit but not me.
Your 79 is looking good, I peak into that build every now and then.

[TheBlueBomber]

Thanks, Its going to get interesting here soon. Can't wait to see the route your going with this one. Love stepsides.

[aggie91]

First of all, your truck looks like a good starting point for you. It will be a great learning experience for you and something that you will enjoy and hat at the same time. LOL.

Originally Posted by Shucks

...Now, the washer/bearing thing not sure what its called, that sits between the nut and the rocker would get stuck about 3/4 of the way up the stud. This happened to 2 of the rockers and they both were the ones that were on top of the carbon covered piston. Does that mean anything at all?

Most likely it really only means that those 2 cylinders where using oil and it was just some build up on the threads/stud that kept the pivot ball from coming off easily. I had a few before that needed a little effort to get off, but no real damage to the engine.


Enjoy it! I'm guessing your a Junior in HS, so do you plan to have it "finished" for your Senior Year?

[Shucks]

I got the rockers off, just sanded a tad on the studs, just to get the crap off.

I'm a junior correct, I'd love to have it driving and have a decent look to it by my senior year. But I kinda ran across some crappy news at the machine shop today...
Heads are cracked, both in the same spot. The block is okay just needs bored to a 355. But the whole machining process kinda blew my wallet to pieces.
$715 machine cost. Didn't expect the cost to be that high.
Is it worth it? Or should I be going a different route on a motor?

[TheBlueBomber]

How much are you trying to spend on this motor? I'm assuming youll want to do a mild build so you can get it running for next year? I'm trying to keep my 305 build at 1k-1500 bucks. I'd try to get some junkyard heads in good condition if you can. Getting new heads will cost more $$

[Shucks]

I have 1200 set aside. But I'm not sure how I can keep that budget... I already bought a $180 crank and bearings. I need new pistons and rings/ freeze plugs/ camshaft and heads. I got a free single plane Edelbrock Torker II intake and a brand new free starter yesterday too... kinda a plus on my downfall right now.
Still, should I go back to the machine shop tomorrow with 700? Or would it be smarter to just find a new motor? I want to build the motor is the problem right now. I want to learn this stuff.

[TheBlueBomber]

Either way, a used motor is going to need machining if you want to know 100% its reliable. You can get a rebuilt motor from a shop for about $850-$950 with a core but it takes all the fun out of it. Here, heads cost around $150 for both to be machined not including the price to buy.

For my situation, If my block is so scored that it cant be just honed out and would have to be bored im going to look for another motor. I want to keep the same pistons if I can so I can save money. Once you start boring and having to get new pistons price go up and then your stuck here thinking "I might as well just build it like crazy since im going this far" and then at the blink of an eye you have $3500 in a build.

Just keep asking yourself what your trying to do with this motor and build accordingly.

[TheBlueBomber]

You can shoot me a pm anytime if you need help or have questions

[Shucks]

I decided to go ahead and do the $700 considering that I have gotten a lot for free, this I feel would even itself out, like you said Bomber, even if I had gotten a completed motor I'd still tear it down to check and see and probably end up spending more money. I could even get a new motor but I wouldn't have my performance camshaft or intakes and all the goodies so my budget will probably rise but I'll work over the winter for the truck body parts that way I can get my butt outside in the warmer temperatures and get something done on the truck and be inside working on a motor during the winter.

[Jake Wade]

Is that $700 just for cleaning, bore, cam bearings and freeze plug installation?

That is too much.

Now if that includes Pistons, Rod rework and pistons hung on rods...not bad.