77 K10 Build: The Tank

[semperfidoordie]

A little backstory on the truck and what I know about it. Bought the truck on Saturday for $2600 which seemed high according to some but apparently I lucked out. The PO told me that the truck had a new motor put in a year ago. Well after doing my research it seems to be a crate Edelbrock or GMPP 350 with aluminum heads, edelbrock intake, edelbrock 1400 series carb (electric choke but smoggable) unsure on the model, new distributor, new alternator, new battery and stock manifolds. The motor was replaced at 24622 and the truck now has 27360 on it so less than 3k miles. Truck has non-working AC but the compressor clutch engages and it blows warm air so I think all it needs is a recharge and is already R-134. Someone had put a couple of 6x9 Blaupunkt speakers and a Kicker sub hooked to a Pioneer CD player. Drivetrain/running gear is a SM465 4-speed, NP205, Warn selectable hubs, 15" rally wheels, worn out 33x12.50r15 Remington Mud Brutes and a 6" Pro Comp lift, only thing I couldn't find out and wasn't on the glovebox tag is gear ratio and since the tach doesn't work no way to guess at the moment.

The list of what needs fixed/I want to upgrade:

Interior:
New dash trim
Get speedometer to stop bouncing
Get tach working
Solve the fuel gauge not working/working and giving inaccurate readings
New carpet
New door panels
Seat cover or reupholster
Cargo light cover
Cool shift knob (lol)

Exterior:
Get it plasti-dipped or painted (open to color suggestions)
New tires (won't see the freeway just a run around/muddin and fun truck so probably something meaty like TSL radials or Irok radials)
Get hood aligned
HID or similiar headlights
LED or bright tailights/running lights
New shocks

Motor:
Xtreme 4x4 cam or similar low end torque cam with a little lope to the idle
Delete all the smog crap
Headers
Exhaust (don't know what size) that comes out in front of the rear tires at 45* angles
Edelbrock air cleaner


Any advice or help is appreciated. I haven't had an older truck or gas vehicle in a few years so I'm rusty to say the least. Ultimate outcome is a badass daily driver that will see a good amount of desert playing and then mud truck fun when I get back to Alaska or up into the mountains out here.

[semperfidoordie]

Well the easy AC fix didn't work...tried filling the system with freon but it is losing pressure so I wasted $75 on that. Can't seem to find a leak the only odd thing I can seem to find is that the compressor clutch kicks on and off randomly while the AC is running. On a better note I did get the Edelbrock air cleaner and breather cap on and got the oil changed. I also cleaned the inside out a bit and threw a Mossy Oak seat cover on.

[JAA]

Sounds like it is going to be a cool rig when you finish with it.

Not doubting your info (more so for my own curiousity) does it really have a 6" lift and 33's? It doesn't appear to stand over those tires by that much. Like maybe it is a 4" lift, either that or those mud brutes run big!

[semperfidoordie]

Oh...maybe it's a 4" lift...just going off what the PO said. Has Pro Comp shocks on it so I don't know..but I did measure and the lift blocks in the rear are roughly 4"

[Car'n'Guitars]

Cool truck, I like the "bigger" trucks on this forum.

[JAA]

Originally Posted by semperfidoordie

Oh...maybe it's a 4" lift...just going off what the PO said. Has Pro Comp shocks on it so I don't know..but I did measure and the lift blocks in the rear are roughly 4"

Cool. I like the stance. You going with 33's again when you get new ones?

[semperfidoordie]

Well the motor/truck isn't at all what was told in the sale...lesson to all check casting numbers before hand. So turns out the block casting number is 460778 a 2-bolt main 305 and the heads aren't aluminum they are painted aluminized (magnet proved that) and their casting number is 3998993 76cc heads...totally bummed out now maybe a BBC is in the works then...as for the tires I will probably go with some 36s and if necessary bushwacker cut outs....ultimately if something seems to good to be true it is. And do your homework strongly before purchasing a truck off CL as the PO wasn't the one that had the motor replaced so I doubt he knew what was in it either. He more than likely just assumed it was a 350 since most of these trucks have 350s....****ty ****ty deal but it runs and will get me from Point A to Point B so I guess I can't complain.

[semperfidoordie]

So if anyone has a LS motor, BBC or something of the like for sale let me know

[semperfidoordie]

Well that search ended quick...talking with my neighbor he has a complete running 454 that he'll sell me for $400. Completely stock motor with 049 heads. Plan on cam, headers, intake, carb, valve springs and lifters. Any advice as to what setup to run?

[semperfidoordie]

Got the 454 today...plan on getting her cleaned up and parts list shall follow. A little history it is a 73 454 with 049 heads out of a 30' motorhome.

[pugraham]

looking good, can't wait to the see how it goes

[semperfidoordie]

Thanks! Plan on heading out and grabbing some el cheapo oven cleaner when the store opens and a scraper and getting to work.

[semperfidoordie]

Well wasn't able to use my buddy's pressure washer today so it was all manual labor. Got it cleaned up a bit with Purple Power, a scraper and some canned air lol. Pulled the mangled fan and that's about it. Just lots of cleaning...trying to work on it little by little I will post progress pics tomorrow.

[semperfidoordie]

Plan for the motor is:

Crane 272 duration .515 lift cam/lifters
Holley 670 vacuum secondary or 650 double pumper (haven't decided)
Weiand stealth dual plane
cloyes true roller timing set
Long tube headers
Some sort of exhaust not sure what diameter

Let me know what you think. I think it will be a nasty combo that should be fun on the street and offroad with some decent down low grunt.

[semperfidoordie]

Really surprised no one has been replying...I am now trying to chase down my fuel gauge issue. The problem is when the tank is somewhat full say over a quarter tank the gauge reads at the quarter mark and then when tank is anywhere around or below that it just reads empty. This is the case on both tanks...and the selector switch to go back and forth works just the gauge doesn't read right...any ideas?

[Dieselholic92]

So it must be a tall deck truck motor then since it came from a motor home?

[semperfidoordie]

I'm not sure. How do I tell? Sorry I'm fairly new to gas motors...only dealt with diesels for the past few years.

[msgross]

nice project... 454 will be pretty mean...

mind if we move this to the 4x4 build section?

with fuel tank issues i'd start with looking at the grounds, then the gauge, then the sending units in the tank...

[semperfidoordie]

No sir that would be much appreciated so it will get a little more traffic. I will definitely start with the grounds. The truck was not treated as nicely as it should have been by the PO I'm finding. Pretty excited to get the project rolling too. Thanks msgross!

[semperfidoordie]

Finally got her on a motor stand today. Power washing will be happening this weekend. Also got a package from my buddy that has nice chromed valve covers and a Torker 2 intake I will be selling. Plus she's now registered back in the great state of AK! And officially Big Nasty 3!

[semperfidoordie]

Well oven cleaner from the 99 cent store did the trick....going to rattle can the motor tomorrow and start ordering parts. Still undecided on carb...but the rest of the build is 60201 Lunati cam and lifters, true roller timing set, weiand stealth intake, some headers and exhaust. Other than that stock 454 with a 4 speed and 3.73s...I was thinking a 750 Double Pumper or a 770 Vac Sec and that's what Holley recommends but a buddy says run a 670 VS or 650 DP...what do you all think?

[semperfidoordie]

Got the manifolds pulled and picked up some Chevy orange and black rattle cans. Fixed an existing exhaust leak and that's about it for tonight. Going to order parts tonight or tomorrow
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[semperfidoordie]

Well super excited...the parts order is in and is as follows:

750cfm vacuum secondaries Holley
Dual feed line kit with pressure gauge
Weiand Stealth intake with all assoc. gaskets
1-3/4" headers with 3" collectors
BBC flywheel
Freeze plug kit
Complete gasket kit for the motor
Lunati 60201 cam with lifters (256/262 Dur; .515/.530 lift)
True double roller timing set with gaskets

Only thing I need off the top of my head is an actual exhaust; wanting to do side exit in front of the rear tires can't find any company that makes them.

[semperfidoordie]

I'm no Picasso but slapped the first coat of Chevy Orange on it tonight..don't worry bout those valve covers it has chrome finned ones going on it. It'll get at least another coat or two and the pulley's are getting painted gloss black. Nothing spectacular or out of this world but good enough for me!

[msgross]

you're a busy guy...