New project ( 78 C10 )

[bustin dailey]

I've been wanting a squarebody Chevy for a long time. And after SEMA this past year, I couldn't wait any longer.

I found a 78 that was purchased brand new at my dealership ( W-K Chevrolet ) back in 78. In the late 90's it was completely restored with all new GM sheetmetal. Just a short time after the restoration, it was tucked away in a friends shop ( Around 2002 ). It hasn't moved since then.



I've got a little work to do, but the body/paint are both perfect, and there isn't a lick of rust anywhere on or underneath the truck.

I need to replace the interior, I think I'll be getting all of that from LMC. I'm thinking buckskin for doors, dash, and carpet. I've sourced a set of OEM backet seats in buckskin with a center console that would have come in the truck back in 78. That's the plan on the interior.

Truck comes with the original 350, which needs some work. I'll keep that in a bag in the shop for some time, since I already have a fresh 327 with a hydraulic RV cam that I'll be using for now.

The brakes will all need to be replaced, which I will do at the same time I install the 5/7 drop and 15x8 rally wheels. :-)

I'm saving the LS swap for when I do a proper dropmember and coil over suspension someday. For now I want it running and driving, and LOW LOW LOW, with nice new interior.

Wish me luck!

[bustin dailey]

[BShort]

Great find! Can't wait to see your progress.

[68post]

Great start ! Welcome to the club.

[bustin dailey]

Thanks, fellas. I've got a lot of work to do, but I'm a couple years ahead on the project from the start with the body and paint being finished already!

[natedogg]

Your mirror is turned sideways.

[bustin dailey]

Originally Posted by natedogg

Your mirror is turned sideways.

lol I noticed that the other night. It has been corrected!

Also, I've made tons of progress this weekend.



Had my soap bucket and simple green ready to do some heavy detailing under the hood... pulled the hood off to find that it was pretty much spotless under there already. lol guess I'll go ahead and drop the motor in next week at this pace!

[powell72]

Good looking truck!

[Nontwisty396]

Very nice truck!
Helluva find. Looking forward to watching the progress.
I'm interested to see how the interior turns out, I was thinking of the same bucket seat/console swap from bench.

[bustin dailey]

Thanks! I've got my fingers crossed on the buckets bolting right up. If they don't I will take that as a sign that I just need to re cover the bench in a neat tan/grey pattern and enjoy being able to seat 3 people. ( I have kids. Lol )

Originally Posted by Nontwisty396

Very nice truck!
Helluva find. Looking forward to watching the progress.
I'm interested to see how the interior turns out, I was thinking of the same bucket seat/console swap from bench.

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[bustin dailey]

I've got the 1 and 1/4" brakes, so I'm going to go ahead and order the McGaughys 4.5/6 drop and buy replacement rotors and calipers while I am at it. Also some SS brake lines and probably new rear drum hardware.
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[bustin dailey]

Where do you guys get your stock brake components? I want to go ahead and do new calipers pads and rotors in front, and new hardware and shoes on the rear drums this week.

LMC truck?

Oreilly's?

Rock Auto??

Thoughts?

It looks like Rock Auto has a killer selection, but It hasn't asked me if I have HD brakes or not, so I can't really even tell if I'm getting the right part or not as I go through their order process.

[Nontwisty396]

I have used Rock Auto for over a year now. I like that they have more options than most parts houses. And generally the prices are excellent. Even with the shipping charges.
The only time I got the wrong part was when I made a mistake and I ordered the wrong part. (turns out it works on another of my rigs so it's all good)
If you watch when ordering you can get most or all of your parts from the same warehouse and avoid shipping from multiple locations.
If you're doing the calipers, check the hoses too. (I was ASE certified in brakes many moons ago) If they show deep cracks or have been oil soaked, it's cheap insurance to do them while you're in there.

Hope that helps,
again, nice truck!

[bustin dailey]

I ended up going with the SSBC 80mm upgrade and some SS brake lines. It's about the best stoppers I can get and still keep the rally wheels. I'm putting off a rear disc conversion for now, but it is certainly going to happen at some point.