1991 Chevy C1500 RCSB Version: I Have A Problem

[Nick_R_23]

Picked this pile of a truck up the other day for $1200 to keep my other 7 trucks company. 1991 Chevy C1500 RCSB, 350, 700R4. Higher miles and rough around the edges, but has a clean title and isn’t rusted out. I’m just stupid enough to drop several thousand bucks on this nearly 300,000 mile truck and say that it’s a great idea. It definitely isn’t pretty, and I can’t say that it’s a burnout machine because we all know a TBI 350 isn’t worth **** in the power department, so we’re just going to say that this build is some deranged version of fun!



So no screwing around, I dove right in! Cleaned out the local Napa, and bought a 1.25” front brake conversion (calipers, rotors, pads, hoses, bearings, seals), oil change kit, fuel and air filters, new distributor, Iridium plugs, spark plug wires, TBI rebuild kit, thermostat, and new oil pressure sensor and both coolant temp sensors. Also ordered a McGaughy’s 2/4 drop kit with rear shock extensions, and a Summit catback dual exhaust kit, although I’ll probably swap out the muffler for a Magnaflow. Not ordered but planned on are American Racing Torq Thrust D’s in 15x10 with 3.75” BS/+44 Offset, and Cooper Cobra 275/60R15’s. Yes, all four corners!

Engine needs a headgasket but runs okay. Depending on if the block is setup for a roller cam or not, it may or may not get pulled. If it is, it’ll get a full roller cam setup, block decked, honed, flattops, MLS gaskets, and mild head work. If not, a cheap rebuilder gasket kit and run it ‘til I scatter the rods on the Highway.

[TexasLS1]

Cool! No such thing as too many. I like the plans for it so far.

[Nick_R_23]

Thanks!

Bought a Y-pipe and 2 Dynomax Race Bullets to replace the Summit Turbo Muffler in the exhaust kit.

[Nick_R_23]

More parts showed up today!

[Nick_R_23]

Alright, so an actual update on the truck itself. I spent a few days just looking it over and fixing little things to be able to drive it home from Anchorage. This is the few things that were fixed or replaced:

• Replaced bad throttle body gasket
• Replaced bad gauge temp sensor and pigtail
• Found ECU temp sensor completely missing, installed a new one
• Fixed ECU and headlight harness grounds
• Replaced leaking thermostat gasket and sticking thermostat
• Repaired chaffed wires throughout harness
• Replaced missing transmission mount nut
• Repaired multiple brake line fitting leaks
• Replaced damaged TV cable
• Fixed all exterior lights
• Repaired damaged alternator charging wire

I also found some evidence of previous crash damage, which is fairly minor for the most part. The core support is damaged, as is the frame mount on the passenger side. Bumper brackets are bent, but the bumper has been replaced…with one bolt holding it. I’ll find some straight pieces from another frame.

Even after replacing the gauge sensor and pigtail, the temp gauge was still pegged all the time. I picked up another (earlier) cluster to rob the gauges from. I like the ‘finned’ style over the ‘open’ style gauges, I feel like it’s more of an upscale appearance. Swapped the gauges over to the ‘91 unit, and everything works perfect!



New gauges installed in the old cluster



Cluster installed in the truck!



The radio and A/C units were functional, but in pretty bad shape, so I found a cleaner pair to replace them, and also a little bit better radio unit.



New pair!



I also found a new core support, rear bumper, and an extra set of TBI heads to drop off at the machine shop.

[Nick_R_23]

A few more parts showed up!

[Nick_R_23]

Late delivery! Second set of boxes showed up!

[Palf70Step]

That is a great color combo for the truck. Don't think I have ever seen anyone rebuild the dash cluster on one of those style gauge panels. Looking forward to seeing more of the truck.

[Nick_R_23]

Thank you. Honestly, I’m a fan of the moonie gauges over the needle style. The needle style in the early year trucks just looks cheap to me…like something you’d see in a Cavalier

Some of these aftermarket parts so far have not impressed me. The grille and turn signal lights have been the worst at this point.

The grille is from Amazon and was molded too thick in certain places - namely anywhere the retaining tabs need to be clipped in. There is an issue with the corner lights too, and while I feel like the issue is with the grille, I haven’t verified yet.

I used a sanding disc on a Dremel tool to remove material:



The next issue was the corner lights, made by Anzo. Overall, they’re built pretty decently, but they have a flaw that needs to be addressed. I found this out when tightening the screws during a test fit - the corners break off very easily:





The reason for this is obvious and due to a poor design. The inner and outer housing corner tabs do not match up when the lights are assembled, leaving a gap between the two surfaces that gets pinched when the screws are tightened.



My solution was to fill the gap with a hardening, fast drying epoxy (JB Quick) to fill the gap and add strength to the corners, and not allow the outer lens to be pulled in and crack.



My tires also came in, Cooper Cobra 275/60R15 for all four corners!

[Nick_R_23]

[Nick_R_23]

I reject Summit’s muffler and substitute my own!

[Palf70Step]

Nice

[LT7A]

Another one? Hahaha. What a great find. If you find another rcsb like that up there, let me know. A neat truck and a fun road trip home. I'm surprised you don't feel like you're getting better power out of your TBI 350s. Even with the stock round cam, they respond so well to minor tweaks like the exhaust you're doing and an open element air filter with a salad bowl underneath. I haven't even done the rest of the ultimate TBI mods and mine runs much stronger than new with 235,000 miles on it. Are you freeing up the air intake side? Maybe it's gearing? The mods seem to really work well with the 373s I opted for.