Author Topic: 1985 GMC K10 build  (Read 92309 times)

Offline bd

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #225 on: August 25, 2017, 11:03:34 PM »
Oh, so it's likely just a bad wire internal and isn't grounded out somewhere? I thought I read that the fuel gage would read past full if the sender wire was grounded out. I scotch-brited the connector with no luck earlier, is there an aftermarket source for that wire, or would I be better off taking the ends and splicing in a new length of wire? I guess that assumes the connectors themselves are fine, which they might not be...so I guess I'll ignore splicing for the time being. And now that I've written all that, one last test I should do before condemning the wire is put a resistor in line between sender wire and ground, just to make sure it's not that the sender itself has gone bad.

While the gauge is acting up, ground the fuel gauge lead where it connects to the sender.  If the gauge drops to empty, the fault is ether in the sender or the sender ground connection.
Rich
It's difficult to know just how much you don't know until you know it.
In other words... if people learn by making mistakes, by now I should know just about everything!!!
87 R10 Silverado Fleetside 355 MPFI 700R4 3.42 Locker (aka Rusty, aka Mater)

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #226 on: August 26, 2017, 04:36:35 PM »
Well, driving around more I noticed the fuel gauge stopped pegging out, so out of curiosity I put in a few gallons, and the gauge started doing it again. I think the float is coming off the meter thing that sends the signal to the gauge, plus it seems to read high, as there should only be 15-16 gallons now(I figure I used at least 2 gallons, and I only put in 3 more, the first time I filled the tank I only put in 15 gallons and this is the first time using it.)

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Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #227 on: August 30, 2017, 08:29:07 AM »
Cucv brush guard mounted, kind of like the superflat black, was trying to find more semigloss, but this worked out well.




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Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #228 on: August 30, 2017, 10:27:41 AM »
Looks good. No grille emblem?
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #229 on: August 30, 2017, 11:27:28 AM »
It's on the to get list, this is the plain Jane $30 grille, with no provision for the emblem. It's what came with the truck, I haven't been fortunate enough to find a grille in good enough shape to use.

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Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #230 on: September 04, 2017, 04:40:09 PM »
Other door panel on, need to find the door handle trim, dash cover on...not great, but better then before; something I plan on changing out down the road.

Proportion valve woes- got a new valve, all lines leaking, tightening did nothing, remove valve- flares are messed up on lines and valves-no clue if my flares were at fault, or if the valve was machined wrong, there was some evidence on the old valve that the lines might have been badly flared, however they did not leak.

I live across from a dead end road with nothing on it, so before I take a truck or car on the actual road I do a quick acceleration and "panic" brake, several times. Then inspect for leaks. So I know the flares were sealing well before...

Forgot to add pic.


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Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #231 on: December 15, 2017, 12:08:15 PM »
Actually been a while posting in this thread. I ended up getting stainless brake lines from Inline Tube, several months back, everything had been going fine, doing a little detailing here and there, when out of the blue driving to work...2 or 3 weeks ago... developed a severe vibration, and before I could find a safe place to pull off the highway, lost my rear driveshaft, this caused a dented and slightly bent driveahaft, rear yoke was messed up, slip yoke ear broke off, and broke the tail housing on the transfer case...

At this time I deemed it wise to reseal the transfercase (like new inside!) It was dripping a little from the case halves and front seal-that yoke was grooved bad-my parts transfer case had a good one though, and a good tailhousing. New speedo gear-yellow 40 tooth. New front diff yoke-this was on the to do list, the retaining ears were slightly worn allowing the u joint to slide. New yoke requires u-bolts, so temporary delay there right now.

My new driveshaft was made with 1350 u-joints, and a new yoke for the rear. Only $600. Should have made it 1/2" longer, but it has satisfactory engagement, about 1.5" from bottoming out as it sits.

It still isn't real clear what caused the driveshaft to go, but all evidence points to the rear going first. Either broke or lost a cap is the best quess.

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Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #232 on: February 10, 2018, 12:16:39 PM »
Scored GMC cab trim off of craigslist. $50 got me all three pieces, all straight and true, GMC emblems showing fading, and some minor oxidation on the trim itself. One corner piece has some minor edge paint-scrapes off with a fingernail.



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Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #233 on: February 11, 2018, 11:06:47 AM »
Those will clean up good. I'd chemically strip them and repaint them.
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              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #234 on: February 11, 2018, 01:22:11 PM »
Those will clean up good. I'd chemically strip them and repaint them.
I was reading up on this, seem quite a few people completely strip, and just use an automotive clear, then paint the emblems, and a final clear coat. Is there a more preferred way to go about this?

I wasn't originally going to do any trim on the truck, but decided I liked the cab trim, and so I set a price, and if I found good trim I would get it.

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Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #235 on: February 11, 2018, 05:59:11 PM »
I just chem dipped these ones to strip them of the factory paint. You wouldn't put clear on until you are done painting them but that's not even necessary if you are just painting the square.

,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #236 on: March 11, 2018, 09:38:47 AM »
I just chem dipped these ones to strip them of the factory paint. You wouldn't put clear on until you are done painting them but that's not even necessary if you are just painting the square.


I have been inspecting them further, and while they are in very nice shape, there is some signs of the hard anodized surface starting to oxidize. I am holding off on doing anything with these until the warm weather appears, at which point I can decide on the best route to take.

In other news, a transmission swap will likely take place within the next 3 or 4 months as well. I will pull and inspect everything internal, it is missing a PTO cover, and the front main shafts bearing cover, but everything inside looks pretty good. They sell a pto cooler kit. I may decide to put that on instead of a regular cover, if just to help a little bit with cooling and oil capacity.



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Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #237 on: March 27, 2018, 08:45:29 PM »
Well upon pulling the transmission apart, I realized it was a whole lot worse then I could see through the PTO hole.

I think the guy used sand and dirty motor oil from a blown engine to rebuild it. The syncros all looked new, but the bearings were showing scratches and signs of wear, there was brass shaving over 1st, reverse and fifth gears. So a full rebuild kit and I now have a good useable transmission. I kid you not, I pressure washed and scrubbed that case 10+ times, and I was still wiping sand away....pathetic. Here it is almost all wrapped up. I drilled new holes and tapped to mount an sm465 bellhousing. Seen it done, and one guy even had it in front of a doubler 205/203 combo. Just need to properly clean the top cover. Then I can start prepping for install....

I'm also showing my home-made tool for the fifth nut, and one of the spots I needed to do minor clearancing on the bellhousing. Two bolt holes needed minor clearancing to clear the flange and to fit a thin wall socket.

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Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline Patman

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #238 on: May 08, 2018, 07:47:21 PM »
Kaiser,

Awesome job man! I just purchased a K10 and am still wrenching on it. Thanks for taking the time to document your work. Would you mind if I asked you a question from time to time if I run into trouble?
85 K10 350, 700R4, NP208, Quadrajet, Long Bed w/ 33’s
All stock except for the motor, used to be a 305.

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #239 on: July 20, 2018, 03:25:02 PM »
5 speed in, makes the highway runs better, plus I've been thinking of regearing for better towing, so it will definitely help then.



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Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)