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General Site Info => Welcome => Topic started by: stingrayjodi on February 27, 2024, 03:17:38 PM

Title: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: stingrayjodi on February 27, 2024, 03:17:38 PM
My first post.  My dad ordered a 1979 chevy short bed big 10 with blue 454 motor in 1978.  this is a one owner truck, in perfect condition as it rolled off the showroom floor.  nothing has ever been modified or changed on it inside or out.  never been painted on and still shines. still smells new inside.  black with red interior.  has had a cover over it, a very good expensive cover, since 1993.  he used to start it every month faithfully.  it has been parked on a lift now for 11 years.  he passed away february 5, 2023.  i am his only child his daughter.  i inherited the truck when he passed away.  This truck is tied to so many memories of my lifetime.  I learned respect for cars and trucks as a child from my dad. i was not allowed to ride my bike within 25 yards of this truck.  I turned out to be a car guy from heck.  (thats not a bad thing lol).  I cannot allow the truck to just sit and rot away any more.  My intentions are to take it down and completely go through all the fluids change, all hoses and belts, brake lines, seals, everything i can and need to do before starting it up again because i dont want to hurt anything on the truck.  It is unbelievebly immaculant.  I joined here hoping to find information to help me get this done.  It just feels like such a work of art to me and i dont want to modify anything i just want to be sure it is not going to find issues from sitting so long so i want to do the best i can.  I also am wondering if there is a way to title it to myself without making it a 2 owner car, because that does matter, but since he died i dont think it is fair to lose that part of it.  if possible.  I look forward to reading as much as i can from everyones posts to see what you have.  Thank you for letting me in.  i will post some pics soon. 
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: Shifty on February 27, 2024, 05:11:13 PM
In for pics, drool-mop at the ready, and welcome from Tucson, AZ!  8)
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: Mike81K10 on February 27, 2024, 05:25:36 PM
Welcome from Alabama and look forward to your pics.
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: Captkaos on February 27, 2024, 06:18:06 PM
Welcome to the site!
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: Chevygold on February 28, 2024, 02:43:50 PM
Welcome from across the pond, looking forward to seeing your dads truck.
Graham
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: JohnnyPopper on February 29, 2024, 05:17:10 PM
Welcome from SoCal San Diego!

Great story, great handle, can't wait for pics and progress!

How many miles are on it?
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: Mr. Machanic on March 01, 2024, 06:05:39 AM
Welcome to the group.

Not to derail topic, but inquiring minds want to know...
How did Chevy get a short bed to hit the 6000lb mark?
Did the bb do that for them?
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: Chanman09 on March 02, 2024, 08:55:51 AM
Great story. I can’t wait to see pics!

I’m sure a lot of us learned to love cars through our dad’s. I sure did.

Memories of watching him work on his ‘55 BelAir became memories of me helping him on it. I remember doing head gaskets on my ‘82 ford truck with him as the first major project I was part of. We took out and replaced a 350 and transmission in my ‘89 short bed (for some reason I got rid of this truck in college 😡).

Every time I turn a wrench I get nostalgic. My dad’s been gone for almost 2 years. Will be 2 in April. 

I think you’re doing a great service to this truck and your dad’s memory. I’m sure he’s proud of you and will be riding with you in a sense.


Good luck! Happy trails! Cheers!
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: JohnnyPopper on March 02, 2024, 04:28:33 PM
Welcome to the group.

Not to derail topic, but inquiring minds want to know...
How did Chevy get a short bed to hit the 6000lb mark?
Did the bb do that for them?

Where was the GVW come from? I didn't read it in her post... ???
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: Mr. Machanic on March 02, 2024, 08:58:31 PM
So a bit of history behind the Big 10...as best I can.
In 1970-1971 our illustrous, all knowing gov't came out with their vehicle pollution-emmission demands. The weight cap was vehicles under 6000 lbs had to comply. Chevy came out with the Big 10. A 6050-6100lb truck that had no pollution krap. I think Ford and Dodge had a similiar version, but don't quote me on that.
It took 5 years for the gov't to change the rules and up the tonnage to 4 tons and under had to comply with the pollution krap.
The Big 10's were a 3/4 ton frame with a 1/2 ton shell.

So my question was basically if a full size Big 10 was 6050-6100 lbs with the 8ft bed, how did the short 6' bed meet the weight minimum of 6000 lbs to be a Big 10?

Inquiring minds was inquiring...
Thanks
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: Captkaos on March 04, 2024, 02:33:37 PM
The Big 10s did not weigh 6000lbs, you are confusing GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) to Curb weight.  GVWR is the combined weight or "gross"
These trucks curb weights vary between 3800-4400 (rounding) which means equipped the Big10 could carry 1700lbs (approx) as they had a (minimum) GVWR of 6050lbs. 6050-4300 = 1750, max = 6200
Big10s are 1/2 ton frames just like every other half ton but had F44 HD suspension package: HD battery, HD Brake system, HD front/rear springs, HD shocks, BBC motor, HD trans etc
GVWR options on 1979 half tons were 4900 5300 5400 5600 6000
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: Mr. Machanic on March 04, 2024, 03:11:00 PM
Well then, mine got short changed.
350 with TH350.
 Lol.
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: JohnnyPopper on March 04, 2024, 09:35:27 PM
Well, now that it's cleared up, can we get some pics please?

Shifty's drool mop is getting hangry!  ;D
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: Shifty on March 05, 2024, 08:44:26 AM
Well then, mine got short changed.
350 with TH350.
 Lol.
A co-worker has the same drivetrain, and no emissions garbage (and has to fight the emissions test stations yearly).
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: Mr. Machanic on March 05, 2024, 01:48:18 PM
After a vehicle reaches 25 years old Ohio does not require emission testing.

And as soon as my Taco turns 25, it will get hissy plates too.
$60.00 a year for plates and the roads here in Ohio are horrable.
Somebody's lining their pockets as the roads shread tires.

Just like the lottery was supposed to go to schools....money laundry scams.
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: Shifty on March 05, 2024, 02:51:23 PM
1967 and newer for Maricopa and Pima Counties in AZ....I do collectors/limited mileage insurance on my trucks, so I don't have to be a part of that scam. 
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: Captkaos on March 05, 2024, 04:49:51 PM
Well then, mine got short changed.
350 with TH350.
 Lol.

Big10 doesnt equal a 454, only the ones with the 6050 GVWR and above could get the 454.  You could could NOT get a Big10 with an I6 also, but it could be had with a 5.0 or 5.7
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: Shifty on March 05, 2024, 05:24:07 PM
Kinda sounds more like a Sorta-Big 10, or a Not Really Big 10..... ;)
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: Captkaos on March 05, 2024, 05:58:28 PM
Correction, F44/Big 10 could only be had with the 5.0, 5.7 or 7.4, I just checked. 
The I6 could be ordered on the 6000 GVWR with F44 spec'd springs and brakes, but only with the Standard 4.1 I6.
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: Mr. Machanic on March 06, 2024, 11:36:48 AM
Stopped by the scales today.
4620 with 1980's fiberglass wedge cap and my 200# butt.
So 4200# empty, jives.
I was going off the tag in the door (6050#)
Thanks for the clarification.
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: Rapid Roy on March 06, 2024, 04:54:51 PM
My first post.  My dad ordered a 1979 chevy short bed big 10 with blue 454 motor in 1978.  this is a one owner truck, in perfect condition as it rolled off the showroom floor.  nothing has ever been modified or changed on it inside or out.  never been painted on and still shines. still smells new inside.  black with red interior.  has had a cover over it, a very good expensive cover, since 1993.  he used to start it every month faithfully.  it has been parked on a lift now for 11 years.  he passed away february 5, 2023.  i am his only child his daughter.  i inherited the truck when he passed away.  This truck is tied to so many memories of my lifetime.  I learned respect for cars and trucks as a child from my dad. i was not allowed to ride my bike within 25 yards of this truck.  I turned out to be a car guy from heck.  (thats not a bad thing lol).  I cannot allow the truck to just sit and rot away any more.  My intentions are to take it down and completely go through all the fluids change, all hoses and belts, brake lines, seals, everything i can and need to do before starting it up again because i dont want to hurt anything on the truck.  It is unbelievebly immaculant.  I joined here hoping to find information to help me get this done.  It just feels like such a work of art to me and i dont want to modify anything i just want to be sure it is not going to find issues from sitting so long so i want to do the best i can.  I also am wondering if there is a way to title it to myself without making it a 2 owner car, because that does matter, but since he died i dont think it is fair to lose that part of it.  if possible.  I look forward to reading as much as i can from everyones posts to see what you have.  Thank you for letting me in.  i will post some pics soon.

Where are the pics?
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: Shifty on March 07, 2024, 09:11:42 AM
 :-\
Title: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 PICS FINALLY
Post by: stingrayjodi on April 06, 2024, 12:13:42 AM
well i finally got them taken.  got it off the lift and we ended up replacing the headliner, and i suppose the slider back window was installed after he bought it, and also the tarp was intalled after he bought it.  also the air cleaner on the original carb looks to be different.   other than that it is exactly as described.  sorry for the wait but here are some dirty pics.  we will be cleaning it up and taking more pics. YAY


WELL CRAP I DONT KNOW HOW TO EDIT PICS IT SAYS THEY ARE TOO LARGE. 
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: stingrayjodi on April 06, 2024, 12:18:34 AM
I now have pics i tried to download them it says they are too large i will have to figure it out im sorry really!! trying lol
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 PICS FINALLY
Post by: JohnnyPopper on April 06, 2024, 12:20:18 AM
Not to worry

Look on this site or others for a link to PIXresizer.com

shrink and send.

You're welcome...

BTW look forward to your work
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 PICS FINALLY
Post by: stingrayjodi on April 06, 2024, 12:23:17 AM
many thanks i will do that
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 PICS FINALLY
Post by: JohnnyPopper on April 06, 2024, 12:32:43 AM
Good stuff...

Is there a story behind your handle?

Curious about a journey if there is one...
Title: pics finally i hope it works lol
Post by: stingrayjodi on April 06, 2024, 12:48:18 AM
hopefully this will get the pics posted of the 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 as i promised
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 PICS FINALLY
Post by: stingrayjodi on April 06, 2024, 12:57:36 AM
thanks so much this worked the pics i have are up.  more as i can get them.  thanks a bunch
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 PICS FINALLY
Post by: stingrayjodi on April 06, 2024, 01:01:49 AM
yes a 72 stingray was my car to own since i was 7 years old and i finally did own it i had a matching numbers sweet ride with nothing wrong i loved it.  i sold it regretfully, because i had a child and needed larger car  as she got older and i was driving her and friends around i needed a back seat.  i have missed it every day because it was a good one.  no problems with headlights or anything it was pretty.  i had it for about 9 years. at the time i could not afford to put it up and buy a driver, it was my daily driver.  thanks for asking
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: Shifty on April 06, 2024, 11:52:21 AM
That has got to bee the darkest blue I've ever seen (factory)   8)
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: stingrayjodi on April 06, 2024, 10:55:21 PM
if you will notice the engine is a blue 454.
Title: Re: 1979 chevy short bed blue 454 never touched
Post by: JohnnyPopper on April 07, 2024, 09:30:46 PM
That's a much better story than "I stepped on a stingray once and my name is Jodi"  ;D

Nice looking rig, great options, just needs a bath... 8)

BTW, I now have 'large shop Texas style' envy...Thanks!  ::)