86 GMC C1500 2wd - caribbean edition

[old gyal]

Hi all - the site is a great source of information - particularly with the builds

So I joined up - all the way from the caribbean island of Antigua 

I had my 86 GMC for over 5 years - it is a High Sierra   V6, 400 tranny and some woeful gears in the rear - mainly used for towing my race car and haulin duties during my property construction days - rust was always an issue - but it was a work truck so we dealt with it when necessary

So far - besides mandatory service/replace of brakes, tires, shocks, tail lights, fuel system, control arm and steering shaft bushings  ...  I added very decent pair of pwr window doors and fabbed running boards off a donor truck out of Miami -

Finally a "moderate" paint job - (excellent metal rust paints that spray and hold up as well as automotive paint -    ask me how I know ??)

The highway gears made the V6 a dog with trailer even with our small hills -

so I swapped a "not fully retired" 2 series Posi scored out of an Omega (go figure) and a 4:56 gear with a ring gear spacer

Now she is so much more enjoyable (freeway buzz with lower gear on my island is not a problem) 

So I have decided to make it a fun truck instead after seeing all the possibilities on this site

Thanks for all the help - I will see if my introductory pics work

[old gyal]

First on the agenda is a 355ci built out of some ex race parts - I found out that you need V8 stands for a bolt in swap as the V6 stands are entirely different !!

No possibility of finding a donor truck locally with the metal recycling buzz on full  (you guys are so lucky )

We pulled the V6 - and  started fabricating the mounts yesterday with an old V8 in place strapped to a hoist

SO far so good - will keep you guys posted once I get her installed

[Jason S]

Welcome to the site and howdy from Oklahoma. 

[74 C-10 Shorty]

Welcome from California, nice truck looks like it's coming together..

[Irish_Alley]

welcome from maryland

[DustyRusty]

Well, welcome from all the way up here in Alaska!!

Rusty

[old gyal]

23rd June, 2013 - UPDATE

Completed re-position and fabricate support for existing (4.3) V6 engine mount stands to take V8 motor mounts

installed (fresh rings and bearing) 355ci small block built from used parts laying around - cleaned up TRW 7051P forged pop up pistons /882 heads / 214* /224* .443/.465 SSI cam /edelbrock torker intake

Plan to finish install with hooker long tube headers / carter performance carb and X pipe to summit turbo mufflers dumping before the rear

Also took out massively broad & heavy stock torque converter anchored to the V6 and installed noticeably lighter and thinner "renegade racing" same diameter stock type street upgrade stall converter ( swap meet score unused on one of my other forums) 

Together with my 4:56 gears and 275/60/15 tires - should put some meat to my street credentials

Pics of Motor installed  finally!!! after some trial fits of motor to mark and drill holes

[old gyal]

UPDATE - July 16, 2013

  Motor installed and running - sounds like it needs a valve re-set soon

355ci with 882 heads - PAW 214/224 cam - Torker intake - Carter carb on a 1 inch spacer - Long tube headers (used) - stub piece bolt on header collectors - dual exhaust using 2 1/2 inch tubing on straight short runs to a pair of Summit Turbo mufflers (3inch in and out lets)

Right now the tailpipes are not installed - plan to bend them so they dump in front the rear tires

Cell phone audio quality not great - but I GOT VIDEO

http://youtu.be/Bgxny4kWUh4


ISSUES - Headers too close to original V6 starter -  starter gets weak after engine warms up

need a mini gear reduction or a heavy duty unit -

4:56 gears GOTS TO GO  -

Wondering if to return to the original 2.73 now that I have a stronger small block motor or source something like a 3:42

What do you think

[Jason S]

My $0.02: If you still want to use the truck to tow a loaded trailer, then 2.73 is still awfully high; I'd prefer 3.42 or 3.73

[Captkaos]

I would suggest 3.42's

[old gyal]

UPDATE : when u least expect it , something happens

Apparently my new combination of 355 motor, higher stall stock size converter made tranny not very suitable for towing

had to get on it for converter to hit , mostly in the 2000+ rpm range

My 400 (3L80) went kaput after towing race car on two tripd,  figured it was clutches, found broken  intermediate pressure plate, needs overhaul

broken part had to be ordered along with kit

so i went ahead and installed a spare lock up TH350 I had around wasting away, sincewhich most say I couldnt use for performance

and resolved to build up the 400 properly for a street car project

got a donor driveshaft from an early 80 buick regal ,(exact duplicate to my truck shaft which I want to keep), and extended it by 3 inches at machine shop

fabbed an extension mount pad to tranny cross member which I left in original place

pic of x member attached ,came out great



 

[old gyal]

  finally got pic to size

[old gyal]

HI all,

I know its been some time since I did any updates on my workhorse

Took a liking to the clean "restored" stock look on these boards

decided to start working on improving my truck's appearance - paint first on the agenda





Found a decent fleet paint and went for the original white





Then added some 10 inch slots scored off a scrapper - have to do some polishing but it was a great find

Fit great all around - no rubbing issues