Author Topic: 81 K10 Build  (Read 52510 times)

Offline Mike81K10

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Re: 81 K10 Build
« Reply #270 on: March 16, 2023, 10:17:10 PM »
Got my bed set back onto my truck. Aligned with the bolts in but did not fasten them with nuts yet. Got a few picks. Have to complete the paint work on the sides of the bed and the tailgate yet. The front, underneath finished, and the back was painted. My lights, instrument panel, brake, and fuel system checks out OK, relief since I reworked the harnesses and installed many new wires and most of the connectors are new.

Used a hoist and a homemade bed lift made of wood, worked great. Lifted a few time to find the level spot.
"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." -Benjamin Franklin

Offline bd

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Re: 81 K10 Build
« Reply #271 on: March 17, 2023, 12:14:23 AM »
Mike, that really is a nice shade of red.  It never fails to catch my attention.   8)
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 Mike81K10

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Re: 81 K10 Build
« Reply #272 on: March 17, 2023, 10:37:59 AM »
Thanks bd! The bottom of the bed was very time consuming to refinish and would have completed my project long ago if I had not put off doing it. Was going to get it blasted, but did it by hand.
"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." -Benjamin Franklin

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: 81 K10 Build
« Reply #273 on: March 17, 2023, 11:46:00 AM »
What a clever lifting rig!

Looking great Mike! Keep going man!
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline Mike81K10

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Re: 81 K10 Build
« Reply #274 on: March 17, 2023, 06:24:30 PM »
Thanks JP! Could not see paying the money for a store bought one when it would be rarely used and have to store. Making one our of wood allows me to reuse the wood for something else. It works great, just make sure the center board is a 2x6, a 2x4 for the center board will have too much stress and break eventually (it happened to me).
"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." -Benjamin Franklin

Offline Mike81K10

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Re: 81 K10 Build
« Reply #275 on: April 14, 2023, 07:27:46 PM »
Still moving along and making some progress. Got the hardware to bolt down my bed, was missing the washers, lock washers, and nuts for the bolts (I had). I completed the paint work on the drivers side of the bed. Actually, I still need to add a couple more coats of clear and then finish up the PS of the bed and then the tail gate. Still need to install the mirrors, install the inside door panels, tail lights, and bumper. I had to install a washer on top of the DS cab bushing to align the bed and can on the DS, it was not off much.

Will attach some picks.
"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." -Benjamin Franklin

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: 81 K10 Build
« Reply #276 on: April 14, 2023, 07:39:52 PM »
Nice, interesting paint pattern on the front fender, almost follows the line of 73-80. Clever Mike!
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline Mike81K10

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Re: 81 K10 Build
« Reply #277 on: April 17, 2023, 01:55:03 PM »
Installed the filler neck on the Drivers side. Have had trouble with the rubber hose that goes from the lower pipe to the tank that has about a 45 degree bend in it. It is 1 3/8" inside diameter. The only one I found was a 1.5"  I.D. and I tighten the clamp where I think it is sealed, However, I sure would like to find the right one if someone knows where to get it. I will start working on the PS of the truck bed soon and do the last few things that are needed.

Will attach some picks. Big change where it was when I started.
"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." -Benjamin Franklin

Offline Shifty

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Re: 81 K10 Build
« Reply #278 on: April 17, 2023, 03:11:20 PM »
Looking good Mike!
87 V20 Standard Cab Longbed (current)

87 R30 3+3 Longbed (days of yore)

98 C2500 ext cab longbed

Offline 76Texan

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Re: 81 K10 Build
« Reply #279 on: April 17, 2023, 05:58:36 PM »
Looks great, been getting some good tips off this thread, thanks!
1976 Scottsdale K10

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: 81 K10 Build
« Reply #280 on: April 17, 2023, 07:59:55 PM »
Use a hose reducer
,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

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

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: 81 K10 Build
« Reply #281 on: April 17, 2023, 08:19:02 PM »
Mike,

As an example, they sell radiators with a smaller inlet tube than came on stock inlets, and they ship it with a hose reducer per VZ.

In your case it would be a short section of hose with a 1 3/8 ID, which will take up the space between your 1 1/2 and the fill tube.

But I'm sure you knew that... ;D
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline Mike81K10

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Re: 81 K10 Build
« Reply #282 on: April 19, 2023, 04:15:32 PM »
Thanks VZ, I found hose reducers online. Appreciate the advice JP and I used it. I adjusted the distributor a little and did as you said. My truck is actually running well now. I will check the timing, however it is running pretty well and the timing must be just about right. Never-the-less, I am going to use my timing light. Have to look up the appropriate timing setting for a stock (crate) 350. It has been a while since I set the timing. It is drivable now. However, I want to finish up prior to driving it, other than in my yard and driveway to move it around when needed.
"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." -Benjamin Franklin

Offline Mike81K10

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Re: 81 K10 Build
« Reply #283 on: April 24, 2023, 06:25:41 PM »
Working on getting my spare tire mounted. I bought some rubber pads for the bed to chassis mounting but did not need them, it lined up without them. So found a use for one on one of the bolts for the tire hanger to prevent metal to metal rub. The hole in the rubber was just large enough to thread on and it cleaned the threads when I used it so I used just to clean the threads on the other bolt as well. The other bolt has a washer and is secured, no need for the rubber. Stripped, cleans and am refinished the spare tire wheel. It did not look very good and will hang it when done.

Doing a little each day to get the truck finished, my health is not good and want to get it done in case something happens it will be completed.
"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." -Benjamin Franklin

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: 81 K10 Build
« Reply #284 on: April 24, 2023, 06:46:56 PM »
Take care of your health bud, that's more important.
,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

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