73-87chevytrucks.com

73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Members Rides => Topic started by: txchainsawgogi on July 15, 2010, 01:02:19 am

Title: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: txchainsawgogi on July 15, 2010, 01:02:19 am: This thing has been abused and neglected...but it has a title, runs, has 90K miles on it and I got it for 700$.

I've already had an 85' blazer with a lift kit on it and swampers when I was 19, so with this thing I want to put some vintage cragar mags I have, shave the handles, new paint, new grill, roll bar,black out the windows, redo the interior, new exhaust and get some more performance and reliability out of it.

So, I know what I want looks wise...but what should i do under the hood? I'm thinking new intake manifold, exhaust manifolds and carbs to go with new exhaust I'm making this month. Ideas?

(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/texaschainsawgogi/6e612652.jpg)

Here it is when I first got it. I'll take pics when I get it ready for paint.
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: Grim 82 on July 15, 2010, 08:43:43 am: Nice. It looks like the tires alone are worth what you paid for it. The first things I would do is to go through and address any regular maintenance issues and clean up all the wiring and fix any leaks. Replace any worn suspension and steering parts and make it dependable. Skip the manifolds and go with some headers.
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: txchainsawgogi on July 15, 2010, 09:43:24 am: Yeah the engine is filthy. I've got some leakage some where but I'm not too sure what it is. I have to clean out the engine compartment first to see where its coming from. What's a good degreaser to use that won't damage plastic/wires?
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: Grim 82 on July 15, 2010, 11:05:13 am: Alot of people like to use Simple Green but I didn't find any where I make the typical rounds, so I use a no-name tractor degreaser from the local farm & fleet. So far no plastic or wire damage. I try to stay away from Engine Bright and the like. I am going to pull my motor out in the next month or so, paint it up nice and put all new gaskets in it.
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: hotrod24 on July 15, 2010, 01:26:51 pm: Not bad atleast your truck is two solid colors, How about some interior pics?
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: txchainsawgogi on July 15, 2010, 01:54:01 pm: I'll get some pics today. I'm also looking into an HEI system and a larger radiator. If I get a rad from the diesel version of my truck it should be a direct bolt in right?
Also, what's the ease of installation of an hei kit? Would I need a different cam?
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: jaredts on July 15, 2010, 02:00:44 pm: Doesn't the truck already have HEI? I think you just need the distributor assy. Vile posted a link for one from Ebay a while back that was super cheap (brand new).
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: txchainsawgogi on July 15, 2010, 02:55:18 pm: Does this model? I'm at work right now otherwise i'd open the hood.
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: txchainsawgogi on July 15, 2010, 05:11:04 pm: Ok, it does have an HEI... any performance suggestions on that then?
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: txchainsawgogi on July 15, 2010, 10:54:44 pm: (http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/texaschainsawgogi/00fa4676.jpg)

(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k285/texaschainsawgogi/93cdd77b.jpg)

Workin on the interior this weekend!
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: hotrod24 on July 15, 2010, 11:04:57 pm: WoW you really have a over all pretty good looking truck :) Looks almost like the one i am getting,The interior anyway lol...

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=16282.0
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: txchainsawgogi on July 15, 2010, 11:49:15 pm: The pictures look a lot better than it actually is haha. Pretty much nothing works inside. Instrument lights, gas gauge, radio... can't even tell what gear I'm in!
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: txchainsawgogi on July 17, 2010, 03:58:53 pm: Finished my drivers side shaved handle mod, got a new muffler, my old cragar mags and a seat cover I'm going to sew in place.

This next week ill be salvaging a hood and stepside bed!

Also got some old but still in box holley carbs out of storage I'm gonna sell to help fund the parts swap.

Goin good so far.
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: txchainsawgogi on December 01, 2010, 12:23:16 pm: Been awhile since I've updated.

Here's a list of what's been done so far.
New distributor,plugs, wires, dual core radiator, alternator and battery. I gutted the interior and cleaned the grime off EVERYTHING and painted it. New grille too!

Got it running pretty well. Just need the timing done(it has no timing marker!).

Next is a trans flush and ratchet shifter installed... then save up for new tires to put on my s/s cragar's. Last is a proper paint job. Maybe throw in a new stereo and shocks along the way.
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: hotrod24 on December 01, 2010, 01:15:39 pm: Sounds like you have a come good ways with all the new parts...
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: bobcooter on December 01, 2010, 01:27:22 pm: I'd be leary of the trans flush. Sometimes on those old automatics, if they have not been serviced in a long time, will burn up with all new transmission fluid in them. I changed my filter recently and filtered my old fluid and put it back in. Then I topped it off with this stuff. http://www.lucasoil.com/products/display_products.sd?iid=29&catid=9&loc=show
Actually I added 3 quarts or two jugs. I was having trouble going into reverse during cold weather. It was 33 degrees here this morning and my reverse works great now. You didn't get rid of the gun rack did you?
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: jaredts on December 01, 2010, 03:08:22 pm: I've heard that before too--that changing the fluid on a tired transmission could end it a little soon. Personally I don't get it and have to wonder if this is some kind of myth.
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: bobcooter on December 01, 2010, 03:35:37 pm: I had an 89 FURD once and it happened. It had about a 150,000 miles on it and I had the transmission serviced. In about a month's time third gear went away. I brought it back to the shop that did the work and they told me they could fix it for $1200.00. Then this goofy looking guy says "I see that happened a lot". And I said what? And he says those older transmissions with high miles just don't hold up after you service them. I was ready to fight! Needless to say they did not get anymore of my money.
When I first bought this Chevy, it had a small pin hole in the daiphram on the modulator valve. It had some other problems and it smoked some. Part of the smoke was it sucking transmission fluid up into the intake and burning it. I would add fluid thinking it was leaking out. By the time I figured it out, I know I had added several quarts (not pints) and it is still working. I guess if you change it slowly over a period of time as I unwittingly did it's OK. I hope I didn't go too far with the Lucas product. I've only been around 500 miles since then. I think one jug which is 1.5 pints would not hurt anything. I hope I didn't get too buck wild by adding 2 jugs. Time will tell. I'll you guys know if it pukes.
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: txchainsawgogi on December 01, 2010, 06:59:05 pm: Whaaat no way, that can't be true! Mine has got 90K, I'm gonna try a flush!
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: txchainsawgogi on December 01, 2010, 07:01:07 pm: (http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs618.ash2/157051_467620572086_648432086_5902787_7525322_n.jpg)
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: hotrod24 on December 01, 2010, 07:09:08 pm: WOW lookin very good man...
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: txchainsawgogi on December 01, 2010, 07:12:11 pm: (http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1208.snc4/155998_467741787086_648432086_5903886_850728_n.jpg)

Thanks man. I really don't want it black but I hated it being two colors haha. Saving up for a sort of green/champagne color.
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: hotrod24 on December 01, 2010, 07:48:25 pm: Cool! great looking interior, matches very good...
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: txchainsawgogi on March 13, 2011, 05:46:29 pm: so far its got a few new parts under the hood(alt,master cylinder,rad,fuel pump, dist, etc), some more paint added to it, a new hood, new wheels in the mail, a bond on cowl in the mail...lets see what else. rebuilt the carb for goin', fixed the brakes for stoppin'. headers and dual exhaust.

next on the list is to replace the rear seal/trans pan gasket/oil pan gasket since its too leaky for my tastes. remove and clean the power steering pump and get new hoses.

then when it starts getting real hot here in texas i'll get it an electric fan and a new water pump.
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: slammed79 on March 14, 2011, 07:42:39 pm: You've come miles with it! Do I see the old bowtie behind your billet grille? ;D
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: txchainsawgogi on March 14, 2011, 07:55:04 pm: Quote from: slammed79 on March 14, 2011, 07:42:39 pm
You've come miles with it! Do I see the old bowtie behind your billet grille? ;D

thanks. yeah i took the original one off the broken plastic grille it came with. polished up the chromed over plastic and painted the inner part gloss orange, then tucked it up in there.
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: Grim 82 on March 14, 2011, 07:58:27 pm: That's a mean machine. Good work and get some pics with the new wheels when you get them on.
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: bobcooter on March 15, 2011, 09:59:06 pm: Quote from: txchainsawgogi on December 01, 2010, 06:59:05 pm
Whaaat no way, that can't be true! Mine has got 90K, I'm gonna try a flush!
Did you try the flush?
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: txchainsawgogi on May 05, 2011, 02:58:59 pm: man i have replaced a lot of stuff under the hood so far haha. replaced all the fluids and filters, included a flush and some trans fluid shift helping agent... i think lucas made it. so far so good. it had a lot of gunk in the bottom of the trans pan... and of course most of it stuck to a magnet :( dang.

i found two stepside beds north of me. the only problem is that theyre pretty far out there and im not positive what shape theyre in. i've been holding off on paint and lowering it until i got a new bed in my possession but now im reconsidering.

(http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i433/_wolfmantough/2011-03-31154117.jpg)

(http://i1093.photobucket.com/albums/i433/_wolfmantough/IMG_20110424_182059.jpg)
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: big bear on May 05, 2011, 03:06:06 pm: truck is looking sweet man. i like it alot.
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: beastie_3 on May 05, 2011, 03:25:44 pm: Do you like the look of long bed stepsides?
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: txchainsawgogi on May 05, 2011, 03:57:42 pm: I love stepsides in general, plus I like how rare 73-87 lwb steps are.
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: bigbelly on May 05, 2011, 03:57:59 pm: ;D
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: txchainsawgogi on May 05, 2011, 04:31:36 pm: Quote from: big bear on May 05, 2011, 03:06:06 pm
truck is looking sweet man. i like it alot.

Thanks, a stepside, darker windows, a paintjob and 3 inches lower and I'll be happy. Then I get to save up for a crate engine :\
Title: Re: 1978 C10 5.7 p.o.s.
Post by: Cheyenne on May 14, 2011, 02:38:32 am: You still going to put a roll bar on it I love the look of a roll bar..