My 1980 SWB Project Truck

[Captkaos]

They ARE making them, tentative date is for June.

[1980c10]

Another update;
My wiring is nearly complete, I just need to hook up the back up lights and I need to get my coolant temp sensor to read correctly, it tells me the engine is hot without ever even starting it up. (some know a good sensor to use in a vortech head?)
Hood hinges need painting and hood put back on.
I need to get it to the exhaust shop and have that hooked back up.
I've been on a couple of test drives and it is not the same truck. It will take a little while to get used to a useful first gear. Cant really even tell you if its fast or not since I have no tach, speedometer or exhuast so I can't even hear whats going on, but it runs and goes down the road again. Can't wait to have operational gauges or at least temporarily.

[1980c10]

The bugs are now worked out the exhaust is on, so is the hood etc. I went on the first real drive tonight for a few hours. This engine runs great and the carb is set up exactly how I want it. Now with the 5 speed installed I can completely stay out of the secondaries without trying too hard and still getting around at normal speeds. But if I want to I can also get into them and stay in them with every shift and stay in the powerband. The most surprising part is how smooth and predictable this engine is and how well the gears are spaced. The only new issue is a little oil seepage from the timing cover(so it seems). So a big thanks to all of you who gave me advice along the way and I will hopefully soon have some pics to show of finished engine bay.

[Grim 82]

Great work! Finished just in time for summer cruising.

[big bear]

congrats on getting it ready....and o, i hate that pesky drip from the timing cover, i cant get rid of mine . haha

[eventhorizon66]

Cool, glad to hear you're finally having fun with it.

I will hopefully soon have some pics to show of finished engine bay.

Please do.

[1980c10]

The pics really are coming, they are on my phone and the boss has my adapter to get them to my computer. I will take some with my regular camera soon. I keep driving it even though I should be working on it and cleaning it up, but it was a beautiful day today...
I can't wait to get some gauges in it so I know what I am doing; so if anybody hears any news on the new analog set from dakota let me know. I did a lot of driving this weekend and just guessing it seems like my mpgs are as good or better than I had with the inline 6 and sm465 but I won't know the numbers until I have a working speedometer.

[1980c10]

Here are some pics of the nearly finished engine bay.
btw my camera sucks



e-fan set up on front of radiator with adjustable thermostat(not pictured)

[69byrd]

Truck looks great! Great job

[big bear]

looks killer man. i like it alot

[1980c10]

The time to pull this project back in the garage is just a few short months away. The way this works is I bring it in the garage when it is warm enough to park my other car outside and before it is nice enough to drive on the street. (about 12 weekends long)last year I installed the new engine, trans and some other stuff. This year I am going to install the dakota guages, cruise control, cleaning up under the hood some more and a list of small items. I am also considering adding an aftermarket fuel injection but this may be put off another year depending on progress and price. Does anyone know of a clean looking system that will not hold back my engine or break the bank. will I be better off skipping this as I dont want to clutter up the engine bay. I want it to be the cleanest engine bay possible.

[bake74]

     That's a preety engine.    1980 C10  what cruise control are you going to use ?  Did your truck come with it from factory or you adding after market ?

[1980c10]

The truck never had cruise. I am getting the parts for the cruise from a local speedometer shop in town. The transmission has a speed sensor since I swapped it for the 5 speed so that will make it a little easier. I'll update whatever kit I get from him when I get it and will try to take some good photos of the install. Without a speed sensor you use some kind of kit that works off of your driveshaft-it just one less part that i'll need to get.

[bake74]

     Thanks, kit name and pics would be greatly appreciated.

[1980c10]

     Thanks, kit name and pics would be greatly appreciated.

will do, probably some time in march.