Author Topic: 1980 Chevy C10  (Read 12773 times)

Offline silent

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1980 Chevy C10
« on: May 08, 2013, 07:17:46 am »
Might as well start a build thread for my 1980 Chevy C10 LWB.  Picked this up from the car auction I work at for pretty cheap, couldn't pass it up.

Previous owner swapped the inline 6 for a 350, it runs great. I still need to find the serial# to get more details on that.  Some info i've found out so far is that it has a automatic th400 transmission, 12 bolt rear end, long tube headers running true dual into tiny mufflers dumping in front of the rear axle, quadrajet intake manifold and a 4bbl 600cfm holley carb. Might have a different cam, the idle sounds amazing.

So far I've removed the crappy tin can tool box, bought a holley carb rebuild kit and started some body work. It has a good amount of rust that I'll have to fix. Picking up a welder soon so I can patch some things up.

More information and progress will be updated later on. Its going to be a work in progress for awhile. Once its far enough along I might sell my 2006 eclipse gt daily driver.

Day I bought it:

Day I drove it home(little over a week ago):

Engine bay:


My daily driver:

« Last Edit: May 08, 2013, 07:30:30 am by silent »

Offline hotrod24

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Re: 1980 Chevy C10
« Reply #1 on: May 10, 2013, 11:42:16 am »
Nice truck man. That firewall reminds me of my 80 lol...
1980 1/2 ton shortbed project...
1978 pontiac grand prix...

Offline silent

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Re: 1980 Chevy C10
« Reply #2 on: May 11, 2013, 10:50:18 am »
Thanks. The firewall is on my to-fix list.

I've sanded the driver door and removed all surface rust. Applied a coat of some paint that is supposed to change rust to the areas that had deeper rust.

Removed the huge mirrors. I'm thinking of getting 70's small sport mirrors. Next Friday I'm getting a flux wire welder to start more body work.

Offline silent

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Re: 1980 Chevy C10
« Reply #3 on: May 13, 2013, 05:06:39 pm »
Purchased a billet grill to replace the broken oem one. Should be here friday.


Need to fix the starter.  It acts like its not catching every time. It will finally start the truck after 4-5 turns of the key. Maybe shims? I'll look at it more this weekend.

Offline silent

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Re: 1980 Chevy C10
« Reply #4 on: May 18, 2013, 10:19:34 am »
My headlights weren't working and I was going to dig into that issue this weekend.  Well last night I go for a cruise and the headlights worked for the first time, Maybe some electrical is loose.

My billet grill came in and it fits and looks awesome.  I'll install it once I paint my front end.

Offline silent

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Re: 1980 Chevy C10
« Reply #5 on: May 25, 2013, 03:55:10 pm »
Can I put 78 headlight bezels on my 80? I'm searching and searching but can't find it. I don't want the headlight and turning signal on one bezel.

Any help will be appreciated. If not interchangeable what will I have to do to convert?


Also small update: my 71 oem sport mirrors came in the mail today. Found them on ebay from a salvage yard.
« Last Edit: May 25, 2013, 04:07:08 pm by silent »

Offline hotrod24

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Re: 1980 Chevy C10
« Reply #6 on: May 27, 2013, 07:39:29 pm »
Yep the 78 bezels will fit and all you have to do is swap them...

« Last Edit: May 27, 2013, 07:43:20 pm by hotrod24 »
1980 1/2 ton shortbed project...
1978 pontiac grand prix...

Offline silent

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Re: 1980 Chevy C10
« Reply #7 on: May 28, 2013, 07:46:08 am »
Cool thanks!

Offline bake74

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Re: 1980 Chevy C10
« Reply #8 on: May 29, 2013, 09:22:47 am »
     Nice start on your project, keep us informed on your progress.
#1: The easiest and most obvious solution to any problem is 99% of the time correct.
#2: There is no such thing as impossible, it just takes longer.
  74 k10, 77k10    Tom

Offline 74 C-10 Shorty

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Re: 1980 Chevy C10
« Reply #9 on: May 29, 2013, 10:21:53 am »
Looks like a cool project. 8)

Offline silent

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Re: 1980 Chevy C10
« Reply #10 on: May 29, 2013, 07:47:54 pm »
Thanks. Started to learn on my new welder. Bought the harbor freight flux wire welder, it should be sufficient for sheet metal. 

Will try to tackle the holley rebuild kit this weekend.  Nervous about that, never taken one apart.

Offline 74 C-10 Shorty

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Re: 1980 Chevy C10
« Reply #11 on: May 29, 2013, 07:53:01 pm »
Will try to tackle the holley rebuild kit this weekend.  Nervous about that, never taken one apart.
Don't be nervous they are very simple, just pay attention taking it apart and the kit will have instructions on the adjustments when you put it back together, important thing is to make sure everything is "super clean"..

Offline silent

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Re: 1980 Chevy C10
« Reply #12 on: June 04, 2013, 08:34:06 pm »
Thanks. I didn't get anything done last weekend because of some personal things.

This weekends to do list:
-degrease engine bay and find out what exact motor I have
-order tune up parts
-rebuild carb

A lot more I want to do but I just posted my realistic goals. Will be insured and tagged soon hopefully this week.

Offline silent

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Re: 1980 Chevy C10
« Reply #13 on: June 10, 2013, 09:28:39 pm »
Small update...Degreased the whole engine bay and shined it up. Let it sit all weekend to dry. Wanted to finish up some bodywork but it rained...and rained. Having no garage sucks.


Looking for one classic sport mirror.  My scrap yard only came through with one usable mirror.  I'd order brand new repro but I'm going for the ratrod look. I might just weld the passenger side door holes shut and only run my driver mirror.

Offline silent

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Re: 1980 Chevy C10
« Reply #14 on: June 24, 2013, 07:17:46 pm »
Found two oem sport mirrors with all mounting equipment on ebay today. $30 shipped, Im very happy about that deal. They have the years of oxidation on them that will match my other chrome nicely lol. Now I have three mirrors, I guess having a spare is good.