My 78 k10 4x4 build thread -454 install / build -1 ton axles- frame restoration

[FearNoMan78k10]

Thanks Minus and Tonka I appreciate the support.... I hope it will be.... Yeah it is rare these days and most machinists charge an arm and a leg for any kind of work... That's a long time Tonka, congrats on finally driving the k15 down the road,,, it's just the plastic gauge cluster, one day would like to get a metal one to spiff it up a bit, I'm having window issues as well, tough to roll up that's for sure, and no door locks work, driver side is missing the lock , so gotta replace those as well,,,, as well as many other things, I will post an entire list of what was purchased and added to the truck, replaced parts etc, in one post for everyone to read what all in its entirety was done to the truck. I had a fair amount of rust on the frame to take care of when I did the frame restoration, check out the pics of the frame restoration...still have under the cab to do but it will get done,,, truck bed is just waiting to get sanded a bit more so I can paint it, still need to buy more paint and clear coat I don't have so I still need that as well , then the dog house and bed will get painted on the same day and finally wrapped up,  rust formed on the bed from sanding it in areas so I have more sanding to do before I paint it ,   By the way I'm hoping the drivability and handling will be good, I went with a rough country full suspension setup / lift, door handle height is nose/ eye level high to me after adding the front tires on lol! Hoping it will drive right and ride well, if not that, I'll do what I can to soften it up a bit, once it gets broken it I think it will do just fine... We will see, I will have a few kinks here and there I need to work out before it rolls down the road with that big block in it, don't want anything to happen that shouldn't.... Anywho thanks for the support guys

[FearNoMan78k10]

Well I'm going to have to get some new roller lifters for the engine, I don't want to chance it using old lifters and result in an engine failure, so new roller lifters are going on as well, still deciding on which ones to go with, oil supply is so important, I'm just going to sell the old used lifters to someone here in a Colorado who may want to use them, I just don't want to take any chances... It's just not worth it to have the engine fail because of a used set of lifters... I need it done right and for this engine to LAST a very long time. I will hopefully have them picked out soon... I just want to be done already with the engine and expenses,,, it's killing me,,,,


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[FearNoMan78k10]

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[FearNoMan78k10]

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[FearNoMan78k10]

These are the lifters that I'm thinking I may go with,, I went with Howard springs, Howard's cam, Howard's push rods a one or so other products from Howard's, thinking that these lifters may be very beneficial to the motor


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[FearNoMan78k10]

So I'm also getting some new performance stainless steel intake and exhaust valves for the 781   1973 heads I have, along with hardened valve seats installed, new valve guides as well, I'm going with the Howard's retro fit hydraulic roller lifters for my lifters, the old distributor is unfortunately out of the question so I'm going with a msd street fire Hei distributor for the brains of the motor, there is a slight chance that may change but most likely it will be the distributor I choose, I'm sticking with my 781 chevy heads that I have, getting port matching done, bowl work ( combustion chamber ) , port / polish work as well and a 3 angle valve job with a 30 degree back cut in addition. I forgot to take my camera to take pictures today at the shop, sorry about that , perhaps next time I will remember.  Also ordering some 3" piping for the exhaust to bolt up to the hooker headers, haven't decided wether or not which muffler to go with, flowmasters 50 or 60 series mufflers,,,,, more info to come


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[FearNoMan78k10]

Also getting some comp cams engine break in oil for the first several thousand miles to get the motor broken in properly while trying to drive it with white gloves so to speak


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[FearNoMan78k10]

I've decided to go with straight 30 weight oil and zddp additive for breaking in the motor instead of comp cams break in oil, rings seat better with the straight 30 weight oil and zddp additive , I bought joe Gibbs 15w50 break in oil for the break in procedure but truly am just going to return it to summit for a credit and spend the money on something else I will need. Well the parts allll arrived these last couple days in various boxes, big ones too jeez some of them were really heavy so the ups man moved them inside for me :-)  and the kiddos helped me move piece by piece upstairs every last bit of it! They are excited over the truck for it to be done so they can ride in it haha .... It's cool to have the children's support... Even the littlest one is excited about it and has asked questions..... Seems like all but one is excited,,,,,,  anywho,, I need hose clamps and battery cables and wires as well to re-wire the firewall with some new connections and wires. I stopped by the shop yesterday and spoke with the owner who has been building my motor and his best old time assistant who is doing the heads worked over the cam a bit and made it even more nasty . Jay says " that's one monster of a cam " lol and Lynn painted the block , deep sump oil pan and timing cover chevy orange and it just looks so carefully put together and painted so well I'm very happy with the turnout of it. Definitely more than satisfied. They are going through the carb too while they are at it , mounting the new distributor in and timing it. So all I will pretty much have to do is just start it and fine tune the carb. So many details to post and list on here that I'm not just leaving out for now, I will post an entire parts list etc at the end of the build. Hopefully we will be done soon, I picked up the brakes, front pads, rear shoes, hardware kit and bearings, and seals for the axles. Trying to match up the ball joints and replace the joints in the drag link  ( steering arm ) off the steering box. Hoping everything will fit if not it's back to the store trying to get the right parts. I need to have the driveshafts rebuilt and fixed up as well, I do have u joints for those already though. Trading two in for stronger u joints as I bought the last two pairs of the solid heavy duty ones. So I will trade up and get two more of those heavy duty ones... I would like to get some new floor mats soon as I could use some new ones. I would really like to EVENTUALLY get a brand new seat sometime. New rubber for the pedals is a must as well. Would like to get a factory radio soon and a basic speaker setup to boot. Don't know if I could use one with the big block, don't know if I will hear the radio, lol seriously though. I also could use a new battery, my battery will for sure work a month or two but it needs replaced honestly. Might sell the battery to someone who could really use it here in colorado. I just need a rock solid dependable through and through truck. For myself to help my family. And for the truck by God's grace to get through our harsh winters and storms. It's going to be an every day driver so a second gas tank will eventually be mounted on the drivers side of the truck with a manual fuel and electric switch to eliminate the possibility of failure switching tanks as best as possible. The u bolt plates that didn't work ,,,,, I have thought of a great idea for them.... Steps ........ For me to get into the truck ! Lol I think they are heavy duty enough that's for sure, 3/8" thick steel.... Still need LOTS of flat black paint, gloss , and clear coat, also hoping the motor and the intake manifold and carb combo with giant air filter will all shut underneath the hood, otherwise will have it do a hood scoop style hood. Still need new rims but the ones I have will work for a little while, also need an alignment and a few small suspension parts to finish up the build.... Here is the latest list of parts and pictures with descriptions.... Getting closer and closer to finally being done.


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[FearNoMan78k10]

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[FearNoMan78k10]

. MY NEW FOOT STEPS TO GET INTO THE TRUCK! Yeah!


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[FearNoMan78k10]

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[FearNoMan78k10]

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[FearNoMan78k10]

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[FearNoMan78k10]

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