78 K10 Yeller2 - Build and Partial Restoration Thread

[Don5]

You guys are exactly right. I bought my 79 in 1984. I have kept it all of these years. I dated my future wife in this truck. My son is now 16 and he wants to drive this truck badly. We are working on restoring it. It is all about building memories. 

I have repeatedly told him the he will have so much fun it the truck when it is finished. I told him that I had fun with it back in the day when it looked really good. I have told him about me drag racing it. He found my old manila envelope that was stuffed with receipts. He couldn't believe how much I spent on it. I told him that he will have more fun than I did because these trucks aren't as common as they were back in the day. He thinks he going to go easy on the truck. Right. He doesn't want to "hurt" it. Are you kidding me? He also knows that I have no problem cranking it up or getting it muddy.

Anyways good stories guys. Keep up the good work.

[jumbowolfe]

Thanks guys and great stories on your parts too, this thing is definitely a labor of love for me, and I'm glad its an ole' Chevy box because at least it doesn't cost a small fortune to restore these.

More pics coming soon!

[Captkaos]

Cool Story, thanks for sharing!  My father owning a 1975 Silverado and my grandfather a 1973 Cheyenne Super got me started on these, My bother had a cool 4x4 also...

[jumbowolfe]

Update, engine noises....

So I had a noisy lifter, rod or something making the usual lifter clicking noise.  I had read many articles, and talked to other people who all said "its a long shot but try the seafoam in the oil trick."  Additives have never worked in the past for me on things like this.   The problem was, it started getting louder and almost sounded like a rod bearing was starting to go, or something worse as a loud knocking noise was kicking in.

I ended up draining a little oil out, put in 3/4 can of seafoam, and ran it for about 2 minutes.  Drained that, changed oil, new filter, along with quart of Lucas Oil Stabilizer and 1/4 can of Seafoam (along with the oil as well).  Ran that for about 3 minutes, rev'ed it a few times.

Result - Fixed.  I now have a quiet, smooth running, smooth starting 350.  I was really concerned I was going to have to stop on the body work, and go back to the engine.  Hopefully I can nurse this thing along, long enough to get the paint work completed.  Whoever had this thing before me, I don't think they ever changed the oil, and its only a 4  year old crate 350.   I'm on oil change number 3, I've barely driven it other than a few miles, and I'm still getting nasty sludgy oil out.  Going to drain and repeat again this weekend to hopefully get this thing flushed out.

[LTZ C20]

May I suggest one thing that I know I have seen work multiple times.

The next time you change your oil, make sure the engine is good and hot. Then change your oil. When you are refilling your oil, fill it 1 quart short of what it needs. Then add 1 quart of GM Dex 6 automatic transmission fluid. When your running the engine, let it get up to operating temp, then let it run for 15 min or so and drive it for about 15 min. You can let the idling for 15 min be included in getting up to op temp. Just don't let it run for to much longer that 30-40 min. Then change the oil again. When your done changing the oil multiple times to flush it out, the regular oil you use should be good quality detergent oil.

Automatic transmission fluid is a high detergent fluid, very much like heavy duty dish soap. It cuts thru that nasty stuff pretty freaking good.

Here at work. We have done this a number of times with engines that have had coolant into the oil contamination. I did it to a friend's truck just last week for the same reason, coolant in the oil. He found it right after it happened, I fixed it and the trans fluid helped clean all that nasty coolant out.

[jumbowolfe]

Awesome.  I've heard before to use tranny fluid to help noisy lifters, but never to actually help cleanse it.  Great stuff, I'll give it a whirl!!

[LTZ C20]

It works.

[Don5]

Thanks for the tip LTZ. I will remember that one.

[LTZ C20]

No problemo

[BBM3]

Great story.
My story is similar.
I think Dad would be proud.

I have a '75 K10 short bed project and like you, a Mustang in the background.

[LTZ C20]

Hey BBM3, just curious, is that your car with your house in the background or is it just a representative image of your car?

[BBM3]

Hey BBM3, just curious, is that your car with your house in the background or is it just a representative image of your car?

@LTZ
That is my car in our driveway.
(My Son's car looks better in the reflection on the Mustang than on it's own.)

Sorry for the thread jack jumbowolfe.
More info about your Mustang please.

[LTZ C20]

I ask because I really like the look of what piece of the house I can see.

[jumbowolfe]

No reason to be sorry on the hijack, I can talk Mustangs all day long just like truck talk!!

Nice shortbed too, your paint looks amazing, wish I was further along on my truck's body work.

[BBM3]

Hang in there.
You are doing your prep work the right way and it will pay off when the time comes for color.
Your truck will look way better than the Earl Scheib special on mine.

What year is your Mustang?
Kona Blue?
I can't figure out the combination of color, 5.0 badge, hood, wheels, and tail lamps.

My Mustang has defective tires or maybe I have a defective right foot. 8000 miles and they are finished.