81 K10 Build

[Mike81K10]

Thanks bd! The Fel-Pro Gasket instructions say use it dry, yet it does not give the torque values. I am supposed to receive the gaskets on in two days and they were free since the water pump was new.

PS: I have attached two different pictures of the same two Alt and A/C belts I am using.

[bd]

It will be interesting to hear what you find when you remove the rear plate.  FWIW, the rear plate retaining bolts on any SBC water pump of this design should be checked before installing the pump - no exceptions.  I've encountered loose bolts, stripped threads, wrong bolts, even missing gaskets - not often, but then I wrenched in a GMC dealership for 20-some years.

[JohnnyPopper]

Ahhh so now we are finding out the prowess of bd comes from wrenching! Pray tell more!!!

Where, when, current, retired, how long, current projects, and more???

Don't be shy bd. You are a wealth of info like so many other moderators.

So, like I used to ask potential GF's (ancient history), "what's your story?"

I think many here would love to hear yours...

[Mike81K10]

Got my gasket in today and removed the Water pump. Did not get a chance to get it back together today, hopefully tomorrow. Found a loose screw that was not tightened down at all. I unscrewed it with my finger, others were not tight as well. What is with these new auto parts coming from manufacturers? The seal it had looked like shredded paper when I removed it and it had sloppy applied glue for the seal.

I torqued the bolts down with the new seal to 70 In Pounds. Equates to about 6 ft pounds. It seems to be tight enough now.

[Mike81K10]

Pic of pump with cover back on!

[JohnnyPopper]

Crap like this just urinates in my cheerios!

BTW, don't eat Cheerios, the have the highest level of gliphosates (pry spelled wrong) = poison on all fronts.

[Mike81K10]

They should pay for the antifreeze/coolant. They are over $20 a gallon and I have to buy some more today since mine got wasted. I did get it back together this morning and will try and get the engine running today or tomorrow. Will soon see how the new engine roars. I think it will be loud, even with the exhaust.

Although I am installing the exhaust system, it is not a perfect fit. I have to install some heat shield on hoses and lines. I have installed some SS heavy duty hangers and still have more to do. I will need to take it into an exhaust shop to have them make some adjustments. I am fortunate to have an excellent exhaust shop here in town. They do custom high performance exhaust systems.

[JohnnyPopper]

Video please?

Turned up? 

[Mike81K10]

Installed my Tachometer (temporarily have it sitting on dash) it is all wired in and ran my truck today for the first time. Set the timing, yet I need to get another distributor wrench that will allow me to tighten it up. Hard to get to. It is a little bit loud and idles a little bit rough. Will get a better idea of how good it will run when I install my tail lights and reinstall my bumper and a few things. I need to take it to the professional exhaust place in town to get my exhaust system fitted a bit better. It does not fit quite right from the kit.

My fuel pressure gauge is working, it shows about 6 PSI.

I don't use You Tube. Do you just give a URL where a video is or can you upload one on the forum?

[Mike81K10]

Working on my truck has been sporadic because of my wife health. She has had a downturn over the last few weeks and she has had most of my time dedicated to her. It is a welcome distraction when I can work on my truck.

[Mike81K10]

Did a video of my maiden engine run. Need to recheck the timing after getting a new distributor hold down clamp. The one I had was not getting tight enough. The video I did was put on Rumble since I had an account there. I have not signed up on You Tube.

https://rumble.com/v5gdyff-new-engine-runs.html

PS: I set the timing prior to the video. My total timing is set at 34 and initial timing is 14.

[JohnnyPopper]

Congrats Mike!

Well done, sounds great.

Oh, and looks good too 

[Mike81K10]

Got my Oil Pressure Gauge installed and I mounted my two AutoMeter gauge on the lower right close to the stick shift. They are easily visible and I my later move them into the instrument cluster after all else is done. The tachometer and oil pressure gauges seem to work well. I found my oil pressure initially runs about 70 PSI or slightly above and then it dropped as low as 50 psi on the short engine run. Perhaps it will drop lower when the engine runs longer and gets warmed up a little more.

I will now get the rest of my interior put together, not much to do and take it to the exhaust shop to get the exhaust system tuned up. I will like to get a dyne tune on my engine to get the stats and data on it. I did get a few minor scratches and chips on the body that I have to fix while doing all the engine and exhaust maintenance that I will need to fix.

I should take it on the first road trip (to the exhaust shop) this week or the first of next week. Then perhaps a little bit more afterwards. My wife thinks it is too loud and is a little upset that it sounds like (in her opinion) a hot rod. I once had a MonteCarlo that I built and my engine was similar to the one in my truck, a little less power though. I believe I will have 460 to 485 HP and the torque should also be over 400.

I need to get better insurance on it now than I have. Here is another video on the run I did today with my new Oil Pressure Gauge.
https://rumble.com/v5hzjvf-engine-run-2.html

[Shifty]

I might have missed it, but have you changed oil since first starting it?  The oil filter might have some assembly lube in slowing things down a bit....

[Mike81K10]

No, It has only been ran for about 15 minutes total so far. I thought it was to be changed after 500 miles. Should oil be changed right away. It has the break in oil in it.

Very happy that my lights work and everything else seems to be OK, except for my horn which I need to pull the steering wheel and fix (new parts needed). I installed my mirrors and am in the process of installing the interior door panels.