77 K10 Build: The Tank

[Akdiesel]

My new solid axle Chevy gasser. Here's a little backstory on the truck and what I know about it. Bought the truck on Saturday for $2600 which seemed high according to some but apparently I lucked out. The PO told me that the truck had a new motor put in a year ago. Well after doing my research it seems to be a crate Edelbrock or GMPP 350 with aluminum heads, edelbrock intake, edelbrock 1400 series carb (electric choke but smoggable) unsure on the model, new distributor, new alternator, new battery and stock manifolds. The motor was replaced at 24622 and the truck now has 27360 on it so less than 3k miles. Truck has non-working AC but the compressor clutch engages and it blows warm air so I think all it needs is a recharge and is already R-134. Someone had put a couple of 6x9 Blaupunkt speakers and a Kicker sub hooked to a Pioneer CD player. Drivetrain/running gear is a SM465 4-speed, NP205, Warn selectable hubs, 15" rally wheels, worn out 33x12.50r15 Remington Mud Brutes and a 6" Pro Comp lift, only thing I couldn't find out and wasn't on the glovebox tag is gear ratio and since the tach doesn't work no way to guess at the moment.

The list of what needs fixed/I want to upgrade:

Interior:
New dash trim
Get speedometer to stop bouncing
Get tach working
Solve the fuel gauge not working/working and giving inaccurate readings
New carpet
New door panels
Seat cover or reupholster
Cargo light cover
Cool shift knob (lol)

Exterior:
Get it plasti-dipped or painted (open to color suggestions)
New tires (won't see the freeway just a run around/muddin and fun truck so probably something meaty like TSL radials or Irok radials)
Get hood aligned
HID or similiar headlights
LED or bright tailights/running lights
New shocks

Motor:
Xtreme 4x4 cam or similar low end torque cam with a little lope to the idle
Delete all the smog crap
Headers
Exhaust (don't know what size) that comes out in front of the rear tires at 45* angles
Edelbrock air cleaner


Any advice or help is appreciated. I haven't had an older truck or gas vehicle in a few years so I'm rusty to say the least. Ultimate outcome is a badass daily driver that will see a good amount of desert playing and then mud truck fun when I get back to Alaska or up into the mountains out here.

 

[Akdiesel]

Well the motor/truck isn't at all what was told in the sale...lesson to all check casting numbers before hand. So turns out the block casting number is 460778 a 2-bolt main 305 and the heads aren't aluminum they are painted aluminized (magnet proved that) and their casting number is 3998993 76cc heads...totally bummed out now maybe a BBC is in the works then...ultimately if something seems to good to be true it is. And do your homework strongly before purchasing a truck off CL as the PO wasn't the one that had the motor replaced so I doubt he knew what was in it either. He more than likely just assumed it was a 350 since most of these trucks have 350s....****ty ****ty deal but it runs and will get me from Point A to Point B so I guess I can't complain.

 

[1SIKDZL]

Sorry for the bad news man, I have a 76 k10 that I have done a full frame off restoration with. I used to drive it to high school. When I turned 18 I tore the entire thing down to the frame and replaced every single thing on it, and dropped in a 454. I used to have it lifted 14" on 40s...and got tired of having to roll it out of the garage on rollers, so sold the entire 4wd chassis and dropped it onto a 2wd frame. I am now doing a "SS" theme as it has the 454, 400 tranny, and 12 bolt rear end. Good luck with the build. 10 years later and 20k invested not including my time and I'm still not done haha. But it is a passion and these are great old trucks :thumb:

I attached a few images of mine.

 

[Akdiesel]

That's awesome man. Mine isn't going to be anything that nice. I plan on eventually building a 67-72 like that though. Know anywhere good to find used BBCs?

 

[1SIKDZL]

I am not sure about where you live, but here in phoenix they are on craigslist all the time for great prices. I see decently built full roller used turn key 454s for around $1500 - 2k a lot. I built mine from the block up and it cost way more money to do it that way. If I had to do it again I would have bought one already built. If anything ever happens to the 454 in my truck now, I will be ripping it out and doing an LS2 swap out of an 05-06 gto. 400hp stock, and with a cam, exhaust, decent tune it is easy to break 500hp and not be into it for over 4-5k for a junk yard pulled motor. Plus they just look sleek and fuel imjection in a classic body is always nice :woott:

 

[Duramax One]

Nice truck. There's something great about those old square body GM's.

I'm a big fan of dropping in the modern LS motors. My 82 K10 has a 5.3L out of a 2002 Tahoe. Really easy swap. Slap on a pair of motor mount adapter plates and it bolts right in using the stock motor mounts. The modern motors have a bunch of benefits: they start all the time, every time, regardless of outside air temperature and motor temp. They make good power, even more so with a cam and a good tune.

 

[Akdiesel]

That's a pretty good point. I may look towards the LS motors. I love the little 5.3 in my Tahoe just a fun all around motor. Who knows what I'll end up with. I'm in 29 Palms so about 4 hours away from Phoenix but am willing to travel haha. Definitely if you guys can keep your eyes open I would appreciate it. Just a little bummed still..who takes a factory 350 truck and replaces it with a 305...I think the kid who paid for the new motor got screwed

 

[1SIKDZL]

Mine had the original 350 in it when I bought it, I am only the 2nd owner. I even have the original bill of sale and window sticker that the original owner gave me when he bought it......but I just couldn't resist dropping a big block in there

 

[Akdiesel]

That's great! I am looking for a crate 454 for a decent price...haha no luck there..thining about picking one up and building it myself. Nothing fancy just a 454 with cam, intake, carb and headers

 

[SmokeShow]

Love the square bodies!


Do an LS engine & be done w/ the engine.

 

[Dirtymaxx03]

1984 C-10, fully gutted. Shes getting a 500CI 10.5-1 roller motor, 1000cfm carb and a little spray. Should make for a fun little truck

 

[Akdiesel]

Nice! That should be a fun truck.

 

[Dirtymaxx03]

as long as it is faster than the dmax i'll be happy

 

[malibu795]

trail truck? i did the 52" spring swap in the front and cross over steering from Off road design with standard 1/2t rear springs netted me 4" of lift with shackle flip in the back. box the frame as well

 

[chevyburnout1]

Those trucks are great to tinker with (and definitely a lot cheaper than the Dmax). Sucks about the motor ordeal though but you win some and lose some. The bouncing speedometer can be easily repaired. Its been a while since I fixed mine on my '77 but I believe there are two little fingers than run close to a magnet that spins. My fingers were starting to hit the magnet/rotor causing it to bounce. Just bent them slightly and fixed :thumb:

If your going for a good cheap trail rig I would definitely suggest doing the 52" spring swap like whats mentioned above. Can be done for basically free and it flexes WAY more than any lift springs out there:

This was taken before I put in the rear 64" springs which is still in process.

 

[Akdiesel]

Not a trail rig just a fun weekend wheeler that I drive only locally. Anyone have input on the GMPP crate motors? I am trying to debate between a 350 and a 454. Always wanted a BBC and never had one but had a ton of 350s. The crate 350 is about a grand cheaper.

 

[chevyburnout1]

I'd be worried about your axle's with a big block. Hell even a good small block will snap them 1/2 ton's (ask me how haha).

 

[Akdiesel]

Yeah...I may settle on a 350 but really want a BBC or a 8.1 lol...

 

[Dirtymaxx03]

my truck is going to shit out a TH350, rear end and axles the first time i launch it.

 

[chevyburnout1]

If you stuck with those 31's you'd probably be fine though. I agree on either an LS swap or an 8.1. Always nice to have a modern drivetrain :thumb: