1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Hi all, figured I'd share my build, get information and tips too.

Truck base is a 1986 M1008, picked it up as a frame and cab, motor and transmission. No axles or bed. I found a set of dually axles, from a cab and Chassis truck, 4.10 gears. I had a 292 inline 6 I've been wanting to use, and also found an early NV4500 with the 6.34 first gear to use.

Biggest issue so far has been the passenger side motor mount of the 292, it's offset, and lots of conflicting information, even from GM. Still trying to narrow down the correct mount, although I may need to fabricate something temporariy until I do find the correct mount.

Having a little trouble uploading pictures, will try again shortly.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Sounds like a sweet truck. You will like the 292. Good luck with the motor mount.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Two pictures....

One after installing axles, other after removing the 6.2 and th400

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Checked bearing clearances, this was removed back in the '90's, had less then 20,000 miles on it, dry storage. Everything looked great and checked out perfect.

Fabricated a bracket for power steering pump to clear long tube headers, power steering pump will also run the hydroboost brakes.

Passenger side motor mount bracket, not sure if correct yet or not, still doing research.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Thanks, I've run 292's before, love them, awesome off idle torque. I'm going a little different with this 292, longtube headers and a 350 cfm Holley 2 barrel, should give me a little more power, without sacrificing driveability.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

3 or 4 inch front lift springs, unknown brand, free arch is 1" less then another set of 4 inch springs I have. I will be installing Teflon sheets between the leafs and adding poly tips to each leaf under the main. Each leaf will also get a coat of graphite paint. This should provide a reasonable ride.

The rear will get a shackle flip, I already installed 64" springs from a 1998 Chevy K3500.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Cool build! It will be heavy duty. :metal:

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

I spy a flatbed K10.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Thanks!

That was my first build, '85 GMC K1500, 6.5 turbo, NV4500. I put the flatbed on to get it on the road to replace my jeep Cherokee that was falling apart, I have a regular bed, but it needs a repaint, I did some work to it, then screwed up the final coat of paint, so I need to resand and paint, but weather has been a little cold.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Neat, that’s a combo you don’t see every day. I bet it gets good fuel mileage.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

I get about 18-20 mixed driving, it's pretty easy to be a little happy with the go pedal when in overdrive on the highway, I originally had the SM465, so 55-60 was pretty happy, and although the overdrive only really dropped the rpms by about 400, it's been very easy to start going 75-80 and not realize it.

I'm hoping for 16 mpg with this 292 and NV4500, my brother had gotten 13mpg with his 72 C20, SM465, 5.13 rear end.

I completely redid the front lift springs, drilled out some holes to install polyurethane slip pads on the ends of the bottom leafs, Teflon sheets between each leaf, and there will be 2 more top and bottom of the pack on install. New energy suspension bushings.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Also Energy Suspension motor mounts in freshly painted clamshells.

And 1.5 inch blocks to fine tune the rear suspension if needed.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Slow progress, but progress none-the-less, painted the engine, cleaned out the coolant jacket, had some old coolant and dirt, and just a little rust. Valve cover and side covers will be removed later and painted.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Pictures

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Time to test fit engine, I removed the small block/diesel frame mount, notched and moved forward 3-3/4" there was actually 2 holes that matched a couple of the bolt holes in the frame mount. There was still some minor clearance issues, but before I went too far, I wanted to check alignment.

So I attached the transmission, and proceeded to test fit. Everything went to together ok, because I don't have the hole cut for shifter, I couldn't quite get that in the correct spot which threw off my alignment a little, but everything looks like it will work with the needed clearance grinding needed.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

More pictures.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Slow and steady. Cleared front frame of all bolted on brackets, removed hoses, brake lines, etc. Started scraping, sanding, and wire wheeling. Maybe tomorrow I can get some Chassis Saver painted on.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Moved cab back, cleaned up to the rear cab mount. Got 3 coats of paint on the frame.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

2.5" lift springs put in, front axle back under. And I picked up a goody for the engine.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Pretty sweet. Where did the valve cover come from?

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

It's a 12bolt.com /Tom Lowe cover, I received it secondhand, unused. And thanks!

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Been busy, work has started picking up, so that leaves me less free time to work on the truck. But I got the cab scooted forward, as I didn't send it back far enough to paint the rear cab mount crossmember. So that got painted, sand-blasted and painted the engine frame mounts....forgot pictures of those. And started removing more brackets from the rear of the frame. I'm thinking of going with a rear fuel tank, I have a plastic tank, and a skid plate for it. Oh, man, I was really slacking in the picture taking department, only took 1 picture....

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Cab back down in its place. And received another engine part. It's been humid, and tomorrow is all rain, so I may not be able to get all I want done. Also grabbed a picture of the engine frame mounts I painted. It's Dupli-color cast iron.

I wasn't able to do as much as I wanted, my other truck required a new yoke and drives haft u-joints, that took most of last night and this morning. But tomorrow I'm hoping to get the brake lines in, and the engine frame mounts. And maybe weld up the transmission crossmember.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

And a full set of tires, used, 75% tread. Should get me though inspection and a couple months down the road, by then I should be able to save enough for some more aggressive all terrains.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Little done sunday, little done tonight. I took a lot of time just cleaning old hardware, most was just old grease and dirt, very little rust, which was nice, soak it in simple green, shake, stir, scrub just a little, rinse and repeat. All was in prep for the brake line brackets, engine frame mounts and the transmission crossmember-which I also patched. It was getting thin, and had some rot, this patch should provided enough strength.

Also brake lines go in much nicer when you don't have to go around frame mounts, engines and other stuff. I'm glad I got my lines now, rather then later.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Amazing how slow things go, and how nothing gets done, because you misplace that one tool, that you normally get several of... clutch alignment tool. I just did one last year, no clue where I put that tool...found the box though.

Anyways, flywheel installed and torqued to 110ft-lbs.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Pressure plate on, new throw-out bearing, transmission and engine installed.

Some clearance issues with the headers. Not sure how I will proceed just yet.

Some accessories installed, I used a fan clutch from a 6.2 diesel, I'll see how it works out.only the later 292(1982+)had these clutches. I'm using a turnbuckle to adjust alternator tension, I will need a stud on the water pump to finish install.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Sweeeeet. Got excited to see a k30. Then a 292. Then alpine green. Then an nv4500!!

Subscribed af.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Got some work done on exhaust, prying and heating wasn't working, so cutting torch and grinder came out, all tube seperated, #1 and #2 tubes sat fine when set in place, #3 there is many issues...first was the tube was physically 3 inches longer then #1and #2...so some bending and cutting-all tubes same length, and no contact issues now.

I also had to grind some of the exhaust flange to clear the Offenhauser intake... but now it's almost ready for a carburetor. Distributor is in, need some bolts for the valve cover, and PCV/breathers. I have a new fuel pump ready for install...might be able to make some noise soon.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Been a while, had to tweak the exhaust a little bit, the flange was in a poor spot and could not get a reducer in place. Now I'm ready to finish the exhaust system, and get the intake back in place.

I also started going through the axles, rear had all new brakes previously installed- I did replace one wheel seal. And all the studs on the drivers side-the originals were either worn or had rusted, didn't feel safe using them either way.

Been very busy with work, and doing some house searching.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

I decided to do a rear mount gas tank. I am using a 31 gallon blazer tank. By moving the rear crossmember all the way back, the tank will clear the right rear shock mount. Ground clearance isn't compromised much with a hitch. But I plan on a skid plate at some point.

I also scored a CUCV brush guard for cheap.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Looks good! Assume you’re ditching the saddle tanks? My 292 wouldn’t make it very far with 31 gallons but I bet yours is quite a bit better with the 4500.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Thanks!

Yeah, because I put in 64" rear springs from a later style 1 ton truck, I would only have been able to do a 16 gallon side tank, and because I didn't have any 16 gallon tanks, and I would want 2 of them it was cheaper to figure out a rear tank. I paid $167 for the 31 gallon, sender and straps-including shipping.

I would have done a 40 gallon tank, but the right rear inboard shock would have interfered with the larger tank. If I remember, the 40 gallon was 4 inches longer and 1 inch deeper.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

I have never heard split exhaust routed to the right and left on a Chevy 6 before. What are your plans on routing?

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Sorry, just saw this, been way to busy with work, and then managed to get an infection in my knee, which made me a complete cripple for the last 2 weeks (I could not put any weight on my knee).

Anyways, I plan on dumping the exhaust right in front of the drivers rear tires. Keeps it short and I don't need to find the angles to get over and around the fuel tank. Nice and simple for now.

I managed to get the rear half of the frame painted, and finalized the fuel tank install, now I am ready to route fuel and brake lines.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

I also had an adapter machined to fit the offenhauser intake and converts directly to a Jolley 2 barrel, this makes it much easier then using 2 or 3 adapters to get from the offenhauser to 2 barrel. I need to modify the power steering bracket I made, it's a tight fit, and I'm hitting someplace that isn't allowing the bracket to sit correct.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Been a while since an update. Engine is pretty close to being finished, had to custom fabricate a power steering pump bracket, tensioners installed for alternator and PS pump. Also picked up a 8ft stepside bed, will need to widen either fenders or bed itself, and add inner fender tubes to help clear the inner rear dual tires.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Getting some work done, making the step bed 4 inches wider, scored a set of brand new fenders with the marker lamps(73-78 style). Two of the pictures show before and after fender coverage of the rear dually tires.

Can't figure why the pictures uploaded sideways or upside down.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Trying to show rear fender coverage better, and some of the parts I widened installed. Running several ideas on how to do the tailgate, wouldn't mind getting rid of chains, so I could widen the gate 2", and build some post/pockets... or just widen gate the 4 inches, not sure yet.

Re: 1986 Chevy K30 CUCV/M1008 rebuild
 

Great progress. I think it would look cool to have the narrow box and bigger fenders but probably a lot more work too.