77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

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.

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Well the easy AC fix didn't work...tried filling the system with freon but it is losing pressure so I wasted $75 on that. Can't seem to find a leak the only odd thing I can seem to find is that the compressor clutch kicks on and off randomly while the AC is running. On a better note I did get the Edelbrock air cleaner and breather cap on and got the oil changed. I also cleaned the inside out a bit and threw a Mossy Oak seat cover on. :D

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Sounds like it is going to be a cool rig when you finish with it.

Not doubting your info (more so for my own curiousity) does it really have a 6" lift and 33's? It doesn't appear to stand over those tires by that much. Like maybe it is a 4" lift, either that or those mud brutes run big!

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Oh...maybe it's a 4" lift...just going off what the PO said. Has Pro Comp shocks on it so I don't know..but I did measure and the lift blocks in the rear are roughly 4"

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Cool truck, I like the "bigger" trucks on this forum.

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Cool. I like the stance. You going with 33's again when you get new ones?

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

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...as for the tires I will probably go with some 36s and if necessary bushwacker cut outs....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.

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

So if anyone has a LS motor, BBC or something of the like for sale let me know :)

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Well that search ended quick...talking with my neighbor he has a complete running 454 that he'll sell me for $400. Completely stock motor with 049 heads. Plan on cam, headers, intake, carb, valve springs and lifters. Any advice as to what setup to run?

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Got the 454 today...plan on getting her cleaned up and parts list shall follow. A little history it is a 73 454 with 049 heads out of a 30' motorhome.

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

looking good, can't wait to the see how it goes

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Thanks! Plan on heading out and grabbing some el cheapo oven cleaner when the store opens and a scraper and getting to work.

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Well wasn't able to use my buddy's pressure washer today so it was all manual labor. Got it cleaned up a bit with Purple Power, a scraper and some canned air lol. Pulled the mangled fan and that's about it. Just lots of cleaning...trying to work on it little by little I will post progress pics tomorrow.

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Plan for the motor is:

Crane 272 duration .515 lift cam/lifters
Holley 670 vacuum secondary or 650 double pumper (haven't decided)
Weiand stealth dual plane
cloyes true roller timing set
Long tube headers
Some sort of exhaust not sure what diameter

Let me know what you think. I think it will be a nasty combo that should be fun on the street and offroad with some decent down low grunt.

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Really surprised no one has been replying...I am now trying to chase down my fuel gauge issue. The problem is when the tank is somewhat full say over a quarter tank the gauge reads at the quarter mark and then when tank is anywhere around or below that it just reads empty. This is the case on both tanks...and the selector switch to go back and forth works just the gauge doesn't read right...any ideas?

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

So it must be a tall deck truck motor then since it came from a motor home?

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

I'm not sure. How do I tell? Sorry I'm fairly new to gas motors...only dealt with diesels for the past few years.

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

nice project... 454 will be pretty mean...

mind if we move this to the 4x4 build section?

with fuel tank issues i'd start with looking at the grounds, then the gauge, then the sending units in the tank...

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

No sir that would be much appreciated so it will get a little more traffic. I will definitely start with the grounds. The truck was not treated as nicely as it should have been by the PO I'm finding. Pretty excited to get the project rolling too. Thanks msgross!

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Finally got her on a motor stand today. Power washing will be happening this weekend. Also got a package from my buddy that has nice chromed valve covers and a Torker 2 intake I will be selling. Plus she's now registered back in the great state of AK! And officially Big Nasty 3!

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Well oven cleaner from the 99 cent store did the trick....going to rattle can the motor tomorrow and start ordering parts. Still undecided on carb...but the rest of the build is 60201 Lunati cam and lifters, true roller timing set, weiand stealth intake, some headers and exhaust. Other than that stock 454 with a 4 speed and 3.73s...I was thinking a 750 Double Pumper or a 770 Vac Sec and that's what Holley recommends but a buddy says run a 670 VS or 650 DP...what do you all think?

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Got the manifolds pulled and picked up some Chevy orange and black rattle cans. Fixed an existing exhaust leak and that's about it for tonight. Going to order parts tonight or tomorrow
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Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Well super excited...the parts order is in and is as follows:

750cfm vacuum secondaries Holley
Dual feed line kit with pressure gauge
Weiand Stealth intake with all assoc. gaskets
1-3/4" headers with 3" collectors
BBC flywheel
Freeze plug kit
Complete gasket kit for the motor
Lunati 60201 cam with lifters (256/262 Dur; .515/.530 lift)
True double roller timing set with gaskets

Only thing I need off the top of my head is an actual exhaust; wanting to do side exit in front of the rear tires can't find any company that makes them.

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

I'm no Picasso but slapped the first coat of Chevy Orange on it tonight..don't worry bout those valve covers it has chrome finned ones going on it. It'll get at least another coat or two and the pulley's are getting painted gloss black. Nothing spectacular or out of this world but good enough for me!

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

you're a busy guy...

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Yeah. Gives me something to do in my off time. Plus I still have a lot of work to do on the interior and with the AC.
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Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

nice truck, right up my alley! sucks about the mill under the hood for the price you paid, but I bet it'll haul a couple fun times with the new rat. ;)

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Finally got a few parts today :) Got the cam/lifters, timing set and dipstick. More updates later

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Definitely a little let down. I ordered from Jegs and Summit within minutes of each other. My cam/lifters came from a warehouse in OH and the other stuff from NV via UPS. For some reason it got here today as my tracking number said it would. Now the Jegs shipment also coming from OH although larger stated a delivery date of today. I checked the tracking number via FedEx to find out it would be here tomorrow which isn't a big deal however, when the tracking information was updated today my packages are in Phoenix (4 hours from my house) and won't be here until Tuesday...WTF!!! I understand there is a holiday on Monday but come on. So long story short I won't be purchasing from a company that utilizing FedEx unless I have no choice. After a few calls to FedEx with zero explanation as to why my delivery date changed I've had it. The only info I got was it will be in Palm Springs (an hour from my house) tomorrow but not delivered until after the long weekend....needless to say I'm impatient and F_CKING pissed. But oh well....on a lighter note I pulled the balancer and intake and must say the pushrods/intake runners and what not look GREAT! And they appear to be the larger pushrods which makes sense seeing as how it's a early 70s motorhome motor. Hope everyone else is having a better day than me.

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Stocked up on beer and got a few buddies and got a TON done on the motor. Got the cam/lifters in, true roller timing set on, intake installed and a nice new set of freeze plugs in. Basically all that's left is valve covers, carb, water pump and pulleys then drop it in. Getting excited....probably will spend some family time so it will most likely get dropped in next weekend but a lot closer than yesterday.

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Very cool truck and project. Looking forward to seeing your engine completed.

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Looks good! Bummer about the motor it came with, but all will be well once you install that BBC.
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Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Cool project, sucks how when every truck sells the engine magically transforms into something less desirable. I have had this happen too, my 283 was a built 327 before I bought the truck but then once I got it home it turned into a built (in the 70s:lol:) 283. The new BBC should be a lot of fun!

I dont get over to the 4x4 side much but after selling my Z71 I want another 4x but something older for hunting and good ol fun times ;) Keep up the good work! :chevy:

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Funny how that works isn't it? Just slowly getting it together for now. Have a family so I don't like to spend all of my time on it either. Got the balancer on today...going to clean up the valve covers then get them on probably tomorrow. Try to finish what's left throughout this week and throw it in this weekend. Have our anniversary coming next week so that's out of the question. Wish me luck!

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Figured I would update this...motor should be going in tomorrow hopefully. I will update with progress.

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Well I didn't update the thread as I said I would but it's okay because the motor should get broken in today. Seeing as to it's my motor going in and I am one of those "if it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck" guys it's not surprising it has taken a week. From no store within 2 hours of here having a clutch pilot bearing to the motor/trans being stubborn to getting all the big block brackets and realizing my aftermarket tall valve covers don't work with AC and now I will be throwing the short ones back on once the hot months come...to last but not least the headers which are made for my truck/motor ending oddly close to the transmission crossmember. So I guess I will be running open headers until I can figure out a fix for that. Hopefully the last bit goes smoothly.

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

You can run open headers in California without getting in trouble?

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

lol my old f250 with a 351 ran open headers for like a year in a town near mine befor it was mine he never got bugged by the cops

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

I don't know if a CA resident could but I'm in the military with all of my vehicles registered back home in Alaska so yeah I can...quick question for those of you with headers on a BBC in a 4wd. After triple checking the part number and calling Jegs to ensure it's correct my collector comes out directly in the center of the trans crossmember...if you don't know what I'm talking about I will post a picture shortly

Re: 77 K10 Build: The Tank
 

Update: Truck is broken in properly...carb needs some tuning. Got the exhaust fixed with some clamps, flex tube and connectors. Need to wait for Autozone to send my $160 rewards card so I can get a nice AGM battery with enough CCA to turn that big block over and going to throw some better/bigger gauge neg/pos wires to the battery.