1978 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe
 

Yup, not much more than a week after picking up my ‘80 C10, I also found this one on marketplace just up the road from me, not even two miles away! It’s rough, but fairly complete, and best of all was only $200! I wasn’t going to pass on a 2wd shortbed for that price.

It has been sitting for a while, but apparently it drove to where it was parked. I’m not sure I believe that, but it does appear intact enough under the hood that it’s possible.

This is how I found it.

https://i.postimg.cc/wMSSsPS0/IMG-8404.png

https://i.postimg.cc/MKBk86Q4/IMG-8405.png

Pulled it out of its hole!

https://i.postimg.cc/fRQGzG7b/IMG-8410.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/x1GWc6g3/IMG-8411.jpg

Surprisingly, all the tires held air but one (couldn’t get the bead to seat again), so I swapped it with a spare I had.

https://i.postimg.cc/6Q9FRCmJ/IMG-8413.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/k5fzyD0V/IMG-8412.jpg

The core support identifies the truck as a 305 unit, but apparantly it’s been swapped out for a straight 6 sometime in its life, backed by a TH350.

https://i.postimg.cc/tTJfvpbB/IMG-8409.jpg

Loaded on the trailer!

https://i.postimg.cc/hjYYH6Pc/IMG-8414.jpg

The GVWR is 5300lbs, so it’s not a Big 10, but it does still have a 12 bolt rear axle and the thicker spring pack.

https://i.postimg.cc/4yh0ZPmt/IMG-8416.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/PNsRqDw7/IMG-8415.jpg

She’s home, time to clean her up!

https://i.postimg.cc/3xBYPrMh/IMG-8418.jpg

Re: 1978 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe
 

Wow great deal, do you have any plans for it?

Re: 1978 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe
 

Probably nothing extreme, clean it up, straighten it out, get it running and drive it!

Re: 1978 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe
 

nice I guess pretty good shape considering it's home (alaska)? I like your plan for it, keep us posted

Re: 1978 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe
 

It’s actually far better than it look, the pictures kind of don’t do it justice. The paint and dirt and crooked bumpers makes it look absolutely terrible, but I think once it has a single color of paint on it, it’ll look a lot better.

Re: 1978 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe
 

Sounds like a good plan

Re: 1978 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe
 

I cleaned out the bed this weekend, to the tune of an $85 dump run. They sure had the back packed FULL. This wasn’t even all of it!

https://i.postimg.cc/hPngmKpx/IMG-8432.jpg

Also tinkered on the engine a bit. It was gently seized, but I tightened the belts and let it soak with a mix of ATF and diesel in the cylinders for about 30 minutes, and rocked the fan back and forth until it turned.

https://i.postimg.cc/g0xPpj29/IMG-8436.jpg

Added battery power, and jumped the solenoid with a screwdriver, and it cranks over really well!

https://i.postimg.cc/1znbTdvs/IMG-8437.jpg

Picked up some basic parts to get things started. Oil and filter, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, ignition coil, carb rebuild kit, waterpump, upper radiator hose, turn signal switch, ignition slider switch, and key switch.

https://i.postimg.cc/SKBHpGP8/IMG-8441.jpg

Re: 1978 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe
 

I noticed that your engine has the integrated head so must be a period correct engine.
I'm just curious if it is the 2 barrel or single barrel setup kinda hard to tell from the pics though judging by the exhaust piping it might be 2 barrel. Anyway just curious I'm a straight 6 enthusiast lol.

Re: 1978 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe
 

It’s a 1975 engine according to the numbers, and I’m 99% sure that it has the 1BBL carb, at least that’s what rebuild kit I bought, lol. I’ll be diving into it a little more in the next day or so.

Re: 1978 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe
 

Ok the two barrels didn't come in till around 1978 or so.
I looked again at your pics I don't think that was the exhaust pipe I was seeing so never mind lol.

Re: 1978 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe
 

The rest of my tune up parts showed up last night! Gave her a new cap, rotor, plugs, wires, and have a new waterpump, thermostat, and radiator hoses ready to go on as well.

https://i.postimg.cc/vBfYNkG4/IMG-8525.jpg

I did a quick wiring job to put power to the distributor, and she fired right up and idled!

https://i.postimg.cc/HnmYDzLB/IMG-8526.jpg

Re: 1978 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe
 

Re: 1978 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe
 

Sweet!

Re: 1978 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe
 

very cool!!!! nice job!