It finally starts... another S10 swap...

[LEEVON]

PM very gladly sent!

[jeffs51chevy]

Gentlemen,
For some unknown reason, I was privileged to be included as the guinea pig to test fit Ted’s wiper conversion in my rig. I can only tell you that it was far easier than I could have expected. First off, my truck came as a yard sale; parts and pieces in unlabeled boxes, jumbled all over the place. My wiper system was half assembled or half dissembled depending if your glass is half full or not. So with my assembly manual in hand, I sifted through my parts looking for missing doodads and bobbles. But enough of my troubles.

Ted’s design and precision made the install an absolute breeze. His instructions are spot on and only required minor modifications to tweak a wiper arm here or there. His starting angle put me very close to perfect. The entire install, after locating parts, was around 30 minutes. This thing was a piece of cake. The ajustability makes the bracket easy to align. Get in line and make it easy on yourself.

Jeff

[Thadious]

Well... it's been brought to my attention that I've been amiss in my responsibilities in updating my thread and throwing out ideas on what I've been up to. A fair bit of research, figuring things out and fabricating... so here goes.

I looked at the bearclaw latches and like the idea of them... pretty much fool proof positive lock and easy to deal with. While working on my kid's Jeep YJ, I noticed that they incorporate the same parts... so... during my trip down to Portland last spring, I stopped in at a Pick A Part and liberated a set from YJ half door for the tidy sum of $20 (you guys get the best deals btw... $25 each up here!).

Finally got around to it... and so this is what I did...

First drill out the old countersunk bolt holes...


Make plugs, weld them in and grind flush... don't forget to fill in where the old door latch comes through... start with a clean canvass...



I made a cardboard template of what I wanted to cut out and where the new holes need to go, then trial and fit to get it all just right. I made the new opening centered where the old one was so the striker pin would be centered on the door jamb.


Then trimmed off some of the extra metal on the latches that only seems to get in the way. Ground off the peened end of the rivet on the door latches that hold the pivot mechanisms in place (the ones that unlock the latch), and designed a new piece from stainless... as pictured...


Made a new pin on the lathe (both sides) and re-riveted them back together (probably could have cleaned up the old one and just weld it back in) Then made an extended latch pin to clear the door... used the old washer and spring.


Flipped the door latch handle on the inside (don't swap sides) so the handle runs straight across and level (IMO this is the way it should have been done originally if you look at the way the door was made!).


And finally finish off with a electric door opener (popper) at the bottom... connect the cable and you're in!

I know this seems somewhat complicated, but with a little thought and the tools... it's not that hard... about a days work and looks great IMO.

Cheers!
Ted.

[Thadious]

Well... been a long freeking time since I threw some progress up... I've mostly been fiddling with alot of the fitting of the cab and doors, some other little BS and the wiring... I took a bit of a break from the main truck on an offshoot and decided to build an engine for it.

I debated leaving the 4.3 in and decided that I was tired of always wishing my vehicles had that little more "ooomf" and so the decision was made to do it right the first time... The idea was a SBC 350 mild to moderate build with a tbi on it.

The "donor" truck engine and transmission was a 1988 Chev Silverado with a 5.7 liter 350 small block in it and a TH700R4 transmission that will work well with the wiring from the S10 conversion that I'm doing... after all... a 5.7 liter is the same block as the 4.3 liter with 2 cylinders added (or is that the other way around... =) ). So, after about $700 in machine work and $1.2k in parts and shipping... this is where I'm at...

9.6:1 compression ratio
Bored 0.030" over
Hypereutetictic pistons with coated skirts
Lunati Voodoo cam
Vortec heads with conversion intake manifold
Custom '99 Dodge Inferno red metallic paint job
and a whole lot of polished aluminum accessories... just to make it look "old school"
Before:




After:






Oh, and the end result... hoping it should be around 270-280 HP.... will dyno it later!

Cheers,
Ted.

[kustombrad]

Keep up the good stuff, Ted! The wiper deal is very cool. Didn't want just the on/off and was asking around to figure out what I needed, then you stepped in and saved the day! Thank you!
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[chev3600]

I'm amazed at the imagination and fab skills here. You're doing us all a great service nailing down the particulars with the wipers. Thanks.
Pm sent.

[Thadious]

Thanks for the kind words!

I'm a firm believer in sharing info... if there's anything I research and figure out, I'd prefer for peeps to not have to reinvent the wheel and maybe use my ideas to come up with others... Same as I do from everyone else here!

Cheers!
Ted.

[wibas]

Do you have more info on the ford wiper motor conversion? How about pictures with it mounted up if you have it. I think you are right that 2 speed and intermitten would be better as a conversion. By the way your post is a great read and pictures are great! Thanks for keeping us inspired!

[Thadious]

So... busy over the holidays... got some work done on a buddies house that netted me $1100, so time to buy more goodies!

I ended up with a Painless TBI harness, a set of headers, a Monster-in-a-box Transmission rebuild kit and a new fuel pump from a late 80's F**d F150.

Last friday I tore down the old transmission that came behind my V6 4.3 (used it because it had the "K" case in it), turns out it was a V8 trans anyways.... score!

This was after it was stripped down and cleaned...


All the guts strewn across my workbench! Wow... didn't realize there was sooo much stuff in there (never rebuilt a trans before!)



And my Christmas present to myself!



Finally got it all put back together on tuesday night, last night bolted it and my headers to the block.... What a pretty sexy combo! And should hold up to the power of the V8 no issues now.



Should have the mounting brackets all welded and bolted up tonight.. primer and Zero rust on and dropped back in by tomorrow...

Cheers!
Ted.

[daverod]

So what mount did you use? Where are they in relation to the orginal mounts on the s10 frame? I think I got the same headers. Sounds like u got a lot done. You got lower that a step in the right direction.

[hotrodjoe1952]

i am so freakin jealous lol...jk love the work you are doing man, great job.

[hotrodjoe1952]

Ted, One more question, what is the total dimension from center to center of your wheels? i read in your forum that you cut the frame but i don't remember if you gave the dimensions after you cut it....thanks, keep up the good work.

[T Hilde]

oh the torture, all that work and no pics.

[daverod]

[Thadious]

Blame the wife... took the camera on her trip!

She should be back soon and I'll fix ya up... Damn junkies!



Ted.

[daverod]

I blame everything on the wife.or the dog.

[panelrodder81]

Originally Posted by Thadious

Blame the wife... took the camera on her trip!

She should be back soon and I'll fix ya up... Damn junkies!



Ted.

Junkie... yes that is a good word for it! I'm a 'Car Porn Junkie'! (Sounds like a punk band name!)

-Panelrodder

[yukon ratrod]

looking good! I was a teenage mini trucker in my prime, and friends would always ask me why I dont build a cool old truck. I remember the day I canabilized my first s-10!! oh what a great feeling. lol now I cant even imagine driving a little mini truck.

[48 GMC BURB]

Ted as a newbee to this "FORUM" thing...the knowledge you guys share is awesome !
Sweet build 411
I too am updating to a out dated LOL ....96 Corvette LT 1 ..... .Where did you get those old school valve covers ?
Do you have any of your wiper arm kits avaible ? The wife took the Burb to the beach & dident like my "Rain X solution" so it looks like I'll be under the dash !


TKS
KC

[Thadious]

Thanks for the great words!

The valve covers I picked up from a vendor on Ebay and I found a air cleaner cover to match (just haven't painted it yet). The valve covers are new repops as they are centerbolts...

As for the wiper kits, I have to get off my ass and make more... I've got a few orders on the wait list! As soon as I get this divorce and moving stuff all squared away, I'll get right on them and get some out. Last batch was 10, I may have to build up a few more this time... they were gone in the blink of an eye. Now that I have a CNC setup a little (still on trials) it may be time to program them all in.

Send me a private email (in the forums) and I'll add you to the list and hopefully shouldn't be too long.

Thanks again,
Ted.

[48 GMC BURB]

Will do

[DQ81]

Simply inspiring thread.

I just got my '52 five window Chevy roadworthy for the summer. She's all stock suspension with a 283/700r4 and 4.55 posi.

I can't wait to start getting proper work like this done on it!

very nice!

[Robert Andrew]

Originally Posted by Thadious

Thanks for the great words!

The valve covers I picked up from a vendor on Ebay and I found a air cleaner cover to match (just haven't painted it yet). The valve covers are new repops as they are centerbolts...

As for the wiper kits, I have to get off my ass and make more... I've got a few orders on the wait list! As soon as I get this divorce and moving stuff all squared away, I'll get right on them and get some out. Last batch was 10, I may have to build up a few more this time... they were gone in the blink of an eye. Now that I have a CNC setup a little (still on trials) it may be time to program them all in.

Send me a private email (in the forums) and I'll add you to the list and hopefully shouldn't be too long.

Thanks again,
Ted.

Hi Thadius,

I just noticed your build and the great wiper kit you developed. It's been a long time since you posted the wiper kit, and I wondered if you were still making them. I could use one for my 51 Chevy build.
Thanks,
Robert Andrew

[jpmanyhearts]

i would also like to pick one up for my 49 chevy truck

[Thadious]

Headers:
After trying about 5 different sets of headers and really not wanting to go with stock manifolds of any sort, I figure my onely way is making my own... typical for me, yes I know... I'm looking at designing and building a set of stainless ones (the entire exhaust is going to be stainless and already have those parts.

I'm going for low end torque so looking at starting with 1 1/2" primaries, a tri-y design with a 2 1/4" collector, as the rest of the exhaust is 2 1/4" true duals with a crossover. The entire setup will be TIG'd and cleaned smooth...

Any words of advice for someone who hasn't built headers before?

Thanks!
Ted.