Matt's 1970 C10 Thread

[72 tigger]

Looks like a nice project! Welcome to the site

[matt.quest21]

Originally Posted by RedRider

I know hindsight is 2020, but have you considered an HEI system to swap in? I don't know what your restoration goals are but it might be something to think about at this point.

I plan on doing that in the near future. My goal right now is to get it to turn over and run so I can verify there are no major issues.

[matt.quest21]

So, I bought a new coil and installed. Realized the coil negative was being grounded somewhere. After disassembling the point set and putting it back on the distributor, I decided to disconnect my tach. Checked the coil with a meter and everything magically worked. I put the distributor cap on, put in fresh gas and she fired right up!
Here's the video, please excuse my son and his crying. He has never heard pure power from a motor like that.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...8Gsd3-1280.mp4

My engine analyzer is coming in next week, so I will set the dwell exactly then.

My next goal is to get the bed off and move my truck into the garage where I can work more comfortably. I want to clean the frame rails and paint them, install new gas tank,sway bars, etc.

Figured I'll start in the back and work my way up front.

Y'all have a good one!

[yuccales]

Glad you got her going!

[matt.quest21]

Originally Posted by yuccales

Glad you got her going!

Thanks! This stuff is fun!

[matt.quest21]

Started her up again today.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...nFDcC-1280.mp4

Main goal today was to get the truck up to temp and see if the thermostat was functioning properly. I borrowed a temperature gun from work to shoot the temp of the thermostat housing.



After a few minutes of running, the motor topped out at about 170 degrees and I could see that my coolant level dropped. Looks like the thermostat is still functioning.

Next goal is to clean and flush the motor and radiator.

Y'all have a good one!

[matt.quest21]

I received my Engine Analyzer that I bought from Ebay on Tuesday. Since it was Halloween and I have 3 kids, obviously I didn't get to play with it.

Fast forward to tonight. I finally had a chance after work today to tinker. My first goal was to set the Dwell since I changed the point set a few weeks back. I hooked up the cables for the Dwell measurement and this is what I got:



I'm running a 400 small block, so my Haynes Manual says Dwell should be between 29-31. My point set was off by 20 degrees.

I turned the adjustment screw about 3/4 of a full turn and got it adjusted perfectly to 30 degrees. I was too excited to get a picture of this.

I may have some more time tomorrow to tinker. If I can, I'm going to drain the radiator and put some of that prestone cleaner through it. While it is running, I'm going to attempt to tune the carb and play with the timing a little more.

Y'all have a good weekend!

[yuccales]

Originally Posted by matt.quest21

I received my Engine Analyzer that I bought from Ebay on Tuesday. Since it was Halloween and I have 3 kids, obviously I didn't get to play with it.

Fast forward to tonight. I finally had a chance after work today to tinker. My first goal was to set the Dwell since I changed the point set a few weeks back. I hooked up the cables for the Dwell measurement and this is what I got:



I'm running a 400 small block, so my Haynes Manual says Dwell should be between 29-31. My point set was off by 20 degrees.

I turned the adjustment screw about 3/4 of a full turn and got it adjusted perfectly to 30 degrees. I was too excited to get a picture of this.

I may have some more time tomorrow to tinker. If I can, I'm going to drain the radiator and put some of that prestone cleaner through it. While it is running, I'm going to attempt to tune the carb and play with the timing a little more.

Y'all have a good weekend!

Looks like my way old Penske! Still works great. If yours is like mine and uses 3 "c" cell batteries, take the batts out when not using so they don't leak inside.

[matt.quest21]

Originally Posted by yuccales

Looks like my way old Penske! Still works great. If yours is like mine and uses 3 "c" cell batteries, take the batts out when not using so they don't leak inside.

Thanks for the heads up, but this one actually connects to the battery in my truck. No batteries needed!

[yuccales]

Originally Posted by matt.quest21

Thanks for the heads up, but this one actually connects to the battery in my truck. No batteries needed!

Told you mine was old! Kinda like it's owner.

[matt.quest21]

Flushed the coolant system this weekend.



Garage is just about cleared out. Plan on moving the truck into the garage over Thanksgiving Break. I wish I could drive it to the garage, but I have no brake pedal and judging by the looks of my firewall my master cylinder has gone out. Guess that means its time to upgrade to power brakes.

I've been looking at Wilwood "Blackout" power boosters. Here's a link:
https://www.performanceonline.com/19...ster-Cylinder/

What do you guys think of this model? It is a little on the pricey side, but it looks good and Wilwood is one of the better brands from what I gather.

Y'all have a good week.

[matt.quest21]

Well it's been a while since I last posted, but I've made a lot of progress.

Here are some updates:

Happy Birthday to me!

MSD 6AL-2 and Coil


MSD 8361 Pro Billet


The Distributor was an Ebay find. My dad bought it for me. Isn't he awesome?

In the midst of all of that, I began prepping my garage to make room for my truck.



I got some free material that was perfect for making a few work benches. This one is my favorite. Butcher block top with 4 inch casters for mobility. Added a power strip so I can have power wherever I go. This thing is already coming in handy.



Yesterday I summoned a few neighborhood friends and we got the bed off and hood removed. My truck looks naked!





I was nervous to drive my truck into the garage. There was a slight hill and I had no brakes, besides the emergency brakes. In the end there were no issues at all. I slowly got the truck moving, and used my reverse gear as a brake. Here is the current resting place for my truck.





I'm so excited that I finally have a warm and dry place to start working on my truck.

Next few things I will be doing include:

1. Swapping the old distributor for the new MSD setup. I want to verify the eBay find is good. I have a 30 day warranty so I want to check it out before time is up.
2. Begin cleaning up frame rust in the back as I find time. I also need to cut out crossmember where new fuel tank will go.
3. Remove front of truck in preparation for engine removal.
4. Start ordering new parts.

Y'all have a good week!

[matt.quest21]

I had another good weekend of working on the truck. I got the new MSD distributor in and the 6AL-2 ignition box wired up temporarily. After fighting with the old spark plug wires and getting the new ones in I attempted to fire the truck up. This was my first time swapping distributors, and I think I did pretty good. I fired the truck up, and the timing was almost perfect. I tweaked it just a little to get it closer. This is good news for my Ebay distributor. It ran like a champ. Only issue was I had the harness from the dizzy to the 6AL-2 running across the headers. After a puff of grey smoke in the engine compartment, the truck stopped. I quickly found the issue and just so happened to have an extra cable from when I bought the stuff. I changed out the cable and the truck fired up again.

Here's a clip of the truck running with the new setup:

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...tnSVM-1280.mp4

Now that I know that setup is good, I'm going to start tearing down the front end in preparation of removing the motor. I expect work to slow down in the next few weeks considering I have finals and Christmas is right around the corner.

Y'all have a good week!

[70 shorty]

In a previous picture, you showed the bed sitting on the ground. You might have already done this, but I wouldn't leave it on the ground. At least put it on block, but ideally, if you have room you should move it inside. I'm enjoying reading of the progress, and I too am a 70 shortbed step side owner.

[matt.quest21]

Originally Posted by 70 shorty

In a previous picture, you showed the bed sitting on the ground. You might have already done this, but I wouldn't leave it on the ground. At least put it on block, but ideally, if you have room you should move it inside. I'm enjoying reading of the progress, and I too am a 70 shortbed step side owner.

I have it sitting on 4x4 treated posts, but it's hard to see them. I don't have room in my garage, but my father in law has an out building he is going to let me put them in. Sometime after the rush of the holiday season, I'll get the bed, hood, and potentially the front end loaded up and put in storage. Thanks for looking out for me!

[matt.quest21]

Started tearing down the cab. Got the seat, gas tank and seat belts removed from the cab. Spent some time vacuuming and going through trash under the seat. Found two wrenches, a screwdriver, and a razor blade. Also am $0.38 richer. I guess I can put that towards the truck!

[matt.quest21]

After Christmas Update!

Got some tools and parts for Christmas. Also got some work done.

Here are pictures of the front end being removed.

Radiator out:


Bumper off:


Front end off:




I will have the motor out in the next few weeks.

See y'all next year!

[Joseph2001]

Looks like it's going awesome. Im in to watch this one.

[matt.quest21]

Motor is finally out with a little help from my youngest son, Beck.

[TXgearhead67]

Good job! Keep up the progress.

[yuccales]

Great pic of you and your helper.

[matt.quest21]

Originally Posted by TXgearhead67

Good job! Keep up the progress.

Thanks TXgearhead67! Just trying to go slow and steady. Little victories each week.

[matt.quest21]

Originally Posted by yuccales

Great pic of you and your helper.

Thanks yuccales! He loves helping Daddy.

[matt.quest21]

Got the emergency brake cable disconnected and the steering column out this week. I also started spraying the cab mount bolts with Kroil in preparation of removing the cab. I'm going to go to Home Depot soon to get materials to build the wooden support for picking up the cab with an engine hoist. I'm also building a small trailer to put the cab on so I can haul it in and out of the garage as I need it.

[matt.quest21]

It's been almost a month since my last post. I don't have many updates but I wanted to atleast post something.

I have ordered some 10" pneumatic tires to build a cart for my Cab. That is all I am lacking to have the chassis bare. Well that and the transmission. I hope to be able to lift the cab off in a week or so. I'm working in our two car garage, so I want to be able to pull the cab in and out as I need it. I think this cart with the pneumatic tires will be the right tool for the job.

I'm also in the middle of building a 5x10 utility trailer to haul parts around. My father-in-law is helping with this endeavor. It is my first attempt at welding, but with his help I think it will be a great trailer. We have the main frame built and the axle attached. Once the rain quits we will paint, install the floor boards, and fab up the rails.

The trailer project has definitely convinced me that I could probably do most of the welding needed on my truck. So there may be a welder purchase in my near future.

No pics this time. Y'all have a good week!