Kodiaks 53 / S10 Build

[Kodiaks53]

Ran into a bit of a problem today which I haven't had time to look into just yet. I hooked up the fuel line from my electric fuel pump to the carb this afternoon and applied power.....fuel pump runs (external Holley unit for carbs) fuel pressure goes to 9psi them slowly drops to 0 . It never pumps up again, but the fuel pump runs. I'm thinking trash somewhere in the fuel system? Any suggestions? Where to start looking for trash? I did clean out the tank while off the chassis, put in a new fuel pickup, old one was useless, no fuel pump in tank its now a Holley external unit.
Any thoughts or suggestions?

[Sim6]

Man you are rolling fast! Great work Kodiak.

[Advanced Design]

Restriction between pump and tank is a good place to start.

[Kodiaks53]

Thankks AD , I will take a look there first. I should have most of the day to work on the truck. Got all my Honey Do's finished today so I'm planning a shop day with the truck tomorrow!

[Kodiaks53]

Well I managed to find the fuel issue with the help of my son who came to visit today. Seems I had some air trapped in the line somehow. After taking lines loose to try and isolate the issue it bubbled in the fuel filter and started pumping!! It came up to pressure and then I cut it off because the fuel was very dirty. Probably from the line from the pump to the front of the truck. So we disconnected the line where it turns to go across the front and ran some fuel out until it cleared up, reconnected and we're up and running just dandy!!!

I have a spare filter and will probably get a couple extras just to have on hand.

Also my fan came in today so I mount that on the radiator next week.
Pretty good Saturday if I do say so

[Advanced Design]

Good deal, glad you got it. That is a good Saturday!

[Kodiaks53]

Well, I got my fuel issue completely cleaned up and everything all buttoned back up. A little more tweaking and she will be thumping right along.
I mounted my new 16" fan that came in Saturday. I clipped some leads to the wiring to see how it ran and man did it pull some air through the radiator, very strong fan. Finished hooking up my Lokar transmission linkage. I had a slight drip from the radiator but found that to be a not fully tightened upper radiator hose. So now I'm cleaning up both front fender supports and getting them painted, hope to have them on the truck tomorrow afternoon. Another good afternoon!!!

[Kodiaks53]

Been a while since I last posted but I've been doing those things that don't show much progress but I have been working. Got the dash holes welded up and smoothed out, mounted the fuse box, removed the light switch and started the wiring harness install. So far its going very well, we'll see how well when I turn on the switch!!! Here's some pictures of the progress, got the inner fenders mounted as well as some front sheet metal.

[lower50's]

Great job on the build so far, and congrats on the first fire.
I'm waiting on my cooling fan they say tomorrow then I can put rad in and I hope to fire mine this weekend!!

[Kodiaks53]

Thanks, I hope you got the fan and get it all fired up this weekend. Firing them up is always a big milestone !

[Kodiaks53]

The last couple of days were very successful, I got the brakes bleed with the help of my 12 year old Grandaughter and yesterday afternoon late I was able for the first time in over 25 years to drive the 53 out of the shop under its own power Still got lots to do like putting on the outer front fenders , door and bed but at least now shes starting to look and feel like a truck again!

[oldman3]

Great news and congrats on the drive...Jim

[Advanced Design]

Congratulations! Always a good feeling to get them moving under their own power.

[lower50's]

Congrats!! Must feel great to move it around. Yes I did get my rad and started it.

[Clay54]

Kodiaks 54, backing up a bit on your build, I noticed your cab mounts had a smaller black pad sitting on what I am guessing to be the S10 pads. What are those black pads, two on back and one in front? Maybe a radiator mount pad or something similar? Also, does your cab mounts put the cab about 6" off the frame? Good info in your build. Thanks for your time, Clay

[Kodiaks53]

Clay54, The black pads are phenolic spacers supplied by AD Engineering. That's the kit I used in my build. Their kit is a bit pricey now but has been through several upgrades over the years. It's easier now to make you own with all the info available here. It does sit about 5 to 6 inches off the frame. I'll be using drop spindles to get the ride height I would like as well as not having a transmission tunnel and a useful bed depth. I really like the lower trucks but this is what will work for me.

Ron

[Clay54]

Thanks. Once I had hit the enter button, I realized those thingies were part of a kit but it was then too late to get it back. I too want a flat floor and am hoping to use the metal bed bottom of the S10 for my '54 bed. Skymags S10 how to uses a Camero radiator to frame mount and I thought that might be what you are using. Thanks again, Clay

[Kodiaks53]

Been a couple of months since I last posted, been a rough summer. The last of June I didn't really feel very good so I finally go to the Doctor in early July and wind up in the hospital (ICU) for 3 days and the rest of the week in the general population. All from the complications of Diabetes that I didn't know I had for several years. Kidneys shut down (reason for ICU) and several other complications. Anyway I'm doing much better and gaining my strength back. Lost about 40 lbs but don't recommend this as a good way to loose weight (dangerous and very expensive)
This past week my wife lost 2 close uncles 2 days apart, those funerals have taken up most of this past week. So yesterday I finally get a chance to go over to my shop. Open the door and have to clear spider webs out of the way to get through. Get into the truck and sit down in the seat, reach over to the ignition switch and turn the key over and she starts right up after a couple pats of the gas pedal. Hope to get started on the bed again and finish that up before to long just gotta take it slow for a bit.

[lower50's]

Sorry to hear about your hospital visit, that's never good for anyone. Glad your feeling better tho. Really sorry about your wife's uncles, it's always tough to loose someone or two. I wish you both good news or good luck in the near future. The truck firing right up would make you feel better.

[oldman3]

Sorry about the hospital, take care of yourself. Losing someone is hard, lost a close cousins last week myself...Jim

[Advanced Design]

Kodiaks, sorry to hear about the hospital visit. And losing the uncles. Both are rough. Slow and steady shop time will be a nice change. Best wishes for full recovery!

[Kodiaks53]

Thanks guys, I am looking forward to some shop time later this week. It will be monitored closely by the wife, she's making sure I do things right and so far she's been doing a very good job

[Kodiaks53]

Been almost a month since i have got to work on m truck. So I decided I was going to get some truck time in this weekend. Friday i got my new door latches installed and adjusted as well as the new outer door handles. Today I installed the two quarter windows and lock bead. I got the rear window in but didn't get the lock bead in place. Anyway I really overdid it and can hardly walk right now. Doc says Auther Ritus has come to visit for a while and he has taken up residency in my knees and ankles. We have a plan to remedy the pain and swelling its just going to take more time, this is really cutting into my truck time but gotta do what you gotta do. Looks like its going to be slow go for a while yet.

[T-P Auto]

Kodiaks53;

Good to see that you got to do some work on the project.
I have not worked on my"Frankenstine" project in a few months either.
Have been trying to get my VA benafit n SS all worked out.
All so got a lil wore out on the project.
It is running n tagged.
So you just take it slow a easy.

T-P Auto
Tim

[Kodiaks53]

Thanks Tim, I was thinking about you and your truck last week. Mine is running and about 3 weeks ago I got the insurance and license plate registered and all so I'm good to go, just need a few more things finished up before I any road trips!!!