1982 swb c10 my first build

[lime1982]

Ok first of all I hope this forum is a bit different than another I have joined lol. I am pretty opened minded but it seemed on the other site if it wasn't a straight stock lmc build it got no respect. Ok enough of my rant. I purchased this truck through eBay memorial day weekend this year. Of course pictures looked awesome and it was a great truck, according to listing. I loved the way it looked and I was pressed for time. I drove 8 hours to pick her up and after a quick drive and look over in the dark I loaded her up and brought her home. after the first day of cruising around I knew the trans was weak but thought engine was in good shape was told it was a roller motor freshly built. I am no mechanic or Chevy guy I'll go ahead and get that out of the way but the square bodies have always been sexy to me so I figured I would get me one. My plans were to drive till fail on trans and go from there. well sure enough a few weeks after owning this beast the trans began slipping horrible. I weighed my options and decided on going with a TCI trans. Its the street rodder TH350version It was a package with a torque convertor trans cooler and all fluids included. The install went smooth however the topping off of fluid was a little bit of a issue but I will get to that later on. Well I drove with my fresh tranny about a week until Thanksgiving day to be exact and I felt a noticeable loss of power. getting the truck home I popped hood and checked spark plug wires anything noticeable after revving engine I developed a knock, a good one sounded like a bolt being slung around in the valve cover. I pulled valve cover and everything looked good so my problem is deeper in the engine . Oh well I figured now was as good of a time as any to tear the truck down and start over. I'm not sure what route I'm going to go I would love to bag the truck I am just not sure this is the right direction to go moneywise and experience wise with my first build. As of today I have pulled front cap and bed. My plans for the coming weekend are to pull cab and drivetrain. I am doing an a/c delete panel on the firewall. I know I can't budget in a new a/c system . I want to clean up firewall and rewire truck. The first order of business I Have decided is DJM upper and lower control arms and replace all steering components in the front. I am done typing here are a few pictures thank you whoever decides to follow my build I am sure ill have tons of questions.

[lime1982]

few pics

[lime1982]

how it looks now

[lime1982]

tci

[bbbc10]

Looks good.....but I would stay away from them djm arms.....go spindles and springs

[lime1982]

Is there a reason to stay away from djm. Another brand perhaps? I'm not really as concerned with method of lowering as much as I wanna replace the control arms just because I think that's easier than cleaning / painting old ones as well as replacing all bushings and hardware

[91short]

You're off to a good start, it sucks not knowing exactly what you're getting into when buying a truck like this. DJM spindles and springs should be good, I don't know about control arms. Porterbuilt makes top of the line equipment if you're interested in that.

[lime1982]

Originally Posted by 91short

You're off to a good start, it sucks not knowing exactly what you're getting into when buying a truck like this. DJM spindles and springs should be good, I don't know about control arms. Porterbuilt makes top of the line equipment if you're interested in that.

Yeah those look great but they are way above budget for this build.

[bbbc10]

The djm arms the spring pocket is alot lower which means clearence issues plus I seen some crack/break......an I still wouldnt do djm spindles or springs.....I had western chassis spindles and springs on mine.....an belltech flip kit.....those are the two good brands to go with

[lime1982]

Ok well thanks for info I may look into getting some oem type control arms and go the spindle spring route. I know I have to buy springs anyway the previous owner cut the originals..

[lime1982]

Well crap got engined pulled today it's cast as gm 3970010 which pulls up as the 2 bolt main to my understanding this isn't sought after. Should I be looking to buy a complete engine?

[MTCK]

Welcome. I would tear it down and see what is wrong with it. I guess depends on your $$$ and goals for the truck though. If you were planning on a blown big block anyway, go for it.

[lime1982]

Well I'm getting mixed answers on engine block number the original search pulled up that that particular cast number was a 2 bolt main 350 buy I've read also that that's just a generic 350 cast number it could be 2 bolt or 4 bolt main the only way of telling is by pulling pan and looking does anyone know?

[Jake Wade]

That casting number was used from around 1969 to 1979, it could be a 2 bolt or a 4 bolt. Only way to tell is pull the pan .

[lime1982]

A little progress today,I pulled all of the front suspension and steering stuff off today. I'm so ready to start cleaning and painting everything. It looks like it's time to order some parts. It's just a little hard to budget for this now being I also have to be "Santa Claus". I decided not to pull cab. I have nowhere to store it and I figure between ordering new parts I can rewire the cabin.

[lime1982]

Good help

[lime1982]

I figured firewall was a good place to learn how to use body filler.. I found it must be a skill that takes years to master.

[lime1982]

If you notice around the master cylinder mount there is tons of bondo. I found alot of rust there so I cut it out filled it with tons of old bolts and metal welded it up and bondoed.crap out of it

[lime1982]

Finished prout it's not perfect but I spend so much time trying to get it right.rubber coated and painted it satin black

[lime1982]

Dirty from sitting out but all new steering and suspension moog tierod ends djm upper and lower control arms summit 3 inch drop springs

[LT7A]

Looks like you got into the motor and got some go-fast parts for it -- there appears to be aluminum aplenty near the top. Did you find what had gone wrong with it? Looks like you maybe also got drop spindles. True? Going to be a fun truck with the parts you are getting. I wouldn't sweat the 2bolt vs 4bolt, generic block situation unless you are really going to beat on it. Even if you did, it would probably hold up quite awhile.

[lime1982]

Yes the jackass I bought it from had 305 heads on it. So with all the compression it busted 2 pistons. I found a really good deal on a short block and bought it only things used off old engine will be intake and carb. My heads are at the machine shop now to be checked and assembled. The spindles are stock . The djm control arms have 3 inch drop pockets so front should habe a total 6 inch drop. Thanks for replying I can't wait to get her back on road.

[lime1982]

Ugh

[lime1982]

Degreased and cleaned rear half of frame I coat of satin black

[lime1982]

Well a little progress. I cut perches off axle and am in process of making a homemade flip kit new perches on way . I tried notching frame with my jigsaw and sawzall. After about 20 minutes of sweat and a few packs of broken blades I opted to come inside and order a plasma cutter. Hopefully it will make it by weekend. I.have a 5 inch round piece of pipe sawed in half to weld in place along with flat steel for reinforcement. I am not sure if the 5 inch will make a large enough notch. I am keeping my eye out for a piece of 6 inch OD but hard to find just a scrap 4 inch long piece . Other issues I'm having is my engine guy and my heads. I went with mutha thumpr cam and was running into valve clearence issues. He is having to cut valves from 2.02 down to 190 ish . I'm no engine guy at all but this head job is costing hell out of me. 600 + dollars for assembling heads just seems high.but I'm at his mercy. I ordered some eagle alloy 227 series 20x10 and 20x8.5 wheels 6 to 8 week build time for those. I am thinking my goal of making the big car show here on Mississippi gulf Coast is a pipe dream. But I'm still trying. I did get new brakes put on today so it's progress.