85 White Whale - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JohnKimble · 09-19-2014, 07:17 PM

Couldn't really come up with a catchy project name, but I figured it took so long to find a decent K10 for sale that I would just call it my white whale.

Took me about a year of casually browsing craigslist and the such. Found a 1985 K10, 350 engine, 700R4, maintenance records, automatic...almost exactly what I was looking for.

dfrank · 09-19-2014, 07:19 PM

Nice find!

JohnKimble · 09-19-2014, 07:19 PM

It did have some rust in the cab corners. After calling around for paint quotes...I realized I would either have to do it myself, or pay a fortune.

Time to buy some tools. Angle grinder, die grinder, 60 gallon compressor, and lots of stripping discs!

JohnKimble · 09-19-2014, 07:22 PM

I cut out the rust, sprayed it with a rust converter and cut a patch panel to size. I had the welding done locally as my flux core was just too hot.

JohnKimble · 09-19-2014, 07:25 PM

Cab panels repaired. Tie down holes welded up. Stripping of the truck has began!

JohnKimble · 09-19-2014, 07:27 PM

The front fender dent was just too big for me to mess with. The local pick and pull had a dent free fender that I grabbed. Took a solid hour to strip though. It must have had 7 layers of paint/primer on it.

New grille arrived too.

JohnKimble · 09-19-2014, 07:37 PM

Using aircraft remover for the bed, along with a wire wheel and stripping discs. The aircraft remover is messy stuff, but works well.

Jaysonb · 08-16-2016, 08:29 AM

Looks good! I bet you're excited to get it put back together.

MTCK · 08-16-2016, 10:35 AM

Awesome progress. Can't wait to see it out in the sunshine.

JohnKimble · 08-16-2016, 11:40 PM

Thanks guys. Waiting on new taillights, side markers, weather stripping, grill trim, light bezels, and a whole lot more from lmc. Hopefully I can start piecing it back together this weekend.

JohnKimble · 08-28-2016, 12:58 AM

Got the new tail lights in. Really enjoying the difference from when I first got the truck.

ripdog28 · 08-28-2016, 02:30 AM

Nice build John. Love the build. I miss my square bodies, my first two trucks. You happen to live In Chula Vista?
Posted via Mobile Device

JohnKimble · 08-28-2016, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ripdog28

Nice build John. Love the build. I miss my square bodies, my first two trucks. You happen to live In Chula Vista?
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks! Nope I'm up in northern CA.

Painting the tailgate, cowl screen and lower grill panel tomorrow. Looking forward to getting the tailgate band on. Found one at the local pick and pull for ~$7!

JohnKimble · 08-28-2016, 04:13 PM

I just put down the first coat of paint. So far so good...

JohnKimble · 08-29-2016, 03:40 PM

Polished up the mirrors, sprayed the front radiator support, got the cowl screen in and am getting ready to put the bumper and grille on.

I'm unable to get the small round gaskets around the arm of the mirrors. Anyone have any tips???

JohnKimble · 08-29-2016, 09:13 PM

All that's left are the bumpers and glass...

JohnKimble · 08-29-2016, 10:22 PM

Total cost goes as follows:

Truck $2400
Grill $40
LMC misc parts $364
Primer $288
Body Filler $70
Sand paper $150
Paint $250
Misc spraypaint $10
Battery $50
patch panels $27
welding job for said patch $100
stripping discs/aircraft remover $120
front/rear windshield estimate $250
pick and pull tailgate band, fender and seat cover $64
misc parts I can't think to list $100

Total $4283...and more time than I want to even think about

LT7A · 08-29-2016, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnKimble

Total $4283...and more time than I want to even think about

Hopefully the enjoyment of "drive time" starts to pay you back for the hours expended getting it to this point. Looks great!

daddyjeep · 08-30-2016, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnKimble

Total cost goes as follows:

Truck $2400
Grill $40
LMC misc parts $364
Primer $288
Body Filler $70
Sand paper $150
Paint $250
Misc spraypaint $10
Battery $50
patch panels $27
welding job for said patch $100
stripping discs/aircraft remover $120
front/rear windshield estimate $250
pick and pull tailgate band, fender and seat cover $64
misc parts I can't think to list $100

Total $4283...and more time than I want to even think about

Owning a beautiful Square....priceless

The truck turned out real nice. I can't wait to get mine to that point.

JohnKimble · 09-02-2016, 07:34 PM

Hit the pick and pull today. Found a front and rear bumper. Front one cleaned up well. I'm waiting on my rattle can job to dry on the rear...should have it mounted soon.

JohnKimble · 09-02-2016, 08:45 PM

The rear bumper cleaned up well. I do have to remove it tomorrow and drill 4 mounting bolts. The bumper is currently attached with the four outside bolts, which really don't provide much impact protection.

Surprisingly both license plates lights work.

JohnKimble · 09-12-2016, 11:57 PM

Time for fluid changes. Front and rear diff, tranny and filter, oil and filter, transfer case. Refinish the wheels, paint over the overspray. Flushed and changed the coolant as well.

JohnKimble · 08-29-2016, 11:32 PM

Thanks. I'm sure the drive time with be plenty of fun. I'm dying to get this thing registered and on the road.

MTCK · 08-30-2016, 02:29 AM

Awesome work and a heck of a value. Time tools and patience. Well done. Enjoy the drive.

evan · 09-13-2016, 02:52 PM

Nice job. Looking forward to seeing the refinished wheels.

09-19-2014, 07:17 PM	#1
JohnKimble Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: CA Posts: 152	85 White Whale Couldn't really come up with a catchy project name, but I figured it took so long to find a decent K10 for sale that I would just call it my white whale. Took me about a year of casually browsing craigslist and the such. Found a 1985 K10, 350 engine, 700R4, maintenance records, automatic...almost exactly what I was looking for. Attached Images

09-19-2014, 07:19 PM	#2
dfrank Registered User Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 627	Re: 85 White Whale Nice find!

09-19-2014, 07:19 PM	#3
JohnKimble Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: CA Posts: 152	Re: 85 White Whale It did have some rust in the cab corners. After calling around for paint quotes...I realized I would either have to do it myself, or pay a fortune. Time to buy some tools. Angle grinder, die grinder, 60 gallon compressor, and lots of stripping discs! Attached Images

09-19-2014, 07:22 PM	#4
JohnKimble Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: CA Posts: 152	Re: 85 White Whale I cut out the rust, sprayed it with a rust converter and cut a patch panel to size. I had the welding done locally as my flux core was just too hot. Attached Images

09-19-2014, 07:25 PM	#5
JohnKimble Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: CA Posts: 152	Re: 85 White Whale Cab panels repaired. Tie down holes welded up. Stripping of the truck has began! Attached Images

09-19-2014, 07:27 PM	#6
JohnKimble Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: CA Posts: 152	Re: 85 White Whale The front fender dent was just too big for me to mess with. The local pick and pull had a dent free fender that I grabbed. Took a solid hour to strip though. It must have had 7 layers of paint/primer on it. New grille arrived too. Attached Images

09-19-2014, 07:37 PM	#7
JohnKimble Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: CA Posts: 152	Re: 85 White Whale Using aircraft remover for the bed, along with a wire wheel and stripping discs. The aircraft remover is messy stuff, but works well. Attached Images

08-16-2016, 08:29 AM	#8
Jaysonb Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Good Thunder Mn. Posts: 955	Re: 85 White Whale Looks good! I bet you're excited to get it put back together.

08-16-2016, 10:35 AM	#9
MTCK Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fairbanks, AK Posts: 1,830	Re: 85 White Whale Awesome progress. Can't wait to see it out in the sunshine. __________________ -Marcus 1991 V3500 L29 454 4L80E NP205 D60/14 Bolt 4.56's 1984 K30 292 TH400 NP205 D60/14 Bolt 4.56's flat bed 7'6" Meyer Plow 2022 Silverado 3500 L8T Project Daily Driver Project Heavy Hauler Project Plow Truck

08-16-2016, 11:40 PM	#10
JohnKimble Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: CA Posts: 152	Re: 85 White Whale Thanks guys. Waiting on new taillights, side markers, weather stripping, grill trim, light bezels, and a whole lot more from lmc. Hopefully I can start piecing it back together this weekend.

08-28-2016, 12:58 AM	#11
JohnKimble Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: CA Posts: 152	Re: 85 White Whale Got the new tail lights in. Really enjoying the difference from when I first got the truck. Attached Images

08-28-2016, 02:30 AM	#12
ripdog28 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Imperial Beach, CA Posts: 1,040	Re: 85 White Whale Nice build John. Love the build. I miss my square bodies, my first two trucks. You happen to live In Chula Vista? Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 69 c-10 BBC 462ci, forged crank, H-beam rods, 10.5-1 KB forged pistons, Dart Iron Eagle 308cc, Straub Cam, Comp Cams chrome moly full rollers, Weiand Team G, Prosystems 950, TH400/3500 Dalenzie stall, Currie 9+ Detroit Locker w/31spline axles.3.5/6in drop. My Build.

08-28-2016, 04:13 PM	#14
JohnKimble Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: CA Posts: 152	Re: 85 White Whale I just put down the first coat of paint. So far so good... Attached Images

08-29-2016, 03:40 PM	#15
JohnKimble Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: CA Posts: 152	Re: 85 White Whale Polished up the mirrors, sprayed the front radiator support, got the cowl screen in and am getting ready to put the bumper and grille on. I'm unable to get the small round gaskets around the arm of the mirrors. Anyone have any tips??? Attached Images

08-29-2016, 09:13 PM	#16
JohnKimble Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: CA Posts: 152	Re: 85 White Whale All that's left are the bumpers and glass... Attached Images



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08-29-2016, 10:22 PM	#17
JohnKimble Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: CA Posts: 152	Re: 85 White Whale Total cost goes as follows: Truck $2400 Grill $40 LMC misc parts $364 Primer $288 Body Filler $70 Sand paper $150 Paint $250 Misc spraypaint $10 Battery $50 patch panels $27 welding job for said patch $100 stripping discs/aircraft remover $120 front/rear windshield estimate $250 pick and pull tailgate band, fender and seat cover $64 misc parts I can't think to list $100 Total $4283...and more time than I want to even think about

09-02-2016, 07:34 PM	#20
JohnKimble Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: CA Posts: 152	Re: 85 White Whale Hit the pick and pull today. Found a front and rear bumper. Front one cleaned up well. I'm waiting on my rattle can job to dry on the rear...should have it mounted soon. Attached Images

09-02-2016, 08:45 PM	#21
JohnKimble Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: CA Posts: 152	Re: 85 White Whale The rear bumper cleaned up well. I do have to remove it tomorrow and drill 4 mounting bolts. The bumper is currently attached with the four outside bolts, which really don't provide much impact protection. Surprisingly both license plates lights work. Attached Images

09-12-2016, 11:57 PM	#22
JohnKimble Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: CA Posts: 152	Re: 85 White Whale Time for fluid changes. Front and rear diff, tranny and filter, oil and filter, transfer case. Refinish the wheels, paint over the overspray. Flushed and changed the coolant as well. Attached Images Last edited by JohnKimble; 09-13-2016 at 12:03 AM.

08-29-2016, 11:32 PM	#23
JohnKimble Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: CA Posts: 152	Re: 85 White Whale Thanks. I'm sure the drive time with be plenty of fun. I'm dying to get this thing registered and on the road.

08-30-2016, 02:29 AM	#24
MTCK Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fairbanks, AK Posts: 1,830	Re: 85 White Whale Awesome work and a heck of a value. Time tools and patience. Well done. Enjoy the drive. __________________ -Marcus 1991 V3500 L29 454 4L80E NP205 D60/14 Bolt 4.56's 1984 K30 292 TH400 NP205 D60/14 Bolt 4.56's flat bed 7'6" Meyer Plow 2022 Silverado 3500 L8T Project Daily Driver Project Heavy Hauler Project Plow Truck

09-13-2016, 02:52 PM	#25
evan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 488	Re: 85 White Whale Nice job. Looking forward to seeing the refinished wheels. __________________ Evan B.

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