1 Owner 1976 SWB

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by JWall

UPDATE ON THE LED HEADLIGHTS WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING ABOVE...

So, I noticed a while back that the drivers side headlight lens/housing had a haze to it kind of like it was fogging or a dirty pretty much all the time. Although not that noticeable it drives me nuts. I tried contacting Stark about it & never heard a single word back.

Then Saturday, after arriving to a local car show I discovered that the passengers side lens was cracked all the way across. There was no "point of impact" like a got hit with a rock or anything so I don't think that was the issue.

So, with these 2 issues & the lack of being able to get customer service, I plan to remove these lights & go back to old school lights until (or even if) I find another set that I like enough to try.

I was happy with the look of the lens in the beginning with them not having any wild designs or company logos all over them & even the performance of the lights but I just don't think they are all that great of quality of product.
(And take in to consideration my truck is not daily driven or even driven that much all)

Just wanted to give an update since so many of you had posted or messaged me about these.

What did you do about the headlights?

[JWall]

Originally Posted by Cruisin'

That truck look's DAMN FINE!
You've done an awesome job!

Thank you!

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

What did you do about the headlights?

I went back to regular headlights. A sylvania silverstar headlight.
I may try another set of leds in the future if I can find one with a lens that I like.

[JWall]

The 76 has been getting some engine upgrades & makeover lately... its not completely done but heres an update...

Still have some detailing & things to "tidy up" but its close now.


Changes included:
Holley Sniper EFI
CVF Racing Pulley system
Slosh Panels to smooth insides of fenders
removed ac box from firewall & installed block off plate
Billet Specialties Streamline valve covers
Black Air cleaner
Went back to rubber hoses with heat shrink clamps (instead of chrome coolflex hoses)
New inner fender wells
New Derale fan
Repainted most the stuff in the engine bay
And lots of other little stuff

Still plan to do headers & new full exhaust in the future... time & budget just didnt allow it right now.

[UKNOWME]

Man, that’s clean! Are you not gonna have AC though?

[JWall]

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

Man, that’s clean! Are you not gonna have AC though?

Not this go round. I went no heat no air to clean things up.

At some point in the future I will do a vintage air set up when I tear into the truck a little deeper.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by JWall

Not this go round. I went no heat no air to clean things up. At some point in the future I will do a vintage air set up when I tear into the truck a little deeper.

It looks amazing. I'm working with Mike Losh on a RestoMod Air system for Elwood. It may be something for you.

[JWall]

Originally Posted by cruizin01

Truck looks great.

Thank you!

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

It looks amazing. I'm working with Mike Losh on a RestoMod Air system for Elwood. It may be something for you.

Thanks Ken! I'll stayed tuned for that!

[aggie91]

Nice and clean. Looks good.

[cochino12]

Engine bay looks great!! Any difference in the way the truck runs with the sniper EFI?

[smbrouss70]

Originally Posted by cochino12

Engine bay looks great!! Any difference in the way the truck runs with the sniper EFI?

I'm curious too. I have a Sniper sitting in the box waiting for me to finish up with my suspension on the Blazer.

[Dads79GMC]

Looks great! I have my personal top 5 73-80 C10s and this one is definitely one of my favorites and in my top 5!!!! Mike

[JWall]

Originally Posted by cochino12

Engine bay looks great!! Any difference in the way the truck runs with the sniper EFI?

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

I'm curious too. I have a Sniper sitting in the box waiting for me to finish up with my suspension on the Blazer.

I don't have but just a small amount of test miles on it so far but it seems to have great throttle response, more power, idles smooth, starts good, etc.
And I expect it to get nothing but better once it has some more miles of "learn time" on it.


So far the only thing I didn't like about the kit was the throttle/kickdown brackets supplied with the kit. They just didnt look as good as the rest of the kit.
So, I opted to modify my Lokar throttle cable bracket to work.

Originally Posted by Dads79GMC

Looks great! I have my personal top 5 73-80 C10s and this one is definitely one of my favorites and in my top 5!!!! Mike

Thank you! I appreciate that!

[JWall]

Got a few more things done with the engine makeover/upgrades & got the hood back on.

Also, got a few more miles of test driving on it. So far I am very impressed with the Holley Sniper Fuel Injection kit. The truck starts easier than ever before, it idles very smooth, seems to have better throttle response and power.

[Dads79GMC]

Great source information as well!! Mike

[bluex]

How/where did you route the wiring for your sniper? I have mine all bundled up over by the blower motor for now an it looks horrible. I spent over an hour trying to find a clean way to do it but seemed it was too short for one direction and to long for others. Your engine bay looks great, I have some serious clean up to do on mine

I'm really happy overall with my sniper as well. Ready to add timing control to it now when I have the time.

[LDO]

Super clean engine bay! Love this truck.

May I ask what paint you used for the black? Those side fender panels really make a difference in the appearance of the engine bay.

[JWall]

Originally Posted by bluex

How/where did you route the wiring for your sniper? I have mine all bundled up over by the blower motor for now an it looks horrible. I spent over an hour trying to find a clean way to do it but seemed it was too short for one direction and to long for others. Your engine bay looks great, I have some serious clean up to do on mine

I'm really happy overall with my sniper as well. Ready to add timing control to it now when I have the time.

Originally Posted by LDO

May I ask what paint you used for the black?

John Deere Blitz Black

It has a good sheen to it, is durable, & touches up pretty easily.

[cruizin01]

Truck looks great.

[JWall]

Havent updated lately... thought i'd share some pics from our yearly Feb. indoor show....

[Dads79GMC]

As always, looking fantastic!!

[JWall]

Update on the Sniper EFI & the CVF Racing Pulley system....

I have 150ish miles on the Sniper & I am very impressed!
The truck starts great, idles smoother, has more power & better throttle response.
To me the truck even sounds better just cleaner or more crisp.

I've been asked a bunch about fuel mileage with the Sniper & honestly I dont know what my mileage was before to compare it to since fuel mileage just isnt important to me on this truck.

I may try to track mileage a little when we go down to Red River Rumble next month... thats if I remember!

The CVF Racing pulleys look and work great. Great quality stuff at a good price too! I love the low mount set up... you almost have to be looking for them to see an of the accessory drive stuff.


The digital monitoring with the Sniper is pretty nice to have too!

[Dads79GMC]

Looks great. I sent you a PM reference your Ekstensive kit. Thanks Mike

[808_67C10]

Justin, I am looking to go with the Ekstensive kit too... It is a great budget kit and I think your truck shows off its simplicity and function... I am not sure if I want to cut my bed too so, seeing the route you went helps me a lot! - Frank

[JWall]

A little interior update....
I wanted to change up the polished billet trim pieces that I felt looked a little dated.
So, i had the dash bezel piece, the right side dash piece, the door panel insert pieces & the steering wheel (and adapter) powdercoated Matte Stealth Charcoal.
Then I added an original style dash emblem back to the dash insert.

I am pleased with the way it turned out & will be much easier to maintain than the polished aluminum too!

[808_67C10]

Originally Posted by JWall

A little interior update....
I wanted to change up the polished billet trim pieces that I felt looked a little dated.
So, i had the dash bezel piece, the right side dash piece, the door panel insert pieces & the steering wheel (and adapter) powdercoated Matte Stealth Charcoal.
Then I added an original style dash emblem back to the dash insert.

I am pleased with the way it turned out & will be much easier to maintain than the polished aluminum too!

Attachment 1872250

Attachment 1872251

Attachment 1872252

Attachment 1872253

Attachment 1872254

So fresh, so clean... great idea on the inserts... looks awesome!!!