Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Hi Jud! Nice to see you back posting on here! Nice work ont he engine. I was hoping you were tired of that Longhorn by now. I was also curious how the big red K30 was going.

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Yep! Maybe someday I will put a diesel in the longhorn. I have a cummins plow truck at my brothers place that would be a good donor :)

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Good to see you are still playing with trucks!

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Yep! Found any more 67 gmcs or done more with your teal 2wd?

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Saw one in a junkyard awhile back, but nothing worth saving. Still have the teal one and tinker a little and drive it in the summer.

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

It’s been a pretty stressful last couple of weeks but this weekend my buddy and I took a trip that is helping me rest a bit. Here is an original k20 Custom camper we grabbed. Not sure what I’ll do with this one. It’s not running and it’s a bit banged up but it’s not real rusty.

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Nice save, you've had worse trucks.

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Nice save. I had responded to that add a couple times. Good to see it go to a good home.

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

That looks to be pretty solid for a MN truck

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Yep, I sent a down payment about a month or two ago. Wonder if you responded before or after that? He threw in a a better grille, hood and seat.

She's pretty tough but not real rusty. Typical ranch truck. Check out the mudflaps, not a MN truck:chevy:

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Got the new engine install done. Took awhile to get distributor timed since valve covers were pretty much glued on. I gave up on removing them when they were showing signs of bending, even while be tapped from below with a pine 2x4 on the lip. Didn't have a spare set of gaskets so I left them and had to watch the #7 cylinder valves from the oil fill port and then count 1/2 turn of the flywheel and then line up the timing mark. It worked, and I fired it up today and set the timing quick to 10 deg before TDC then did the cam break in by running between 2000-2500 rpm for 25 mins. All went well, no leaks, great oil pressure the whole time, and temps around 180or so. What a great feeliing! I was pretty relaxed after that. I then pulled it back in the shop and drained the oil and then watched the superbowl. :chevy:

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

That's great, that truck has come a long way.

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Very nice! That has to be a great feeling!

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Snapped a pic of the underside yesterday. Still looks pretty clean even though this truck has been living outside.

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Congrats on the engine. It is a great feeling getting them going. Tears your heart when it goes south.

Now finish it up!

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

It does feel great. Not sure if this truck will ever be finished:chevy:, always more to do. I am struggling with finishing the engine break in since I don't want to get salt on the truck and the roads are still caked around here.

I've decided the instrument cluster needs an upgrade. Want to have more accurate gauges to keep an eye on the engine and add tach and vac. Also the old Stewart Warner gauges are interesting looking in my opinion. Its a little mini project to convert the stock cluster to better gauges. I see the Stewart Warner gauges have a bit of a following and people are collecting them. Oil pressure guage is on its way here, disregard the 160psi one in there now.

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

So one thing I wanted to tell you guys about is "Randolph". I was busy with this project a couple years ago when not posting on here. This ended up becoming my winter daily driver. I was drawn to the truck for parts because it had a rebuilt upgraded TBI engine in it and i could use the trans for my 72K20 and the seat for my 86K30. It turned out to be a pretty solid truck despite the body needing some work. It just drove too nice to take apart so I spent a couple months restoring the body, different fenders, bed, inner fender, POR15'ing the frame, new gas tank and fuel lines, and new snow tires. Body still isn't show quality but thats ok because I drive it in the winter here. Interior was in amazing shape to start with. It had a chevy front end on it but I took it back to GMC. Here are before and after pics.

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Wow! That looks nice

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Sharp looking DD

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

You know that it's too nice now to drive in the winter. LOL

Time for another beater with a heater.

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Thanks guys! Mike, the thought did cross my mind. I still think the GMT400's will someday be just as popular as the 67-72's are now.

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Pulled out the front axle that was damaged. Plowing the driveway probably put a lot of torque on this axle. I ordered a good used set off ebay that the guy said were out of a '70. They are much heavier though, so I think they are actually from a squarebody. I've read in the past that they will fit, but the oil seal area is about 2.25 and the old ones were 2 inch. Also they use a different type of seal as shown in 3rd pic below. The last pic is conventional seal for 71/72 application. I am trying to figure out what seal to use.

I do like how even the u joint area is heavier on these.

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Wow, very nice work on the new to you winter driver. Did you do the paint work on it? I really like that color.

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Yeah I found that out the hard way lol.

Re: 1971 K20- project just get driveable!!
 

Nope, I just put the new sheetmetal on and took it to Maaco. I opted for the 2 stage setup and am pretty happy with it so far. For the money and how quick they were it was a good deal. I wouldn't take my show truck there but its 2 years old now and has held up well so far.