1970 swb c-10

[KSWes]

Great build! You got a ton of work done in a very short time, I'm jealous of how fast you got it done and how great it looks. Hope mine turns out as good. The comments from the kids at the car show I am sure just like a lot of kids they say stupid things without any concern of what it means to someone else. (I know when I was a kid I said a lot of stupid things) I like the line-ex floor at least you can use it for a truck if you need to without feeling guilty about scratching something you put so much work into. Hope to see it at a show sometime soon, hopefully I'll have my truck there so people can nit pick it, because at least that means it's done.

[Bennett68C10]

Great build, truck came out beautiful. It is really inspiring to see somebody else who has never painted before pick up a paint gun and do that good of a job. Gives me hope for mine.

[mcbassin]

Awesome truck! You made this build look too easy. Love it

[jmking9]

Originally Posted by Bennett68C10

Great build, truck came out beautiful. It is really inspiring to see somebody else who has never painted before pick up a paint gun and do that good of a job. Gives me hope for mine.

In my opinion, Your final product is all about two things: #1 How much time you spend in the high build/blocking stage and #2 How much time/skill you can pour into the cut and buff process. I've had a lot of people who think I'm lying when I tell them it was the first car I ever painted, and did it with no booth.
However, there were times that I thought I would probably die holding a dura-block

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Awesome truck! You made this build look too easy. Love it

Thank you very much! I'm very proud of the fact that I built this truck from top to bottom. The only things I paid someone to do were, rebuild the trans, and put the seat cover on.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by jmking9

Thank you very much! I'm very proud of the fact that I built this truck from top to bottom. The only things I paid someone to do were, rebuild the trans, and put the seat cover on.

That's my thinking too. I am doing everything I can possibly do on mine. It's a PITA but I think it will be worth it in the end.

[~Whitey~]

Originally Posted by jmking9

In my opinion, Your final product is all about two things: #1 How much time you spend in the high build/blocking stage and #2 How much time/skill you can pour into the cut and buff process.

here here. Well said!

[engineer_gregh]

Wow! Great job. You build one of these to please yourself and your family, but it is nice to be complimented by someone outside of your immediate circle. I have learned to ignore the comments that used to bother me and only remember the ones that have appreciation for all the hard work and passion that I have for my trucks. Don't stop taking your truck to shows as the one person that sees it and has a fond memory of something in their past was worth it. Your truck is a work of art!

[jmking9]

Getting ready to make some changes and improvements over the next few months. I'm going to address the engine bay ( I was never satisfied with how it looked) And put a new engine in it. Just cant decide if I want a crate, or build my own. There will also be a few other small changes. Anyway, here are some pics.

[jmking9]

The first thing I'm doing while the motor is out, is cleaning up the firewall and painting it gold. While I've got all of this apart, I figured it was a good time to upgrade to a tilt column. I bought this one several months ago. It was already in great shape, but I cleaned it up and put new bearings in it. I switched my steering wheel over to the tilt column and got it ready to go in after the paint work is done.

[cericd]

Nice plan. Making an already nice truck just that much better. It's going to look great with the gold firewall.

[jmking9]

Originally Posted by cericd

Nice plan. Making an already nice truck just that much better. It's going to look great with the gold firewall.

Thanks. It's funny how this all started because the heater core started leaking! Then I got the dreaded "while that's apart I might as well..." disease.

[jmking9]

Well, the firewall is done and the front end is back together. While it was apart, I painted the inners and other black pieces with Eastwood under hood black. When I went through everything the first time I put new p.s. hoses on that I got from LMC. They were already starting to dry rot after about 1.5 years. So I ordered some stainless ones from member PICKMUP. They are much better and made in the U.S. I also got the tilt column in. So far i'm very happy with how the new engine bay is going to look. I think I am going to really like having a tilt also. Here's a few pics from today.

[mcbassin]

Engine bay looks brand spankin new! Very nice
I love the new steering wheel too.

[cericd]

Congrats! Beautiful work.

[Bennett68C10]

Nice job on the engine bay, looks really good

[jmking9]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Engine bay looks brand spankin new! Very nice
I love the new steering wheel too.

Thanks Mike, I've been following along on your red truck you just finished. It turned out amazing.

Originally Posted by cericd

Congrats! Beautiful work.

Thank you Chris!

Originally Posted by Bennett68C10

Nice job on the engine bay, looks really good

Thanks Keith. It would look a lot better with an engine in there again so I could drive it again. I've been going crazy without it

[Coursey]

Very Nice Build!!

[jmking9]

Finally got a motor put in and running again. Its a fresh 350 that is pretty mild. It was a motor that was originally intended for my CJ7. I decided to put this one in and see how I liked more of a stock setup. I was starting to get tired of the big cam, gear drive, high stall thing. Anyway, I still need to do a bit of tuning after I swap out the distributor once the new one comes in. Then I can put the hood back on and move on to the other small plans I have before spring.

[jmking9]

Looks like the pics off my phone came over sideways But you can get the idea. I'll get some better ones that wont leave you in a neck brace after I do the distributor swap and do a good detailing.

[lolife99]

Your engine bay looks a 1000 times better!
Everything you did is perfect!!!

[cericd]

^^^

[jmking9]

Thanks Chris!

[cericd]

No problem. I wanted to see 'em but was too lazy to lean my head over.

Looking good!

[jmking9]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Your engine bay looks a 1000 times better!
Everything you did is perfect!!!

Thanks Keith! I appreciate the compliment coming from someone as knowledgeable about these trucks as you. It came out really close to the way I had it pictured in my mind. This "look" is my favorite on any old truck or muscle car. I considered an LS swap, but just couldn't make myself do it. I love old cars and trucks for two reasons: style, and simplicity. I'm not knocking anyone for doing an LS swap, they are GREAT engines. But for me, a nice clean, uncluttered small or big block engine bay is hard to beat.

[jmking9]

We've had some really nice weather here the last few days. I've had the chance to go for a few drives and put some miles on the new engine. My wife and son went with me for a ride this evening. I took a couple pictures in the driveway after we got home.