The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1973 - 1987 Chevrolet & GMC Squarebody Pickups Message Board > Squarebody Projects and Builds

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-23-2016, 06:20 PM   #1
Bird_Reynolds
Registered User
 
Bird_Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Rockies
Posts: 71
My '79 K30 Crew Cab Dooley

So I am starting my latest project truck. I had acquired 2 crew cabs, and was hoping to get one runner out of the both of them. Well I didn't do anything on either for about 8 months and I wound up doing some horse trading and got this big brown 79. It was not running when I got it, but I liked the color and tires, plus all the doors opened and closed.
Attached Images
   
__________________
'77 Chevy K20 CHUMMINS
'75 Chevy C20 Crew Cab (mostly) converted to 4x4
Bird_Reynolds is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-23-2016, 06:26 PM   #2
Bird_Reynolds
Registered User
 
Bird_Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Rockies
Posts: 71
Re: My '79 K30 Crew Cab Dooley

First order of business was getting it running. I pulled off the non-functioning electric boost pump and replaced it. I threw another filter in upstream and ran a long hose out to a bucket. I filled up one tank and drained it. It looked like iced tea, smelled like varnish. While doing this I went along replacing broken line and filters. Like an idiot, I thrashed the little filter housing threads in the q-jet. I think this happens a lot and I was no exception
Attached Images
  
__________________
'77 Chevy K20 CHUMMINS
'75 Chevy C20 Crew Cab (mostly) converted to 4x4
Bird_Reynolds is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-23-2016, 06:37 PM   #3
Bird_Reynolds
Registered User
 
Bird_Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Rockies
Posts: 71
Re: My '79 K30 Crew Cab Dooley

I tried to find a repair housing at the parts store, but they were all too small. Rather than glue it on and rebuild the Rochester I went with the nuclear option and just replaced it with an edelbrock I pulled off my other truck. Fresh fuel and she fired right up. It was really easy. So I re-wired the boost pump and choke and now big brown is running. while fiddling around under the dash I figured out the radio, so now I have that going too! I have never owned a 4-speed truck but I really like how this one drives. And the motor is a total beast. I will start taking it on drives and see how she does. It turns out it is awesome at kicking up snow and dirt, so that is good
__________________
'77 Chevy K20 CHUMMINS
'75 Chevy C20 Crew Cab (mostly) converted to 4x4
Bird_Reynolds is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-24-2016, 02:53 AM   #4
MTCK
Registered User
 
MTCK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Posts: 1,830
Re: My '79 K30 Crew Cab Dooley

Cool truck! What's the plan? I like the tires too.
__________________
-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
MTCK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-24-2016, 04:30 PM   #5
Bird_Reynolds
Registered User
 
Bird_Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Rockies
Posts: 71
Re: My '79 K30 Crew Cab Dooley

Thanks. On this truck I just want to get it running reliably, and maybe change the trans or do one of those overdrive units. I have wanted to do that for a while. Here is a picture of the new carb
Attached Images
 
__________________
'77 Chevy K20 CHUMMINS
'75 Chevy C20 Crew Cab (mostly) converted to 4x4
Bird_Reynolds is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-24-2016, 04:33 PM   #6
Bird_Reynolds
Registered User
 
Bird_Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Rockies
Posts: 71
Re: My '79 K30 Crew Cab Dooley

Some more pictures. I looked at the VIN and she had a 350 from the factory and was built in Baltimore. I cant complain about the 454. When you rev it the whole truck lurches.
Attached Images
 
__________________
'77 Chevy K20 CHUMMINS
'75 Chevy C20 Crew Cab (mostly) converted to 4x4
Bird_Reynolds is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-24-2016, 04:41 PM   #7
Bird_Reynolds
Registered User
 
Bird_Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Rockies
Posts: 71
Re: My '79 K30 Crew Cab Dooley

Ultimately I will have it painted, but I will replace the rusted parts like the rocker and wheel wells myself. Also I will go whole hog cleaning up the ghetto wiring, POR-15 the undersides, linex the bed, replace all the mounts and bushings and stuff like that. Also the carpet and interior pieces that are missing. One thing I am sure is no lift kit and no crazy paint. I want it to look like it drove out of the brochure from that year.
Attached Images
   
__________________
'77 Chevy K20 CHUMMINS
'75 Chevy C20 Crew Cab (mostly) converted to 4x4
Bird_Reynolds is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-16-2016, 10:35 AM   #8
Bird_Reynolds
Registered User
 
Bird_Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Rockies
Posts: 71
Re: My '79 K30 Crew Cab Dooley

So I took El Marron Grande to town to see how she drove and fill up the tanks. I think she has 4.56's or something because I was at 2500rpm at like 50 MPH. I felt like the motor was going to jump out of the engine compartment and run away screaming.
I will have to think this one out, even with an OD (if I could afford it) I would still need to go to smaller gears. I don't even know what gears were available for those axles. And I have 2 of em
Also I almost had a fire, when the power wire leading to the HEI got so hot it melted. The truck stalled out, so I popped the hood and that power wire going up to the junction was so hot it was glowing. This is why I always carry a fire extinguisher. Also I need to pull that loom apart and see what wires are going where.
Attached Images
 
__________________
'77 Chevy K20 CHUMMINS
'75 Chevy C20 Crew Cab (mostly) converted to 4x4
Bird_Reynolds is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-16-2016, 12:52 PM   #9
MTCK
Registered User
 
MTCK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Posts: 1,830
Re: My '79 K30 Crew Cab Dooley

Exciting, nothing like a good fire. Don't give up on the short gears just yet. I have two trucks with 4.56's, and the one with overdrive and a lockup converter is a pleasure to drive, even at 65-70. I bet if you look at $$$ regearing two axles, an OD won't seam terrible.
__________________
-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
MTCK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-16-2016, 02:52 PM   #10
Bird_Reynolds
Registered User
 
Bird_Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Rockies
Posts: 71
Re: My '79 K30 Crew Cab Dooley

Hey Marcus - what rpm's are you at when at 65mph? And you are right, around here everything 3/4 ton and above is super expensive
__________________
'77 Chevy K20 CHUMMINS
'75 Chevy C20 Crew Cab (mostly) converted to 4x4
Bird_Reynolds is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-16-2016, 04:08 PM   #11
MTCK
Registered User
 
MTCK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Posts: 1,830
Re: My '79 K30 Crew Cab Dooley

I'm right over 2200 rpm at 65. My tires are 255/85r16 and measure 33" tall. My speedo is also spot on as compared to GPS. I really like the 4l80e.
__________________
-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
MTCK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2017, 12:13 PM   #12
Bird_Reynolds
Registered User
 
Bird_Reynolds's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Rockies
Posts: 71
Re: My '79 K30 Crew Cab Dooley

So another update now that I got a day off - I sold Big Brown to my nephew. He is driving it all the time. He replaced the 4.56's with 3.42's and now it cruises at 65 easy. Maybe I'll get him to post about it
__________________
'77 Chevy K20 CHUMMINS
'75 Chevy C20 Crew Cab (mostly) converted to 4x4
Bird_Reynolds is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:26 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com