1970 C10 SWB - Project "Sprout"

[Tomahawk30]

Been a while since I've updated, but I've been fighting starter / timing issues lately. Replaced the solenoid, replaced the starter, still had grinding when I tried to start. Crawled under it yesterday and realized that one of the bolts wasn't snug. Turns out, the inside bolt hold is stripped out. It initially would grab and snug down, but after a couple of starts it would pull free again. So I ordered a helicoil kit to fix that this weekend.

I also picked up a stud for the kickdown cable and a grommet to make the original throttle linkage mate up with the large top hole on the Edelbrock throttle bracket. Works like a charm and it actually accelerates down the road now because it'll pull far enough to open up the secondaries and kick down into 2nd under heavy throttle.

Next up this weekend is replacing all of my plugs because I'm pretty sure they are all fouled from messing with the timing and fuel mixture on this new-ish carb. I also bought the correct plug wires to run down beneath the manifolds to clean it up a bit.

Once I have it roadworthy, I'll work on the little things (one rear taillight isn't working, need some center caps for the wheels, and I have to get rid of that horrid yellow sticker in the back window!!!)

In the meantime, here's an outside picture that shows how it looks under cloudy skies... The color changes a lot depending on light. And it needs a bath.

[Booya]

Looking good....

[Tomahawk30]

Installed some new plugs and wires tonight and it made a world of difference. I was finally able to get my timing dialed in where it should be and got a quick taste of what the engine is capable of. And I was more than pleased with the result! Tomorrow I'm hoping to helicoil the starter bolt hole, fix a leaky power steering hose, fix a taillight, and tweak the accelerator pump to hopefully solve a small hesitation I noticed. Getting close....
Posted via Mobile Device

[67cheby]

NICE ! Looks great

[Tomahawk30]

Tried to embed a new video I took today, but it doesn't seem to want to work with a flickr hosted video. So here's the link instead. Just a quick walkaround with it running and idling (finally). Still working on getting it dialed in just right to eliminate a small off-idle stumble. And I really need some mufflers. Those Thrush glasspacks are LOUD in the cab!

http://flic.kr/p/dVKYMJ

[Tomahawk30]

Finally gave the truck its first maiden voyage on my lunch break today (a whopping 9 miles down the highway). Other than a little off-idle / low throttle stumble that I suspect is a stepup rod/spring in the Edelbrock, it ran like a champ. Speedo is definitely off, and my guesstimate skills need some calibration. Thought I was doing around 55-60, but when I turned on the speedo app on my phone I was actually closer to 67-68! Made me smile to be rolling down the highway comfortably pushing 70 though.

[Bomp]

Nice vid.
Truck sounds great.

[Tomahawk30]

Originally Posted by Bomp

Nice vid.
Truck sounds great.

Thanks! It'll sound a lot better with some decent exhaust. It's a pretty noisy driver with those glass packs dumping in front of the rear axle.
Posted via Mobile Device

[JerBear]

Do you still have those side tanks?

[Tomahawk30]

Nope, I sold this one almost four years ago now (can't believe it's been that long!). I sold it before we moved out here to Kentucky in 2013 and I think the tanks probably got scrapped.