Project Poor Man's Toy (1979 C10)

[79shortbed]

Ah, another one of these build thread thingys...
Well, my name is Kyle. I picked up this rough, but appealing to me 1979 Chevrolet Custom Deluxe C10 SWB last June. After cleaning it up, it has sat mostly untouched. I picked it up, along with quite a few extra pieces, for about $300. I figured it must be almost worth that in scrap, so what the heck, just go for it!



It came sans engine and transmission, and I had planned for an LS swap, my college kid living on cereal, pizza, and easy mac budget wont allow that for a while. I happen to have a F**d 302 laying around, and ended up trading it yesterday for a TBI block 350.

A guy is selling me a short tail TH350 soon on the cheap, and will fit the driveshaft I already have for it.
PLANS ARE:
1)Rebuild 350 to mild street specs, most likely a vortec-headed 355, comps XE268 or equivalent cam, your basic magazine budget buster special combo
2)GET IT RUNNING AND MOVING UNDER ITS OWN POWAH
3)Rebuild front suspension. Need new ball joints, bushings, etc.
4)Mild to moderate drop, maybe 4/4 or 4.5/6.
5)Body work. Maybe keep it same color, not 100%, but thats least important as of now.
6)Wheels; 15's or 17's with FAT tires. 275/60R15 minimum. Hopefully.
7)Another appealing aspect is that the interior is mostly all there. But it is cursed with the very basic guages, and I plan to replace them with a real man's cluster.

One question for now, of the many I'll have later. The casting number on the block is 14093638, date code H212. Tells me its a TBI swirl port block/head combo with 1 piece rear main seal and made in mid-late 1992. Is it a roller cam motor? Head castings are the 10110810 variety.

This will be a pretty slow build, but I figured with the motor aquired, I could make some real headway into getting it running again. Criticism is welcome, as well as some much needed encouragement to get it done! I've lurked for a while, and this is one of the most helpful and friendliest forums. Glad to be here, and ready to get this build underway!

[patrickth]

Originally Posted by 79shortbed

Ah, another one of these build thread thingys...
Well, my name is Kyle. I picked up this rough, but appealing to me 1979 Chevrolet Custom Deluxe C10 SWB last June. After cleaning it up, it has sat mostly untouched. I picked it up, along with quite a few extra pieces, for about $300. I figured it must be almost worth that in scrap, so what the heck, just go for it!



It came sans engine and transmission, and I had planned for an LS swap, my college kid living on cereal, pizza, and easy mac budget wont allow that for a while. I happen to have a F**d 302 laying around, and ended up trading it yesterday for a TBI block 350.

A guy is selling me a short tail TH350 soon on the cheap, and will fit the driveshaft I already have for it.
PLANS ARE:
1)Rebuild 350 to mild street specs, most likely a vortec-headed 355, comps XE268 or equivalent cam, your basic magazine budget buster special combo
2)GET IT RUNNING AND MOVING UNDER ITS OWN POWAH
3)Rebuild front suspension. Need new ball joints, bushings, etc.
4)Mild to moderate drop, maybe 4/4 or 4.5/6.
5)Body work. Maybe keep it same color, not 100%, but thats least important as of now.
6)Wheels; 15's or 17's with FAT tires. 275/60R15 minimum. Hopefully.
7)Another appealing aspect is that the interior is mostly all there. But it is cursed with the very basic guages, and I plan to replace them with a real man's cluster.

One question for now, of the many I'll have later. The casting number on the block is 14093638, date code H212. Tells me its a TBI swirl port block/head combo with 1 piece rear main seal and made in mid-late 1992. Is it a roller cam motor? Head castings are the 10110810 variety.

This will be a pretty slow build, but I figured with the motor aquired, I could make some real headway into getting it running again. Criticism is welcome, as well as some much needed encouragement to get it done! I've lurked for a while, and this is one of the most helpful and friendliest forums. Glad to be here, and ready to get this build underway!

Can't answer your question, but looks like you have a good place to start at the right price.

[79shortbed]

Thanks patrickth. She looks rough, but that toolbox has gotta go! replaced one inner fender that I got for free on the battery side, rusted out in the front part. I like it, its mine, and can't anyone tell me what to do with it! My first, personally bought and funded project.

[79shortbed]

Someone wanna talk me into an LS swap?

[patrickth]

Originally Posted by 79shortbed

Someone wanna talk me into an LS swap?

News is talking smack about $4.50 a gallon by summer, That vortec will give you plenty of go fast if you do it right. Looking for some pics on my computer now. Will post them when I find them.

[made2drag]

300 was a heck of a deal. tool box off, wirebrush rust off wheels, sand the truck down and rattle can black primer would make a huge change. cut a coil off each spring and pull 2 leafs and you have a cool truck

[spudz]

I like it!

[79shortbed]

Thanks for the compliments and ideas guys! I think that for now I'm gonna just stick to the Gen 1 stuff. Better to get my feet wet that way, since this would be my first SBC build. And the guy I was gonna get the TH350 from decided he wants to keep it, so I still need a transmission. Got wind of a TH400, so that would be better, even though I'll need a new driveshaft.

[jasonroman]

good luck with build man. i have an 86 short. but i love the older body too.

[79shortbed]

Thanks man! Yea I've seen lots of the newer, mid 1979-87 style trucks that look GREAT. I just prefer the round headlight look myself :P

[MalibuSSwagon]

First answer: The engine you have now does not have a roller cam setup, but the block can accept a factory roller lifter setup. All 87+ blocks can run OEM roller lifters.

Second answer: I found a guy to completely rebuild my TPI 305 for my malibu for a super deal. $1500 all included, machine work and new pistons, etc. Figure that the low end to have a shop completely rebuild the engine.

LS swap looking like a deal now? 350 - 600 is the typical cost for a used 5.3L

[79shortbed]

Thanks Malibu. I think I saw the roller kit from GMPP to install a roller cam into a non roller TBI block in Summit.
But, the $600 is gonna only cover the 5.3 itself. Thats not including the new fuel setup, transmission, harness and ecu programming, etc.

But plans are to attend the Moultrie, GA swap meet. Hoping to pick up some vortec heads or used aluminum heads, cam, maybe transmission.

[79shortbed]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-12371042/
Would this be the same as is my block cam with roller lifters and the whole setup? Is this all I need, short of the roller cam itself?

[MalibuSSwagon]

Originally Posted by 79shortbed

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-12371042/
Would this be the same as is my block cam with roller lifters and the whole setup? Is this all I need, short of the roller cam itself?

Yes, that is pretty much the entire OEM roller cam setup. That is what GM put in 87+ roller cam blocks.

[79shortbed]

SWEET! Thanks Malibu! I may be going the roller cam route then...

[79shortbed]

Went to the Moultrie Swap Meet today, picked up some vortec heads for $200 and practically new Eddy 1406 carb for $220. The vortecs had new springs, roller tip rockers, and supposedly already have the valve guides/retainers machined down for higher lift cam. Need a valve job, but are otherwise solid!

[79shortbed]

Just checked in Tuscaloosa for machining, got totaled about $240 for all this:
Cam Bearings installed
Freeze plugs
Cylinder head and block cleaning
Honing bores
Standard Valve job
Some sort of disposal fee for waste material???


Does that sound reasonable?
Im gonna check a few more places just to be sure I'm getting the best deal, but also to make sure some place is reputable. I was recommended this place from another machine shop that didn't do automotive stuff, just industrial machining and parts.

[gGMC DOG]

$240 is a deal

[79shortbed]

Ugh I know it seems like I'm just kicking this can along, but I'm at a crossroads here. I can't make up my mind on where to go with the engine/transmission. Part of me wants to use the 350 and do as previously mentioned with the vortec heads, but another part of me wants to go LS. I can get the whole 5.3/4L60e she-bang for (I was told) about $1500 with all accessories and ecu/harness. I want to do it right, and if its worth doing right, do it right the first time. So should I save up the ~$2000 for an LS swap, or carry on with the Gen 1 stuff?

[79gmcclassic]

save up for ls swap!

[SBTork]

Save up for an LS swap. I've never seen anyone regret doing it.

[79shortbed]

Here are some pics of the 350 disassembled. Mains and rod bearings




Here are the second hand vortecs, 906 castings. Chamber and valves have some rust issues, cant really tell if it's just surface or something more serious.


Roller tip rockers and double springs. I thought about replacing with beehives, and plain GM stamped steel 1.5 rockers (self aligning), but if these are self-aligning rockers, I'll leave them. Are they? One pic I tried to get the logo off the rocker to see what brand it is, I looks like a cougar/jaguar leaping or jumping with a ring(?) in the background.





SO what's everyone's thoughts? Would a simple rering/new bearings/simple rebuild suffice, or am I looking at a bore and turning mains? What about the vortecs? how much work do they need? Its either this or a 5.3 LM7, but man, an LS swap is very intimidating for a first timer. This is my second tear down, first build. I have no outside help, so advice and opinions are welcomed.

[cletis]

Poor man's toy? You shouldn't talking about a LS swap if that's the name..... I am not a machinist, but it is hard to tell what the condition actually is from pictures. More importantly would be the measurements. If you're doing it cheap, regasket, rering, rebearing and call it "rebuilt". (it's a small block chevy it'll hold together). To do it properly or to be certain your time is not wasted it might be a good idea to take it to a machine shop to get everything checked out. LS swap....... Price it out, nickle and dime it, read other peoples builds. (I found that the price crept away from me right now, I'm still saving) I am impatient that is why I have a 305 in my truck right now, so I can move forward. These are just MY thoughts, ponder them if you would like. Last words, do some homework and you'll find what will work for you.
Oh ya, looks like a solid start to a project!!!

[79shortbed]

I would be saving up for a while, but I doubt an LS swap will be the first engine in her. If you think a simple rebuild kit would hold together, I might just go that route.

[cletis]

Slap a 350 together. Get the stuff checked out, (heads,block) enjoy it for now and save for an LS.