1986 Chevy C10 SWB Step Side

[aotte1]

Recently purchased a 1986, Chevy C10 Deluxe, short wheel base step side with 108K miles. It has been is storage for many many years. It is original red/red with single stage paint????, all original body panels, cab corners have rust, however, rest of truck is good except for a few spots where paint is gone. It is a Canadian built truck, so will get factory info on it. The overall truck is very original, only change is an aftermarket radio and speakers were installed. It may still have original shocks, they look like it.

Engine started and have driven truck in drive way so far. It was trailered home. The engine has a miss, runs kind of rough. Engine miss issues unknow/undiagnoised at this time?? stuck ring, intake valve seals dried out, rust exhaust valves, bad plug wire, new plugs did help some, etc. Replaced the hydraulic clutch cylinders and line as they were leaking. It has the 4.3 V6 and 4 speed over drive transmission. Options to be posted later.

Restoration planning is on going, changes day to day, truck will be a driver to truck/car shows, Sunday drives, trips to hardware store, etc. Will do most of the work myself, restoration shops to costly. Big items- will get body work and paint mostly likely by me;
- V6 engine fix or replace with stock looking v8 (leaning toward original looking
V8) definitely O2s for tuning;
- keep trans, R and R as needed;
- frame unsure clean and paint self or power coat;
- suspension rebuild self w/some minor improvements, brakes still deciding;
- interior probably stock;
- wheels rally and street tires.

Starting pics

[aotte1]

More starting pics attached.

[jpnh]

cool truck to start with/good luck-jeff

[ofnaman]

Looks like a cool project. Looking forward to seeing the progress.

[aotte1]

My next step is to register and drive some after changing fluids; engine oil, trans and differential fluids. Brake fluid will also be changed before driving. Look at brake lines for corrosion, and drive slowly.

Thanks for the encouragement.

Les

[aotte1]

Got truck registered today and took for a short drive. The engine seems to be running a little smoother. Did not get out of 2nd gear in the city. Ran pretty good most of the time, a little bucking once in a while. First impression is that, 3.08 rear gear is very low, therefor, can not go slow wo/slipping clutch. Still little experience with this combination, planning more driving soon. Preliminary thinking is to change rear gear ratio, still to be determined, including tire diameter. Next step is to fix right side exhaust manifold leak by replacing it. Then evaluate drive train components for looseness.

[aotte1]

More work on evaluating engine today, changed the HEI cap and rotor, along with spark plug wires. The old cap and rotor was burned pretty bad. Wires where from 4K to 24K ohms. Pics of the HEI cap removed below. The coil housing looked like it had the factory inspection mark- a yellow dab of paint.

The drive following the above changes was much better today, engine ran much better/smoother, I feel more confident in driving it further away from our house now.

Starts very easily, has some lifter noise at start-up, however, goes away after warming up. Still has exhaust leak, more evident when driving. Looks like new exhaust system soon.

Next project is cleaning/painting rally wheels, current thinking is to go with 275x60x15s on 8 inch wheels and about 4.5+ inch BS.

[aotte1]

Today worked on the rally wheels, cleaning the back sides and painted. Used gloss paint instead satin, gloss easier to keep clean.

[aotte1]

Longest drive yet today, about 15 miles. I have a good assessment of the trucks condition now. Will put it away for winter this upcoming week, knowing what it needs. Was very happy with the trucks performance, with the planned rear gear change to 3.73, it will definitely be fun to drive. The four speed overdrive trans is shifting much better after being driven some.

Other note from review of truck by my master chevy mechanic today. The original u-joints are much stronger then the replacements. He said do not change them unless needed- broken. Drive line got a good review, no issues.

The truck will go in the garage next to the Buick.

Les

[jpnh]

did ya get the wheels on it? they came out good-jeff

[aotte1]

Jeff,

Not yet hopefully soon, waiting for new paint to dry. After the above wheel pics, I ordered some argent silver rally wheel spray can paint to touch up edge where tire mounts, sprayed silver last night. Tires hopefully next week. They will be 275x60x15s per suggestions from members. Will try to post pic of fronts soon.
Les

[aotte1]

Today worked on removing pass side exhaust manifold, got 5 of 6 bolts out easy, however, the 6th one is still mostly in the head. Have got it out maybe two turns over the whole day. It will turn a little bit then tighten up. I stop, rotate it in and out a few times let it set for a while, with corrosion X sprayed between flange and head. After a while it will turn maybe a 1/16 to 1/32 of a turn more before tighten up again. Not sure what it is doing maybe galling?? Taking it slow to not break the bolt.

[rusty76]

Looks like a fun truck dude. Keep us updated.

[aotte1]

Getting back to work on the project:
O plan is to clean fire wall and reprint ( method to be determine); and
O remove inner finders and core support to clean paint.

Last weekend did a little shopping at local salvage yard, picked up several items including clock, and front sway bar.

[aotte1]

Sway bar $15

[aotte1]

Clock for gauge cluster

[aotte1]

Getting ready to remove bed tomorrow, first need to get some drills at local tool store ( 1/2 and 3/8 ). Plan to drill out heads. Tried to remove, bolts turn.
Also, the bumper braces at the frame are really stuck, soaked for weeks, bigger breaker bar tomorrow.

[walkerb]

Nice work

[Low Elco]

Neat deal! I'll be interested to see how it comes out.

[aotte1]

Low ELCO,

I will post a drivability report in the future, probably a few months.

Les

[aotte1]

[ATTACH][/ATTACH]Dyno chart for one of the test runs below.

Les

[aotte1]

Numbers for above chart.

[quadzero]

Very informative and useful thread. Your engine parts and dyno numbers are an excellent source of info. Even the tank removal is of value because I need to do that as well. Keep up the good work and looking forward to more updates.

[aotte1]

The engine is now back in garage and will start fitting accessories. Also working on cleaning the engine compartment. The original paint is still good so will just clean it. Will experiment with trying to clean-up some of the tar sealer that is all over the fire wall. More on engine bay clean-up soon.

[aotte1]

Engine bay fire wall clean-up

Have started to remove some item, this is my starting point.