Replacing i6 250 to 350 and add PS, AC to barebones c10 76

[73kay]

Hey guys, so I ordered the jegs $1500 crate engine to replace my tired i6 250 and now I'm thinking about the best way to get some ac for this Texas heat. I got access to a decent salvage yard but are there any components that I should not skimp on? I'm kinda worried the stock ac performance. As for the power steering, same question, pull or buy? I'm on a budget but I don't want to skimp on key components. Lastly, I've tried to find out if my stock alternator and wiring harness will work with the new crate 350? I appreciate your advice.

Btw I am taking a tons of pics for the project to make a build thread. I'm replacing my 76 cab with a 86 (rust) and replacing the clutch for the Saginaw 3sp.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

The ac is wrapped up in the cab, and it is a big deal to swap in. Your better off with a hot rod ac system. Since it is designed to fit where no ac was before.

Unless you can get a ac set up stupid cheap the extra work may not be worth it. Or you could swap cabs too.

It all depends on amount of work, and part cost.

[Just call me Sean]

The a/c is easy to swap in, bolt in deal. Most of mine was missing and I just put it all back on. Haven't charged it yet though.

[tlawre87]

If the cab is a non-AC cab remember the firewall is different for the HVAC.
A vintage Air system could be worthwhile to look into.

[Just call me Sean]

Originally Posted by tlawre87

If the cab is a non-AC cab remember the firewall is different for the HVAC.

I wasn't aware of that. Might not be as easy as I thought.

[MalibuSSwagon]

Firewalls are different. If you are not opposed to cutting and welding, you could make a factory system work. Otherwise Vintage Air is around 1200 and comes with everything needed.

[Just call me Sean]

Does anyone have pictures of the firewalls without the boxes on? I'd like to see how different they are. Is it only the older cabs? Been seeing lots of '81 up cabs in the yards and it sure looks like it would be the same. Only seen them with the boxes on.

Did the '86 cab you're switching to have a/c? Might not have to worry about the firewall.

[73kay]

Thanks for the all the input, sounds like I should look into Vintage Air. Can I still use my old instruments though? I believe that this new cab (red 86) had AC because when I pulled it a year ago but not positive. I will be starting literally from scratch for the AC system. btw as luck would have it, my daily driver's AC just went out today in the Texas heat. I posted a few pictures of my project. The red cab has since been cleaned up for replacing the rusted pos cab. Thanks again for the advice!

[Just call me Sean]

Yes that's an a/c firewall. I can see the difference in your pictures, but the '81up cabs I've been seeing look to have the same firewall either way. Thanks for the pics. I have to see things like that to believe them.

[73kay]

Ya, I got all the internals to it in some boxes in the garage. It's gonna be fun trying to get it all back in. The cab actually had some rain gutter rust that I cut out and I'm having a buddy weld in the new metal. I'm very aggressive with rust, just cut it all out. Other than that part of the firewall, the cab is in excellent shape. Old blue's cab was a rust bucket, but the rest of the truck and bed are in great shape.

-Andrew

[Just call me Sean]

If you stay factory you can get off way cheaper than an aftermarket a/c setup, especially if you have the inside stuff.