'78 C20 - Just got it, and... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

LukeSkywanker · 12-01-2016, 01:23 PM

Gents:

New to the board. Found it while searching for info on this truck which I just bought. Pretty straight, Fleetside, no rust anywhere (Original CA vehicle). 350 - bone stock. Having fun with it - I'm retired LE and feel like I'm back in HS wrenching on this thing.

I have a couple of questions for you guys, but I'll start with this. I've determined it's a Camper Special, but the truck came with no badges. Is it a Cheyenne, Silverado, Custom Deluxe or Scottsdale? Sorry about the lame question, but I'm a total newbie with Chevy trucks.

evan · 12-01-2016, 03:40 PM

Is there a build sticker in the glove box?

LukeSkywanker · 12-01-2016, 04:48 PM

Hey Evan,

Thanks for getting back to me. Found this in the paperwork the previous owner had. This it?

https://postimg.org/image/ny8mam9hb/

LukeSkywanker · 12-01-2016, 04:49 PM

https://postimg.org/image/ny8mam9hb/

Duplicate post. Sorry.

Big Port Jimmy 6 · 12-01-2016, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LukeSkywanker

Hey Evan,

Thanks for getting back to me. Found this in the paperwork the previous owner had. This it?

https://postimg.org/image/ny8mam9hb/

Yep that is it.

1970pelle · 12-01-2016, 06:37 PM

Nice looking truck, much fun to be had there.

Ken

evan · 12-01-2016, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LukeSkywanker

Hey Evan,

Thanks for getting back to me. Found this in the paperwork the previous owner had. This it?

https://postimg.org/image/ny8mam9hb/

Hmm... Hopefully an expert will chime in. I was hoping it would give the answer you were looking for on the top of the list next to "Model".

tinydb84 · 12-01-2016, 06:49 PM

Good looking truck you got. My 75 C20 Camper Special is a Cheyenne. Just FYI.

LukeSkywanker · 12-01-2016, 06:57 PM

Thx BPJ6 and 1970pelle. I think it may be a Cheyenne - but see no reference and the interior is gutted and shot.

The good news is I got it dirt cheap off a kid who was about to turn it into a low rider, but ran out of dough.

The 350 seems tight - compression is good - average is about 145 lbs per cylinder and doesn't seem to burn any oil. No leaks, either. Needs exhaust - picked up some Headman Headers to install later. 3/4 ton leaf suspension is massive and rides kinda rough. Thinking of throwing Bilsteins on it.

It doesn't like altitude with the current setup - dogs it at 6000 feet here in the mountains.

You guys have any recommendations about intake manifold and carb? Trans is TH400 - dunno about the rear end, but it appears to be stock.

Suggestions appreciated!

tinydb84 · 12-01-2016, 07:01 PM

Pull the bottom 3 springs in the rear. It will soften the ride up. Get good shocks all around. You can look up moog springs for the lowest spring rate for our trucks and swap it in the front. Find a good dual plane manifold and a 600 cfm carb. I've had good luck with Edelbrock carbs. Remember you will need to pass smog though.

LukeSkywanker · 12-01-2016, 07:09 PM

Agree with you. Has to be a Cheyenne.

LukeSkywanker · 12-01-2016, 07:14 PM

Great suggestion on the springs and the Edelbrock carb. Just got it through smog and the Hedman Headers are CARB certified. They were supposed to relax the smog rules in Cali for 75-79, but Governor Moonbeam is asleep at the wheel. He'd rather take our guns and ammo...

nonstop · 12-02-2016, 01:22 AM

Congrats on the retirement! 11 years until 50 for me! What county are you in? Do you have an EGR valve? If so, might be pretty limited to an Edelbrock Performer intake. As for carb, it is sort of like oil and tires. People have their favorites and are very opinionated about them. As for me, a nicely built Quadrajet is (of course in my opinion) the best carb for these trucks! It is also the best bet for keeping it smog legal!

LukeSkywanker · 12-02-2016, 01:28 AM

Thanks! Hang in there and you can kick back like me. I'm in Kern County - Pine Mountain Club at 6000'. The current 350 in the truck has an EGR in the valve cover and a Quadrajet 4bbl on the stock intake. You are right - keeping it smog legal is the way to go.

I like the Edelbrock Performer - might just swap that with the stock one and get the Quad rebuilt. Appreciate the suggestion!

daddyjeep · 12-02-2016, 01:26 PM

Congrats on the truck. I am glad it makes you feel like a kid again.

There are a couple companies out there that rebuild q-jets. You might want to do a little searching for them.

LukeSkywanker · 12-02-2016, 02:17 PM

Thanks, man! Having fun. The wife is pissed, but what else is new? Cheers.

12-01-2016, 01:23 PM	#1
LukeSkywanker Registered User Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: California Posts: 22	'78 C20 - Just got it, and... Gents: New to the board. Found it while searching for info on this truck which I just bought. Pretty straight, Fleetside, no rust anywhere (Original CA vehicle). 350 - bone stock. Having fun with it - I'm retired LE and feel like I'm back in HS wrenching on this thing. I have a couple of questions for you guys, but I'll start with this. I've determined it's a Camper Special, but the truck came with no badges. Is it a Cheyenne, Silverado, Custom Deluxe or Scottsdale? Sorry about the lame question, but I'm a total newbie with Chevy trucks. Attached Images

12-01-2016, 03:40 PM	#2
evan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 488	Re: '78 C20 - Just got it, and... Is there a build sticker in the glove box? __________________ Evan B.

12-01-2016, 04:48 PM	#3
LukeSkywanker Registered User Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: California Posts: 22	Re: '78 C20 - Just got it, and... Hey Evan, Thanks for getting back to me. Found this in the paperwork the previous owner had. This it? https://postimg.org/image/ny8mam9hb/

12-01-2016, 04:49 PM	#4
LukeSkywanker Registered User Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: California Posts: 22	Re: '78 C20 - Just got it, and... https://postimg.org/image/ny8mam9hb/ Duplicate post. Sorry. Last edited by LukeSkywanker; 12-01-2016 at 04:52 PM. Reason: Duplicate post

12-01-2016, 06:37 PM	#6
1970pelle Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: N.E. Florida Posts: 500	Re: '78 C20 - Just got it, and... Nice looking truck, much fun to be had there. Ken __________________ 1985 IROC Z28 190HP TPI 305,700r4,T-tops,rear trac lock, Black on lite gray, 16in Z28 wheels 2007 Lexus ES350 (wifes) 1984 CJ7 with 1995 HO4.0L MPI, 2 1/2 OME YJ Lift “There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit.” ― Ronald Reagan

12-01-2016, 06:49 PM	#8
tinydb84 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Jose Ca Posts: 2,871	Re: '78 C20 - Just got it, and... Good looking truck you got. My 75 C20 Camper Special is a Cheyenne. Just FYI. __________________ David Used parts build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=638991 My brother's Nova: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=727985 Rear suspension rework: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=750557 Instagram: myfabguy

12-01-2016, 06:57 PM	#9
LukeSkywanker Registered User Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: California Posts: 22	Re: '78 C20 - Just got it, and... Thx BPJ6 and 1970pelle. I think it may be a Cheyenne - but see no reference and the interior is gutted and shot. The good news is I got it dirt cheap off a kid who was about to turn it into a low rider, but ran out of dough. The 350 seems tight - compression is good - average is about 145 lbs per cylinder and doesn't seem to burn any oil. No leaks, either. Needs exhaust - picked up some Headman Headers to install later. 3/4 ton leaf suspension is massive and rides kinda rough. Thinking of throwing Bilsteins on it. It doesn't like altitude with the current setup - dogs it at 6000 feet here in the mountains. You guys have any recommendations about intake manifold and carb? Trans is TH400 - dunno about the rear end, but it appears to be stock. Suggestions appreciated! Last edited by LukeSkywanker; 12-01-2016 at 07:08 PM.

12-01-2016, 07:01 PM	#10
tinydb84 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Jose Ca Posts: 2,871	Re: '78 C20 - Just got it, and... Pull the bottom 3 springs in the rear. It will soften the ride up. Get good shocks all around. You can look up moog springs for the lowest spring rate for our trucks and swap it in the front. Find a good dual plane manifold and a 600 cfm carb. I've had good luck with Edelbrock carbs. Remember you will need to pass smog though. __________________ David Used parts build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=638991 My brother's Nova: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=727985 Rear suspension rework: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=750557 Instagram: myfabguy

12-01-2016, 07:09 PM	#11
LukeSkywanker Registered User Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: California Posts: 22	Re: '78 C20 - Just got it, and... Agree with you. Has to be a Cheyenne.

12-01-2016, 07:14 PM	#12
LukeSkywanker Registered User Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: California Posts: 22	Re: '78 C20 - Just got it, and... Great suggestion on the springs and the Edelbrock carb. Just got it through smog and the Hedman Headers are CARB certified. They were supposed to relax the smog rules in Cali for 75-79, but Governor Moonbeam is asleep at the wheel. He'd rather take our guns and ammo...

12-02-2016, 01:22 AM	#13
nonstop Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Northern California Posts: 422	Re: '78 C20 - Just got it, and... Congrats on the retirement! 11 years until 50 for me! What county are you in? Do you have an EGR valve? If so, might be pretty limited to an Edelbrock Performer intake. As for carb, it is sort of like oil and tires. People have their favorites and are very opinionated about them. As for me, a nicely built Quadrajet is (of course in my opinion) the best carb for these trucks! It is also the best bet for keeping it smog legal!

12-02-2016, 01:28 AM	#14
LukeSkywanker Registered User Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: California Posts: 22	Re: '78 C20 - Just got it, and... Thanks! Hang in there and you can kick back like me. I'm in Kern County - Pine Mountain Club at 6000'. The current 350 in the truck has an EGR in the valve cover and a Quadrajet 4bbl on the stock intake. You are right - keeping it smog legal is the way to go. I like the Edelbrock Performer - might just swap that with the stock one and get the Quad rebuilt. Appreciate the suggestion!

12-02-2016, 01:26 PM	#15
daddyjeep Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Smethport, PA Posts: 1,213	Re: '78 C20 - Just got it, and... Congrats on the truck. I am glad it makes you feel like a kid again. There are a couple companies out there that rebuild q-jets. You might want to do a little searching for them. __________________ 85 K30 crew cab dually - Project http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=694939 87 Wrangler Rock Crawler - Reason for the project http://www.wranglerforum.com/f330/da...ld-122601.html 04 1500 crew cab http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=786514

12-02-2016, 02:17 PM	#16
LukeSkywanker Registered User Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: California Posts: 22	Re: '78 C20 - Just got it, and... Thanks, man! Having fun. The wife is pissed, but what else is new? Cheers.

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