Project Poor Man's Toy (1979 C10)

[Zebb]

79shortbed, Think about how much money you are going to be putting into that engine to actually get it into the truck and usable only to pull it out later on down the road and replace it with a LS. All that money could go directly to what you want the first time.

This is what I see with what you are working with. $240 was only an estimate on the machine work. It might have to be bored which means new pistons too. The heads may need more than a standard valve job, so prepare yourself for that. Then you will need to purchase all the internal motor parts like cam, lifters, timing set, oil pump, new rod and head bolts...etc it adds up quick. Next step will be everything on the outside of the motor that is needed, water pump, dist, wires, plugs, motor mounts, belts...etc. And add that you spent $420 already on heads and a carb. You are gonna have some money tight up in it before you are done.

Have you considered getting a donor rig that has a running engine? That would give you most everything that you need to at least get yours running. Then scrap or sell the rest of it to help off set the cost of buying it.

[mooseknuckles]

LS SWAP!.....you've already wasted enough money!....lol...and if you don't do it now you will regret it later!

[ghettoluxury]

Originally Posted by mooseknuckles

LS SWAP!.....you've already wasted enough money!....lol...and if you don't do it now you will regret it later!

I agree! I put a bunch into a tbi 350 and it is getting ready to get pulled for a LS.

[79shortbed]

As awesome as LS swaps are, serious thinking time tells me that this truck isnt about that. The patina stays, and so will an old school SBC. Saving nickles and dimes to get the block to a machine shop. Thanks for the encouragement and advice guys, having some people actually support me like you guys means a lot.

[mooseknuckles]

I guess if you don't plan on driving it, sbc is the way to go.....lol.

[79shortbed]

Originally Posted by mooseknuckles

I guess if you don't plan on driving it, sbc is the way to go.....lol.

Well this is mainly gonna be something to ride dirt roads, just something to tinker on and get my feet wet before I tear into a REAL project like a first or second gen Camaro, 68-74 Nova, Chevelle, M*stang, etc.

[mooseknuckles]

you got my vote for the 1st or 2nd gen f-body...

[spudz]

Originally Posted by 79shortbed

Well this is mainly gonna be something to ride dirt roads, just something to tinker on and get my feet wet before I tear into a REAL project like a first or second gen Camaro, 68-74 Nova, Chevelle, M*stang, etc.

My vote is 68-72 nova... but I'm partial cause I have a half dozen of them, then chevelles, I have a few of those too, then 2nd get f-bodys, I had a bunch no only have one.

[79shortbed]

Any answers for the questions per my last post that contained pictures?

[butch86]

personally i would take the heads and block to the machine shop for cleaning and checking the heads for cracks. i would also use what ya got. have the crank pollished upgrade the cam and build it back after a honing. you got a decent motor for a first build. take your time and have fun with it. when you get ready to assemble let me know ill help ya through it all i can over the phone .

[79shortbed]

Dang Butch, awful nice of ya! You think those valves are too rusty to use? I got some WD40 and sandpaper and tried to get most of that rust off, alot came off, but the intake valves are pretty pitted.

[79shortbed]

Bump

[cletis]

You still want to know if you should take it to a machine shop?

[79shortbed]

If I'll need new valves and such, or if they are ok to run as-is, etc. How do the bearings look? Any bad marks or something I need to change/correct after new bearings are installed, etc.

[79shortbed]

Well the vortecs are in the machine shop. Should be back by Friday. Definitely gonna post some 'post-machining' pics. Also, picked up a starter, alternator, power steering pump w/hoses, and assorted brackets for $125.

[79shortbed]

Heads are back, and boy am I impressed! They look fantastic.
Before:


And After:



That, plus I got a radiator from a early '80s C10 the other day, so I'm moving right along! Traded some of the work on these heads for the 810 casting TBI heads I had, got a big discount. The place even threw in new intake valves, all 8 of them! I highly recommend this place if you are in Central or Southern Alabama. I can give you details if you PM me.

[79shortbed]

Summit delivered some valvetrain stuff yesterday. Comp cams 26918 Springs, 648 Locks, and 787 retainers. No pics yet, may just take some when I get them on the heads. I'm stoked!

[Kerlijah]

Wow, those heads do look great!!

[79shortbed]

Originally Posted by Kerlijah

Wow, those heads do look great!!

Thanks man! I'm really proud of them anyway. Can't wait to get the valvesprings swapped over. Just one step closer.

[79shortbed]

Finally got the Beehive springs put on the heads. Making progress. Was recommended a machine shop for the block, so that or ordering an intake manifold will be next. Anyone have experience with Professional Products Hurricane manifold or PP products in general? Or should I splurge on an Edelbrock Performer RPM or RPM Air Gap?

[79shortbed]

Well got some NGK's for spark plugs today. Still saving for block work and rebuild. Let me know how I'm doing guys. Its hard to stay motivated sometimes.

[cletis]

Did you pick up an intake, or just saving for machine work?

[79shortbed]

Originally Posted by cletis

Did you pick up an intake, or just saving for machine work?

Just saving up for machine work for now. School is starting back, so buying books is gonna be a huge PIA. I also meant the CROSSWIND intake, not hurricane, but a little digging showed I should probably just swing the Eddy Air Gap. Too much hit or miss on the Professional Products quality. Also, Lunati 60103 or Comp XE268 or Comp XE274? I've narrowed it down to those 3 unless someone recommends me another good cam, or should I get one custom ground?

[79shortbed]

Well got the block in the machine shop! Boring .030 over, all cam rod and main bearings, freeze plugs, new pistons and rings, and they're assembling the short block. I did a lot of crazy math last night with DCR and SCR. Running the Lunati 60103, I'm shooting for around 9.4-9.6 SCR with the vortecs and dished pistons, that will give me right at 7.9-8.1 DCR. I need to make sure and call them back to tell them to deck the block to 9.01, I'll be running a .028 head gasket, so if the pistons come to stock height, quench will be right at .038-.040, accounting for tolerances. If the pistons are in the hole lower than stock(which I fear may happen), I can still come out near .040-.045, still great quench. Ready to get this thing running!!!

[78gmc4by]

Looks like you're making some good progress
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