The Stovebolt Site Forums Project Journals Archived Journals 1970 Chevy C10 - Grandpa’s Rebuild.

One reason why I haven't been updating this as frequently in the past is because I usually begin wrenching at 9-9:30 at night and pull for an hour or two. By the time I clean up shop (who am I kidding...I just drop it and go in),shower, relax a bit, it is usually 11-11:30pm. I peruse the Bolt of course, but don't feel like writing out the novel.

Anyways, here goes.

I have sold the Burb and I am glad to have it gone. I had big dreams but reality made me sell it. The Duramax has had LOTS of bites but I have had to be pretty stern with some stupid people.

I painted out the 80's C10 frame mounts and installed the new rubber mounts I got from Napa. I had to drill a couple holes on the frame rails but the install was super simple. I ordered 73-87 C10 LS engine mounts from Dirty Dingo, as I didn't feel like making my own. It's a lot harder to find time with my guppies and buying some things has sped me up in certain areas.

I rebuilt that steering box from the 80's C10 and it was easy, except that it wasn't. That bugger fought me EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. The hardest part to remove was the threaded lock ring nut and the threaded "plunger" cap. I got the lock ring with oil and heat. But I had to build 3 tools to try to get the threaded plunger cap piece. In the end, heat, penetrant for a day, and a 38" long,custom built, flat bar, screwdriver, thing-a-ma-jig with me TORQUING on it, and I do mean grunting, push/pull like a son of o gun, it finally went squeakkkkkkk! and turned a millilimeter. I finally got it with no damage to the threads. Figure that one out. Good thing the kids were in bed. Everett is copying everything I say these days, both polite and profane.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/LH8M7Bsxh6eYjmwE9

I got that hung and mounted and turned my attention to the front rubber brake lines. The front mounting tabs are in the backside of the front cross member. When using a CPP 5 bolt spindle/rotor/brake kit, the caliper forces the line to go upward as it makes its way back to the tab on the back of the cross member. When this happens, the line rubs on the tire in turns. I contacted CPP about this and the response was, "Put a twist/pigtail in the line, tighten it down on the caliper and it should be good."

"Huh?! No..."

So I cut off that tab, dressed it, and then allowed the line to fall where it wanted and lo and behold it wanted to go to the front of the cross member! So I welded the old tabs there, cleaned them up and shot them in gloss black and reattached the lines. No more binding, no more rubbing, and it doesn't look stupid as f…I'll let you fill in that last syllable. Thanks CPP. 🤔

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DJXxA6orhf3VMqQeA

The next night, I proceeded to mock up the lm7 engine/transmission into the frame. I knew some problems were coming but wanted to check for myself. The driver exhaust manifold clears with some minor frame trimming but I won't be doing that. The passenger manifold hits, a lot. I have read/ seen other people trim the frame here, but I don't know how the cuss they expect to maintain frame integrity as the flange SERIOUSLY interferes with the frame. New manifolds are the option for me. The transmission clears the low hump floor and is a 4l60e. The A/C compressor JUST clears the frame but some tweaking will be necessary unless I proceed with my scheming. I was thinking about a whole kit- A mid-mount serpentine system. The dirty dingo slider engine brackets worked fine but I have yet to really test their complete abilities.

Tonight I separated the transmission from the engine. I drained the oil in the engine and it is pretty black. The little open space where you can see the valve area under the lifter valley cover looked pretty grimy. There was that baked on, fine packed sludge that looks like smoothed, roof tar, yeah that stuff. It was a productive last few wrenching sessions. My plan is taking better shape than my "roughed out" plan thanks to some Bolters, and I will disassemble the engine to see what all needs to be done before the big order is placed.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/B5Mbz5qihETKQcqe7

Thanks for the patience.
Keep your stick on the ice. (It is hockey playoffs after all! In August? What the?! AWESOME!!!!)

Hours?- Sitting at 278
I'll get the play by play hours later. It's bedtime. Wait a tick! Hockey highlights!

🦊😎🏒

Edit: Oops. I had duplicated photo links. New engine mock up link.