The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk where do I start

here I go I have an 1971 gmc c10 It had an 307 in it that engine is in heaven now (rip)I found a stock gm goodwrench crate engine for about 1450.00/w shipping from scoggin-dickey cheapest I could find.As for the body it needs rockers on both sides and minor drill holes filled I have ideas about what I want to do to it DROP IT paint it shave it add a roll pan and add some bucket seats that I got from a lexus nows the ??
WERE DO I START
thaxs in advanced toneytigger

Assuming you want to drive it while you bring it back from the edge:

1. Make it WHOA... Brakes - replace wheel cylinders, inspect brake lines, new shoes/pads, master cylinder.

2. Make it GO...Replace that engine, inspect the trans (assuming you have an auto) by dropping the pad. If there is an excess of "clutch mud" in the pad it may need a rebuild. If not, replace the front/rear seals, modulator, filter, pan gasket and button it back up. New u-joints (cheap insurance), drain the differential, pull the cover, any metal here is no good, if no metal replace the gasket and cover, refill with gear lube. Check the radiator- leaking - replace, if not flush and refill.

3. Make it SHOW...Replace the rusty panels. It is not that hard and they are not too expensive for your truck if you do the work yourself. If you do not have a welder you can rent one from Home Depot. Hold off on the extraneous panels like the cowl hood or roll pan until a later time unless you have the extra $$. Do the body work yourself and save $$$. Then you can take it to the local Maaco and get a decent paint job or do it yourself also.

You can install you seats anytime but make all the important systems work well first. Anyone who know these truck will appreciate your efforts and give you a thumbs up when they see it. Thats my $0.02

I just put the Goodwrench engine in my 70 stepside. Runs great. I like to keep em stock looking & stock height.

check your check book first Fred

First Welcome to the Bolt!

Second - When is the last time you got a tetniss(SP) shot?

Me I would pull the old engine out. Then redo the brakes. Prep the engine compartment. Install new engine. Then drive it. Then go to the body. That is just me.

Good luck and have fun

thanx fellas Ill start with the brakes and suspension and get the engine conpartment together I do have one more question though im looking for an ecomomical way to get away from these manual brakes have anyone of you guys tried it ? Ive seen a complete booster and master cylinder for some ridiculous price ( or im just being cheap) but my line of thinking is theres gotta be a better way my neighbor tells me a assembly from a truck in the 80s will work but I dony want to do the hit or miss thing

www.earlyclassic.com sales everything you need,but not cheep.if your talented you can adapt suspension,steering,and steering box from a 73-87 c10[71-87?]i have a front suspension and steering from a 1980/1973.

yeah ive been there and lmc truck boy are they pricey could putme in devorce court the wife will deffinently think I got summthin on the side

Well...

Some Stovebolters' wives call the truck "The Other Woman"

And those of us who are single get flack from our friends' wives about getting a GF. I just tell 'em that I already have a mistress...

My Truck.

dammed if I do dammed if I dont maybe if I hit the lottery she wont mind (wishful thinkin)

Toneytgr,

What ever money you spend...try to spend it on the way you want it when finished...if it means saving for an extra month to keep the MRS happy..that's what I would do. If you are not sure what you want to do with certain parts, I would work on something else you have decided on/can afford.

Also..most folks round here will say that brakes are the place to spend money...brakes will save your hard work and money when some dork pulls out in front you.

If you spend the money on the master/booster, do the lines, and everything else too. It will save you lots of headaches later.

I would agree on keeping it driveable as long as possible. That keeps you interested and your MRS will think the project is OK as long as it moves....When my truck started going down the road, she stopped hating it.

Good humor on the mistress part..I was talking to a golfer about cars...I asked him if he had a ride..he pointed to his clubs..."you can only have ONE mistress"....

thanks 46 I will definintly take the advice and im pretty sure by keepin the truck movin will make her enjoy it

My 54 3100 was totally squalid when I bought it but it did move. Well, in a fashion.

Wife was appalled, but liked it a little more each time I progressed the interior. So I fixed that and then turned to everything else. My advice for what it's worth would be, like the others say, get it moving and fix the brakes; next, do out the interior. Then the rest.

Brakes, steering and saftey first. That includes tires and seat belts. Power train second. Comfort third, looks last.

Or at least that's my view.

My wife is pretty good about the trucks and the money I spend on them, and long as my hobby isn't robbing from famiy and household needs.

Sometimes that means waiting a few months before proceding with the next improvement or repair...

oldsub that is def the plan that I have it not so much the money ( what little I have ) it the time and making sure I dont screw up like I already have ( Took the engine out forgot were most the wires go) but all in all things are goin along pretty good

I agree .... safety first I am in process of replacing all brake components. Going is nice, stopping is nicer.

My wife is great about my new girl as long as I promise to build her a 46 with ps,pb and ac when I am done with the 53.

Yes the brakes first, Then flowers every other month for the wife. Its what I call cheap insurance for the truck an me working on it. The first words out my wifes mouth when I drove my 59 3600 home was, You told me it was in good shape. My repile was yup for a 59 it is.

All the guys have it right, get it running safely first. I'd suggest doing your interior next, that way when you take the Mrs. with you she'll feel real comfortable. Bodywise (your truck's), throw a primer on her so it's at least all one color and looks fairly decent while your checkbook catches up to you. That was my strategy and now my wife has no problem taking the truck out to dinner etc. (and she has the Mazda Miata!)...