nabeshin
functioning lunatic
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2020
- Posts
- 464
- Reaction score
- 857
- Location
- Cozad, Nebraska
- First Name
- Grae
- Truck Year
- 1976
- Truck Model
- K10
- Engine Size
- 400
Hello
I have a '76 K10 Bonanza with a 400 that belonged to my father-in-law. He bought it new back then. The truck served as a farm truck towing hog trailers for about a decade, then as an irrigating truck until about 15 years ago. It has basically sat still ever since.
The history is a bit fuzzy from what he can remember. It had a new engine in '81 after the original blew, and that rebuild blew almost immediately, then a replacement was installed and that has been in there to this day. The truck is on it's third or fourth TH350 transmission. The old adage of heat kills the TH350 plays true here, towing 10,000 lbs trailers for eons was not kind to them.
I have cleaned up the truck, original paint, and changed all fluids, replaced all underhood rubber, all vacuum lines, new water pump, hoses, belts, thermostat, oil caps, valve cover grommets, pcv, and tune-up items. Also had to get the radiator rebuilt since sitting for so long corroded the innards with crud. I still need to get the Q-Jet rebuilt and get an exhaust leak fixed. It has true duals though, so it sounds great.
All this engine work has made a huge improvement in drivability overall so far.
Plans include a mechanical restoration at this point, left to do: restoring suspension bushings, shocks, brakes, steering and ball joints, etc. (steering is loose) Fixing rust and interior come later. Though I did have to recover the seat with walmart vinyl already.
Will also get a new intake and cam for more low end torque eventually. Probably address temps with auxiliary trans and oil coolers.
Also how many photos can i upload to the site? I have several detailing the process so far.
I have a '76 K10 Bonanza with a 400 that belonged to my father-in-law. He bought it new back then. The truck served as a farm truck towing hog trailers for about a decade, then as an irrigating truck until about 15 years ago. It has basically sat still ever since.
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The history is a bit fuzzy from what he can remember. It had a new engine in '81 after the original blew, and that rebuild blew almost immediately, then a replacement was installed and that has been in there to this day. The truck is on it's third or fourth TH350 transmission. The old adage of heat kills the TH350 plays true here, towing 10,000 lbs trailers for eons was not kind to them.
I have cleaned up the truck, original paint, and changed all fluids, replaced all underhood rubber, all vacuum lines, new water pump, hoses, belts, thermostat, oil caps, valve cover grommets, pcv, and tune-up items. Also had to get the radiator rebuilt since sitting for so long corroded the innards with crud. I still need to get the Q-Jet rebuilt and get an exhaust leak fixed. It has true duals though, so it sounds great.
All this engine work has made a huge improvement in drivability overall so far.
Plans include a mechanical restoration at this point, left to do: restoring suspension bushings, shocks, brakes, steering and ball joints, etc. (steering is loose) Fixing rust and interior come later. Though I did have to recover the seat with walmart vinyl already.
Will also get a new intake and cam for more low end torque eventually. Probably address temps with auxiliary trans and oil coolers.
Also how many photos can i upload to the site? I have several detailing the process so far.
from northern IL!
