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  1. MikeB

    Best headers and can still easily change plugs?

    From a post I made many years ago: All of them have pros and cons. Hookers and Hedmans tend to hang down. The Patriot H8048 headers on my 82 C10 tuck up well, but I had to re-route (bend) three hard lines on the frame because the #2 tube touched or came very close to them. Still better than...
  2. MikeB

    Compressor overload keeps tripping

    All the OP needs to do is verify there is 220-250 volts across the two wires. That said, if the compressor has been working for years, the problem probably has nothing to do with the power source. Please let us know what the problem was.
  3. MikeB

    High Amp Alternator?

    Before buying another alternator, check voltage at the alternator output terminal (the one with the largest wire). Do it with the engine running with hi-beams and AC on. Then check voltage at the battery. The voltages should be close to the same, a little less at the battery. The ideal number...
  4. MikeB

    Adding A/C

    Seems to me that there is a manufacturer of AC systems for classic cars and trucks down there in Florida somewhere. Classic Air?
  5. MikeB

    700R4 nightmares

    35" tires with 3.73 should work well with a TH350 or TH400, at least on the highway. RPM vs. MPH is almost exactly like a 29" tire (255-70x15) with a 3.08 axle, which has worked fine on my 69 C10 for for 30+ years. Now if you plan to do off-roading, a 3.73 and your 35" tires may not be a good...
  6. MikeB

    1977 C10 with 31,000 original miles I just bought. Looking for white hub caps.

    My 69 has fewer miles than that. But that's since I bought it in 1989.;)
  7. MikeB

    Valve stem seals info needed and is it worth while in my case?

    Not as cool but works fine!
  8. MikeB

    Valve stem seals info needed and is it worth while in my case?

    Classic symptom of oil running down the valve stem past the valve guide. After engine shutoff and a few hours of sitting, oil pools on the back side of the valve or top of piston. It then burns off in the first few seconds after startup. Umbrella seals are cheap and work well to resolve this...
  9. MikeB

    Truck 10 bolt or Truck 12 bolt

    I don't know much about 9-inch Fords, but I do know the early models had 28-spline axles. If you get one, make sure it has 31-spline axles, unless you plan to replace the axles and side gears. Also, if you could find one with a nodular iron case, that would be cool. Look for the "N" cast into...
  10. MikeB

    Minimalist harness

    I worked as an electronics tech back in the day, and have installed several wiring harnesses over the years, but my base 82 C10 was the most difficult. I used AAW's Power Plus 20 "universal" kit, which needed lots of mods to work on the truck. The only positive thing was it used GM color codes...
  11. MikeB

    GMSports tach/fuel combo alternatives?

    I bought a tach/fuel gauge from GM Sports 5-6 years ago. It was a total POS built by a guy somewhere in the Northwest. The plastic housing was poorly done (check out the hole at 7 o'clock), it had a tach needle that wouldn't stay on, and also very poor soldering. A bigger kludge I had never...
  12. MikeB

    Am I crazy to expect more than 10 MPG

    I agree that you're not going to see much better with a 4.10 axle. And you're also dealing with less efficiency of a 3/4 ton axle and TH400. But if 10MPG is your all-around mileage, that's actually not too bad. If that's a mild 350 and you don't tow more than a small U-Haul trailer, then a...
  13. MikeB

    Choke Wire 1406

    If voltage on the choke wire goes from 12 volts static (disconnected) to just a few volts or zero volts when connected to the choke positive terminal, that means all or most of the voltage is being dropped across some kind of resistance in series with the wire (or the source of the 12 volts)...
  14. MikeB

    Rebuilt 700R won't run now

    A cut wire. That's interesting. I would have guessed a connector pin was getting 12 volts when it wasn't supposed to.
  15. MikeB

    How to pick the correct headers...

    I used Patriot long tube headers on my 82 C10 with a 350. They tucked up nice and high, but I had to slightly bend the fuel and brake lines near the motor mount on the passenger side, and relocate the clamp. No clearance problems anywhere else. Gaskets were worthless as usual, so I used some...
  16. MikeB

    Engine options from 81/86 c10 and k10

    In 1982, it looks like the 350 was available only on 20-30 models, except in California where it was also available on K10. Check out pages 13-18 on this document from GM Heritage Center This was only for 1982. Things may have been different in other years...
  17. MikeB

    Damaged wires on firewall about 2 inches from fuse box

    It's better to unplug the under hood wiring harnesses from the engine compartment side. I mean that's where the damaged wires are. Loosen the center bolt and pull. EZ-peezy!
  18. MikeB

    Brake parts questions on a 79 sierra.

    My 82 C10 had 1" thick rotors, which also means different caliper, spindle, and inner wheel bearing. Pads are the same as 1.25" brakes. My 69 C10 has 1" brakes & spindles from an 85 C10, but they work great. Only advantage of the thicker rotor is better heat dissipation for downhills and towing.
  19. MikeB

    inline six compatability

    Don't forget the mighty 267 produced from 79 to 82.
  20. MikeB

    inline six compatability

    If you don't have to meet 1986 emissions specs, try to find a 250 without the "integrated" cylinder head & manifold. They are prone to cracking. Also skip the engines with two chambers, valves, and hoses on top of the valve covers. I agree that a 292 would be perfect and probably makes 25%...
  21. MikeB

    Here's a 73-87 bed mat

    Bed mat from Holley: https://www.holley.com/products/restoration/exterior_trim/bed_mats/parts/06-7387BM
  22. MikeB

    Time for a Radiator Upgrade...?

    Hi Peats. The main thing is keeping the oil temp at 212 or higher to burn off moisture and combustion blow-by contaminants in the oil. Depending on the engine, that typically means maintaining the coolant temp at 195-200 or higher, and getting to that temp as quickly as possible. If you...
  23. MikeB

    Intake is Outgoing

    Some small blocks in the 1980s had aluminum intake manifolds from the factory. Was that also the case with big blocks, or were they used only in the late 60s/early 70s on high performance engines? Of course, if it was a factory manifold it would probably have a GM casting number on it...
  24. MikeB

    Time for a Radiator Upgrade...?

    Here's a link the RockAuto radiators for 75 C10. Probably the same as the one I had in my 82. https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/chevrolet,1975,c10+pickup,5.7l+350cid+v8,1030093,cooling+system,radiator,2172
  25. MikeB

    Time for a Radiator Upgrade...?

    Just a couple of comments: My 82 C10 with 350 and no A/C ran a $130-something "Murray" aluminum radiator that I bought at O'Reilly Auto Parts. It's listed for 6-cylinder up through 350 w/o air. Folks on forums laughed at me, but one of the reasons I did it was because a guy on a Chevy truck...

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