Finally got a running 65 C10

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1low4x4

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Well to be fair, most of the people that say it's not worth rebuilding the original and go with an Ididit, probably have never had a column rebuilt (yeah, you can send it off) nor have they ever installed an Ididit column either. There was a recent thread here about the installation hassles of an Ididit column in a squarebody... the consensus was that it wasn't worth it and a factory column would be better.

Now, I realize that's an apples to oranges comparison. Squarebody columns are FAR easier to find. But my point is that more research would be a good idea. Especially if you can find pictures and details of installs. A good used GM column from some other vehicle may actually be a far easier install. And cheaper too. Or maybe an Ididit column actually is the better option. I don't know. I just wouldn't be so quick to trust the Facebook warriors.
I hate to be that guy but that’s exactly who was telling me to go ididit, a guy that went through all the trouble to rebuild his column, still wasn’t satisfied, went ididit and then recommended me to do the same. Then he got like 10 responses with other guys agreeing

I just don’t want to waste my time if I’m not going to be happy at the end
 

1low4x4

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Here’s one. Seeing lots of positive input now that I’m looking
 

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1low4x4

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man now I’m looking at the T5……..I’ve been watching videos of guys driving their c10s with them and they look super fun

I also researched the tremec tkx but they are like $2300 bucks
 

1low4x4

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Well. Bent two pushrods on 8. Not sure why it keeps doing this, the last time was number 4. I adjusted the rockers to tapping, then not tapping, then half turn.

Sticking valves? I hope I didn’t mess the cam up. I cranked it to leave work and noticed it was running odd, then noticed the loud tapping. Then I stopped and got out with it running, and as soon as I opened the hood it started popping and banging and died.
 

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bucket

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They are stock rockers, correct? Possibly the pivot slots in them are not long enough for the amount of lift?
 

1low4x4

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They are stock rockers, correct? Possibly the pivot slots in them are not long enough for the amount of lift?
I don’t really know. When it gets to technical stuff like this I have to stop and do research. I guess that’s what I’m going to have to do but in the meantime I think I’m going to prep that 355 to drop in. Damn thing was so loyal for so long. And then I won’t have to deal with the thumper cam anymore
 

1low4x4

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I picked up four push rods from O’Reillys. Installed two of them, cranked it up today no problems, drove it about 15 miles to the next town on the way home at about 65 miles an hour with my guys following me. Started tapping again, pulled into a tractor supply parking lot and sure enough both push rods bent again. Dropped a third set in, bent before I could leave the lot. Stuck lifters….

Unplugged the sparkolater, yanked the pushrods out and drove it home on 7 cylinders. At 55mph. Oil pressure fine, temperature fine, but it did not like it. Massive valve train noise and idling at 1400 RPM now. I imagine that cylinder was filling up with fuel, but I’m not understanding the high idle part of things.

Going to finish pulling the 350 out of my old square body Sunday and start prepping it. Not really planning on doing anything internally. It ran strong when parked last time so I’ll do the old mystery oil massage in the cylinders and turn it over a few times and go with it.
 

1low4x4

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I went and finished pulling the 355 out of the White K 10 at my friends house. It spun over easily by hand, like you just turned it off. No noise from the rings or anything.

Somebody put auto light plugs in it, and they’re not for the right year because these are vortec heads and they need the longer threads. Anyway, little rich but not caked?

There is one exhaust port that has a lot of goop and another that looks wet.

I just got it home, I plan on putting it on the stand, checking a couple of the bearings one at a time just to see what they look like, and then doing a compression check.

If I have to take it apart for machine work, that’s months probably, everyone is behind. Plus the cost, but then I know it’s not going to burn.

Based on what you see here, is she a big oil burner?
 

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1low4x4

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Started my compression check. Cylinder 2, 160. 4, 150. Then started wondering if I had oil pressure.was hearing a creaking sound. Pulled the valve covers, dry as a bone, pulled the dizzy and primed with a drill, nothing. Well, barely a gloop out of one pushrod. Went to remove the oil sending unit to see if oil would come out of there and broke it off in the block. Oil shot out of there like a geyser. Used an EZ out. Plugged it.

Loosened all the rockers, tried it again. Pulled pushrods, soaking wet at the bottom. Pulled intake, figured lifters had went flat. They were all recessed, got them out with a pick. One was blown out, I still haven’t found the little C clip that held it together.

I haven’t blown air through the pushrods yet to see if they were clogged but I doubt they were all clogged.

Could the bad lifter have been letting all the oil pressure by? Only thing is it was the further most lifter from the pump.

Also I should mention, before I pulled the intake, after I broke the brass fitting of, I put my finger on it and gave the drill a few rotations. What I pulled my finger off a geyser shot out like back pressure. Should it have done that with the valve covers off? Something sounds plugged. But if the bottoms of the push rods were soaked in oil heavily, that means the can bearings are getting it.

I turned it over and took the pan off. Everything looks great, no shavings or anything in the pan. The cylinder walls look great, I took off the number two main cap and it’s almost flawless.

I think at the very least I’ll get lifters and maybe pushrods
 

1low4x4

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should I replace the cam if I do new lifters?
 

CountKrunk

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My understanding is mazle get a little whoomp whoomps with a different cam while you're at it. Don't go crazy though.
 

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