Newbie with questions..

[dads78c10]

Just got my dads, formerly Grandfathers, 79 C10 custom deluxe. My Grandfather was not a fancy man so neither is his truck, 4.1 L i6, no ac or power anything. But it only has 70,676 miles as she sits. I want to just make a clean street truck out of it, nothing fancy, just a reliable daily with some style. So here begins the questions;

1. As this was my grandfathers I really don't want to change a ton of stuff, I would like more power and mileage from the 6er and would like to get a trans with overdrive since, last time it was checked, gas mileage was in the low teens. Thoughts on maybe just a refresh on the motor, better intake and a 2bl carb and new exhaust? What o/d trans will work with a ease of swap and budget in mind? Not completely against a motor swap, but if I can get decent power out of the original motor, I'd just soon stick with it.

2. Stance, I have driven lowered Mustangs for the last 7-8 years and would like to bring the truck down a bit. Looking for economical, do it yourself type stuff(no c notches as I can't weld), and realistic expectations. I was looking in the neighborhood of 2-3 front and 3-4 rear. Can this be achieved without c notching? Is coils and a flip kit enough to achieve this?

3. Tires and wheels, planning on running a 15x8 rallye with either a 255/70r15 or a 275/60r15 tire. From what I have read either of these should clear with the amount of drop I have planned and give it a much better stance than the 235/75r15 it has on it now.

Here is what she looks like right now, planning on using patch kits on the bad cancer spots, pulling the dent out on the corner of the bed, and leaving the rusty patina for now since it gives the truck character. Top priorities are getting the brakes a little more functional, I believe the rotors are original, and stopping the huge oil leak from the valve cover, which I understand to be a common problem on these.

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Look forward to getting some info from this forum. Thanks in advance

 

[RetroC10Sport]

The thing about a better intake is that the head and intake are one piece, so unless you swap to an older non-integral head, you're not going to be able to do much there.

 

[dads78c10]

See, learning stuff already. I have read about adapters to switch to a two barrel carb, any reason to pursue that? I'm not wanting V8 power out of it, and likely the most it will ever haul is my quad. If I want to go fast I can take the Mustang, but merging onto the freeway without white knuckles would be nice.

 

[RetroC10Sport]

That's understandable. I had a 1981 with the 250 and a TH350...Not the slowest vehicle I had ever owned but definitely not for freeway use.

It actually wouldn't take much to swap to an older head, maybe do a port and polish job and a Clifford intake.

 

[dads78c10]

What year did they start with the integral head so I know what to start searching for? Any advice on a good trans to use? This thing at 50 sounds like it is going to kill itself, I'd love to get the rpms down since the majority of my driving is 50-60 mph. My daughter rode in it today and kept asking what was wrong with it..

 

[RetroC10Sport]

I would also check your gearing. But a 700r4 will be just fine behind a 250.

1966-1974 250 in any GM car or truck will work, but you can also use a 292 head up to 1989.

 

[dads78c10]

Very helpful info, Thanks. I thought Chevy's were supposed to be cheap? $300 for a new clifford intake... I may have to sell a mustang to get this project going.

 

[Jims86]

TBI is a great addition to an old stovebolt I 6.

 

[89Suburban]

Good lookin stocker, welcome aboard.


Posted from mobile...

 

[cumminsedge]

You may try looking into a 2004R as well. It was the older early 80s overdrive automatic. They wont hold a ton of power, but it will hold 250 horse very reliably. Also may think on checking what rear gear you have in it.

We have a old 250 I6 truck up at the mine I work at, and the motor is great, just have the same problems with oil leaks.

As far as tires are concerned, if you plan to lower it, you may want to go with the 275/60R15. They will barely fit a 8" wide rim, but they are a 28" tall tire. A lil shorter than your factory 235s would be. 255s are the same height as the 235s, and fit mine well, but mine has not been lowered any. Also, you'll need to change your speedometer gear in the tailshaft housing if changing to a shorter tire, as you will effectively be changing final drive gear ratio, and thus affecting the speedometer. I figure if you want a reliable DD, you'll prolly want everything right on the truck.

Sweet build, hope all goes well on it.

 

[bucket]

I agree, the 255/70's will look too tall on a lowered truck. I like how they look on mine, but the truck is still stock height. 275/60 would be a good choice, but if you like the staggered look, something a little smaller on the front like a 255/60 would look good.

I think HRPC had told me a while back that a mid-60's 230 head is a nice upgrade for a 250. I think he said it flows good and brings the compression up a bit.

 

[Old77]

 

[dads78c10]

I prefer the 275/60, I like the look of the wider lower profile. I would love to do fuel injection if I can find an inexpensive way to do it, especially since it makes it easy to do a power adder of some sort eventually. Thanks for the positive feedback, she is pretty clean for her age, no rust in the cab and just a few patch panels required to get her straight again. Any ideas on bench seat options? I need a center shoulder belt for my sons booster and the only seat I have found so far that would work is a newer tundra seat...

 

[Mr Clean]

from N.E. TEXAS!!!!