Old77's 1989 S10 tinkering project

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

I

idahovette

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Posts
7,363
Reaction score
16,117
Location
Weiser Idaho
First Name
Perry
Truck Year
1975-1979
Truck Model
K20-K10
Engine Size
350
I'm not the one who needs one
 
Old77

Old77

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Posts
28,491
Reaction score
9,560
Location
Kansas City, Mo
First Name
Jacob
Truck Year
1977/1990/1991
Truck Model
C10 longbed/R1500 Burb/R3500 Dually
Engine Size
350/350/454
Old77 said:
Another quandry I'm having is a buddy of mine has been asking me for a while to sell the truck to him. Part of my brain wants to start tearing into it and get the thing torn down but then the lazy part of my brain wants it to leave the driveway LOL He's got plans for it (if I sold it to him) and it'd go to a good home but I have plans for it, too, and never have had plans to sell it. If I was to sell it, there's a K5 for sale local for $4,000 that I'd probably try and go haggle on to get. I don't know......... Just spewing out the dialogue that's in my head.
Click to expand...
Well, said buddy backed out on buying it so I’ve thrown it up on the place of markets for now.

If it doesn’t sell for what I want in 2 weeks I’m either going to part it out or start looking at motor swap options. There are a couple engines of the LS flavor for sale locally at ok prices or may just go carb’d 350 route. :shrug:
 
78C10BigTen

78C10BigTen

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 12, 2017
Posts
16,041
Reaction score
25,627
Location
pennsylvannia
First Name
Ted
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 BIG TEN
Engine Size
350
Old77 said:
Well, said buddy backed out on buying it so I’ve thrown it up on the place of markets for now.

If it doesn’t sell for what I want in 2 weeks I’m either going to part it out or start looking at motor swap options. There are a couple engines of the LS flavor for sale locally at ok prices or may just go carb’d 350 route. :shrug:
Click to expand...
Pm your ask... i know your not close but im curious and if you part it i might buy some items.
 
Old77

Old77

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Posts
28,491
Reaction score
9,560
Location
Kansas City, Mo
First Name
Jacob
Truck Year
1977/1990/1991
Truck Model
C10 longbed/R1500 Burb/R3500 Dually
Engine Size
350/350/454
So, no real bites yet. I’ll let it run for another 7-10 days and go from there.

QUESTION, thinking this might lead into a motor swap project, potentially, and there are a few vortec 350s on the market and have even stumbled upon a vortec 4.3 or 2, as well. If I ran these off a carb I wouldn’t need to worry about the wiring harness and stuff, right? I’m wanting to simplify this as much as possible and don’t want to worry about custom harnesses and sensors at this point in time. Wondering if I’m missing something in my thinking :hmm:
 
Old77

Old77

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Posts
28,491
Reaction score
9,560
Location
Kansas City, Mo
First Name
Jacob
Truck Year
1977/1990/1991
Truck Model
C10 longbed/R1500 Burb/R3500 Dually
Engine Size
350/350/454
Will also be researching if any of these solutions will bolt up to my existing 5 speed trans or if I need track something else down.
 
bucket

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,639
Reaction score
28,928
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
You can use your transmission (its a T5, ain't it?) but you will need a bellhousing for a 4.3 or v8. The 4.3 and the V8s use the same mounting pattern. The 4cyl and 6cyl versions of the T5 use a different ratio set than the V8 version, but it will work. Too much power will break a T5 though.
 
Old77

Old77

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Posts
28,491
Reaction score
9,560
Location
Kansas City, Mo
First Name
Jacob
Truck Year
1977/1990/1991
Truck Model
C10 longbed/R1500 Burb/R3500 Dually
Engine Size
350/350/454
bucket said:
You can use your transmission (its a T5, ain't it?) but you will need a bellhousing for a 4.3 or v8. The 4.3 and the V8s use the same mounting pattern. The 4cyl and 6cyl versions of the T5 use a different ratio set than the V8 version, but it will work. Too much power will break a T5 though.
Click to expand...
That’s good to know! When you say “too much power” what is your estimate of “too much”? I’m not planning on doing anything other than keeping these engines stock at this point so probably 250 hp or well below. Would that be within its limits, you think?
 
bucket

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,639
Reaction score
28,928
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Old77 said:
That’s good to know! When you say “too much power” what is your estimate of “too much”? I’m not planning on doing anything other than keeping these engines stock at this point so probably 250 hp or well below. Would that be within its limits, you think?
Click to expand...

Yeah, should be fine. Your pickup's lack of traction will help it live a lot longer too.
 
Old77

Old77

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Posts
28,491
Reaction score
9,560
Location
Kansas City, Mo
First Name
Jacob
Truck Year
1977/1990/1991
Truck Model
C10 longbed/R1500 Burb/R3500 Dually
Engine Size
350/350/454
bucket said:
Yeah, should be fine. Your pickup's lack of traction will help it live a lot longer too.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the education, Andy :)

I plan on just running carb on whatever I find. I should just need to run wires for ignition, right, to make it run? I’m not planning on running any kind of computers or anything, but am I missing anything as I think this through?

Of course, this will also mean I’ll need to run aftermarket gauges for things like speed, temp, oil pressure,….
 
bucket

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,639
Reaction score
28,928
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Old77 said:
Thanks for the education, Andy :)

I plan on just running carb on whatever I find. I should just need to run wires for ignition, right, to make it run? I’m not planning on running any kind of computers or anything, but am I missing anything as I think this through?

Of course, this will also mean I’ll need to run aftermarket gauges for things like speed, temp, oil pressure,….
Click to expand...

Someone smarter than me will have to advise about retaining the electric speedo, but you definitely can do it. The oil pressure gauge and water temp can easily be retained as well. With a carb and HEI, you'll be pretty well set.

Whatever you end up with, the little details can be worked through. Like whether or not the block/cam can run a mechanical fuel pump. Or it may be best just to run the in-tank pump.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Old77
Old77's Jeep Thread
3 4 5
Replies
62
Views
3K
89Suburban
89Suburban
Old77
Old77’s Oldest Kid’s 1992 S10 Blazer thread
2 3 4
Replies
50
Views
5K
Old77
Old77
S
2003 Acura MDX
2 3 4
Replies
45
Views
4K
SirRobyn0
S
NickTransmissions
4L80E Information Thread
Replies
14
Views
5K
MrMarty51
MrMarty51
Timbotec
Greetings and seeking advice from San Diego!
2 3
Replies
30
Views
3K
RanchWelder
RanchWelder

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,424
Posts
957,599
Members
36,779
Latest member
The Dirty Burb
Top