Norcal noob - 78 K25 project

[ProjectWJ]

I just had my grandfather's truck delivered last week - this thing was his pride and joy for the last 20 years! I didn't have a place for it when he passed (RIP Grandpa T), so it's been sitting at my Uncle's for a few years - I finally moved and had a towing company bring it out from Carson City....

I pulled the camper shell last weekend, pressure washed it top to bottom and pulled a bunch of old semi useless electronical (old alarm, etc). Plan to pick up a battery this weekend, change the fluids and see if I can't get it started...

Grandpa swapped the 350 for a 454 out of a chevelle (72? - I don't recall), built it from the crank up, had the motor balanced and blueprinted, threw detroit lockers in the axels front and rear, built the rear bumper (steel) and reinforced the front with the winch, threw a mild suspension lift on there, overdrive and a bunch of other things. It was a beast in it's day and I look forward to getting it back on the trails. I uploaded a few quick picks - it's actually not in that bad of shape, though it won't smog (visual) in Komifornia, so it's going to have to be registered no-op until the advance the smog exempt date to include pre-'81 .

I just joined so any feedback/info would definitely be helpful.


JUST GOT IT STARTED:
http://youtu.be/3M3ZjmR-w30

.

 

[heavyleft]

Holy 454...nice rig! Thats great that it is staying in the family and that you want to get it back to its glory days!

Welcome!

 

[Irishman999]

Welcome! That is an awesome look, that truck looks beefy. I would say welcome neighbor but I just moved from Reno last week.

 

[Jims86]

I just had my grandfather's truck delivered last week - this thing was his pride and joy for the last 20 years! I didn't have a place for it when he passed (RIP Grandpa T), so it's been sitting at my Uncle's for a few years - I finally moved and had a towing company bring it out from Carson City....

I pulled the camper shell last weekend, pressure washed it top to bottom and pulled a bunch of old semi useless electronical (old alarm, etc). Plan to pick up a battery this weekend, change the fluids and see if I can't get it started...

Grandpa swapped the 350 for a 454 out of a chevelle (72? - I don't recall), built it from the crank up, had the motor balanced and blueprinted, threw detroit lockers in the axels front and rear, built the rear bumper (steel) and reinforced the front with the winch, threw a mild suspension lift on there, overdrive and a bunch of other things. It was a beast in it's day and I look forward to getting it back on the trails. I uploaded a few quick picks - it's actually not in that bad of shape, though it won't smog (visual) in Komifornia, so it's going to have to be registered no-op until the advance the smog exempt date to include pre-'81 .

I just joined so any feedback/info would definitely be helpful.

Thats only if that law passes....I personally would like to see the law changed so they just deal with what comes out of the tailpipe, and no snooping under the hood.
And welcome from the Valley!
They gave you plates even though its not smoggable?

 

[ProjectWJ]

Thanks. There are a few counties in CA that don't require smog (grandparents lived in Bishop, Inyo County which is one of them). If anyone knows bishop, you know the purpose for the truck - he added a second 20 gallon fuel tank and built a stainless water tank into the rear fend so he could clean his fish! Lol.

 

[Jims86]

Thanks. There are a few counties in CA that don't require smog (grandparents lived in Bishop, Inyo County which is one of them). If anyone knows bishop, you know the purpose for the truck - he added a second 20 gallon fuel tank and built a stainless water tank into the rear fend so he could clean his fish! Lol.

Ok, yeah, its MOST of the border counties. thought GPops lived in NV too.

 

[bucket]

Nice truck!

 

[HotRodPC]

Nice. I like the old school Mickey T valve covers too !!!

Welcome to GMSB Joe. Feel Free to jump in and make yourself at home. Participate with some knowledge you might have to help others, or ask away if you need help. Assured, someone will have a suggestion or tip.

 

[89Suburban]

Nice ride, welcome.

 

[ProjectWJ]

Got it started today!!!
Took a new battery, new starter and a rebuilt carb (has an old Carter 9625 AFB - which was pretty gummed up). Drained the tanks and added some clean gas and it fired right up.

Check it out:

http://youtu.be/3M3ZjmR-w30

Took it for a quick spin after!

Getting started on the driveline next (rear end is slipping).

 

[HotRodPC]

Awesome. Timing might be a bit advanced the way it sounded while cranking it, unless it was already heated up that time. Even then, it could still be advanced.

 

[ProjectWJ]

Awesome. Timing might be a bit advanced the way it sounded while cranking it, unless it was already heated up that time. Even then, it could still be advanced.

Damn, you're good - yes, it was already warm by the time we drug out the camera phone. LOL.

 

[89Suburban]

Damn, you're good - yes, it was already warm by the time we drug out the camera phone. LOL.

Haha, is that you in the driver's seat? You look like a happy camper, lol!!

 

[Jims86]

Smooth and quiet...what exhaust is on her?

 

[ProjectWJ]

Haha, is that you in the driver's seat? You look like a happy camper, lol!!

LOL, yes.

Smooth and quiet...what exhaust is on her?

Yes, too quiet! Long tube headers into a single full length exhaust (3"?), no cat(s) but it's got two inline mufflers - a flowmaster and some stainless can I don't recognize. Plan to remove the latter and turn down for now. What's the favorite exhaust setup around here?