'73 K5 - Stevoandaredk5's Build - [Pre-Summer Update - (4/5/11)]

[StevoandaRedK5]

Then try it and see how much difference it makes.

People tend to default to the anti-swaybar position, but every truck (and driver) is different. With the ORD discos, you will eliminate the binding (even when connected) that causes most people to ditch the swaybar. A used set of discos shouldn't set you back too much. Worst case, resell the discos.

"ray" on here lives in Austin, seems like he had a set he was selling. I bought a set off another member here for 35 shipped. Figured I need it to help with the 1000#'s of gorilla on the back.

Thanks guys. I like the idea of controlling the body roll on the street, and I know it works in it's stock form. I'll try to find a used set, or just pick up some new ones. It'll be worth it in my book.

 

[swettysblazer]

Stevo, I put the same exact kit in my truck and am running the same tires as you. The springs are a little stiff, but the kit has everything you need in it. Here's a recent shot of it to give you an idea.

 

[StevoandaRedK5]

Stevo, I put the same exact kit in my truck and am running the same tires as you. The springs are a little stiff, but the kit has everything you need in it. Here's a recent shot of it to give you an idea.

Awesome! I was hoping that I'd see a post like this from searching, I know Chalet is running it. Just helps reassure me that it'll work and have what I need. Thanks!

 

[chalet2506]

Awesome! I was hoping that I'd see a post like this from searching, I know Chalet is running it. Just helps reassure me that it'll work and have what I need. Thanks!

Don't ever rely solely on my advice. Outside of my overweight anomoly of a 4x4, I drink too much and have poor mechanin abilities.

I'm a blast too hang out with though.

 

[StevoandaRedK5]

Don't ever rely solely on my advice. Outside of my overweight anomoly of a 4x4, I drink too much and have poor mechanin abilities.

I'm a blast too hang out with though.

Nice. New sig

 

[swettysblazer]

No prob man. Makes the truck look a lot better in my opinion. The instructions are a little hairy for a guy who had no prior experience putting in a suspension kit, but as you can see it wound up fine lol

 

[StevoandaRedK5]

Gonna end up waiting on the lift. Just really can't justify spending the money right before I got back to school. I will install the ORD dc's and new bushings on the swaybar since I already have those on the way, but the $700 worth of lift will wait. Did make some headway today though.

Installed the Sunpro tach I bought a while back, just used a hole saw to widen the factory spot to 2 1/2" and jammed it in there haha.

Also picked up this set of lights at HF today while there to pick up some other small stuff. $20 got me two lights, the wiring with inline fuse, and the 25amp lighted rocker switch. Not bad considering the Hella kit I was looking at was about three times that. Mounted them behind the grille, think Chevy305 did something like this? Anyway, need to work on the aiming of em a bit, but other than that I like em. 100w bulbs are really bright, and don't seem to get too awful hot.

 

[Chevy305]

glad I could inspire you,

 

[StevoandaRedK5]

Been having trouble with the carb. It's a 10-12 year old Edelbrock 1406 (600cfm Elec Choke) my dad bought way back. Choke isn't hooked up, and never has been. It's was running fine, hit WOT to merge last night cause of a car in my blind spot, and then the idle went to crap. Front blade(?) on the carb sits way open and is giving it way to much air at idle i guess. When I lay into it and it gets more fuel, it'll throw me back in the seat. But idle-to-off-idle throttle response plain sucks.

I have been contemplating throwing on a Q-jet cause I know how well they do offroad. I have one, but after looking at it tonight, it may be too far gone(oxidized/rusted/parts missing/broken) to rebuild, especially since I would like to keep this on the cheap if possible.

It's my understanding that the q-jets are vacuum secondaries, and the edelbrock I have has mechanical ones. Vacuum's are better for the street/driveability correct? Since this is my DD, I wouldn't mind that.

I just need some input from the brotherhood (or a rebuilt q-jet shipped to my door haha). Thanks guys!

 

[StevoandaRedK5]

Update: Found another Q-Jet, the one i pulled of the '79 K5 parts truck. In pretty good shape, gonna get a rebuild kit, new float, and an adapter (spreadbore carb to squarebore intake) from NAPA. I think a rebuilt, stock-style carb will be more reliable than the old edelbrock we've been using.

 

[Chevy305]

I'm not an edelbrock expert but it just sounds like some crap got lodged into the idle metering plate. A simple rebuild will fix that. Also are you sure you have mechanical secondaries? I thought all 1406s were vacuum...

 

[StevoandaRedK5]

I'm not an edelbrock expert but it just sounds like some crap got lodged into the idle metering plate. A simple rebuild will fix that. Also are you sure you have mechanical secondaries? I thought all 1406s were vacuum...

Well I rebuilt the carb earlier today. you're right about the vacuum secondaries, dunno where I heard or why i thought otherwise.

Problem now: I set the carb back to factory specs (idle screws, float level and drop, choke) and it is flooding everywhere, getting way way way too much fuel. Is it the float level letting in too much fuel? Junk in the needles? I was hoping this would be a simple fix, but alas, it is not. I'm taking a break.

Any help is much appreciated guys. Thanks.

 

[Chevy305]

Well I rebuilt the carb earlier today. you're right about the vacuum secondaries, dunno where I heard or why i thought otherwise.

Problem now: I set the carb back to factory specs (idle screws, float level and drop, choke) and it is flooding everywhere, getting way way way too much fuel. Is it the float level letting in too much fuel? Junk in the needles? I was hoping this would be a simple fix, but alas, it is not. I'm taking a break.

Any help is much appreciated guys. Thanks.

Do you have a factory fuel pump? If not check you fuel pressure. Also double check the float level. Also if you didn't replace the needle seats they can still stick even after the carb has been apart.

 

[StevoandaRedK5]

Do you have a factory fuel pump? If not check you fuel pressure. Also double check the float level. Also if you didn't replace the needle seats they can still stick even after the carb has been apart.

factory fuel pump. ended up checking float level, and noticed something that made me and feel extremely noobish...

I had the new needles installed upside down. Didn't pay enough attention when it came apart(1st rebuild i've done), and then because the top plate is upside down when installing them, the exploded diagram confused me. Flipped em over and she runs again.

However I'm fairly certain it needs a good tune, and I have a vacuum leak that I don't feel like chasing. I need this to be running right so that hopefully I can take it to Austin on the 21st. So it's headed to a buddy's shop(who we know) to have the carb tuned/vacuum issues fixed. Just simplifies my life since I'm working full time and am really frustrated on this.

Thanks for the input guys!

 

[StevoandaRedK5]

Quick update, truck is in the shop til tomorrow (hopefully). Ended up that my carb rebuild wasn't complete and the whole thing needed to be vatted anyways (Zero fuel flow on the drivers side of the carb). So Tino's putting it back together in the morning, I'll pick it up after lunch if all goes well.

 

[StevoandaRedK5]

An Update after 2 months. haha

well guys, it's been nearly two months since my last post. 2nd year of Engineering is taking all my time it seems, and the K5 hasn't seen very much love.

Soft top is awesome. I've made multiple trips between Austin and Lufkin (about 200 miles 1-way), and the truck does fine. Still have a bit of an oil leak to chase down, but that's a weekend project to check the seals on the timing cover and oil pan.

Been looking for a donor k5 again. I want to put some body panels that are in better condition on this beast, cause these that are 75% Bondo are just not cutting it.

She doesn't get driven as much as I'd like, so I'm trying to find some ways to get outta town and have some fun on the weekends once I get some cash.

Anyways, wish I wasn't so busy, I want to get back on the site and keep up with all you guys. More updates to come.

 

[Recon!]

Don't worry about it, Stevo. School should take precedence at this point in your life. I still haven't fixed my brakes yet because of schooling at work, so I've been driving the Sierra.

 

[StevoandaRedK5]

Don't worry about it, Stevo. School should take precedence at this point in your life. I still haven't fixed my brakes yet because of schooling at work, so I've been driving the Sierra.

Thanks Grant. We still need to meet up sometime, I gotta check out both of your rides!

 

[Recon!]

Thanks Grant. We still need to meet up sometime, I gotta check out both of your rides!

We should! Maybe around the holidays or something when you get a break.

 

[motormech1]

Hey Stevo, don't know if you knew about this already but this gave me hell for a few months chasing a "phantom" leak. I was both pissed and releived when I found out. Hope it helps. http://www.rowand.net/shop/tech/MysteriousSmallBlockChevyOilLeak.htm

Good luck and great build!
Kenny