86 c10 SWB aka Blue By You

[RubberFloorMat]

RubberFloorMat submitted a new Build:

86 c10 SWB aka Blue By You

This is technically the wife’s truck, I traded the 78 k5 that was too rusty to mess with.

Well I’ve been collecting parts for awhile, but the project got accelerated because a buddy needed the 305/350 setup for a customers classic truck and I couldn’t turn down 1500.00 for the engine trans and since nothing would work on the blazer (Vortec headed 355 and SM465) it didn’t make any sense to take up space in garage or barn.

I scored a freshly rebuilt long block from a guy whose family owns a shop, they had it rebuilt and put it in a plumbing truck for a customer and the truck was wrecked about 20k later. It’s a 97 7.4 Vortec 7400, stock rebuild by a very reputable local okc machine shop. It was a odd mix of gen6 with gen5 tbi heads and intake. Got it for 800.00

I disassembled it down to a long block and did some cleaning and then wrapped it up for the winter.

Over that time I was directed by virtually every bbc guy to Straub Technologies in Tenn for a custom cam. Not many people seem to build the gen 6 even though it’s a full roller one piece seal engine.

I got a Reground billet core, to his specs some Harland Sharp roller rockers and 3/8 valve springs, scored a set of fresh L29 heads with comp cams valvesprings, stainless stock sized valves and retainers etc fresh from machine shop for 150.00
Can’t afford aluminum heads, maybe later but I doubt it.

The rest was collecting used headers, a quadrajet 800 that’s almost brand new for 100.00, ordering a electric fuel pump since the gen 6 has no provision for mechanical. Cheap Ebay valvecovers, sprung for a Air gap intake since you can’t buy em used anywhere.

Pulled the engine on Friday evening, going to do some cleanup today. Got a th400 for 50.00 but it’s been sitting outside, not sure what it will need.

Read more about this build here...

 

[beags86]

I don't think you see alot of gen 6 builds because they are still in their original trucks out there getting it done.

Nice start. I like it.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

I’m in for a gen VI build. Mine is on a stand in the garage waiting to be rebuilt.

 

[max 02]

I’m in too! I like a short box with a BB.

 

[RubberFloorMat]

A little clean up, needs some wiring rerouted and cleaned up and a little spray paint

 

[RubberFloorMat]

Long block is together.

Thinking of using AMC turquoise for the block, OR metallic gold.

I’m burnt out on black and Chevy orange

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Shiny gold.

 

[beags86]

I did a couple engines with the color changing paint. One was a Dyno mule when I was in tech school. It held up to a bunch of high heat runs. I was sold.
Then we did a few cars after that.

https://www.amazon.com/Dupli-Color-EMP403000-Red-Blue-Mirage/dp/B00076PVBK

 

[RubberFloorMat]

Painted up, went with VHT burnt copper, I like it.

Th400 has all the good stuff, custom 2500 stall, anti ballon kit only the best parts. I didn’t skimp.

 

[F.S.F.W]

Ooooohhhh I like it! The color choice on the block was a good one. This is like the non budget friendly, big block version of what I’m going to start building in a few months.

 

[F.S.F.W]

And the name was pretty funny until I got Roy Orbison stuck in my head.

 

[GWeakland620]

Great build!

 

[RubberFloorMat]

I’ve only got 2700 in the engine and less than 800 in the trans.

I could have saved some coin on cam and valvetrain but used bbc parts are either pretty roached or far beyond this performance level.

 

[RubberFloorMat]

Well, engine is in, trans is done. Ended up pulling the trigger on a Texas steelworks shroud for two 13” spal fans.

But, the hedmans I scored used won’t even come close to fitting. Guess I’ll be running manifolds until I can save up some more money

 

[RubberFloorMat]

Well so the headers weren’t fitting so I took a hammer to them and didn’t realize my own strength. May have caved in the front tube a little bit more than I should have but I think it will be fine. They hang a bit low so I’ll be replacing them later.

Hoping to have the intake and distributor and valvecovers on this weekend but we shall see.



Little progress

 

[RubberFloorMat]

Little more progress

 

[RubberFloorMat]

Had two weeks of on call and no time.

Trial fitting the Tejas Steelworks shroud and Spal fans today. 3/4 wired up. Need a power buss to wire all the positives to.

 

[RubberFloorMat]

A little more done. Fans are mounted and wired, just have to loom the wires, carb mounted but have to get some sort of bracket for the lockdown solinoid and throttle cable.

 

[RubberFloorMat]

after a couple months and several wrong parts, balancer, starter, fuel pressure regulator..etc


Well it’s done. It’s severely traction limited so next stop rear suspension and a lunchbox locker. Got to get a governor spring kit because it shifts too early.

cam thumps, it’s very very smooth cruiser and feels like a stock engine under 2000rpm. It pulls like a freight train. Really happy!

 

[RubberFloorMat]

Now that she’s running, some more upgrades. Wife hates the seats..

also the rear window latch was junk and lasted mere seconds