Hello, new owner!

[demon_speed]

And new on so many aspects. First time owning anything older than '85, first time owning a carb'ed vehicle, first big block

A bit of background: I modify imports (oh noes!!!). Yes, that's right. Imports. Haha, I heart turbo's. My current daily is an '06 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Evo for short. Has a 2.0l inline 4, turbo, ~350-380 wheel horsepower, all wheel drive, etc....

I tune my car by plugging my laptop into the OBDII port, and adjusting the fuel and timing maps in a GUI. Easy as pie.

As you can imagine, this truck is a bit of a...difference.

And I suppose without further adieu, the beast! It's a '78 GMC Sierra K20. Vin decode shows that it was supposed to have a 350 in it, but I bought it as a 454 (PO claim, and definitely larger than a 350). The engine casting number is covered in crap, so I can't see it. The truck is a bit modified, so my first order of business was to figure out what isn't in the right spot.

First up was the engine. Fairly positive it's as the PO claimed, a 454. As stated, larger than a 350, did a visual comparison in a similar year truck, and it is obviously not the engine that came with the truck, based off of the retrofitted install. Also came with an Edelbrock carb, headers, and dual exhaust.

After replacing the old cap/dust shield/rotor/wires/plugs and installing a new heater core (first day of ownership!), I removed the aftermarket stereo that was installed. It was definitely a piece of work :-/

Then I started trying to figure out what else wasn't kosher. The transfer case, which I think is a converted unit (supposed to be np203, but speedo cable is on passenger side, so np205?). The truck has locking hubs. Shifter needs to be reset, only has 3 points of engagement instead of the 5 it's supposed to have.

The truck also has some sort of lift on it, ~4", with 33" All-Terrains. Oh, and a winch bumper with no winch. Everything else is stock. LOL.

Anyway, I give the truck a 6/10 condition (picky, more like a 7), it has the 'normal' body rust, no dents, good paint, ok interior, and I only paid 1400 for it, which I thought was a decent deal. My first order of business was to clean it up. It needs a tune and tune-up. It starts up right away, but the idle is a bit...stumbley. Also needs a tach.

After I get it running 100%, I want to basically replace the interior. New bench, new door panels, new dash. After that, more power from the motor. The truck is going to be built for an all-purpose vehicle, camping, towing, wheeling, and hauling. It doesn't have to be perfect at any of 'em, but I want it good at everything.

Well, I suppose that was an over done intro, so I'll do the newb thing and some questions. I found LMC, but was wondering if that was the place to go when it comes to buying OE quality parts? I was thinking about picking up the interior pieces I want from them, but the prices are awful low, and I'm a stickler for quality.

Next up, I'm sure there is a tried-and-true path for power from the motor, but I can't seem to find anything. I've heard bad things about the Edelbrock's, so possibly replace it with something else, and add a cam?

Anyway, I'm out for the night, thanks for reading!

 

[boz42]

Best way to decide what the t-case is would be to post a pic & let us tell you.

But a 205 has three cover plates on the rear. 1 is the rear output. 2nd the same size is the cover behind the front output & the third is a much smaller cover that has three bolts holding in place. It is for the cross or center shaft.

This is a pic of a ford 205. the chevy version is a morror image with the front output on the oppisite side.

As far as modifing a Big Chevy, you really need to know which heads you have. If they are peanut style I would trash them for something else. I guess it really depends on how much power you want to make. I always opt for at least a decent set of factory oval ports.

 

[demon_speed]

It is definitely a 205 case!

Next up, figuring out the dual fuel tank system, as my switch does not work, and nor do either tank's level sending unit, or the gauge is bad itself.

 

[496truck]

I would think a K20 would come stock with a NP205 t-case, so that should be original if that's what it has.

Typical chevy small block exhaust ports on the heads are a 1_2_1 arrangement exiting straight out the side of the head.

Big blocks will have 4 individual ports evenly spaced exiting downward from the head.

Obviously without block casting numbers we can't tell you what size exactly, but at least you can tell if it's a big or small block. I don't know what you've heard about Edelbrock stuff but I have found their carbs to be the most user friendly, easy to adjust, and reliable carbs. Most here, myself included, prefer a good old quadrajet carb over an Edelbrock or Holley. But, you being into fuel injection, your best bet may be to retrofit that truck with a TBI system from a newer early-mid 90s 454 truck. This will get you the best driveability and mileage over a carb.

Take some pics, post em up and ask whatever questions you want, or do some searching first in the various sections here. We will be glad to help. And welcome to CK5!

As far as interior stuff, look for threads posted by RFguitar and Teck (sp?). Both are restoring interiors on their trucks and appear to be real picky about the quality of stuff they have bought for their trucks.