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New 1979 K25, now how to Wake it Up?

J

Jesse Jaymes

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Just wanting opinions on how to put some more oomph into my "new" old truck. Will get pics up if I can.

Bought a SUPER clean and straight 1979 K25. Was owned by an older man who passed away. A man who was meticulous, like my Old Man used to be before he passed on. Everything works on it. Carpet is new and clean, AC, heater, everything. No rigged BS.

But it's also bone stock and pretty aenemic at 60+mph.

For one the speedo is WAY off. The mileage seems close but the speed is way off. Not sure you can have one without the other, but the odo read 139 miles covered for an actual 135. But the speedo averaged 80 mph and I was barely over 63-65.

Anyhow, the question. On a limited budget, what's the first improvement I can make? I think the intake is the easiest, then headers and exhaust?

In looking at the Edlebrock package, does a new cam really net you much? I can certainly swing the $300ish for the Performer Intake/Cam combo, but cannot find it sold as a combo any more. Any problem with going a Summit intake/cam for even less cash?

I will pull some block codes, but I am almost certain it's a 350, as it's an 8, and all of the underhood stickers indicate a 350V8, as does the VIN.

Got lucky with the 205 t-case, but it has the T350.

Also, sweetie said I am throwing black smoke up the hills. With 92K orginal (I think) on the engine I wouldn't doubt it, but it needs tuned in, as it was stumbling at 60 mph when I would hammer it to make it up the bigger hills. At times it would fade badly, and I would have to let off the accelerator. THoughts?
 
Jesse Jaymes said:
Just wanting opinions on how to put some more oomph into my "new" old truck. Will get pics up if I can.

Bought a SUPER clean and straight 1979 K25. Was owned by an older man who passed away. A man who was meticulous, like my Old Man used to be before he passed on. Everything works on it. Carpet is new and clean, AC, heater, everything. No rigged BS.

But it's also bone stock and pretty aenemic at 60+mph.

For one the speedo is WAY off. The mileage seems close but the speed is way off. Not sure you can have one without the other, but the odo read 139 miles covered for an actual 135. But the speedo averaged 80 mph and I was barely over 63-65.

Anyhow, the question. On a limited budget, what's the first improvement I can make? I think the intake is the easiest, then headers and exhaust?

In looking at the Edlebrock package, does a new cam really net you much? I can certainly swing the $300ish for the Performer Intake/Cam combo, but cannot find it sold as a combo any more. Any problem with going a Summit intake/cam for even less cash?

I will pull some block codes, but I am almost certain it's a 350, as it's an 8, and all of the underhood stickers indicate a 350V8, as does the VIN.

Got lucky with the 205 t-case, but it has the T350.

Also, sweetie said I am throwing black smoke up the hills. With 92K orginal (I think) on the engine I wouldn't doubt it, but it needs tuned in, as it was stumbling at 60 mph when I would hammer it to make it up the bigger hills. At times it would fade badly, and I would have to let off the accelerator. THoughts?
Click to expand...
sounds like that truck just needs a full tune-up
 
:doah: what no pics!?!?!?! I love 20 and 30 series trucks especially 79' and 80's
 
tune up and the carb adjusted i guess. If its bone stock and untouched id leave it that way, or at least make sure you keep or the original parts. But get it tuned first and see if that helps before you start rippin into it.
 
Definitely give it a tuneup,

If you want more then a performer RPM intake (don't bother with the regular performer intake, all you are gaining is less weight), hooker competition headers, hooker dual exhaust (they sell a 2 1/4" mandrel bent kit for pretty cheap that bolts right up to their headers, all aluminized. You pick the mufflers. (2 1/4" offset inlet, center outlet)
And yes, the cam is like the mechanical brain of the engine, it controls the valves and can make or break the engine combo. I would go with a comp cams Extreme 4x4 series, probably a X4254H for the stock heads, or the whole cam kit if you can afford it. If you do those things it will wake it up alright! Make sure your carb is in good shape. Or get a Holley 670 truck avenger.
 
Have a local hill next to the house I use as a tester. Walked right up with no problem. Which is not a HUGE feat, but with an Edlebrock 1406 on the K5, it can be a challenge to keep running.

And it appears that I have a decent Posi of some sort in the rear 14FF. Never used a posi'd axle, but I got both back tires turning and burning pretty easy. I thought the posi would be defeated very easily, but it did not seem to be the case on the initial test run.

Actually just handed the money over and drove it from ABQ to LAS last night. Didn't really have too much time to check it all out. THen off to work today, so no play time.

Cannot believe how much "stuff" is under the hood of this truck for a '79....The AC doesn't help either.

And yes, hard to just go ripping stuff out and making more headaches right now. I am really not interested in AC in such a truck. Just looking for a nice, tight, reliable truck, so I must reduce the clutter with care.

And it's been an ABQ truck since '79, and the metal is straight an CLEAN. Nice score for $2400.

Nice BFG AT's also, but the 245's are just sooo cute. All in time. Want to do engine/exhaust first and keep it a sleeper, as I may have to move and this will have to get shipped, so stock height is better for now.

And a 10 bolt front??? WTF? Oh, well. I think between a 44 vs 10 bolt both 8 lug, it's a push anyway??
 
79 was the first year for the 10-bolt

the strength difference between that and a dana 44 is marginal . I'd keep the A/C and ditch the smog stuff.......depending on where your moving too A/C is nice and easy to get working on these trucks
 
Jesse Jaymes said:
Have a local hill next to the house I use as a tester. Walked right up with no problem. Which is not a HUGE feat, but with an Edlebrock 1406 on the K5, it can be a challenge to keep running.

And it appears that I have a decent Posi of some sort in the rear 14FF. Never used a posi'd axle, but I got both back tires turning and burning pretty easy. I thought the posi would be defeated very easily, but it did not seem to be the case on the initial test run.

Actually just handed the money over and drove it from ABQ to LAS last night. Didn't really have too much time to check it all out. THen off to work today, so no play time.

Cannot believe how much "stuff" is under the hood of this truck for a '79....The AC doesn't help either.

And yes, hard to just go ripping stuff out and making more headaches right now. I am really not interested in AC in such a truck. Just looking for a nice, tight, reliable truck, so I must reduce the clutter with care.

And it's been an ABQ truck since '79, and the metal is straight an CLEAN. Nice score for $2400.

Nice BFG AT's also, but the 245's are just sooo cute. All in time. Want to do engine/exhaust first and keep it a sleeper, as I may have to move and this will have to get shipped, so stock height is better for now.

And a 10 bolt front??? WTF? Oh, well. I think between a 44 vs 10 bolt both 8 lug, it's a push anyway??
Click to expand...
pics.......
 
If the air works, please don't remove it. You will thank me!
 
Spokane, WA area or Kalispell, MT area. Burrr!

Just looks like there are a million AC related hoses all over the place. Would like to get an intake and cam into it as easy as possible.

Odd seeing an air cleaner with actual air duct going to the front of the vehicle, as per factory vs. open air cleaner. Like I said, looks all factory.

Thougths on which intake? Got suggestions on cams and I am starting to research things now.

Much difference between a Summit product and Edelbrock?
 
oh and it gets hot in Spokane and in Montana

theres not that many ac related hose's 4 or 5 tops
 
I bought a used edelbrock performer RPM intake for $100, a used edelbrock 650 for $100, and some headers. It woke it up pretty dang good.
 
If I were a Dr. I would prescribe one of these to wake it up!
IM000760.jpg
 
Dont get rid of the Quadrajet!!!! It may need a rebuild now and a comprehensive tune when you start modifyinig the cam and such, but when it gets dialed in i bet that you will get rid of the edelbrock on your K5(Thats what happened to me). Keep the evap can no matter what and plan ahead to comply with any emmissions enforcement where your moving.

On the intakes and cams I am no expert, but build for torque. 4x4/R/V cams and idle up RPM intakes. Also, A/c is a nice luxury also
 
I eBay'd an original Quad for the K5, which is wearing a 1406 that hella sucks. Biggest dissappointment with the vehicle. The new '74 Quad just got rebuilt and rebushed by a Chevy enthusiast I know. Waiting to swap it after the fishing trip with Sweetie.

I will certainly keep the Quad on the new truck. As stated in initial starter, I was already impressed with the truck's climbing ability without any fuel hiccups so far. Does need dialed in for highway top speeds and such, but no, I am not throwing away the Quad.
 
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