What have you done to your rig today?

Same here!

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Got the old gas tank out, cut out the busted brake like that was (of course) behind the gas tank, made a new one, new rear brake hose, new gas tank in, new in-line fuel filter, new feed/vent/return hoses from the tank to the hardlines at the frame, and then bolted the new tires and rims on it. It fired right up. It's amazing how they'll do that as soon as you send some gas up to them.

Then I pulled it around to the front of the house, filled it up with water, and drove it to the end of the road and back! Oil pressure gauge, volt meter, and wipers don't work. They're likely a related issue and I'll dig in to that at a later date. I'm working on replacing the parts that I have and/or bought at the moment. After that, I'll start troubleshooting, but not before a good pressure washing...especially while the bed is still off.

Runs good though. Nice and quiet. I can't believe it doesn't have an exhaust leak somewhere around the manifold :rolleyes:

Shocks, tune up parts, water pump, hoses, belts, and fan clutch tomorrow.
 
Croatan_Kid said:
Same here!

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Got the old gas tank out, cut out the busted brake like that was (of course) behind the gas tank, made a new one, new rear brake hose, new gas tank in, new in-line fuel filter, new feed/vent/return hoses from the tank to the hardlines at the frame, and then bolted the new tires and rims on it. It fired right up. It's amazing how they'll do that as soon as you send some gas up to them.

Then I pulled it around to the front of the house, filled it up with water, and drove it to the end of the road and back! Oil pressure gauge, volt meter, and wipers don't work. They're likely a related issue and I'll dig in to that at a later date. I'm working on replacing the parts that I have and/or bought at the moment. After that, I'll start troubleshooting, but not before a good pressure washing...especially while the bed is still off.

Runs good though. Nice and quiet. I can't believe it doesn't have an exhaust leak somewhere around the manifold :rolleyes:

Shocks, tune up parts, water pump, hoses, belts, and fan clutch tomorrow.
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All of these old S-10’s just scream 350 SB or LS swap to me. When I was in high school a dude in town had a red one just like yours with a small block. Sounded like open headers. Nobody gave a shit 30 years ago. That thing would get down. I’m pretty sure it would do a mile long burn out if you could keep it straight. It was a non hooking tire melter for sure.
 
Wes said:
All of these old S-10’s just scream 350 SB or LS swap to me. When I was in high school a dude in town had a red one just like yours with a small block. Sounded like open headers. Nobody gave a shit 30 years ago. That thing would get down. I’m pretty sure it would do a mile long burn out if you could keep it straight. It was a non hooking tire melter for sure.
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I'm fighting the overwhelming urge to do anything to make this not stock 😬 I've made a deal with myself though...if the 2.5 gives up the will to live I'll find a 4.8 and some kind of 5 or 6 speed manual to swap in it. That way I'll have the modern LS reliability, plenty of power, and a 4.8 in a little truck with a tune/good exhaust/good intake should get awesome gas mileage.

Way back when my 99 Silverado was stock height I could get 20-21 mpg out of the 4.8 in it. The manual transmission helped with that. That's in a full sized, 4wd truck that weighs considerably more than an S10. I wouldn't think 25 mpg would be unobtainable.

I've also considered some kind of small diesel for the ultra awesome mileage possibilities. I'd think an LS would be cheaper and easier though.
 
Croatan_Kid said:
I'm fighting the overwhelming urge to do anything to make this not stock 😬 I've made a deal with myself though...if the 2.5 gives up the will to live I'll find a 4.8 and some kind of 5 or 6 speed manual to swap in it. That way I'll have the modern LS reliability, plenty of power, and a 4.8 in a little truck with a tune/good exhaust/good intake should get awesome gas mileage.

Way back when my 99 Silverado was stock height I could get 20-21 mpg out of the 4.8 in it. The manual transmission helped with that. That's in a full sized, 4wd truck that weighs considerably more than an S10. I wouldn't think 25 mpg would be unobtainable.

I've also considered some kind of small diesel for the ultra awesome mileage possibilities. I'd think an LS would be cheaper and easier though.
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Whatever... You'll have a 6bt in it, stack out the hood, and a 14 bolt within 6 months...
 
Clubbs said:
Whatever... You'll have a 6bt in it, stack out the hood, and a 14 bolt within 6 months...
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If I wasn't broke, you'd be close! I have considered a few ways to make it 8 lug to match the other 3 trucks :D Thought about a 4BT swap, but if it does ever get a diesel, I'd like something smaller/lighter that's common rail.
 
Croatan_Kid said:
If I wasn't broke, you'd be close! I have considered a few ways to make it 8 lug to match the other 3 trucks :D Thought about a 4BT swap, but if it does ever get a diesel, I'd like something smaller/lighter that's common rail.
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265hp/425ftlb diesel donor that can be easily tuned to 350hp/575ftlb at the wheels:

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Well...I'm broke. Also looking to see how long that straight 6 is to see if it'd even fit. Surprisingly light though, roughly 470 lbs fully dressed.
 
More Super10 things. Got everything else I bought for it (so far) installed, except for the coil and valve cover gasket. It put up a good fight, but I knocked it down a peg.

Did the shocks. Rears first, then fronts. The left front put up a good fight by coming apart. I won though.

Next, I got going on the distributor cap, rotor button, plug wires and plugs. I DID buy a new coil, but that thing is impossible to change without removing the intake manifold. The #1 spark plug hole had some wonky threads, so I took and old LS spark plug (since they have longer threads) and cut 3 notches in it to make a quick/cheap thread chaser. It worked like a charm.

I was going to call it quits, but went ahead and tore down the front of the motor. Fan shroud, radiator, AC condensor (which is not going back on), fan/fan clutch, swapped the fan to the new clutch, pulled off the alternator bracket, replaced the water pump, put the new lower hose on the water pump, alternator bracket went back on, changed the thermostat, put the pulley/fan/clutch back on, then the new belts, and tightened them up.

I was hoping the original radiator could be reworked to save it, but it's definitely getting replaced. There was also about half a 5 gallon bucket of leaves, dirt, pine straw, and various, dead flying insects between the condensor and radiator. This thing isn't going to know how to act.

I also finished tightening up the gas tank straps so I didn't forget.

Going to do the valve cover gasket tomorrow, hopefully. The spark plugs were pretty much swimming in oil and I ain't 'bout that life, son! I plan to pressure wash everything while the bed is off. We'll see what mother nature decides to give us tomorrow.

Didn't take many pictures, but here's the couple I did snag.

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Fired it up once I got everything back together to make sure I got the wires on the cap the right way. Now I just have to get a radiator, put it in with the fan shroud, and fill up the cooling system.

I'll probably pull the IAC off and see if a cleaning helps. It has some random idle issues. If not, I'll get a new one. I'll likely get a new MAP sensor and an O2 sensor too. Replacing the exhaust is also high on my list of things to do.
 
Atla said:
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Came across this picture on Facebook and felt an immense sadness at not having it anymore.

1983 J-10... Rest in Pieces.
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I'm with you there when I look at pics of my old ones. When I got rid of them, I never imagined a day when they weren't cheap and everywhere.
 
I know yall were dying for more pics, so I took a few when I was outside a few minutes ago.

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You can see how tight some things are under the hood. Gotta pull the EGR valve to get the valve cover off. Distributor is way down there and difficult to get to. Lots of working by Braille on some things.

I think that once I get a radiator, it should be good to go for this phase. Of course, I'll do the valve cover gasket, probably block off the EGR, and clean what I can inside the intake. It may come off at some point for a good cleaning. I don't think the TBI needs a rebuild or anything, but I'll give it a look while I'm in the area.

Brakes will likely be the next expendature. It kinda sounds it wants a booster...so I might as well get a new master too. Drums, shoes, hardware, wheel cylinders, rotors, wheel bearings, and calipers. I forgot I had put new hoses up front a while back. They still look good, but may get replace anyway. They're cheap and if everything else gets replaced...what's another 20 bucks for two hoses?

In the times between spending money, I'll do some cleaning. Probably pull the seat and clean that, vacuum, etc.

I'd like to find a 5 speed to swap in it. 3.42 gears, 26" tires, and no overdrive. It's ok, but could be better. It'd have to be from 2.5 truck of the same era. It still has a cable speedometer drive and the 2.5 doesn't share a bellhousing with anything else. Naturally, I'd have to change the clutch too. The snowball effect is real!
 
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Said "F it" and ordered a radiator and a new cap on eBay. 89.32 shipped! Up to 1,085.51 invested now. Not bad for a free truck I've had for almost 13 years.
 
Wes said:
All of these old S-10’s just scream 350 SB or LS swap to me. When I was in high school a dude in town had a red one just like yours with a small block. Sounded like open headers. Nobody gave a shit 30 years ago. That thing would get down. I’m pretty sure it would do a mile long burn out if you could keep it straight. It was a non hooking tire melter for sure.
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That was my college ride. 84 s10 with a healthy 350 running through cherry bombs. It was jeep banzai blue. I miss it to this day.
 
It warmed up today around noon, so I got out there and fired up the pressure washer. Wasn't exactly working on it, but it was certainly the most gratifying thing I've done so far. At least you can see through the glass now! It has been restored to its former, albeit pink and faded, glory :D

I'll probably shoot some spray paint on the frame while the bed is still off.

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Finally did the valve cover gasket today. Wasn't too bad to do even though the EGR valve is directly in the way. Once I broke the bolts loose, I unthreaded them with my fingers...which is amazing for a steel bolt in an aluminum intake manifold. The EGR valve doesn't function as the diaphragm is rotted out, but that's fine with me.

I discovered a rather prominent vacuum leak while I was in there. The brake booster line threads in to the intake and was loose enough to take off by hand. Once everything went back together and I fired it up, the truck ran much better. Imagine that!

The valve cover gasket was, of course, a crappy cork one that was hard as a rock and brittle as glass. Cleaned everything up, but not tooo much, and tossed in a new, metal cored, rubber gasket. Much more better. Didn't take many pictures because my hands were oily.

The radiator will be here tomorrow and after I bleed the brakes the bed will get bolted back on.

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I've been busy!

-Stabbed the radiator in the truck.
-Painted the rear of the frame
-Put the bed back on it
-Swapped in the passenger's side inner fender and battery tray from my parts truck
-Changed the oil for the first time in YEARS. Good old Walmart SuperTech synthetic and a Mobil1 filter
-Greased the front end, which is still surprisingly tight
-Tightened the belts up after running it some
-Got insurance and tags
-New wipers
-Fixed the wipers. They lose ground to the wiper motor somehow. Apparently it's common, so added a ground wire
-Added some zip ties here and there to keep things in place
-Cleaned all the windows inside and out
-Glued the rear view mirror button back on
-Swapped in the tail lights from the 93 along with some working bulbs
-New license plate lights
-Snagged the headlights from the parts truck and put those in too
-Figured a tool box would be handy. Had a UWS on the parts truck. I'll pressure wash it real quick before bolting it in place
-You know what else was on the other truck? Stainless trim! Looks real good with the white letters and beauty rings
-Added the trailer wiring. I had it laying around for years and realized it fit an S10...might as well use it
-Got gear oil/trans oil. Need to change them both
-Ordered an oil pressure sending unit. Of course, this is the 3 prong (expensive) one
-Still need to clean up the ground for the gas gauge. The pump works fine, but the gauge barely/slowly reacts. Hopefully that's all it is and not a bad sending unit
-Going to check and probably repack the front wheel bearings

I was going to swap on the 93 grille, but there's more to it than just bolting it on. The headlights seem to be in a different vertical location. Need to read up on it and see what needs to be done. Going to check out the interior lights and see if they work. It'd be nice to have those. If nothing else, I may stick one of those push on/off lights to the inside of the roof :D I'm going to pull the IAC off and clean it and its bore to see if that helps. It may need a new one.

I drove it to work yesterday (had to go in on days to check out for a trip next week) and around town looking for an oil pressure sender. I've probably put 100 miles or so on it. I'll probably vacuum it and wipe down the interior. It's getting driven to South Carolina on Tuesday. We'll see how it does.

Here's some pictures!

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Croatan_Kid said:
I've been busy!

-Stabbed the radiator in the truck.
-Painted the rear of the frame
-Put the bed back on it
-Swapped in the passenger's side inner fender and battery tray from my parts truck
-Changed the oil for the first time in YEARS. Good old Walmart SuperTech synthetic and a Mobil1 filter
-Greased the front end, which is still surprisingly tight
-Tightened the belts up after running it some
-Got insurance and tags
-New wipers
-Fixed the wipers. They lose ground to the wiper motor somehow. Apparently it's common, so added a ground wire
-Added some zip ties here and there to keep things in place
-Cleaned all the windows inside and out
-Glued the rear view mirror button back on
-Swapped in the tail lights from the 93 along with some working bulbs
-New license plate lights
-Snagged the headlights from the parts truck and put those in too
-Figured a tool box would be handy. Had a UWS on the parts truck. I'll pressure wash it real quick before bolting it in place
-You know what else was on the other truck? Stainless trim! Looks real good with the white letters and beauty rings
-Added the trailer wiring. I had it laying around for years and realized it fit an S10...might as well use it
-Got gear oil/trans oil. Need to change them both
-Ordered an oil pressure sending unit. Of course, this is the 3 prong (expensive) one
-Still need to clean up the ground for the gas gauge. The pump works fine, but the gauge barely/slowly reacts. Hopefully that's all it is and not a bad sending unit
-Going to check and probably repack the front wheel bearings

I was going to swap on the 93 grille, but there's more to it than just bolting it on. The headlights seem to be in a different vertical location. Need to read up on it and see what needs to be done. Going to check out the interior lights and see if they work. It'd be nice to have those. If nothing else, I may stick one of those push on/off lights to the inside of the roof :D I'm going to pull the IAC off and clean it and its bore to see if that helps. It may need a new one.

I drove it to work yesterday (had to go in on days to check out for a trip next week) and around town looking for an oil pressure sender. I've probably put 100 miles or so on it. I'll probably vacuum it and wipe down the interior. It's getting driven to South Carolina on Tuesday. We'll see how it does.

Here's some pictures!

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I read your list. You forgot to install the blown 502, I didn’t see where you c notched/tubbed it, and maybe I missed the narrowed 9”. You should probably handle that before you get too far along.
 
I'd definitely need a bigger hammer to fit a big block in there!

If the Iron Duke ever dies, I think a bone stock 4.8 would be my choice. It'd probably be just as good on gas, if not, better.
 
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