Hello Gentlemen (and ladies where applicable) There has been a certain 86' Chevy C-10 in my family ever since I can remember. Been taken very good care of. My parents have reciently retired it at 347k miles and passed it my way as a playtoy. (I learned to drive on it and it holds a certain sentimental value. Some of you know what I mean.) Still good paint, no rust, solid, no leaks. Only thing I can say is wrong is the valve guide seals are gone and it burns oil every now and then. (quick puff on startup.) I have seen some of these on the local drag strip and in shows and I believe I have a good candidate to start a restore. I would like to wind up with a 502, new driveline, locking rear and new tranz but beyond that im stuck.. Where should I start? What should be replaced? Checked? Bought new? I am gladly accepting ideas and knowledge on the matter. I have a moderate amount of mechanical knowledge so I know most of the "big" words.. Thanks to all for your help and I'll see if I can dig up a pic of it soon to post.

 

Ive seen guys with carbed 350s pull 12s with those down the track all motor lol. You'd probly have a easier time fabbing up motor mounts/trans mounts for a LS1/T-56 along with a strong 14 bolt chevy rear. But seriously if you have the money and patience thats a hot truck to be rippin down the strip, those bastards are LIGHT!.

 

Yeah I have an 82 c10 I am starting to finnally create into a drag truck. I have had the truck since I was 15 and just started to prep the frame for sandblasting. I was going to run a 14bolt but have been told a ford 9" is cheaper to build up and stronger. I am a die-hard gm guy but I guess ford knows how to make one thing right. If you want big block power I would find the old 8.2liter 500 out of a 70's cadilac. So much cheaper than buying a crate motor 502.....hush hush on that though I havent found one in my area so dont want to many people knowing of this so I can still find one lol. These trucks are really simple to work on, I love my truck and have some really crazy ideas for it to make mine unique. But if you want to save on a 500 basicly a 502 find a junk 70's cadi.

 

i would prolly do the built 350 it is a lot lighter and you can get some crazy power out of it. i would put a detroit locker in the rear and prolly a 700r4 trans to hold th power and it should scream

 

i'd beef up the axles first, then do the engine/tranny... cosmetics last... thats just me though

and i vote 502, or blu82's caddy idea, you just can't beat the big-block rumble

 

Guys are making amazing power with small blocks. Get a 406 SB and have fun. It will cost 1/4 of what a big block would. The caddy 500 engine would be cool but i don't think they make any aftermarket stuff for them. Go with the 9in rear end, very strong, and i bet you could find one that will fit without having to narrow it. get a 31 spline and take a posi 3rd member from a 80's bronco. oh plus it's way easier to swap out 3rd members (to change gears) then changing gears in a gm rear end.