1st project truck?

Question

My 1976 Chevy Stepside is a project truck none of the gauges work, it has a 350 motor which i want to add a little more HP and torque the interior needs a dash, instrument panel, door panels seat ....the works the bed wood floor needs replacing xhaust and body work...where do I begin and what is the best set up for the motor

Answer 1

Pull the hood off the truck then pull the motor have it rebuilt while you work on the body and interior. Have fun and best of luck

Answer 2

The first thing I would do is a compression leak down test on the motor. This will tell you a lot about the condition of the rings and cylinders. If you need to completely rebuild the engine I would think about a crate motor. They will cost you any where from about 3 thousand on up, depending on how much power you want. If the rings and pistons are OK, then a new cam, lifters, intake, carb, and a good set of headers can liven things up.
You say this is your first project truck? how good are your metal forming skills? The more you can do your self the less things will cost.
Decide what you want the truck to be when you are finished. It can get real expensive if you change your mind after you already bought some parts that you will no longer be using.
I like to keep the nuts and bolts from different things in separate containers, it makes things a lot easier to put back together when you have the right hardwear.
One last thing to remember what ever you think it will cost? Plan on spending almost double by the time you are done.
Have fun.

Answer 3

The motor I can help with. What kind of power do you want and do you want to run on 87 or do you not mind paying for premium 91 octane fuel. You have actually a junk motor for starters as most STOCK TRUCK ENGINES ARE TWO BOLT MAINES AND NOT GOOD FOR HORSE POWER. So take it out and throw it away only if its numbers matching. If its aftermarket, pop the oil pan and look. Second, Year 1 is the place to go for factory replacement parts as they have the patent on GM repop parts. repop= reproduction. its all Origional GM nothing aftermarket from Year 1 also they have exclusive right to NOS parts NOS= New Old Stock, meaning the part is new from GM in the 70's when your truck was made it was just never sold from a GM dearlership and sat in a warehouse but was made when the truck was made. so it fits, but you will pay a premium for NOS parts. everybody wants them. Now go buy two books from barnes and noble, how to build and modify a small block chevy, and how to build and modify a 350TH and 400TH transmission. TH= turbo hydromatic. now your ready to build your truck, good luck. I can build you an engine if you would like I have a machine shop and do engines everyday, email me and we can discuss it. [e-mail]

Answer 4

Being this is you first truck project look here this is by far the best mag and site you will find to get all those parts and other goodys for you truck.I to want to get an old truck and beat around in it.Im looking into late 40s early 50s f100 but love the old chevys to well any old truck for that matter.Good luck

www.classictrucks.com

Answer 5

for the interior, if no damage, buy a professional vinyl cleaner/prep, then adhesion promoter and finally vinyl paint in can form. (this paint is very runny, spray lightly, lots of coats) This is a very inexpensive way to clean up these chevs interiors, hopefully your dash isn't cracked. this also allows you to mix and match used interior colors. you'll be surpised how well this works.