Thread: 86 k10 350 transplant

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Ok guys I am trying to get my sons 86 k10 going for his 16th birthday next week and have some questions. First off let me start by saying the po of this truck put a later model center bolt valve cover engine ( I think and 89) in the truck and at evey turn I find something that is rigged or not hooked up and it's making more headaches for me. I am going back with a early model 350 crate engine that I bought. My problem is I want to use all the dash gauges that are in the truck for now so I guess my question is since the later model engine has different placement for temp and oil pressure and they are all electric what are my options? I am going to head to the parts house later today and see what I can get for sending units. Any help would be great.

Welcome Sparky - Always great to hear about the "fathers son" projects. My son has a 71 C10 pickup and we've had a lot of fun working on it. A bit simpler than your 86 however!

As to the instruments - are they working now? The senders from a later model 350 should transfer pretty straight forward. Oil pressure sender and water temperature are perhaps in different "holes" in the engine but you should be able to relocate them (i.e., oil pressure is in the rear - near the distributor and water temp in one of the heads) to the crate motor and have them function. I'm assuming that you're going to use the same alternator so that should be no problem.

Others will chime in I'm sure.

Good luck and enjoy this time with your son!
Glenn

Thanks for the reply and the welcome! I hear ya on the simpler. I cut my teeth on a 72 c10. Wish I had the money to rewire the engine compartrment the po did a job on it and now has me second guessing everything I do on the dang thing.

I hear that - can you possible take a few pictures and post? We're a "visual" bunch here and sometimes the ideas come after seeing the situation.

Welcome Sparky31 I don't think you'll have much trouble getting your gauges to work the hook up should be the same other than location.

Well after a long sunday the boy and I got it in and everything bolted up and ready to start wiring tonight. After sweeting all that I just went back and got a set of gauges to make sure everything is good. Makes me feel better about everything knowing we did it insted of relying on the po and his rats nest of wiring.