1 day Ago By Michael Golson
A DRIVER who found a classic truck in the woods was able to get it working again – all thanks to a single change under the hood.A team of enthusiasts who run a popular YouTube channel managed to breathe new life into an abandoned 1979 Chevy C10.YouTubeA classic truck that was found in the woods was given a new lease on life thanks to a change under the hood[/caption]YouTubeThe 1979 Chevy was left to the elements for some 30 years[/caption]YouTubeIt needed a range of repairs and a good wash before it was roadworthy[/caption]YouTubeIt was even used for a road trip, complete with a vintage three-wheeler in tow[/caption]The highly ambitious Junkyard Digs gang undertook the project of reviving the truck after it had been left to the elements for some 30 years.
The truck originally had a broken 350 Oldsmobile diesel engine – which is presumably why it was left by its original owner.So, the team decided to replace it with a 455 Oldsmobile big-block engine sourced from another abandoned car on the same farm – somewhere in northern Minnesota.The process involved getting the truck out of its resting spot, fixing its tires, and dragging it to the team’s shop using a skid loader.
Then, there was the engine swap, which involved removing the old diesel engine and installing the 455 big block. To do that, the car junkies had to adapt parts like exhaust manifolds and motor mounts.They also had to deal with wiring issues and ensure the engine could run.
Crucial repairs were also needed, including fixing the brakes, replacing tires, and addressing other mechanical and electrical issues, like replacing the radiator and sorting out bad ground for the tail lights.After many days of work, the truck was successfully started, driven for the first time in decades, and taken into town for a wash.But having got the truck running, the team encountered persistent overheating issues during its first drive into town.
They identified the radiator as the culprit; it was both undersized and faulty and required replacement, which they carried out with the correct four-core radiator. To their dismay, the overheating persisted and eventually, they discovered a partially stuck thermostat that was restricting coolant flow.Once replaced, the cooling system worked properly, and the truck ran much better with a new carburetor installed.
The team then embarked on a road trip across northern Minnesota, including stops at a cabin as well as various other scenic locations.The truck, despite its age and previous condition, worked remarkably well – all despite still having a number of issues, including no wipers, bad brakes, and electrical quirks.Along the way, they even used the truck to haul a vintage three-wheeler along gravel roads, showcasing its ruggedness.
Kevin Brown, the face of Junkyard Digs, said: “We took this truck, abandoned in the woods for 30 years, pulled an engine out of a different car, shoved it into it with hand tools over the weekend in a shed with no electricity on an abandoned farm.“Now we’re ripping this thing across the top half of Minnesota with three-wheelers. What a fantastic story.
”They travelled a total of 442 miles, proving the truck was perfectly reliable – despite its imperfections.“This truly is the embodiment of a truck—the Chevy C10,” Brown added.Five steps for restoring a carRestoring a car can be a massive undertaking.
Here's a simpler way to think about the process as a whole:PlanThis includes setting a budget, preparing a work area, researching parts, and establishing a timeline to get the work done.Strip the vehicleThis involves disassembling the vehicle and assessing the condition of the parts being removed.BodyworkThis means stripping the paint and repairing any rust and dents, followed by repainting.
Engine restorationThis involves restoring a car’s power – including engine repairs.RebuildAfter reassembling and detailing the car, all that’s left is to take it for a test drive.Source: WeatherTech.
