Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

I just put gas in it. I was hoping I didnt have to line it at that point but my tank was pretty dang bad.

Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

its holding up on ya? no more rusting has ocured?

Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

After the initial muratic acid cleaning (and rinsing/drying), we put gas in and still had rust issues...no coating yet.

We then elected for the Hirsch kit and recleaned and coated the tank and are still on the first tank since then with no probs...so far.

The new 10 bolt rearend is narrow at 61" WMS to WMS, but having 0 miles on it makes up for it's "short" comings...:lol:. We were thinking that a set of 10x15 ralleys and some 31x12.50x15s would work nicely...just have to find them now. In the meantime, the 2" spacers work well with the 8x15" ralleys and 235/75R-15s.

New spring pads, u-bolts, plates, and u-joints for the old driveshaft and the rearend was a bolt-in job...even the old brakelines fit with no modifications.:metal:

We did pull the bottom three leaves out of the stock 9 leaf pack, dropped it a bit and seems to ride nice...we're considering cutting a portion of a coil off the front too.

Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

Few more pics of before and after spacers...

Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

thanks for the info i need to do this with mine

Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

So does that Colorado rear end have the 6 x 5.5 wheel bolt pattern?

Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

If you have any questions when you do it feel free to ask bud!

Yes it does, a lot the guys told me that you can physically see the difference in size of bolt pattern between a full sized rear and the colorado rear. But i felt like being stubborn and trying one of my wheels onto to it, and sure enough it fit perfectly, it also fit the full sized rear.

Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

Cool! Thanks for verifying that. Do you have any other info on that rear end such as ring gear size, axle splines, etc?

Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

Very cool! I had the Holley on my V6 and it ran great.

Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

Nope, we didn't pull anything other than the cover for inspection and some baby blue paint:cool:

Yea, that and the HEI really woke it up, the 3.42s have it spinning pretty good around 70, but it'll still jump out for passing...we're going to drop a little tach on it for monitoring though.

We dropped it off a local upholstery shop for new padding and carpet before adding new pedals, door sills, and kick panel covers.:metal: We are gonna try and get the seat redone as close to stock as possible in the next few weeks.

Few pics of where its at now...

Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

i want to hear it. the exhaust looks nice. i ended doin mine the same way only i cut angles since i dont have a bender. i had flowmasters and switched to glasspacks. i like those better. but it sounded nice with the flowmasters at idle. i have a 305 v6 tho. you guys are doing great. i guess it helps to have some help. keep it up.

Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

Nice truck...do you have any updates on it? I think it is great that you saved it and are making it nice again.

Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

Subscribed! Love it!

Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

Whats the status on the new seat covers?

Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

We had parked this for a bit because of heavy leaks from the power steering valve, hoses, and ram.
We investigated options for both replacing those components and rebuilding them before deciding to go the less expensive route of rebuilding them.
My son chased down rebuild kits for both the valve and ram for just a few bucks...not many parts involved.
We had all new hoses built and then disassembled, cleaned, and rebuilt the valve and cylinder.
We reinstalled everything this past weekend and put a few miles cruising around town...perfect steering and NO leaks :metal::metal:

BTW - Haven't done anything with the seats...yet.

Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

Well, I was going to get some pinstriping done on the truck for my birthday, but as I was driving her to the car wash, she died. After losing power and feeling really sluggish I let off of the gas and it just quietly died while cruising at about 50. I coast to a stop and try to start it, nothing. I figured the alternator had finally given up so we tow her home, replace the alt. with a spare one we had, charged it up, and tried it again. Nothing. The starter was trying but the motor wouldn't turn. So I tried to turn the crank with a ratchet and a 18" cheater... It won't budge at all!! So the truck is back in the back yard with a frozen motor until we can look into what's going on... :whine::whine::whine::whine::whine:
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Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

C'mon man! 351's are everywhere! Just go down to your local autoparts store and pick up a long block! I'm sure they have one sitting on the shelf in the back of the store.

Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

Hate to here this!
Tim

Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

Hopefully it is something not too major and you can get it back going again without too much expense.

Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

Sorry to hear about the motor freezing up.

Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

I sure hope you keep your GMC ...GMC and keep the V6.. that is, if is indeed seized up.
Just way too many GMC's with SBC's in them.. (IMHO)
Of course it's your ride to do as you wish.
The guys on the V6 website normally will do pretty much anything they can to help you keep it a V6.
I know I regret getting rid of my original V6. :metal:

Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

cool build! love them old GMC'S!

Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

Hey guys, we need some updates here too. We need to know more about that motor problem.

Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

I missed this thread earlier, till it returned to the top. Just a passing note, my first pickup (bought in 1972) was a '67 Chevy "CST", had the same bucket seats, I think the vinyl was a bit different....but I might be just thinking that 'cause they were red. 40 years fades (some) memories! I knew at the time they were extremly rare, I only knew of one other truck that had 'em. I have NEVER seen a 60 -66 with those!

Re: '66 GMC BBW w/351E and Factory Buckets
 

I guess I must have unsubscribed from my thread.. :banghead: Anyways, this truck is going to be sitting for a little while since everything else is starting to come together on our other builds. But we are going to do everything we can to put this truck back to stock. But yes, that v-6 isnt going anywhere. haha :gmc2: