65 C60
 

Dad just bought a 1965 C60 Grain truck with an I6, 4 spd and a 2 spd rear end. It has 51000 orig miles, and is in excellent condition, and has a 15 foot box, and all lights and gauges work. What was offered in these trucks for motors as far as the Straight 6? It is a really nice truck, and has lots of power. It also needs a seat cover, is it the same as the pickup seats? I know:wop: but it is in the shed and I'm exhausted from being at camp all week, so maybe this weekend. Thanks for all the input.

Re: 65 C60
 

TTT, will have pics tomorrow, for sure Monday

Re: 65 C60
 

I would say it is most likely a 292....that's what's in my '63 C60. Yeah they're not bad for power until you start pulling some serious weight. But then having 10 gears always helps.

Re: 65 C60
 

Mine has 8, and most of the time you use 6 or 7. Was it the 292 that had offset mounts? My dad said that they had bigger Straight 6's for the trucks, and that they went up to 400CID. He may have been thinking of the GMC V6's as well. It does have the offset mounts and it is fairly big. We need to do some maintenance to it. What should all be done? I know, oil, filter, clean and re-oil air filter, plugs, wires, Dizzy cap, etc. what else? What is availability on cartridge style oil filters? Should we convert to spin-on type? It is midnight, sorry if this may be a little hard to read. Thanks in Advance.

Re: 65 C60
 

Yes, the 292 has offset mounts. The passenger side motor mount is in front of the fuel pump on the 292. It also has 6" tall pushrod covers on the passenger side, as opposed to 4" on the 194, 230, and 250. The 292 was the biggest six Chevy made.

Re: 65 C60
 

:agree: I'd agree with all of MX's info. The 4 speed tranny is likely an SM-420. Besides the obvious clean up stuff you mentioned, you might want to look at Pertronix or a later HEI distributor to get rid of the points.

Good luck with your project, I want to see pics as I like the heavy stuff.

Re: 65 C60
 

Sorry, forgot to take pics today, will tomorrow. I like the truck, it looks like the 292, it has offset mounts, and the pump is behind the pass. mount. I may look into the HEI, but it runs great as it sits, i will have new plugs and wires on this week, but what would be a good oil to put in, and what is the filter? Is it a cartridge or spin on and what is anyone's opinion if it has the Cartridge, and as i said before, what is their availability?

Re: 65 C60
 

Thanks, but it is more of the matter of doing some maintenance work to get it in tip top shape. We plan on using it to haul scrap, as well as an occasional load of water, and we may weld a hitch on and use it to haul really heavy loads that we don't want to put on our pickup.

Re: 65 C60
 

There is a big issue with modern motor oil. They do not have enough zinc to properly lubricate a non-roller camshaft. Read this thread, it is reasonably up to date. flat tappet cam lube
I have been running the newer oil, but am adding a bottle of assembly lube with the zinc.

Your oil filter should be a spin-on and available at any parts store.

Re: 65 C60
 

What about Rotella T diesel oil, or tractor oil? Doesn't that have more zinc? They always ran tractor oil in everything back when my dad was younger, trucks, cars, etc, because they bought it in 55 gal drums. Would that be better than standard motor oil?

Re: 65 C60
 

Yes tractor oil (for diesels I presume) will be fine. The HEI is an easy and cheap swap. The oil filter if it is a canister type should be availble at your better parts stores (Napa) or at a truck stop/shop where they do repair work.

Re: 65 C60
 

:wop:

Re: 65 C60
 

I know, but it is in the shed, and dad doesn't trust me to drive it much yet, and i respect that

Re: 65 C60
 

:lol:

Re: 65 C60
 

Lol

Re: 65 C60
 

According to the article, the newer Rotella T does not have enough zinc. If you have some older oil, it will be okay.

Re: 65 C60
 

Idk what we have, we have some tractor oil, will that have some more zinc than standard oil?

Re: 65 C60
 

Rotella T 30w was purchased by me yesterday and it says it is rated for SJ and older vehicles. The articles linked above still say that it has enough zinc. I would think it would be OK for engines that are already broken in. I use it in my older stuff with flat tappets. I would definately overprotect a new engine though during the break in period.

Heres a thought, how much zinc does ATF or gear oil have in it? Since it is not exposed to emissions equipment the emissions standards may not apply. The operational parameters of both are probably more severe than an engine, why could we not augment our engine with a little (8 or 16 oz.) of ATF or gear oil?

Re: 65 C60
 

We have an appx year and a half old 5 gallon pail of Rotella, so we are good on that, what was the date where it switched?

Re: 65 C60
 

No one knows for sure, the manufacturers won't say.

Re: 65 C60
 

Ttt

Re: 65 C60
 

PICS!!! I also got to drive it, as well as haul a few loads of compost and other stuff, so it was fun.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/l...0/IMG_0409.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/l...0/IMG_0407.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/l...0/IMG_0403.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/l...0/IMG_0404.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/l...0/IMG_0401.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/l...0/IMG_0402.jpg
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/l...0/IMG_0400.jpg

EDIT: Pics Updated

Re: 65 C60
 

Dang, nice truck! How did it manage to stay in such nice shape for 40 years?

Re: 65 C60
 

if that isn't a testament to these trucks, dunno what is.
43 years old and still a work horse!!
thanks for the pictures

Re: 65 C60
 

was owned by a guy who took meticulous care of it. We just put in plugs, put in a new oil and filter, and cleaned the air filter. We need to replace the valvecover gasket, as well as oil pan and rear end gaskets.

Re: 65 C60
 

Wish I could find one like that! I have a three speed auxilliary transmission in my garage just waiting for one of these. Under, direct and over box. That matched up with the 2 speed rear end would really give you some gear combos! 4spd main x 3 spd auxilliary x 2spd rear end=24 different gears!

Re: 65 C60
 

the only thing we noticed was wrong is that the left blinker doesn't return to center, and the passenger side vent is plugged with a mouse nest. ALL the heater stuff works, defroster, heat, fan. The wipers work, all the lights, EVERYTHING!! A few questions: I put in new plugs, what should i have gapped them to, i gapped them to .035, is that right? What about the points and condenser, coil, cap, rotor, etc? I checked the coolant, and it will need a flush/change, i got a thing of Prestone Super Flush, or something, where you drain the coolant and put that in w/ water, and run it a little bit, and then drain that and put in your coolant/water mix. Is this a good product? What else should be done as far as preventative maintenance goes? I'm gonna grease everything and inspect everything tomorrow, i just want to know what else i need to do. Thanks in Advance.

EDIT: Also, we ordered new front tires, and had to order new wheels, as the old ones are split wheels, and were told that when we needed new rear tires, we would have to put new wheels on there as well. does that sound right?

EDIT #2: we bought new bulbs for the hood lights, are those running lights? Because the lens is clear and the bulb is clear, as well as the fact that the blinker is on the fender. Also, the Brake and Clutch pedal pads are off, and shot, where is the best place to get new ones, LMC? Brothers?

Re: 65 C60
 

.035 is right for the plugs. I would switch over to an electronic pointless ignition like a Petronix. It fits inside the ditributor cap and looks stock from the outside, but you never have to mess with points again.
The hood lights are parking lights, headlights are running lights.
Pedal pads either place, maybe your local Napa?
Most flush products are good, just make sure it is flushed out completely before you do the coolant mixture.

Did your state law outlaw split rims. I don't think you should have to replace them unless the rings are rusty and cracked. Try another tire store. Any truck tire store should be able to handle split rims.

Re: 65 C60
 

No, MN outlawed them, another member had to get new wheels on a 67 GMC, they most definitely outlawed them, and my dad doesn't want an HEI for whatever reason, he likes points, :crazy:

Re: 65 C60
 

Should be able to find used rims somewhere.

Re: 65 C60
 

IDK, they were going to just get some new ones, then no worries about repairing old rims, it is just the best thing to do, IMO. We trust those guys, it is a local shop, and they know what they are doing

Re: 65 C60
 

Nice truck!

I just read thru all the posts quick. I use Pennzoil 10-40 in my old trucks. It should have the spin-on oil filter which will be available just about anywhere. It looks like you have the "Widow Maker" wheels and I agree, new or good used 1-piece rims would be the way to go. Plug gap of .035 is coorect. I agree with your Dad, I would definitley keep the original distributor. I have been running them for years with no problems.

Keep us posted.

Bill

Re: 65 C60
 

That is so cool.

Re: 65 C60
 

Yep, it is a spin on filter, got a WIX, put in the rotella T oil, got a set of champion plugs, and flushed and refilled coolant w/ 50/50 mix of PEAK that we had laying around, as well as cleaned and refilled the oil bath air filter, is there anything we are missing? I found a cool plaque down by the pedals on the kick panel describing the engine output, which confirmed that is a 292, and told us that we could've gotten a 215 HP 409 (she's so fine, my 409!!), LOL. That would be awesome to have a 409 in that truck.

Re: 65 C60
 

Altho kind of rare, they did put quite a few 409's in those trucks. All around tho, you have my favorite engine for a truck. I'm a big fan of the 292.

Don't forget the points, condensor, rotor and cap, if you haven't already replaced them. I like Borg-Warner points and a Delco cap as it is Black in color. The points will need a little effort to set (at .019), but with some patience, you will do fine. Also, check the vacuum advance on the distributor to make sure it is working. You may also want to check the timing and reset the carb, if performance and/or mileage is off.

Bill

Re: 65 C60
 

no, the plugs we pulled off looked really good, the carb is in good tune. I like the 292, as well, but a 409 is just awesome, LOL. We need to do the points and cap, etc.

Re: 65 C60
 

awesome old beast. Should be more than capable of doing everything you need once the tune up is done.

Re: 65 C60
 

She already is capable, now she will be more capable, lol. I went through and greased every zerk, but some wouldn't take. Is it ok to use a grease rejuvenator?

Re: 65 C60
 

Also want to mention one of the most important things about a 292. They like to breathe. If you change the stock muffler to a straight thru muffler you will gain performance and fuel mileage.

I used to run the GMC V-6 straight thru muffler years ago, but they don't make them anymore. A glass pack is a good alternative. The extra bonus is that it will also sound better.

Also check and/or change your PCV valve.

Bill

Re: 65 C60
 

Well, is there a way to replace the whole exhaust, all 5 feet of it? It is really rusty, and not very tight, but idk if you can get the flange, but i suppose i could cut the old one off, and weld a new pipe on from there.