1966 Camper Special Build
 

Well not sure if I can keep this up or not but sure worth an attempt by the looks of things. Nice to see all the projects out there and hope to get to know a few of you during my build. I purchased a 1966 3/4 ton Camper Special. From my understanding there were only 1,499 of these built and out of those I don't know how many had the 283 V8, but that is what mine came with. All matching numbers so I will keep it that way. Here are the pictures as I first got her.

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

Here is the project underway. My wife is not sure why so many boxes keep coming from Brothers and my favorite pastime has become "add to cart"

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

A bit of body work but not as much as I've had on other projects. I had a 68 Firebird that was a nightmare but it turned into a sweet dream. Whis I had pictures to post of that however, that was some 30 years ago LOL. Think I'll do some engine dressing for a bit. Going to replace all the gaskets and dress it up a bit.:ww:

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

:hiya: and :welcoem: to the site !! Living in Kirkland, and between the greater Seattle and Portland areas, you are lucky enough to be near a ton of guys doing these builds !! I envy you!

Looks like a real nice base for whatever type of build you may have in mind.
Are you going for a restoration or a modified build?

Please keep the photos coming, we tend to be addicted to them around here :lol:

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

A little of both I think. More on the restore side but may end up with the mustang front end for disk brakes and then power steering as well as air conditioning. A few modern conveniences would be nice to have but not a necessity. LOL Let see how much $$$$ I get into it vs how much $$$ I’ll get out of it. Building to sell and I’ll find myself a K model. Gotta have the 4x4

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

I see centered in AK. I'm from AK Ninilchik to be exact. My family founbded the village in the 1800's.

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

Yep been stationed here almost 2 years now, one more to go. We are hoping for Germany, Hawaii, or Ft Lewis there in Washington as our next duty station.
Where ever we go, it will be our last posting, as I retire the summer of 2014 and my wife is shortly to follow in spring of 2017.

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

Welcome to the forum :D

You do realize you don't have to change to a MII just to get disc brakes. It would be a whole lot simpler and less $$ to just change over to '71-'87 C20 parts.

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

Thank you very much for the advise. I don't like trial and error and it is great to have those who are in the know post these suggestions. It will save me time and money. I was looking at a 72 for some parts. Will have to do more than look now. :cool:

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

Better post some more before pics before it becomes after.

Re: 1966 Custom Camper Build
 

Just a few more

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

Some airbrush work by Micky Harris on my 2006 Silverado

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

Good stuff there. I can't wait to see what you do with you truck. Your'e close enough, maybe we'll cruise sometime?

Re: 1966 Custom Camper Build
 

Well now after starting to clean up my engine I ran the numbers GM 5.0 14010201 and low and behold what I have is a chevrolet made 302, they put them in the early 70's camaro's. I believe the first one went into the 71' camaro. its consists of a 283 block with 327 power-pak heads, with a beefier crank and cam. Maybe a little bit longer stroke but im not really sure.then chevy sold the schematics of the 302 to ford after 72' or 73'.

So I will keep a-hold of this motor, they are few and far between, and I'm sure there are chevy enthusiast's out there who would love to have it.

Or maybe I will put it back in the truck and use it as a selling point when the "price negotiation" begins LOL.
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Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

New valve covers and manifold should be here next week.

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

I hate to burst your bubble, but that is not a 302. It is a 305. Nothing special at all. In fact a lot of guys won't bother with a 305. IMO there not that bad of an engine.

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

No bubble to burst The 5.0 gives it away as a 305. I am doing some more research on the numbers. Did Chevy in fact sell this to Ford is my only question.
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Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

Got the manifold but not the valve covers. MSD Ignition kit will be here today. Hope the valve covers get there today as well.

Did not get the chance to run down the story I was told about the 305 being sold to Ford and then used as a 302. More online trash is what it seems like now. Never heard that story before but, it seemed plausible..Gullible comes to mind......

GM 5.0LG 14010201 the first 0 looks like an 8 but I could not find anything close with that number.
They put these motors in 1980-85 trucks (it does have the 7 hole exaust manifolds) The 305 was first made in 1976 and has been put in, all rearwheel drive GM vehicles. The most popular being the 1500 trucks, Camaros, Monte Carlos, and Firebirds.

Some good info about building the 305 here http://www.popularhotrodding.com/eng...s/viewall.html

This one was bored .40 over so it would be a 315, LOL.
I will run the numbers on the heads sometime today to see what they are.

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

Sillyoldman.
Sounds good to me. Can't wait to get this one done. Wife does not do well with all the noise, smoke, dust etc. so I need a shop close by to rent if I'm going to get it done sooner than later.

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

wow man, you are progressing right along at a good pace !!

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

Got the new MSD ignition in but didn't take a picture of it. I'm waiting for the valve covers. Then I'll be waiting for the bowtie alternator LOL. I did take a picture of the bed I tore out yesterday after I installed the ignition. Not sure how I'm going to get the cab or the bed off yet. I'm thinking of building something or block and tackle to the Cedar that is above me. First I need to finish up the front end so that I have some more room to work. Man I need a shop:waah:

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

Hmmm well at least the transmission is one of the better ones, rated #1 The GM / Muncie SM420.

The SM420... the crème de la crème, living proof that the greatest things can come in small packages. The SM420 is, in our opinion, the perfect off-road-worthy manual transmissions of all time. This tranny may be long in the tooth as some units are now pushing 60 years in age, but don't let a few gray hairs fool you - this transmission will soak up insanes amounts of horsepower without so much as asking for an oil change every few years. It's lightweight, short and incredibly strong. Oh yeah, did we meantion that the SM420 has the deepest, stump-pulling, granny gear ever available in an OE, retail setting? 7.02:1... now that's deep.

Made by Muncie for General Motors, the SM420 is a die-hard, work-horse transmission that was available in trucks rated from ½ ton to 2 ton. This stick shifter came with fully synchro-meshed 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears making every-day street driving bearable.


http://www.4x4review.com/Features/Te...5/Default.aspx

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

Bet this will burn fast!

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

Valve covers will be here on the 18th, Bowtie Alt tomorrow. So here is a couple of pics with the MSD Ignition in it.

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

Most likely the only person in Kirkland to smoke fish in the back yard. :devil:

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

:fb:I did get the Alt on and will have the engine buttoned up soon with pics. I have taken out the passenger side floor pan and will get the drivers side out and have both of those replaced soon with pics of course. I am thinking of using a undercoating on the frame instead of the most often used powder coatings. Does anyone see a problem with this? Any suggestions would be most welcomed.:fb:

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

I did get the Alt on and will have the engine buttoned up soon with pics. I have taken out the passenger side floor pan and will get the drivers side out and have both of those replaced soon with pics of course. I am thinking of using a undercoating on the frame instead of the most often used powder coatings. Does anyone see a problem with this? Any suggestions would be most welcomed.:fb:

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

I have read a lot of these builds, and seen people do some awesome stuff with bedliner/under coating but I dont think I have seen anyone do a frame in it yet...
You may be off into uncharted waters with this idea.

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

OK SO I have been away for a bit but for good reason, Welcome the newest member to the family, BJ. BJ is a 59 3200.
The Valve covers for the other project will be here tomorrow I hope. I think Summit had to make these due to the time it took them to get them out the door....Since BJ has a 6 in her I'm thinking some form of 8 would bring her up to speed. Not decided yet to put the current one in or order a trun key crate. Hmmm the choices.

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

Just about ready to go rent the sand blaster and walnut the frame and soda the body. Waiting for some free time so I can get to that then get the front clip painted and back together, Then some new hoses and I'll be ready to put the motor back in. Then the floor pans and drivers rocker, and offf to paint. I know there is more than that, I must be leaving something out. ;)

Re: 1966 Camper Special Build
 

Nothing but rain here so I have not been able to do much. I am going to put up a small shelter so that I can get some work done. The 1959 didn't last long a friend of mine wanted it so I traded for his Harley a FLHTC ELECTRA GLD. Now my wife says I have to increase my life insurance policy but if I leave enough toys behind then it should all be good :lol: Right?