1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

I scored this 1965 C10 Short bed fleetside yesterday for $500! It’s rusty and beat up, but complete. It appears to have a 230/6 and powerglide. No idea if it runs or even turns over at this point, I was told it was parked a long time ago, the owner passed away, and nobody knows why the truck was parked. I think the tags expired in 2001. I’m not really sure what I want to do with it yet, but I may try to get it running and fix some rust and damage, and lower it.

https://i.postimg.cc/Gh7L9yxx/IMG-0526.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/N0hwr79m/IMG-0527.jpg

This is after getting home last night around midnight through a three hour drive and a snowstorm!

https://i.postimg.cc/FzKtQT85/IMG-0530.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/kXBr1hWW/IMG-0531.jpg

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

I threw on an extra set of hubcaps I had around. It looks a bit better anyway!

https://i.postimg.cc/dVwJs6KS/IMG-0540.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/2SGrVWkj/IMG-0541.jpg

This is the interior - with custom switches!

https://i.postimg.cc/3ww7pwNX/IMG-0542.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/bvFPRjSK/IMG-0543.jpg

I messed around with it a bit today, the starter solenoid was junk, so I replaced it with one I had off another bad starter. The engine cranks well, I cleaned the points and poured some gas down the carb. After a bit of fighting, it finally fired up and somewhat idled for a bit until it ran out of fuel. It definitely needs a carb kit, but at least the engine might be good!

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

Can't say I have ever seen electrical switches used in a car/truck. That is different. Glad it ran for a bit.

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

There’s a new carb kit in the glove box, so I’m going to try to use that to rebuild the carb. I also ordered an AAW ignition switch with a new connector, a new key cylinder, and a new HEI distributor. Hopefully between all that, I can make it start and run without too many issues.

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

Key switch assembly showed up today!

https://i.postimg.cc/gJtJB9z7/IMG-0611.jpg

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

The weather crested into the 40’s this week, so I took advantage of the nicer weather and pressure washed 25+ years of grime off the truck

https://i.postimg.cc/rs3QxZ6B/IMG-0618.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/HxVyCpRg/IMG-0620.jpg

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

Very Cool. Congrats

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

I scored a set of M1009 wheels today! 6 lug, deeper offset, clears disc brakes, 15x8, and accepts hubcaps.

https://i.postimg.cc/85xF0btJ/IMG-0658.jpg

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

That is a great score. I am starting to like steelies and caps more and more. I have ralleys now, but am thinking I might clean them up and sell to get steelies. If I can find some good hubcaps, I definitely will.

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

Even better was they were only $150!

New HEI distributor showed up today, got a full tuneup ready.

https://i.postimg.cc/gjwRpDJP/IMG-0682.jpg

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

Started on the tune up today and ended up jumping around on a few different things. Started off with changing the oil and filter. Distributor removal made that easy.

https://i.postimg.cc/MTPVrHYF/IMG-0689.jpg

Block numbers if anyone cares to decode them.

https://i.postimg.cc/7h50v4sY/IMG-0690.jpg

New spark plugs, also redid the harness and changed out the resistor wire to a standard wire for the HEI.

https://i.postimg.cc/7LcTgdPF/IMG-0691.jpg

New distributor and wires installed.

https://i.postimg.cc/LX1gvDnn/IMG-0692.jpg

Repinned the key switch plug

https://i.postimg.cc/sxPQC2Pz/IMG-0693.jpg

Ignition installed! The engine cranks with the key now!

https://i.postimg.cc/Wp0Jk5By/IMG-0694.jpg

I also pulled the carb off for a rebuild, but the kit I had with the truck was incorrect. I ordered the correct carb kit which should be here tomorrow.

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

Good work,
I'm excited to see what the truck looks like in the end.
Greetings Harald

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

The carb was missing the filter and definitely due for a rebuild. It would be cool to try out the Sniper 1100 on this, but we’ll see how the carb does for now!

https://i.postimg.cc/d0PLJrQH/IMG-0696.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/436nyymJ/IMG-0697.jpg

Picked up a new radiator cap as well as a fuel cap.

https://i.postimg.cc/W3szkVk0/IMG-0709.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/KzQz7WPw/IMG-0710.jpg

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

Hopefully these work. I took a video of the truck running after the HEI conversion and carb rebuild. It’s not tuned as of yet, and the exhaust gasket is leaking, but it’s idling pretty well! The truck would try to reverse when I revved the engine up, so I had to adjust the linkage to make Park actually be Park.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9zBGg5miEU

I topped off the transmission fluid and took it for a quick spin down the block!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v90jaTMqXyM

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

I started to replace the blown out exhaust gasket today. Manifolds came off surprisingly smoothly.

https://i.postimg.cc/L8CLCBq7/IMG-0740.jpg

Failed gasket

https://i.postimg.cc/Pq0ZhXQQ/IMG-0741.jpg

I figured I was going to have trouble with a few of the studs, however, I didn’t anticipate a chunk of the exhaust manifold being broken off. I have a new one on order.

https://i.postimg.cc/tgnZr0GZ/IMG-0742.jpg

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

Congrats on the find for that cheap! In my part of Oregon that's just about unheard of now a days. :(
There's something about getting an old truck, cleaning it, and making it run that just makes the soul happy.
I've gotta find my book but I could probably decode the I6 for ya. If it's a 250 they make some pretty cool hotrod parts for them.
I upgraded my 292 a little haha

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

What part is broken off? Isn't that just the heat stove for the carburetor? It should just seal up against the bottom of the intake manifold, no??

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

I'm glad you're saving her, she'll be a beauty!

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

Thanks guys!

It’s hard to tell from the pic, as it appears to have been broken off for a while due to the rust, but the third bolt hole opposite the two studs is completely broken off.

https://i.postimg.cc/mDQhrhzB/IMG-0757.jpg

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

The new exhaust manifold showed up yesterday. It’s definitely a rough Chinese casting, but for an inline 6 it should do the job.

https://i.postimg.cc/TwDRm6pD/IMG-0806.jpg

Test fitting

https://i.postimg.cc/XJdbqkzK/IMG-0807.jpg

Manifold loosely mounted to the block

https://i.postimg.cc/RZhxKBYZ/IMG-0808.jpg

Carb manifold reinstalled! It runs much quieter with the leaks fixed.

https://i.postimg.cc/59Shrydt/IMG-0809.jpg

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

I've got one of those Chinese exhaust manifolds on my truck So far, so good at over 10,000 miles.
Wish my truck was a Powerglide. I'm lazy. :)

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

I found a good set of tires for really cheap, just to get this thing back on solid rubber that holds air and stays drivable. Pulled the wheels off.

https://i.postimg.cc/xjPx7Mn2/IMG-0901.jpg

Ultimately, I think I want to paint the 15x8 wheels white, but I’m curious what the red would look like, so I spray painted these red to try out the look. I’ll be getting the new tires mounted Monday.

https://i.postimg.cc/kX1jMC2Y/IMG-0902.jpg

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

I got the new tires installed today!

https://i.postimg.cc/cCtqPCrq/IMG-0920.jpg

Cleaned up the white walls

https://i.postimg.cc/fk44ss9V/IMG-0921.jpg

Wheels installed!

https://i.postimg.cc/gkRjZk4B/IMG-0922.jpg

Hubcaps installed!

https://i.postimg.cc/DZ8yy286/IMG-0923.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/YqcqMBkN/IMG-0924.jpg

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

I sold the topper today for $80! The truck looks so much better without it!

https://i.postimg.cc/XNyqWjZ8/IMG-1177.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/GmbmvvX7/IMG-1178.jpg

I also picked up some extra parts I think I forgot to post. Two core supports, a grille, and a pair of doors!

https://i.postimg.cc/zGpX73MJ/IMG-1179.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/05mk3V3X/IMG-1180.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/MH8Sq84P/IMG-1181.jpg

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

Last night I sold the 230/6 and powerglide for $500, so right now the truck itself was free! I found a cab that got crushed, but the lower side seems to be in good shape, so I might try to get that picked up and grafted onto mine.

I’m considering my engine and transmission options now.

Re: 1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside
 

Picked up this 2005 Yukon XL for $1000 today. Runs and drives, 230k miles, 5.3L and 4L60E. Considering making this the donor powertrain for the ‘65.

https://i.postimg.cc/3Nbbc0tx/IMG-1380.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/LsMQwp3L/IMG-1381.jpg