Project: Blackfoot
 

So back in July I was driving home from school one day and had an epiphany......I wanted something to get my mind off the stress of school and books. I drive an old Nissan car with 150,000 miles and I know it will eventually fail beyond repair sooner or later. We (my family and I) don't have a truck, none of our friends have trucks, and we seem to always be in need of one. I grew up on Chevy trucks and after a little searching found one on eBay. (Took a little convincing for the wife but it worked out). Well, after a road trip to Idaho I am now the proud owner of a 1972 Fleetside shortbed C-10.

I have never restored a vehicle before but with the help of lots of books, magazines, and this website I have yet to encounter a problem I couldn't conquer (crossing fingers).

After reading a ton of project build threads I decided to add my own. I will be posting pics of what I have done so far and the progress that I make. Any comments or feedback welcome.

Pics from eBay
 

Here are the pics from eBay. I didn't take them so I can't apologize for their blurriness. The reason I went with a 72 was because I love the egg crate grill, they have front disc brakes, power brakes, and power steering. I know you can add all the stuff but it's easier when it's already there.

About the engine
 

So the guy who sold me the truck told me that it had the original 350 and TH350 transmission in it. After getting it home I ran the numbers on each and found out that the engine (Casting # 330817) is a 400 cid and the transmission is a TH400 both out of a 1974 car....a bit of good news to many people (including myself).

The PO had even put 350 on the license plate. He didn't respond when I texted him and told him the good news so I don't know his reaction. Either way, I'm happy with my purchase.

History of the truck
 

The PO owner had the truck for 8 years. Before that it was owned by the local fire department in Blackfoot, Idaho. So it has a history of being a fire truck (okay so it was a fire prevention truck but who's counting). There is (was) wiring and holes in the dash for the radio scanner as well as faded letters on the side that can attest to that.

This is why I'm calling the truck Blackfoot

Re: About the engine
 

Looks like the fun kind of stress relief. You know, the kind that also creates stress! lol

Re: A dental student's stress reliever
 

Found this dash and cut it out of a beat up truck in a junkyard. The dash was nearly flawless (unlike the rest of the truck). My current dash is pretty banged up and holy :lol: so this will make for a great replacement (and it has the A/C holes which are not in the current dash :metal:)

Re: About the engine
 

Very true :agree:, but after sitting in chairs all day long there's nothing like going out and getting my hands dirty while exerting some physical effort (after a little family time of course). Luckily there's TONS of people on this site who know a lot more than me about these trucks. This can be very handy at times

Re: A dental student's stress reliever
 

After I bought the truck (on the way back from Idaho) something happened to the engine and I had to tow the truck home (luckily we had the means to do so at the time just in case). I pulled the engine and found out that it was a spun bearing.

Re: A dental student's stress reliever
 

:hi2: and :welcome2: to the boards from NC....sounds like this will be a fun project....sorry to hear about the engine.....so what are your future plans for it??

Re: A dental student's stress reliever
 

Stress reliever? haha. J/k but you sure have a good mind set to a restoration that may give you grey hairs if you don't already then maybe bald too. haha. No but in the end its well worth it when you style it to your taste. Enjoy its a good lookin truck.

Re: A dental student's stress reliever
 

Welcome and a nice looking truck you got there.

Re: A dental student's stress reliever
 

Planning on doing a frame-off restoration. Want to make it a good running daily driver (really just to school and back-about 10 miles round trip). Just something to haul a couch, trash, etc. and still fun to drive. I'm gonna use most of the same parts for the rolling chassis (just gonna clean them up, paint them, and install new joints/bearings, etc) The engine will be a rebuilt 406 with mostly new parts. Interior will be original-looking. gonna move the gas tank to the rear. A few minor modifications here and there but nothing too extreme.

Re: A dental student's stress reliever
 

Welcome from another "banged up and holy" dash and faded letters on the side red firetruck owner (Mine actually put out the fires though :devil:)


Looks like a very nice starting point. Congrats on the purchase.

Re: A dental student's stress reliever
 

Good looking truck to start with. What kind of shape is the body in overall? Looks pretty solid.

Re: A dental student's stress reliever
 

Not bad, especially for a truck from snow laden Idaho. The bed and front clip are in great shape (very little to no rust). The cab floor supports are rusted but it seems that is a relatively easy fix. The left rocker panel needs to be replaced (I will post pics when I get this done). I will probably replace the lower outside sections of the door cause they are a bit rusty as well.

But overall it's nothing devestating. The frame, suspension, and steering look great.

Re: A dental student's stress reliever
 

Looks great! From one current student to another, I know how you feel, just wish mine was closer to be able to do it too! I don't know what your budget is, but if its like mine, probably pretty low. If your looking to add some reliability you might want to look at a LM7 engine out of the 98+ chevy trucks. Typically you can find them pretty cheap, and it adds the reliability of fuel injection, a/c, and decent gas mileage. Enjoy it!

Re: A dental student's stress reliever
 

Welcome and Congrats on the purchase...

Re: A dental student's stress reliever
 

Here are some pics that I took before I started taking it all apart. I will be replacing that beat up tailgate and putting on a different style rear bumper

Re: A dental student's stress reliever
 

The only suggestion I would make is to really think through the idea of a frame off resto before starting it. It is fairly common for someone to start one, get bogged down after a year plus, and then walk away from the project.

I prefer the idea of getting it running and driving, reliably and safely, first. Then tackle individual projects that you can focus on and get done in a reasonable amount of time. Then enjoy driving it for a while before starting the next project.

Just my opinion though. Nice truck to start with. Enjoy.

Re: A dental student's stress reliever
 

This is what was originally in the truck. A little different from a 1974 400 sbc

Re: A dental student's stress reliever
 

The beginning of disassembly. The bed made a great space for storage until I had to remove it. Now the back patio looks like a junkyard. It's definitely an eyesore but who doesn't love hearing this from their wife: "You need to get your truck done so the backyard isn't so cluttered" my response is usually "alright, sounds good! I'll be in the garage if you need me" :lol: It works out great!

Re: A dental student's stress reliever
 

Yes, I took this out by myself. I accidently kicked the bucket that had transmission fluid in it and it took me longer to clean that up than it did to pull the tranny. I guess that's what happens when you work on your toys late at night, nobody to come over and help! :waah:

Re: A dental student's stress reliever
 

Yeah it started with a simple engine rebuild and ended up with this. I am motivated though and will keep going (as time allows of course!)

Here's the frame, ready to be prepped for paint. Sorry about the low quality image. my phone isn't the best for taking pics

Re: A dental student's stress reliever
 

Geeze! Your actually pretty far along!

Re: A dental student's stress reliever
 

:lol: yep...that's how it all starts...a simple engine rebuild, or even a oil change then it looks like that!!!:lol: you are moving right along!!!:metal: