My 1963 GMC Build

[Ol'63Gmc]

Hey guys, I have a 1963 GMC with a 305D V6. This is my first vehicle, so I'm gonna need a lot of help from ya'll. I've been reading the forum for years and know that you all can help me more than anything. I'll be posting pics throughout my build. Background on the truck: My dad bought it 14 years ago with the intention of restoring it but he got a few too many project cars on the waiting list. So when I turned 13 I decided that I wanted it as my first ride. I just recently got it back to the house from the farm. I think about 2 weeks ago. I haven't done much to it yet though since I'm in school full time. I plan on rebuilding and keeping the origional 305 and not doing anything too custom to it. We'll have to see where it goes though.

[Ol'63Gmc]

Okay, so I think I figured out adding pics.

[protrash64]

.....looks alot better gettin' cleaned up. Keep at it and it'll be lookin' good. Is it on the road yet?

[Ol'63Gmc]

Thanks! Not on the road yet. I'll be starting the engine rebuild on Monday.

[narx66gmc]

please leave the patina! i see it with white 18" nissan titans spare wheels, white grill and bumper (like it is now), and some deep dark tint hiding a real nice interior. the engine looks good now that you've done some painting. keep us updated with info and pics.

[Ol'63Gmc]

It's gonna keep its "paint" job for a while and I am gonna leave the bumper and grill white. No point in redoing the exterior looks until I have all the cash for it. I like the rusty outside look with the interior and engine bay lookin real spruced up. Plan on keepin the tires and wheels for now though. Just bought em a month ago. Right now I have 15 x 8 Cragar Nomads (painted Gloss Black) with 31 x 10.5 x 15 Pro Comp Xtreme M/T tires wrapped on em. I'll be sure to keep updating whenever I work.

[narx66gmc]

oh, i couldn't see the wheels in the pic. can we get a better pic of those?

[Ol'63Gmc]

Ya no prob.

[narx66gmc]

wow, those are beefy! keep up the good work and post pics.

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum

So you are planning on rebuilding the V6?

[Ol'63Gmc]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Welcome to the forum

So you are planning on rebuilding the V6?

Thanks!

Yes sir. Once we get the engine lift and stand back from my farm we're gonna get goin on it.

[creep]

Very cool. Just remember that motor weighs around 800 lbs without the tranny so make sure your engine stand can handle it.

[Ol'63Gmc]

Originally Posted by creep

Very cool. Just remember that motor weighs around 800 lbs without the tranny so make sure your engine stand can handle it.

Yea thats a good point. Don't wanna mess up the motor or the stand. If not we'll just make wooden frame for it to rest on the floor in.

[Ol'63Gmc]

Been reading up and I think I might want to change carburetors. I have a Stromberg WW on it that we rebuilt but am thinkin on goin with a 2 bbl Holley. Not sure what to do. Both are already rebuilt, just need to know the opinion from somebody with more experience who has owned a Stromberg.
Thanks,
Mark

[sams60gmc]

Yea I had a accident while pulling my 305 and trans. It started to swing a little, I just stepped out of the way, I wasn't going to be able to catch it. It ended up flipping the cherry picker and putting a hole thru the oil pan.
Welcome to the board tho!!

[Ol'63Gmc]

I hope to god that doesn't happen to me. Ha. I'm probably gonna drop the tranny out of the bottom though so all I have to do is lift out the engine. I wasn't exactly sure how well lifting the tranny out woulda worked with the long floor shifter in the way either.

[Ol'63Gmc]

Got a little big of somethin done today I guess. Took all the rotten wood out of the bed and cleaned out the starter and generator. Found out I gotta get a new brush spring for the generator though since the old ones broke and not pushing the brush.

[sams60gmc]

Originally Posted by Ol'63Gmc

I hope to god that doesn't happen to me. Ha. I'm probably gonna drop the tranny out of the bottom though so all I have to do is lift out the engine. I wasn't exactly sure how well lifting the tranny out woulda worked with the long floor shifter in the way either.

Good idea. I had the cab off so It was easiest to just lift them both out at the same time.

[DPowers]

Nice looking truck- Welcome to the forum. You will find alot of info about the V6 and your GMC truck here:
http://www.6066gmcguy.org/

[creep]

I swapped to a Holley 500 on mine. it was really easy, took about 30 mins. and the carb was pretty well tuned out of the box.

[Ol'63Gmc]

Alright. I'm probably gonna switch the the Holley then. It came off a 72 Charger so I'm not sure if it'll be a perfect fit though. I hope so, though. Well... I started the engine rebuild today.. with it still in the truck though. The stand was a 750 lb. stand and I really didn't want to risk it. So I took the rad out and got a little more room. Took these off today; Carb, Intake, Valve covers, Generator, Starter, Cam cover, Fan and Shroud thing, and the Fuel pump. Got lots more work to do tomorrow. The inside of the engine is extremely clean after sittin at our farm for 15 years.. Kinda weird. Haven't cleaned any of the internal parts yet. The pics are just with the stuff taken off. Bad pics cause I couldn't see a thing and really aim the camera. Haha. The pictures don't do it justice.. Hope to get down to the block tomorrow. I was suprised about how easy the parts are to get off. A little bit of CNC Penatrating Spray goes a long way. Haha. Well, here's where she's at now..

[creep]

Yeah, I guess those motors are known for lasting a long time.

[Ol'63Gmc]

Okay. Haven't been on in a while since I've been so caught up in my school work. I started working on the engine again yesterday for the first time in a month or so. I took the middle water unit thing off, the pulley's timing chain cover, and both heads off. I realized that the reason why it won't turn all the way is was because there was more than a quarter inch of dirt and crud on top of the pistons. I'm gonna take the oil pan off though, just to make sure everything is all right underneath it. I'll upload pics later tonight once I feel like goin back out there. Haha.

[Ol'63Gmc]

Ok. Here they are.

[68GMCCustom]

Almost the same as my 1st ride....which I got for my 15th birthday. A '64 GMC long-fleet with the 305 V6. Tough old truck...great torque, but awful thirsty for something with a small 2bbl.

Its best feature other then the great low rpm torque....being built to last for a quarter to a half million miles, or more when taken care of.