Project Noah

[Auston]

Might as well start a build thread for the old 71. I bought the truck from a customer of ours. We have worked on her mower several times and would always see this truck parked behind a tractor. I finally asked her about it and she let me look at it. She offered to sell it and I think I said I’d by it before she ever said a price. She told me I could call the truck Noah. I don’t know why she said that name, but it felt fitting so that’s that. These pics are the day she let me look at it.

[Auston]

Here’s some after getting it to the shop and pressure washing her off

[68bowtie]

Subscribed!!

[Getter-Done]

X2 Subscribed

[Getter-Done]

I really like the Back Bumper.

[Auston]

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

I really like the Back Bumper.

That rear bumper is a beast. It was definitely a farm truck. The woman I bought it from said her father-in-law bought it new. Noticed on the tag in the glove box it said rear step bumper and heavy rear springs. He was definitely using the truck. She’s also got an 81 C30 2wd in great shape I want to go buy. Lol

[Auston]

I got it to the shop and installed a new set of point and poured some fuel down the carb and she fired right up. I checked all the fluids and rigged a gas can to fuel her and she cranks right up and purrs like a kitten. So knowing she would run, I went to the fuel tank and pulled it thinking I could clean it. Not a chance! It was half fuel of 20 year old fuel and rust. So that gets me to where I am. I think I’ve ordered the wrong fuel tank so I got to swap that out. Here’s some random pics of the interior I took this afternoon.

[Auston]

More random pics

[Auston]

I tried to get some pics of the paint so yall could tell me what I needed to do about it. It’s got white paint scuff marks all over it. And some light rust in spots. Need y’all’s opinions. I’m also hoping those front bumper brackets are bent and nothing serious.

[68bowtie]

Those rockers are solid! Interior and floor mat looks like it should clean up real nice too.

I’m guessing 116k on the mileage.

[straight6chevyguy]

Sweet find! It's my favorite color.

[Auston]

Originally Posted by straight6chevyguy

Sweet find! It's my favorite color.

Thanks. I’m excited about working on it and bringing her back.

[cj847]

Not sure how familiar you are with these trucks. Key is keeping it from rusting (or rusting further).

One of the first things I do as part of clean-up is clear all the "weep" holes. They are everywhere on these trucks and may be clogged by mud or animal nests. Some of them are listed below. vacuum and/or water hose are the tools

-bottom front of front fender (may find some tools or other stored there)

-rear brace of front fender (if you have paint bubbling on the outside)

-cowl and down the A pillar at the vent (remove wipers and cowl panel; vacuum the upper cowl area. Snake a small vacuum hose down the A pillar; go inside and remove the vent assembly and vacuum) run water from the top of the cowl until it runs clear out the bottom at the A pillar.

-rear cab corner

-bottom of doors (take off inner panel and vacuum it out, ensure drain holes are open)

-rocker panels (spray a water hose up into the drain holes until it runs clear out the other one)

[Auston]

Thanks cj for the heads up. I’ve already cleaned the rear cab corners. They were solid dirt. There’s maybe 6 or so tiny pin holes in the cab corners that I tried to get a picture of. How would yall go about repairing those?

[68Gold/white]

I have a 67 and 68, both came with enlarged weep holes...lol (rusted).

The tell tail weep hole will be the forward corner of the pass side front fender. Acid and rust usually always destroy that little well area. If yours is intact, clean it (first), clean it thoroughly and put some of that rust neutralizer down in there, then some paint. Do the same with rear cab corners and any other accessible wells...

Just the fact that your seat is original and in new condition is crazy!!!
Being a 71 it can only have disc brakes in front. That is a huge deal, no conversion needed. In good working order these brakes stop as good as any newer pickup on the road!!!
I, too like the "diving board" rear bumper, best part is that it's a factory installed!!!

Those hub caps look like thay would clean up nice after glass bead blasting, if not those are advertised for sale, here, all the time, they are plentiful and generally not expensive.

I wonder if a 292 with an automatic trans is very common...I really like that setup!!!

That looks like a great candidate to clean up and stay original. I favor that, as do many here, or clean it up and touch up the paint where needed.

Carry on!!!
Have fun!!!

[Auston]

You mean under the battery?

[hewittca]

Very cool truck! I love that color. I had a dark green truck with paint in similar condition. If you hit it with CLR and #000 steel wool that will clean up most of the surface rust and white marks. Then buff it with a good rotary wheel and your favorite polish. My paint shined like new again, minus all the faded areas of course!

[Auston]

Originally Posted by hewittca

Very cool truck! I love that color. I had a dark green truck with paint in similar condition. If you hit it with CLR and #000 steel wool that will clean up most of the surface rust and white marks. Then buff it with a good rotary wheel and your favorite polish. My paint shined like new again, minus all the faded areas of course!

That looks awesome Hewitt. I’ve had another guy tell me to hit with a polishing wheel too, but I know you can burn paint. I’ve used and a comfortable with a da buffer. Will that work as well?

[hewittca]

Originally Posted by Auston

That looks awesome Hewitt. I’ve had another guy tell me to hit with a polishing wheel too, but I know you can burn paint. I’ve used and a comfortable with a da buffer. Will that work as well?

I've used a DA buffer before and it will also do an adequate job. Better to do what you are comfortable with first and if it's not what you are looking for then give it a go with the rotary. I'm no expert with the rotary either and I've never really burned through anything. Just get one with variable speed and start slow. The faded paint and patina helps you hide it if you do actually burn through on accident!

[68bowtie]

Originally Posted by Auston

You mean under the battery?

Yes... That's typically rusty on even the best trucks due to battery acid leakage.

[68Gold/white]

Originally Posted by 68bowtie

Yes... That's typically rusty on even the best trucks due to battery acid leakage.

On my 67, the pickup is in pretty good shape. The hole in the bottom of the RH fender is big enough to stick your hand through. There was a complete front clip. for sale here, way back. I agreed to buy it, drove to Olathe to get it. It was as pristine, as advertised. That well in the fender didn't even have surface rust on it!!!! Thanks, again, Mike!!!

[Shifty One]

What an awesome-looking project! Other than getting is running, I'd don't know if I'd change much!

[loudchevy]

Nice score on the 71! I'll be following along on the progress.

[Auston]

Other than the tires, I’m going to try to keep everything original

Edited: and the exhaust. The tail pipe is completely rusted away from the muffler and hanging by some wire

[Shifty One]

Very cool!