1965 LWB Stepside Build

[roll_the_dice]

OK, I have never done a build thread before, so here goes.

A little background. I have always admired mid 60's Chevy C10's for their usefulness and timeless looks. About 4 years ago I finally started looking for a solid truck that I could drive until I had time to start a restoration. I wanted a 1966 since that is the year I was born, but found this 1965...close enough!

Three years ago in August I found the truck on craigslist in Atlanta. I called the guy and my wife and I drove from Savannah to look at it and drive it. We made the deal and he delivered it the next week with new tires!

Background on the truck...PO bought the truck about 5 years prior and was now going to college and didn't have time to restore the truck, but it was in good condition with rust in the normal places (door corners). The wood he had milled himself, but didn't stain/protect the wood so it is raw, but in good condition.

This is the good and bad from when I received it as I saw it.

The good--
Long wheel base
stepside
gas tank moved from behind seat to under bed
front disc brakes
power steering
new tires
5 lug wheel conversion
LED tail lights/blinkers/brake lights installed 2 weeks prior to me purchasing
starter rebuilt??

The Bad--
10 gallon fuel tank
Didn't turn over 2 days after I bought it!
small side view mirrors (hate them)
tailgate bent
underside of hood peeling where someone airbrushed flames!
engine burns oil
not matching #s truck
electrical leak drains battery (unplug battery after I drive it) theft deterrent system!
blinkers don't work

So 2 days after I bought it, I pulled the "rebuilt" starter and had it tested and rebuilt...good to go.

It has a SBC 350 from a 1973 Camaro with a 5 speed manual gearbox with 1st gear being low (granny) gear.

I started formulating a "plan" of what I wanted to do to the truck...then my dad got sick, I basically took care of him for 1 1/2 years until he passed away. Unfortunately, he didn't get to enjoy the truck. Part of my loving this truck was my dad had a 63 that I remembered when I was a kid and he eventually sold it to my grandfather...I think that is where I remember it... my grandfather, since I was born in 66, but I might just remember pictures. haha

Debated over a new crate engine vs rebuild. Ultimately decided to eventually order crate engine since this one is not original to the truck. If it were, I would rebuild. I eventually want to try and sell the current engine, but right now still using it.

Plans for the truck--
New crate engine 350 SBC 300HP with FI Tech EFI (ordered)
Tremec T56 magnum 6 speed manual transmission (ordered)
New serpentine system (ordered)
rewire to alleviate electrical gremlins
new larger fuel tank (www.boydwelding.com) (received)
New aluminum radiator from www.rndfabrication.com (ordered)
Vintage air a/c system (ordered)
a/c vents from Corvettejim1968
spare tire hanger (purchased from board member)
restore a instrument cluster (ebay purchase)
replace steering wheel
recover bench seat

So as I have been accumulating parts, I have also been building my garage tools. I bought a Tptools skat blast media cabinet. I also have an eastwood powder coating kit I hope to use when I start cleaning up the engine bay. I am looking for a larger air compressor also.

I have already received the a/c vents from corvettejim1968, the spare tire hanger, and a instrument cluster that I purchased on ebay.

I received the new fuel tank yesterday.

Anyway, I know I am forgetting tons of things...so I will post as I remember. I will also post pics as I start working on the truck.

My plan is to remove the engine and start cleaning up and painting/powder coating items in the engine bay to make it worthy of a new engine. Fortunately a buddy of mine was a personal mechanic for a guy that has lots of vintage vehicles...so he is going to help me with the engine/trans, wiring, etc. I don't know a ton about doing this work, but I am reading/researching and I am eager and willing to learn and am looking forward to it.

Cosmetically, I want to repair any rust issues, but a paint job will have to be phase 2. This will be a semi DD and used as a truck, so I don't care about a show quality paint job. I want a mechanically sound truck first and foremost.

Without further adieu, here are some pics of the truck when I first got it. Also a picture of my new boyd welding 20 gallon fuel tank with fuel pump for EFI systems. The toolbox has been removed off the back of the truck. Looks much better without it, IMO.

[ChrisV]

Looks great already. Looking forward to your upgrades

[shp4man]

Very nice. My truck's a long stepper, too. Always thought they looked good in white.
Good luck on your project!

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by ChrisV

Looks great already. Looking forward to your upgrades

Thanks! Me too.

Originally Posted by shp4man

Very nice. My truck's a long stepper, too. Always thought they looked good in white.
Good luck on your project!

Thanks!

Love the long steppers...I see some short steppers around town, but never long ones!

[roll_the_dice]

I have been looking for an engine hoist to buy or rent and a buddy of mine came over this morning and we were talking about the truck and he said...I have an engine hoist and stand if you need one! I almost fell over...I said absolutely! So that was awesome! I am hoping to pick it up this weekend.

Should be getting the engine and trans soon...I need to check on the build....going to be better than Christmas here soon!

[roll_the_dice]

OK haven't done anything to the truck in a few weeks...but today is like Christmas! Just received the following:

*Engine 350 SBC 300 HP
*Transmission Tremec T56 6 speed manual
*Serpentine system Vintage air Front Runner Drive system with a/c compressor, PS pump,
and 140 amp alternator
*FI Tech EFI system
* Vintage full air a/c system w/ condensor, etc

Can't wait to start diving in...Going to take the hood, fenders, and front off the truck first. Then remove the engine and start cleaning up the engine bay and paint/powder coat.

[roll_the_dice]

Opened the engine box first...beautiful engine. Trying to decide whether to paint the engine Chevy Orange or the original gray...or leave it black.

Unfortunately, I know the entire engine wasn't made in the USA, but I do like seeing the Made in USA label on the manifold.

Going to change out the valve covers for some Chevrolet scripted finned covers.

[roll_the_dice]

And the transmission!

[Johns 66]

Looking good dude....we need pics of the truck once you start tearing it apart

[roll_the_dice]

OK finally had time to get the engine out...Last night I took off both cowls and the front fenders...then this morning a friend came over at 7AM and we started the process of unhooking, disconnecting, everything that needed for the engine removal. We finished about 1PM. Here is the progress in pictures...will take the final engine out pic shortly...resting.

[roll_the_dice]

More...

[roll_the_dice]

More pictures to follow soon...

[roll_the_dice]

Engine out pictures coming after I rest a bit.

OK, here are the rest of the pictures...and one of the old engine resting on the pallet...

[Captainfab]

I didn't realize that your truck had the NV4500 trans. That is a desirable trans for some people. If you haven't already, make sure that the water pump on your new engine is of the correct rotation for the new VA serpentine drive.

[Bomp]

Jumpin' in following along.
Clean truck.

[roll_the_dice]

Thanks...I am waiting on a shipment from KBS coatings to paint the engine bay. I have a good spray gun, so I might as well use it!

I hope to have time to finish the engine bay in the next few weeks...I want to get the engine in the truck...but I would rather take my time and do it right!

[roll_the_dice]

It has been a LOOOOOONG time since I have had time to work on the truck. I have done a few things here and there, but in the last couple of weeks I got the bug back and am trying to get this going again.

My son, a friend and I took the bed off the truck. I took the old gas tank out. I have painted most of the frame with KBS rust seal and black top.

I have mocked up the gas tank and should get it installed next week before Thanksgiving. Then I am going to start the rewire. I have a full rewire kit from AAW.

I am not repainting the truck, but have sanded the dead paint off and if I go to metal I go to metal. I will clear coat and wet sand and polish the pieces. I have done both cowls and both fenders. The hood will be next.

I am going to swap out to new shocks while the bed is off also.

Anyway, here are some photos of what I have done over the last few weeks...

[roll_the_dice]

I also started "restoring" my emblems. I did not want repro, so I stripped the paint off the OEM ones and am in the process of repainting. The PO had painted the colors black...so I thought I would go back to as close to OEM as I can. This is before (almost forgot to take the pic)...and after 1 coat. I will put the 2nd coat of paint on tonight.

[Johns 66]

Looking good! I know you are excited about getting her back on the road

[roll_the_dice]

Thanks John...Much appreciated. Your thread is what got me back to moving! I have followed yours with envy.

[Johns 66]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

Thanks John...Much appreciated. Your thread is what got me back to moving! I have followed yours with envy.

Yeah...Mine has been in slow motion but am getting back on it. I saw on youtube how to rebuild the vent windows so I finally got all the parts needed to rebuild the vent windows and will be tackling that soon.

Hopefully by spring mine will be back on the road.

Im still looking for the water pump bypass fitting...seems to be a rare item....maybe soon I will find one.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by Johns 66

Yeah...Mine has been in slow motion but am getting back on it. I saw on youtube how to rebuild the vent windows so I finally got all the parts needed to rebuild the vent windows and will be tackling that soon.

Hopefully by spring mine will be back on the road.

Im still looking for the water pump bypass fitting...seems to be a rare item....maybe soon I will find one.

Do you happen to have the link to the youtube video? That would be nice to watch! Thanks

[Johns 66]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

Do you happen to have the link to the youtube video? That would be nice to watch! Thanks

Here ya go bro.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRktGcaUQFA&t=910s

[roll_the_dice]

Second coat of paint on the emblem and installed. I guess this means instead of taking it apart this officially means I am starting to put it back together!

[roll_the_dice]

Thanks John...Much appreciated!

I got the gas tank mocked up today and the holes marked on the tank to drill for mounting. I ran out of frame paint (KBS coatings)...so I can't mount it yet. I have to still paint the underside of the frame.

So much better than my old 10 gallon tank!