New Guy Baz here from So Cal - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

monolith · 03-23-2009, 02:46 AM

Hi all,

Been lurking the site for a while, nice place you have here. Finally getting around to working on my '66 GMC 3/4ton. 250, 4 speed

I'm not much of a mechanic- so please don't roll your eyes too much when I post my stupid questions. I promise to use the search function first, however.

Looking forward to having a reliable driver- nothing too fancy, just a fun old truck.

72BlckButy · 03-23-2009, 07:28 AM

to the board from Mid-MO!!!

You'll find this place to become your second home. There's tons of information, friends, parts, .... and so much more.

jsbgump · 03-23-2009, 09:52 AM

Welcome to the board from Texas

krue · 03-23-2009, 09:53 AM

Welcome to the board from South Mississippi!

shaneschevys · 03-23-2009, 11:22 AM

Welcome from FT Worth TX.

Cyclone44 · 03-23-2009, 06:27 PM

from Knoxville Tn.....

DREAMS OF A 67 · 03-23-2009, 06:36 PM

FROM KNOXVILLE TN!!!

Number98 · 03-24-2009, 11:03 AM

Welcome to the board from Georgia...

Hoods69BadBowTie · 03-24-2009, 06:48 PM

Hey welcome to the best board around from MT. Cool looking truck I like it.

TimE · 03-28-2009, 04:23 PM

from south Alabama!

Jump on in and have fun with it. Looks like your truck has a Charger for a friend.

flamingbig10 · 03-29-2009, 12:52 AM

Welcome from north Texas

63 & 64 Bowties · 03-29-2009, 07:01 AM

Welcome from the Blue Ridge Mountains. Don't worry about the questions, we're all easy to get along with.

monolith · 03-31-2009, 01:16 AM

Thanks for the welcome, guys!

Just got the truck running again after a couple months of chasing electrical gremlins.

It boiled down to replacing the battery cables (they looked fine on the outside- I even replaced the terminals- but with the help of a buddy, we figured out that they were corroded most of the way down under the insulation- my inexperience caused me to overlook the simplest cause and go chasing of in random directions looking for the problem.) But the truck now has a new alternator and voltage regulator as well as some new, sturdier cables

Now that it's running well enough, I can start on:

Getting the headlamps sorted out(need to order all of the little plastic stand off parts.)

Getting the bed wood replaced (PO just slapped a piece of plywood down and bolted the hold down straps on top.)

A little bodywork (ok- a LOT- mostly straightening the bed, hood and grill- and replacing rusty door panels- not too much bondo on this one.)

better paint- and paint scheme

new gauges (it's got cheapie aftermarket junk monitoring some pretty important engine functions)

New wheels and tires (gotta find something better than the generic spokes)

MAYBE taller gears- a bit lower suspension, engine swap or mods as I learn a bit more about these trucks and how to work on them.

This is certainly the place to learn it- I've read a bunch of threads on this forum that have already helped immensely- and quite a few others that have really given me inspiration and enthusiasm to work on the truck.

Now I just have to decide on a direction.

TimE- Yup- that's my 68 Charger-basket case. The 318 runs- barely- I have a 383 in the garage waiting to go in it- but the whole car needs a major going over before it's driveable. had it for a few years- I'm just not a competent enough mechanic (yet) to have attempted to do much to it. Plus- the mortgage comes first.

The Truck is now my daily driver- and I have to say- I'm having a blast with it- I get this childish grin on my face every time I turn the key and hit the Ooga horn. I feel like a teen again.

CSGAS · 03-31-2009, 03:37 PM

Having lived in many parts of SoCal...and had quite a few Mopars spend time in my fleet...I think you're going to find it a lot easier to learn a) on a Chevy and b) on one of these two generations trucks, where nearly everything bolts together.

Does the cruise-in at the Weinersnitzel (offramp for the 60 & 605 interchange) still happen out there, and if so what night? Was sometimes Tuesdays and sometimes Thursdays when I left Cali 8 years ago.

monolith · 04-01-2009, 12:54 AM

CSGAS-That was my logic precisely- get my "practice" in on a beater, parts hauler truck till I learn the various processes involved- then adapt what I've learned to the Charger- I'm not going to do a restoration on either vehicle (for now)Just learning how the systems work and I'm just going to build them to be reliable, fun drivers.

I haven't been to many cruises or car shows lately- I've just gotten back into older vehicles- had a 70 Chevelle that I wish I'd never sold in the 80's- that's the last time I've had a vehicle that I actually-and actually could have- worked on. Been driving newer cars til recently when the nostalgia (and necessity) bug hit. Having to learn everything over again from scratch, but having fun doing it!

I know that the Bobs Big Boy in Toluca Lake still gets packed with awesome cars every Friday night and people USED to park their rides at the Tommy's in Eagle Rock a couple of years ago.

My last Mopar was a 97 dodge ram truck,which died (for good) 4 years ago my first one was a 67 Plymouth Valiant, which preceded the Chevelle.

I hope North Carolina is treating you well- I visited Raleigh about 15 years ago and thought it was beautiful.

03-23-2009, 02:46 AM	#1
monolith Zero Albedo Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Gabriel, California Posts: 478	New Guy Baz here from So Cal Hi all, Been lurking the site for a while, nice place you have here. Finally getting around to working on my '66 GMC 3/4ton. 250, 4 speed I'm not much of a mechanic- so please don't roll your eyes too much when I post my stupid questions. I promise to use the search function first, however. Looking forward to having a reliable driver- nothing too fancy, just a fun old truck.

03-23-2009, 07:28 AM	#2
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: New Guy Baz here from So Cal to the board from Mid-MO!!! You'll find this place to become your second home. There's tons of information, friends, parts, .... and so much more. __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package)

03-23-2009, 09:52 AM	#3
jsbgump Gone Fishing Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Fort Worth, Texas 76135 Posts: 12,361	Re: New Guy Baz here from So Cal Welcome to the board from Texas __________________ 68 Chevy Short Fleetside LSX Swap Under Way 3.73 posi 2.5/4 drop Frame of resto has been started 2022 Hyundai Tucson Limited 2019 Chevy Traverse Redline Edition Wifes Ride Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3483616

03-23-2009, 09:53 AM	#4
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Re: New Guy Baz here from So Cal Welcome to the board from South Mississippi! __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

03-23-2009, 11:22 AM	#5
shaneschevys Its always something! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: FT Worth,TX Posts: 4,992	Re: New Guy Baz here from So Cal Welcome from FT Worth TX. __________________ 79 p10 stepvan 72 Short Fleetside 72 Suburban 67 GMC One Ton Flatbed 64 Short Fleetside 57 Chevy 2DR Hard Top 57 Chevy 2dr wagon 65 f* short fleet 63 C 60 Flatbed Member of the patina club**

03-23-2009, 06:27 PM	#6
Cyclone44 Step Brother Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: K-town Posts: 4,029	Re: New Guy Baz here from So Cal from Knoxville Tn.....

03-23-2009, 06:36 PM	#7
DREAMS OF A 67 Step Brother Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: knoxville TN Posts: 1,950	Re: New Guy Baz here from So Cal FROM KNOXVILLE TN!!! __________________ Joe

03-24-2009, 11:03 AM	#8
Number98 Prestige Worldwide Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Worldwide Posts: 2,552	Re: New Guy Baz here from So Cal Welcome to the board from Georgia...

03-24-2009, 06:48 PM	#9
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Re: New Guy Baz here from So Cal Hey welcome to the best board around from MT. Cool looking truck I like it. __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

03-28-2009, 04:23 PM	#10
TimE Hey Y'all!! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bay Minette, Alabama Posts: 1,755	Re: New Guy Baz here from So Cal from south Alabama! Jump on in and have fun with it. Looks like your truck has a Charger for a friend. __________________ Just hopin' I live long enough to finish something!!!

03-29-2009, 12:52 AM	#11
flamingbig10 6.0 powered square Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mesquite texas Posts: 3,459	Re: New Guy Baz here from So Cal Welcome from north Texas __________________ Aaron 1980 c-10 short bed lowered, cammed 6.0, 4l80e 3600 stall, smp tune, wilwoods, and flames best time so far best et 7.86 @87 on motor 7.57 90 on a 75 shot Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283326

03-29-2009, 07:01 AM	#12
63 & 64 Bowties and a few others Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of VA Posts: 5,638	Re: New Guy Baz here from So Cal Welcome from the Blue Ridge Mountains. Don't worry about the questions, we're all easy to get along with. __________________ Bill US Army Vet -193rd Infantry BlueRidgeMuscleCars.com “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” Gandhi

03-31-2009, 01:16 AM	#13
monolith Zero Albedo Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Gabriel, California Posts: 478	Re: New Guy Baz here from So Cal Thanks for the welcome, guys! Just got the truck running again after a couple months of chasing electrical gremlins. It boiled down to replacing the battery cables (they looked fine on the outside- I even replaced the terminals- but with the help of a buddy, we figured out that they were corroded most of the way down under the insulation- my inexperience caused me to overlook the simplest cause and go chasing of in random directions looking for the problem.) But the truck now has a new alternator and voltage regulator as well as some new, sturdier cables Now that it's running well enough, I can start on: Getting the headlamps sorted out(need to order all of the little plastic stand off parts.) Getting the bed wood replaced (PO just slapped a piece of plywood down and bolted the hold down straps on top.) A little bodywork (ok- a LOT- mostly straightening the bed, hood and grill- and replacing rusty door panels- not too much bondo on this one.) better paint- and paint scheme new gauges (it's got cheapie aftermarket junk monitoring some pretty important engine functions) New wheels and tires (gotta find something better than the generic spokes) MAYBE taller gears- a bit lower suspension, engine swap or mods as I learn a bit more about these trucks and how to work on them. This is certainly the place to learn it- I've read a bunch of threads on this forum that have already helped immensely- and quite a few others that have really given me inspiration and enthusiasm to work on the truck. Now I just have to decide on a direction. TimE- Yup- that's my 68 Charger-basket case. The 318 runs- barely- I have a 383 in the garage waiting to go in it- but the whole car needs a major going over before it's driveable. had it for a few years- I'm just not a competent enough mechanic (yet) to have attempted to do much to it. Plus- the mortgage comes first. The Truck is now my daily driver- and I have to say- I'm having a blast with it- I get this childish grin on my face every time I turn the key and hit the Ooga horn. I feel like a teen again.

03-31-2009, 03:37 PM	#14
CSGAS optomistic ah-so Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 544	Re: New Guy Baz here from So Cal Having lived in many parts of SoCal...and had quite a few Mopars spend time in my fleet...I think you're going to find it a lot easier to learn a) on a Chevy and b) on one of these two generations trucks, where nearly everything bolts together. Does the cruise-in at the Weinersnitzel (offramp for the 60 & 605 interchange) still happen out there, and if so what night? Was sometimes Tuesdays and sometimes Thursdays when I left Cali 8 years ago. __________________ Rubbing is Racin' Ribbing is Bench Racin' 1970 C-10 lwb Fleetside. Originally 350 2-bbl 3-on-the-tree, m/b, m/w, m/s no a/c. Currently running on a '76 Camaro 305.

04-01-2009, 12:54 AM	#15
monolith Zero Albedo Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Gabriel, California Posts: 478	Re: New Guy Baz here from So Cal CSGAS-That was my logic precisely- get my "practice" in on a beater, parts hauler truck till I learn the various processes involved- then adapt what I've learned to the Charger- I'm not going to do a restoration on either vehicle (for now)Just learning how the systems work and I'm just going to build them to be reliable, fun drivers. I haven't been to many cruises or car shows lately- I've just gotten back into older vehicles- had a 70 Chevelle that I wish I'd never sold in the 80's- that's the last time I've had a vehicle that I actually-and actually could have- worked on. Been driving newer cars til recently when the nostalgia (and necessity) bug hit. Having to learn everything over again from scratch, but having fun doing it! I know that the Bobs Big Boy in Toluca Lake still gets packed with awesome cars every Friday night and people USED to park their rides at the Tommy's in Eagle Rock a couple of years ago. My last Mopar was a 97 dodge ram truck,which died (for good) 4 years ago my first one was a 67 Plymouth Valiant, which preceded the Chevelle. I hope North Carolina is treating you well- I visited Raleigh about 15 years ago and thought it was beautiful.



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