Sacto67 Build diary

[sacto67]

I'm new to the forum and just bought my 2nd 67-72 Chevy C10 two days ago. My first C10 was a 69 which I owned about 13 years ago. I owned it when my wife and I first got together. We worked on it together and she really enjoyed it. We sold it to buy a more family friendly vehicle when we had our first child. Ever since she has told me how she would love to get another C10 so we could work on it together.

Last week I came across a 67 C10 sitting on the side of a guys barn under a tree. We got to talking and he told me he would sell it to me for $600. It's a SWB stepside which started off as an Air Force truck, was sold to the school district the guy worked for, then he bought it. A metal USAF acquisition plate is still riveted to the grove box.

Te guy told me it ran 11 years ago when he parked it because it needed some front suspension repairs. He said he started the repairs but just never finished it.

It is VERY basic, no power steering, no power brakes, no a/c, no radio, 3 on the tree with the I6 engine. There will be some changes of course with all of that.

I lucked out because the truck needed tires to roll for transport. I found a local guy selling a set of wheels and tires the exact same size/style as I had on my 69 (295/50/15) for $150. The tires only have about 6 months tread left but for $150 it'll get it rolling.

I haven't had a chance to brows the forum too much yet so if anyone has any initial suggestions for a truck that's been sitting for 11 years I'm up for it.

Enough talk here's the pics!





Washed up with the wheels on it.

[dmack91]

Looks like a fun place to start. I would see if you can get it to run, but who knows what fell/crawled down the carb since the air cleaner is off.

If it runs, my suggestion is to get it safe and reliable first (brakes, fluids, tires, etc). Once you can drive it, tackle one project at a time. After completing one project, drive it for a while and enjoy it until you plan your next project.

Too many people decide to do way too much (frame off for example), get part way done and get burned out. It then gets abandoned, someone else sees it parked in your driveway and offers you $600 for it.

Basically get it safe to drive, set attainable goals, and enjoy.

[sacto67]

Originally Posted by dmack91

Basically get it safe to drive, set attainable goals, and enjoy.

You nailed it. This will be a daily driver at first. I have a company car and we are selling my wife's van (no more car payments!) so this will be for those few times when we need two cars.

Katrina/10, I don't have one yet, but I'll take one and throw it up here later today.

[sacto67]

Here is the USAF Nomenclature plate


Engine pic after cobwebs were cleaned up.

[heeroyue2002]

nice truck

[Katrina/10]

I love ex-AF stepsides. Got a pic of the military ID plate?

[72chevyfleet]

thats awesome ive never actually seen an airforce truck it looks cool with the id plate too

[67chevy1series]

awesome!!!!

[stealthy '69]

Aside from the tag on the glove box, is there anything else that is specific to the military trucks? I like the original rims and caps that were on it.

[hotrodhomi]

Cool project. I have a chrome bumper from my '72 if you're interested. It's a little different, but should fit. PM me if your interested.

[sacto67]

I thought I read somewhere on the forum last week that the front crossmember from the 80's trucks could be used on my 67. I want to upgrade my front brakes to disc and the guy I bought the truck from said the front end needed some work. I'm hoping to kill two birds with one stone by upgrading the entire crossmember if that is possible.

I can't seem to find too much info on this through a search. Is this possible and if so are there any write-ups on it?

Thanks

[dmack91]

Here is some info, but not all:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444815

I believe they will bolt up with only having to open up a couple of holes. The other issues will be brake lines and steering linkages, if I recall.

[sacto67]

Originally Posted by dmack91

Here is some info, but not all:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444815

I believe they will bolt up with only having to open up a couple of holes. The other issues will be brake lines and steering linkages, if I recall.

Awesome, thanks!

[n2billet]

Nice truck and a great start for your project......I believe it's actually a 68 instead of a 67 because it has the marker lights and the chrome trim on the hood and front fenders above the grille.

[VA72C10]

Looks like a nice starting point and very cool you and your wife are working on it!!!

[Houch]

Nice truck.
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[sacto67]

I checked the hoses today to see if they had hardened and they were still pretty soft but when I squeezed them they crackled at first. I figure there is a light coating of antifreeze or something that hardened after it went dry. I'll be sure to flush the system/hoses with the hoses off before starting it.
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[sacto67]

Is that an air pump for emissions???????

[hotrodhomi]

yes

[sacto67]

Wow, that thing is huge! Guess that means its not necessary. Thanks.

[gearys 5600]

Cool truck..I like it.

[sacto67]

Well we started with the cab by serving any of the creatures left over from the move with an eviction notice. I emptied the old bad gas from the fuel tank. Is there anything else I should do to the tank before reinstalling it?


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[oldblue1968chevy]

Clean wash rust preventative work maybe wax the area back there re install

if its a solid truck you might drill some holes back there somewhere (cab corner areas for water to drain?)

Looks great!!

[sacto67]

Okay where can I get one of these without paying $37? It along with the stud it self is missing. For that price I'll just build one.

Carb air cleaner stud bracket.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/68-72...m=380318462797

[sacto67]

Okay so I'm reading up on subframe swaps and column swaps. I would like to buy a complete truck or van I could pull the engine, trany, front suspension, power steering/brakes, and column from to swap into my truck.

From what I've read the 73-87 (88 and 89 burbs too) subframes are interchangable with slight modifications. This would get me front disc. Are the rear ends interchangable too? If I do the disc upgrade I'd have to change out the rear axle to make it a 5 lug.

As far as the steering column swap it sounds like up to 81 columns are the way to go. So here is my question......are the 73-81 van subframes interchangable? There is a running 77 van with an auto and V8 local for $600.

I don't have the budget right now to go crazy on the truck but I would like to get it safer to drive with power steering/brakes and an auto for the wife.

Thanks