69 C10 The Analog Truck

[gruveb]

I have some ideas of where I'd like to go with this truck...but know that those ideas will change. For now, I just want it to run properly.

I'm a little behind the curve on starting the build thread, so I'll try to do a recap of what's happened in the past 14 days!

I purchased the 1969 C10 Custom long bed from a custom hot rod shop. It was their shop truck. They'd supposedly purchased it from a customer some years past, and while it belonged to the customer they rebuilt the motor and transmission.





The truck has:

• 350
• 350 turbo
• 12 bolt rear
• Front Disc Brakes
• Edelbrock 600 Carb
• Edelbrock Performer EPS Intake
• Headers and Full Exhaust
• HEI Distributor
• New Rear Glass
• Bow Tie Bolts everywhere
• Twin Electric Cooling Fans from a Dodge Intrepid
• Rancho Shocks
• 12 bolt rear
• 3 inch body lift
• Dual under bed tanks, behind the seat tank has been removed
• Replacement Passenger's Fender

The truck was drivable, but had no spare tire. So the first order of business was picking up a spare. Then, I filled it up with gas and drove home 65 miles. No problems. Rode smooth, had good power, braking was straight and strong.

A few problems I noticed were:

Engine and Tranny leaks
Engine temp gauge inoperable
Oil pressure gauge very erratic
Aux tank was disconnected and reportedly rusty
Fenders rattled and rubbed like crazy

First order of business after changing the oil was to install a temp gauge. It soon became apparent that there either wasn't a thermostat or it was stuck. Turns out it was stuck open, so I replaced it with a high-flow 180* thermostat. While I was at it I flushed the tank and bought a new lower radiator hose.

Flushing exposed a leak.



Here's what I ordered.

While pulling the radiator I found these pliers, which are excellent quality, my new favorites and go to pliers:





Then I replaced the glove box and tore the cheap, inoperable stereo out. Two days later I decided to remove the glove box to inspect what was causing the blower motor not to work, making the box real dirty.



I use the GPS to see how fast I'm going so I can properly read the speedometer.

In order to use the GPS I had to get the lighter working...just an unhooked wire, one of many I found that got quite a few things working! How cool is that?

I still have a leak somewhere from the transmission and one from the motor. I spent about $6.00 at the car wash degreasing the motor, transmission, bed, and basically everything except what is normally washed at the car wash!

Then I installed an oil pressure gauge only to find that the plug in block (made of brass) is in rough shape...I'm very worried about it breaking off causing me a real problem. I was able to piece together some brass fittings and rig up a sending unit with the help of a very experienced parts man at Merle's (he also had the same problem on his 69 C10).

I noticed the pressure was lower than desired, so I changed the oil again throwing in 15-40 and now the pressure is much better. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how long the fitting is going to hold...I started leaking again yesterday!

The truck has some front end damage and a little rocker pan rust, this is the worst of the rust:






The cowl was also creased, but the seller threw in a replacement cowl for me. I replaced it along with the gasket, threw it all on there and threw some primer on it. The truck has been repainted, poorly, so I don't feel bad about messing up the existing paint. Plus, the replacement fender was unprimered and needed to be protected.



Now I cycle a lot, ride several large group centuries a year. So I added this bad boy:



Then threw in the bike:



The bike cost considerably more than the truck!

And just now, as I'm typing, the UPS truck shows up with this jewel:



The contents of the box and their application will be the next post.

[gruveb]

Ever have one of those days...when you're waiting for UPS to show up? Today I was waiting for my fuel gauge, and a few other things that I'll get to later.



So I dropped the fuel tank, which I figured would be the most difficult part. It's an aftermarket tank, someone added it. After trying to bolt in the new sending unit for about 10 minutes I took a closer look.



The holes are all messed up. Not only are they not at all properly spaced, one is SUPER close to the edge of the hole, making the positioning of the float predetermined.

So I disassembled the new float, and routed out the bolt holes.



But while draining the tank, I ran the wire through the cab to discover this:



Yikes!

Anyhow, replacing the tank was expectedly difficult, but all is buttoned up and the gauge works perfect.

[ol'blazer]

looks like a fun project

[gruveb]

I cracked open the carb last week to set the floats as there was a strong gasoline smell after running the truck. I found an incredible amount of sludge and grime inside. So, rebuild. I was intimidated and afraid of messing things up. As it turned out, it wasn't a big deal. Here's an example of what the inside looked like:



Crazy filthy. I soaked the entire carb and all parts in lacquer thinner for a few hours, and scrubbed, scrubbed and scrubbed some more. Soak, and repeat.

While I was waiting for all of that to soak and clean up, I decided to change the valve cover gaskets. I bought a set a few weeks back, but never replaced them. I was afraid of what I'd find under the cover. But, it was a very pleasant surprise:





Very clean!

Upon reassembly I realized that I don't have the choke linkage! Ugh. Then when I went to put the carb on the truck, one of the bolts wouldn't catch. I pulled the bolt out and found this:



The helicoil came out. I removed the washer from the bolt and was able to catch some threads. When I remove it again I'll make sure to have a longer bolt ready.

I cranked the engine for about 10 seconds, checked for leaks and cranked again and it fired up nicely. I couldn't get the throttle to return all the way back to the stop position. The accelerator pump arm was sticking up much higher than before (upon disassembly I found the spring was missing), so I had to slightly tweak the linkage. Now it's all tuned up and running great.

I took it to help my parents move yesterday, the day after rebuilding the carb, which is about 140 miles of driving. I got a little better than a 2 mpg improvement, not to mention better driving characteristics.

After returning I tackled the kickdown cable. The truck is turning into a nice driver. Just need to get the vent lines piped and the heater core checked, the choke fixed, and I'm good to go.

[Tinkermc]

great start

[gruveb]

Update time:

My truck is uglier than ever and I'm okay with that. I used it as a work truck until the motor died.

Now, it's got some new life.

The motor is a new 383, (dynoed 450 ft tq at 3000 rpm and 415 hp), with a 750 edelbrock feeding it. The tranny is a 700r4 built to handle the power and it has a new driveshaft. The differential is next, along with a new fuel cell. It has some old 1 1/2" long tube headers that run into some cheap Thrush welded mufflers that dump the exhaust behind the cab, for now.

The truck has front disc brakes (from an 01 silverado, don't ask me how), and some fancy Autometer gauges.

The coolest thing is my scorpion hood ornament.

My cousin named the truck "Death Proof," as in the Quentin Tarantino movie and it fits. I want the truck to scare small children and old people.

I'll keep with the ugly scary theme for a while as I upgrade to EFI and do the stance and suspension upgrades.