1970 short wide (official project thread)

[Dcm]

Buying this truck for a project isn't a starting point for me...it's taking care of unfinished business. My dad got a 1978 chevy swb new his junior year of high school. It was a hopped up nice running beautiful black truck. I remember going to sonic, driving it in the pasture, and telling my friends how it would one say be mine. That "one day" finally came when I turned 14. The truck had been put to pasture so my dad and I drug it to the shop and started work restoring. About day 3, my dad lost his temper, crawled out from under the truck throwing wrenches and kicking the truck. He over sprung the passenger door, then slammed it shut and caved the side in. Then he walked home. We never worked on it again. I didn't have the knowledge or resources to knowledge like today with the internet, so I had no idea how to do all the work. A few months passed and my granddad sold the truck to get it out of his way. I still miss that truck and I have tried tracking it down through the DMV and court house to no avail. The truck is gone.
Not getting to restore that truck with Dad was a tender spot on my soul for a long time. Then one day I got married and had a son. He is almost 4 and when I saw a 1970 chevy while browsing Craigslist one day, I decided right then and there that changing starts with me. So I bought the truck. My boy loves it. He stands on the seat and "drives to town". Every bolt that's easy to get to while taking the truck apart, I have broken and then let him finish removing. He loves "helping". I hope someday he drives this truck in the pasture, thinks it sounds cool, and maybe even goes on a date in it. But even if he doesn't, it won't be because I wasn't patient with him.

[Dcm]

Ok, that's the back story. Enough of that lol. Here are the specs:
1970 chevy shortness fleet side.
A/C factory
Turbo 350
350 sb
5 lug coil spring rear end
Disc brakes up front
High hump (truck came with a 4 speed)
Engine isn't original. Numbers say '74-76 and the intake numbers reveal a 4 barrel car.
Rochester carb
Body is fairly solid with battery acid rust under batt box and rusty floor pan.

Truck is now had the body removed and as soon as I get my welder from the shop I'll be building an engine stand so I can take the engine and trans out.
Then the frame is off to get sandblasted and primed.
Data sheet says 3:73 posi rear end but I haven't opened the chunk to confirm that yet.
Other than that, I'll update whenever I make progress.

[72 tigger]

Great story- glad you can build memories with your son

[R.L.]

I have a similar story, Dad's truck is gone; I bet your son will love it driving someday.
Congratulations.

[68shortwide]

I can relate to father throwing wrenches truck sounds awesome and hope the little guy appreciates it. I'm forever thankful dad let me run around the shop and watch and learn when I was littler (is littler a word? )

[kjdolphins]

This is great. My dad and I are working on a father son project right now. 72 c10. My only regret; I wish I would have started it with him earlier because we are running out of time. I'm halfway done with college and I know that I have to make the most of the time we have left. Enjoy these times while you still have them!

[68shortwide]

Originally Posted by kjdolphins

This is great. My dad and I are working on a father son project right now. 72 c10. My only regret; I wish I would have started it with him earlier because we are running out of time. I'm halfway done with college and I know that I have to make the most of the time we have left. Enjoy these times while you still have them!

x2

[Dcm]

Alright, new info on the engine. The heads are 993 casting (1.94/1.5 with 75cc chamber). Not the best starting point, not the worst either.
I'm seriously considering a smeding crate engine. The 420hp E series 383.
I'm also considering swapping the automatic trans for a 3 speed with shift on the floor. Does this make me insane?

[Dcm]

I got a quote on paint and body work from a reputable local guy who has rebuilt several of these older trucks. I was happy with how he talked so let's hope all goes well. Probably what I liked most was that everyone I know who has used him, praised his workmanship and also his customer service (being accommodating to changes, helping save money where possible, etc)

[Dcm]

Decided to sand down the frame myself. I have the rear suspension completely off the truck. My brother in law helped me sand with wire wheels on grinders today. Progress is pretty good. I'll finish up and hopefully have it primed by Monday.

[zicc1835]

Pictures

[Dcm]

My helper

[Dcm]

Right after I brought it home.

[Dcm]

Again, right after purchasing

[Dcm]

The year down begins

[Dcm]

More disassembly

[Dcm]

And more disassembly...

[Dcm]

Rear suspension removed

[Xeen]

Yikes it looks like there is some damage to the rear crossmember, that won't be a problem though there are plenty of longbed's that have been parted out that you can get one from.
Have you found any more frame damage?

[Dcm]

Originally Posted by Xeen

Yikes it looks like there is some damage to the rear crossmember, that won't be a problem though there are plenty of longbed's that have been parted out that you can get one from.
Have you found any more frame damage?

So far so good. I have talked to a company that makes a kit to convert long frames into short frames. For the life of me I can't recall the company name, anyway, the rep said they usually ditch the rear crossmember and weld or bolt in a C channel piece for added strength.

[Dcm]

PO really jacked this truck up. First, the floor pan has rotten places that were covered with what looks like roofing metal for a barn.
Then, very few mechanical components had all the bolts present/tight. For example the tranny crossmember, fan on water pump, radiator core support, seats, front bumper, valve cover, transmission bolted to engine, power steering pump, all had missing bolts.

[Dcm]

The truck was originally equipped with a 4 speed (crossmember in different location than crossmember for automatic), so when PO swapped to TH350, he didn't properly remove the original crossmember. He just took a cutting torch to the pieces that were in the way.

[Dcm]

I got most of the top and outside of the frame sanded down. Still have to do the inside and bottom. I'm only sanding from where the front of the cab would sit and back to the rear of frame. I still have to take the front suspension apart. I bought some concentrated strength degreaser and some stuff called TP. Now I can get 44 years of oil, grease, and dirt off the front part of frame before I start taking it apart. I will post pics tomorrow.

[Dcm]

I had a guy lined up to sand blast and prime the frame for me, but I decided 'what the heck' it's just time. So I bought a new 4inch grinder and an assortment of wire wheels. Works great so far.

[Dcm]

Here is the manual transmission crossmember the PO hacked off.