Driving "Miss Daisy" - 68 SWB Stepper

[NoNeck]

Well guys, my son Chad (CC69Rat) and I bit the bullet and bought a 1968 C10 short step side from some nice folks up in Wears Valley, Tennessee. If someone else on the forums has used the title "Miss Daisy" for their truck before, I apologize. But, this truck kind of fits the profile.

I am 61 years old, an unemployed Graphic Designer with a BA in Graphic Design from Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida. My company replaced my 32 years experience with a couple of Technical College kids... making much less than I earned. And, no one wants to hire a 61 year old these days. So, to make good use of my "forced retirement", I will be spending my time trying to bring this old truck back to life.

The truck had been in the same family for many years and was used to get their son back and forth to school until a couple of years ago. They said that this truck was the only vehicle he had owned that didn't leave him stranded. He lost interest, and the truck sat completely hidden in thick brush and trees at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

If there had been a barn nearby, you could actually classify it as a true "Barn Find". We thought it was a pretty cool truck, so we worked out a deal.

It is pretty solid except for the usual cab corners and rockers. It has a 327 engine with a newly rebuilt Muncie 4 speed transmission. I'm not sure if it is an M-20, M-21, or M-22... I will check the numbers once I get it in the air so I can decipher the numbers. It has the spare tire mounted behind the cab, which I think is kind of "old school".

All we know for sure is it that it ran really well, and trans shifted like silk with absolutely no slop in the Hurst shifter. The truck was originally three on the tree. The brakes were soft, but I will be going through the system to make sure this old girl stops as good as it runs.

I will update at various stages, so... stay tuned!

Thanks guys. NoNeck

[NoNeck]

More Pics...

NoNeck

[propanemudtruck]

Sorry to hear about your job, I'm glad I didn't push anyone out when I got my foot in the door of the company I work for. But sounds like you're making the best of it and the truck looks like a nice project! Have fun!

[NoNeck]

Thanks propanemudtruck...

I might need some C10 truck advise from you before "Miss Daisy" is back on the road.

The GM step bumper reads "REDUS CHEV CO DILLEY TX", so the truck was purchased new in Dilley, Texas. It has the wooden bed, but PO placed 1/4" sheet steel over the original wood. The wood is decent, but would need replaced to look really nice.

Here are more pics...

[nds1968]

Nice find there NoNeck One day I will be lucky enough to own a 68 stepside

[67-72crazy]

Nice pickup. This reminds me of my very first truck (72 chevy swb fleetside). I will be following this build.

[NoNeck]

I have been busy going over old Daisy, and started making purchases to get her looking good and back on the road again.

All purchases were made at O’Reilly Auto Parts (my favorite parts store...they know me by name).

First trip: March 16th, 2011: $63.67

Spark Plugs, Fram Air Filter, Engine Paint, Antifreeze, 5 quarts of Pennzoil 10W-40, Engine Degreaser and a Fram Oil filter. I wanted to start bringing the truck back to life with the basics.

After soaking the engine compartment with degreaser, I pressure washed everything in sight. I wanted to replace the plugs, flush the cooling system and refill with fresh Antifreeze, and change the oil and filter.

Second trip: March 18th, 2011: $137.00

New 72 month O’Reilly battery, 4’ of 3/4 inch and 5/8 inch heater hose, and a Wagner Master Cylinder. We knew the battery was toast when we purchased the truck, and had a suspicion that the master cylinder “O”-rings had dried up and failed.

I replaced the battery and heater hoses, then turned my attention to the master cylinder. After removing the old one, the dust boot on the back of the MC had dried and broken apart in two pieces. I started my search for a new one.

Third trip: March 21st, 2011: $2.33

I returned my old battery for core, and received $12.00 credit. I picked up 2 more cans of engine degreaser and a radiator cap.

Fourth trip: March 23rd, 2011: $74.14

I purchased a Lifetime Warranty Alternator, a new thermostat and gasket, new oil cap, more Chevy Orange Engine Paint and a small can of Acetone (great for quick clean-up of paint overspray). I gave the old small block a good coat of Chevy Orange.

Next comes all the detailing. Stay tuned!

NoNeck

[NoNeck]

I have been pretty busy with "Miss Daisy" the last few weeks.

I finally located and purchased a new Master Cylinder boot. Total Cost $10.95

Fifth trip: May 7, 2011: $16.34
Rear Wheel Cylinders. After installing the Master Cylinder and trying to bleed the brakes, I found that both rear wheel cylinders were rusted and leaking.

Sixth trip: May 12, 2011: $41.80
Brake Shoes. While I had the wheel cylinders out, I decided to go ahead and install new brake shoes.

Seventh trip: May 19, 2011: $40.60
Fuel Pump and block off plate gasket. After installing a clear fuel filter that I had on hand into the fuel line, I noticed that there was very little fuel pressure to the carb. The old fuel pump looked OK, but when I removed it the pump rod could be pressed down with one finger... definately not a lot of pressure.

I performed a little rattle can detailing under the hood this week. I think it looks a litte better. Miss Daisy is very close to being road worthy again!

Here are some before photos...

NoNeck

[NoNeck]

And here are some AFTER photos of the engine bay. We are going for the "shop truck" look (some patina), so the firewall will remain unpainted.

Thanks everyone!

NoNeck

[nds1968]

Nice work, keep at it

[NoNeck]

We made a little progress over the weekend...

I sold the 15" x 8" Wagon Wheels and tires and my son Chad (CC69Rat) located a set of five 15" x 8" 6 lug steelies. After many hours of cleaning, sanding, priming and more sanding we painted them Arctic White with semi-gloss black on the back sides. They turned out pretty nice!

We originally thought about painting the wheels Red, but thought it might be too much color with a blue and white truck.

Today, I am having new BFG tires mounted (235-70R-15 fronts, and 255-70R-15 rears).

I will post more pictures when I have them on the truck.

NoNeck

[NoNeck]

We made a little progress this weekend on Old Daisy, getting her some new shoes and a facelift.

I got the new BFG's on the 8" Steelies, and they really look good.

My son, Chad (CC69Rat) and I sanded, primed and rattle-canned the grille using Krylon white lacquer. The PO had painted it Silver, but since we are going to paint the roof white we decided to keep the theme going for the wheels and grille. Big improvement for very little investment.

We ran into a problem replacing the driver's side parking light bulb. The spring in the bulb pocket would NOT push in enough to allow the ears on the bulb to make contact, or twist into the socket. We have it soaking in Liquid Wrench hoping that it will free up... probably have to locate another parking light assembly. It's always something.

We also pulled the gas tank and seat in preparation for cleaning and sealing.

Here are a few pics of the progress!

Thanks, NoNeck

[NoNeck]

We made a little progress this weekend.

My son came over Saturday and helped me with some things. We bled the brakes and installed a set of new Cherry Bomb mufflers and header collectors.

After soaking the floor of the cab with Simple Green, we hosed out 43 years of accumulated stuff and 48 cents in change. The cab floor looks really good... just very little surface rust. I have attached a photo.

We installed the cleaned gas tank and connected the fuel lines. After cleaning and vacuuming the seat we bolted it back into place.

We felt confident that the problem we were having with fuel delivery was a thing of the past with a clean tank, replaced sock on the fuel sender and a new AC fuel pump... but nooooooooooooooo! There was still no fuel to the carb!

Through process of elimination (starting at the carb filter and working my way back to the tank), I found one culprit. Take a look at the photo of the cheapo fuel filter that I installed. Notice anything strange with the inlet nipple? The fuel inlet was completely crushed FLAT! NEVER, EVER use a cheap plastic filter for your truck. I learned an important lesson today.

I installed a new metal fuel filter this morning, and was excited to finally be able to get Miss Daisy running! The engine turned, and turned and turned... but nothing. I loosened the fuel line where it entered the carb, and there was a whoosh of AIR and very little gas. After researching the forums, I believe that it could be that the sending unit has a hairline crack. I used compressed air before I removed the fuel tank to clean out the line on the frame rail, so I guess I could have damaged the sending unit.

Always something...

We are still playing around with 8" Steelies wheel and tire combo. The bottom photo is a photoshopped version of the front of the truck lowered (just to keep us motivated).

NoNeck

[Average Joe]

Great project. Wheels look sharp!

[notsolo]

Originally Posted by NoNeck

We made a little progress this weekend.

My son came over Saturday and helped me with some things. We bled the brakes and installed a set of new Cherry Bomb mufflers and header collectors.

After soaking the floor of the cab with Simple Green, we hosed out 43 years of accumulated stuff and 48 cents in change. The cab floor looks really good... just very little surface rust. I have attached a photo.

We installed the cleaned gas tank and connected the fuel lines. After cleaning and vacuuming the seat we bolted it back into place.

We felt confident that the problem we were having with fuel delivery was a thing of the past with a clean tank, replaced sock on the fuel sender and a new AC fuel pump... but nooooooooooooooo! There was still no fuel to the carb!

Through process of elimination (starting at the carb filter and working my way back to the tank), I found one culprit. Take a look at the photo of the cheapo fuel filter that I installed. Notice anything strange with the inlet nipple? The fuel inlet was completely crushed FLAT! NEVER, EVER use a cheap plastic filter for your truck. I learned an important lesson today.

I installed a new metal fuel filter this morning, and was excited to finally be able to get Miss Daisy running! The engine turned, and turned and turned... but nothing. I loosened the fuel line where it entered the carb, and there was a whoosh of AIR and very little gas. After researching the forums, I believe that it could be that the sending unit has a hairline crack. I used compressed air before I removed the fuel tank to clean out the line on the frame rail, so I guess I could have damaged the sending unit.

Always something...

We are still playing around with 8" Steelies wheel and tire combo.

NoNeck

Nice progress on the truck. Rochester carb is 1 of the best and simple. find 2 oz container or a small squirt bottle, Take off air cleaner, top of carb has a 1/4" port on an angle, slowly fill with gas, that should fill the carb with enuff gas to run engine for 30 seconds. If a little spills in the main barrel around the choke thats ok , it should start instantly, unless its something else.
Good luck.

[bigguy69]

lookin good!!!

[Timbo1]

Lookin Good

[NoNeck]

Thanks guys.

Notsolo, I tried pouring gas into the port on the carb as you suggested. The engine would start right up and run until the bowl emptied.

Today I connected the fuel pump directly into a 5 gallon container of gasoline to see if that worked. It did! The engine fired right up and ran great with absolutely no fuel starvation or stumbling.

I know that there are no obstructions in the fuel line from the frame rail to the sender, so it has to be either the tank or the sending unit. The tank is like new now, so I'm thinking the sending unit has a crack in it, letting air into the fuel pump and causing loss of prime.

Stay tuned... NoNeck

[NoNeck]

We finally got Miss Daisy on the road!

I finally got a prime to the fuel tank, and now it starts right up and runs really well. There are still a few pesky exhaust leaks around the header collectors, but that's minor stuff.

The truck drives good and straight, and the Muncie 4 speed shifts great. It's pretty smooth at 50 mph and rides much better than I remember from my Dad's old '67.

I rebuilt the entire braking system with wheel cylinders, new shoes, turned drums and brake lines, but she still doesn't have the best of brakes. I adjusted the shoes kind of close to the drums (I could hear a little scrapping sound), and expected them to self-adjust when I hit the brakes while backing up at about 10 mph. I'm not sure they did because I couldn't here the little star wheels spinning into adjustment. Any ideas?

Our plans now are to:
Remove the factory step bumper and replace it with a regular bumper.
Lower the truck at least 3" front and 5" rear.
Replace the rockers and cab corners.
Paint the roof white.
Locate some cool dog dish caps.
Paint a shop sign on the door (maybe?)

I'm sure this list will grow. Stay tuned...

Thanks guys!

NoNeck

[bollybib]

That's a nice lookin little truck blue and white short step w/ spare 327 4 sp wow u got it all...too cool. It's cleaning up real nice. What great fun !

[R&K's71]

Sharp truck very clean and strait great progress. Keep up the good work.

[steppside69]

Nice looking stepper!!!!!
Eric

[propanemudtruck]

Sure is coming along! Good work


hmmm... The weather is a little rainy and I need some time to get out and finish my engine swap... Just need to install the drive shaft and I want to weld up the ovaled out shift levers on the tranny.

[CC69Rat]

How about some ideas on the hubcaps for dad's steelies? Anyone have suggestions? We're looking at the Copo caps, but I understand there are several options for the 10 1/4 diameter wheels. Please post up some pics if you're running steelies.

[72BlckButy]

Lookin' good!