New to forum and have some ?

[71wreck]

Hi. I just took ownership of my father in laws 71 c10/custom longbed. It is a 350 3spd - hugger orange/white. He owned it since new. It hasn't run in seven years, but I got it started and was able to drive it home. I'll post some pictures later, but it is rough. Mostly surface rust with some floor board holes. I can weld, so that is fixable.

A couple of quick questions I have:

1. How can I clean the area under the cowl vents? This truck has been a home to mice and snakes for years. I have a snake skin under the cowl vents. Also found another in the cab - and they look fresh.

2. I am loosing brake fluid out of the rear small bowl of the master cylinder. Is that front or back brakes? I am not anxious to trace the lines until I get some moth balls into this truck (snake repellent)

[CC69Rat]

What's up buddy! Welcome to the forum!

We need pics!

You'll find a lot of really good input on here but it helps to kinda see what you're referring to (when you can ..) I'd be hesitant to work on it too. I hate snakes.

[Stocker]

Welcome to the best truck board on the net!

Odd that your rear MC reservoir is the small one. On my '72 (should be the same, both have front discs), the smaller front reservoir is for the rear drums, and the larger rear one is for the front discs.

[gcburdic]

and aboard from just north of ya in Cornelius!!!

To answer your questions.....I'm not sure of an easy way to clean under the cowl other than remove the cowl panel and "snake" a vacuum hose down each side....you may also try removing the air vents from the interior of the truck and reach in tfrom there....but maybe moth ball it first!!!

I can't remeber about the master....but once moth balled trace those lines...i think the front bowl goes to rear brakes....if it leaks, change it out....

[71wreck]

Originally Posted by gcburdic

and aboard from just north of ya in Cornelius!!!

To answer your questions.....I'm not sure of an easy way to clean under the cowl other than remove the cowl panel and "snake" a vacuum hose down each side....you may also try removing the air vents from the interior of the truck and reach in tfrom there....but maybe moth ball it first!!!

I can't remeber about the master....but once moth balled trace those lines...i think the front bowl goes to rear brakes....if it leaks, change it out....

I noticed you had a 66 mustang in your sig. I have a 65 convertible that I just got done dropping a 306 crate motor in as well as a bunch of other stuff.

[70cst]

Hey 71wreck ...

from Ohio and to your new internet truck family. I think it is really that you have a truck that will remain in the family.

You will get feed back soon that will better answer your questions ...

Oh yes... we love pictures

[RenoKeene]

Welcome to the forum from Central Florida. Congrats, sounds like it was a sweet truck back in the day. Take lots of pics before you start on it, they will come in handy later.

[gcburdic]

Originally Posted by 71wreck

I noticed you had a 66 mustang in your sig. I have a 65 convertible that I just got done dropping a 306 crate motor in as well as a bunch of other stuff.

Saweet!!! i guess that means you'll have to post pictures of that Mustang too!!!

BTW....Make sure you keep up with what we are doing here in the Carolina's over in the regional forum....http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...play.php?f=117

[ChevLoRay]

As already mentioned, pull the cowl piece. You'll need to remove the wiper arms...there's a tool that can make it easier, but these don't come off like the later models do. There will be trash in that plenum, fo sho. Down at the kick panels, you can also remove the fresh air doors to get to whatever else may be left. But, watch for varmints and creatures that like to bite and/or sting...and their nests.

You may want to consider putting some screen on the inside of the cowl piece before you put it back. That will keep leaves and pine needles from getting into the plenums.

But, dirt and water is your biggest enemy when time is factored into the equation. It will make for some rust in the kick panels. There is no drain from the factory and any water that accumulates in there will run onto the floor of your cab.

[PanelDeland]

There is a drain at the bottom of the kick panels.It's just been clogged since the truck was new.The easiest way to see them is to lay on your back and look under the rear of the front fender.Once you have the cowl area cleaned out yu can run water thru.The big problem is the vent louvers are big enough for leaves to come thru while the drains aren't.