1969 Short Wide

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by 68 short step

how many miles are on the 4.8?

Not a low mile motor like some of yours. This one is supposed to have around 100k miles. It looks really clean and no visible leaks. Who knows? PO thought it was a 5.3, It could be higher or lower. Does the pcm retain this info? I would be interested to know.

Mike

[my67chevytruck]

mike, if that camaro is in the way let me know!

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by my67chevytruck

mike, if that camaro is in the way let me know!

No problem Heath, I will give you a chance at it too if I decide to sell it. If I had a big enough shop I would have already started on this one too. My building isn't big enough for the boat and even one project really.

[68 short step]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Not a low mile motor like some of yours. This one is supposed to have around 100k miles. It looks really clean and no visible leaks. Who knows? PO thought it was a 5.3, It could be higher or lower. Does the pcm retain this info? I would be interested to know.

Mike

no the PCM doesnt tell the mi., but will tell ya the VIN #, which in turn will tell ya the engine size.. with the VIN also you can run a carfax and see when the last reportable inccodent/inspection was, and look at the mileage, to give you a approximent mileage.

[68 short step]

also how did you determine it was a 4.8 instead of a 5.3?

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by 68 short step

also how did you determine it was a 4.8 instead of a 5.3?

This was the first clue:

Then verified the back of the block...sure enough 4.8. I was bummed at the time, but I've moved on and am actually looking forward to installing it....eventually. Now I know exactly the things to look for when inspecting one before buying it.
I will be back on the cab tomorrow. and start tearing the rusty front suspension.

[68 short step]

the 4.8 isnt anything to be ashamed of, you're gonna love it, and the power diffrence isnt gonna be a big diffrence...just switching from carbed to FI is a huge improvement....keep the progress pics coming

[Rokcrln]

Yeah the 4.8 will be great and 100k is just broken in. My last work truck was a 2000 w/6.0L that I beat for over 300K and all it needed was a water pump at about 220K. Then our shop bought a wimpy 089 with a 5.3L I took it for a drive because I had just bought a 20K 5.3L for my Tahoe and was worried it may not be enough power for what I wanted. Well it felt like it had more power and get up and go then my 6.0L did so I was very happy with that. Then when I opened the hood I found out it was only the 4.8L! I then took that truck and loaded a full 71 cab in the bed along with a tail gate and lift gate for a 65 burb, I then hooked my 16' steel deck car trailer up with a 70 2WD Blazer with an extra set of quarter panels on it and left for Arizona. It was the smoothest tow I have done and even took the "Grape Vine" at 65 mph the entire way with out a problem and got 14 mpg loaded.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[1LoC10]

I have a 4.8 in my crew cab with heavy chrome 20's on it.... and it gets up and moves just fine, in a little short wide it should be fine

[1LoC10]

Heres my two trucks side by side...lol
if a 4.8 will move the big one, it will be a great engine in the little one..lol

[mcbassin]

Thanks guys for confirmation of what I already thought. I am pressing on with the 4.8. I'm sure it will have plenty of power for this rig. I am going back to work on the cab in a little while (hope to get some pics).

1loc10, you were right on the money. The pic with my son is of the 67 and the 68 is pictured below. I get them mixed up. One of these days, both of them will be back on the road.
Here is the 67:

Here is the 68:

[JohnC]

If it helps to keep them straight the 67 has a big 67 written on the front fender j/k

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by JohnC

If it helps to keep them straight the 67 has a big 67 written on the front fender j/k

Yea I saw that when I took the pics. I think the PO purchased that fender from a salvage or something the inner fender is marked the same way. I think the side markers on the 68 is the dead giveaway too.

[1LoC10]

and 67 was the only year with a vent window

[mcbassin]

Okay, back on track. I got a little time to work on the cab this evening. I was able to finish up the hacked areas on the lower front left and right thanks PO! Then moved on to the passenger rocker panel. It looks like the the PO replaced it but left some rust on the lower door pillar. It looks like the driver side is still ver solid and even the rocker looks solid with the exception of the huge dent probably from moving the cab around by the various owners so much. I don't know if the dent can be pulled or if I should just change it? Here are the pics:
Driver side before the patch

Fitting the patch

Pass. side

Pass side Welded

Driver Side

Front view

Pass. Rocker Panel cut out

Pillar

Driver side pillar

Driver rocker

[my67chevytruck]

keep at it...

[JohnC]

[scotts62]

Oh my damn thats an ugly rocker

Keep up the good progress

[highperf4x4]

Take lots of pics when you replace the rocker.........................

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by scotts62

Oh my damn thats an ugly rocker

Keep up the good progress

Yep, It's really weird the driver side is near perfect and I guess the passenger side didn't drain so it has some issues. Just look around and you'll see some way worse! I feel pretty fortunate to not have to do more rust repair it's a real PITA to tig weld around any rust. I have 4 other cabs and purchased this one because it is so solid.

Originally Posted by highperf4x4

Take lots of pics when you replace the rocker.........................

Don't worry when I get the replacement panels I will document it proper with lots of close ups. Unfortunatetly, the PO already changed the pass. rocker and did a real crappy job and left a lot of rust.

[scotts62]

Yeah that always sucks when you get into fixing someone else's mess up when they could have not cut any corners the first time and it would still be in good shape.

[72BlckButy]

Nice progress!

[mcbassin]

Got a little work done the cab today. I cut the rust out on the passenger side firewall, made some templets for the metal and cut the fillers and started welding them in. The welds look like crap but they are solid, I have been fighting with dirty thin metal and I dropped the tig torch and broke the ceramic tip, of course I didn't have any spares couldn't get enough gas to the weld. Finally, after fighting with it for a couple hours, I gave up. Here are the pics:

[scotts62]

Hey looks good!

Dont worry about the welds the filler will hide them nicely

[brn agn]

Nice work! Thanks for sharing with us. Don't get too frustrated. It will be worth it in the end.