Getting my first C10. Couple questions.

[t76turbo]

I won an auction for a 70 C10 swb custom and will be getting it shipped in the next 2 weeks.

It is in very good shape so I will start driving from day one. In other words, I will not have body work to do right away.

I wanted to know if there are any things I should do day one to make sure it is 'weather tight'? It is a Cali truck with all new weatherstripping. But I am not sure about for instance window channels and the seal where the top of the door skin meets the bottom of the window which I assume keeps most water from going inside the door.


Is there anything I should do inside the door to make sure it stays rust free? (coating, etc.)


Are there any other particular spots I should watch out for or protect in some way?

I will be garaging it day and night. So hopefully rain will not be an issue.

[jakeblues652]

if i were you, id just make sure to give it a good thorough bath every few weeks, and drive it. its not like you really need to worry about road salt down there, which is what really is the killer of any vehicle.

[Duncan and son]

Think of all the places these trucks usually rust then think of what you can do to prevent it. GM's drain holes were very inadequate. Fenders doors etc don't rust from getting wet, they rust from staying wet i.e. dirt and debris settle in the bottom and the drain holes become stopped up so when it does get wet is stays wet for days and if you are in a wet climate it may never dry out. Wash and clean inside bottom of doors, front fenders, cab corners and flush rockers etc. Very important to remove cowl and remove old leaves etc then wash well. Remove sill plates and clean well, remove or fold back carpet and clean kick panels. Worst thing you can do is to assume because it is not rusty that it won't rust. Remember at one time they were all rust free.
Hope that helps Paul

[oldblue1968chevy]

Good info!

Maybe some 'rust reformer?' on these areas (they have it in a spraycan)

or por 15 the areas?..

[bfay17]

It sounds like you got it pretty well figured out but I Would fix any and all small places there is rust if there is any at all. That way it wont spread .

[treveiger]

Not to steal the thread but is there any way to seal off the cowl? Is there any purposes for the slits in the cowl?

[Duncan and son]

Originally Posted by treveiger

Not to steal the thread but is there any way to seal off the cowl? Is there any purposes for the slits in the cowl?

They make aftermarket screens that fit under the cowl to keep trash out and retain original look.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by treveiger

Not to steal the thread but is there any way to seal off the cowl? Is there any purposes for the slits in the cowl?

The original reason for the cowl vent was to let air in for the heater and fresh air vents. I can tell you from having a filled cowl panel on one of my trucks that you still get plenty of air with a filled cowl panel. It just keeps all of the junk out.

The screens that Paul mentioned work well too and are a LOT cheaper...

LockDoc

[treveiger]

Do the screens keep the rain out to? Ive seen them before and i liked the look of them.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by treveiger

Do the screens keep the rain out to? Ive seen them before and i liked the look of them.

Nope, rains right through them.

LockDoc

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

The original reason for the cowl vent was to let air in for the heater and fresh air vents. I can tell you from having a filled cowl panel on one of my trucks that you still get plenty of air with a filled cowl panel. It just keeps all of the junk out.

The screens that Paul mentioned work well too and are a LOT cheaper...

LockDoc

Your still running the stock heater with a filled cowl? I posted on a different thread a while back and the answer i got was the filled cowel is only good with aftermarket heating systems, now i have renued hope?

[matthew20061]

I've got those nice screens on my cowl panel and they work awesome! I would definitely recommend them on any truck restored or not.

[cdowns]

Originally Posted by jakeblues652

if i were you, id just make sure to give it a good thorough bath every few weeks, and drive it. its not like you really need to worry about road salt down there, which is what really is the killer of any vehicle.

but the salt air in florida kills things from the top down compared to the rust belt where things rust from the ground up

[t76turbo]

I appreciate all the suggestions. It helps.

The truck I got is a heater only truck so I will be immediately adding a a/c kit. Florida summers are brutal!

By the way, I am still trying to find threads that talk about pro's and cons of each companies kit so if you know of a thread, feel free to point me there.

The screens sound like a plan. I may eventually smooth it but screen will help for now.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

Your still running the stock heater with a filled cowl? I posted on a different thread a while back and the answer i got was the filled cowel is only good with aftermarket heating systems, now i have renued hope?

Yep, stock heater and plenty of air out of the kick panel vents when needed. The trouble with most of the people that post about that kind stuff is that it is what they "think" would happen, not real world experience...

LockDoc

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

Yep, stock heater and plenty of air out of the kick panel vents when needed. The trouble with most of the people that post about that kind stuff is that it is what they "think" would happen, not real world experience...

LockDoc

Do you know of the filled cowels are avalable for purchase anywhere? Thanks for the info!

[treveiger]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

Do you know of the filled cowels are avalable for purchase anywhere? Thanks for the info!

Interested to!!!