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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: san jose california
Posts: 87
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Restoration advice
I have a 1969 Chevy C10 longbed fleetside. I always wanted an old school truck and slowly restore it to add my character into it. Unfortunately im not a mechanic and dont know how to do body work or paint. Well i can do brakes and change hoses and do pretty much the tune up basics but not a whole lot of experience on trucks or engine's. So when i bought the truck the rear main was leaking so i decided to put a new chevy performance 290 crate in it.........I just finished my final engine break in and now im not sure what to do next. I have a guy who will do all the body work and paint in and out, but it needs a new bed. And also there is a lot of old build up on the rear end and chassie. Also its got old drum brakes and pulls really bad to the left and doesn't stop very well when i use the brakes. Sometimes it can get a little overwhelming but then i take it for a drive and i get compliments on how nice it is and how nice it sounds and it makes me want to keep going. And its got dents and primer. So long story short.....it has a new engine, what would be the next step?? Any advice would be very appreciated
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#2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Wakaw, Sask, Canada
Posts: 3,180
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Re: Restoration advice
Disc swap and redo rear brakes. I have long passed the age when having a vehicle that would barely stop was thought of as "exciting" lol. Thats where my money would go next
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"You can take the man out of PA, but you can't take PA out of the man" |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Post Falls, ID
Posts: 885
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Re: Restoration advice
I'd start with the brakes and steering.
NOTHING is more important than brakes and steering. (in that order) Figure out your budget and options, dive right in. We'll be right here to help, should you have any questions. |
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#4 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2012
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 1,906
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Re: Restoration advice
I agree. And at the same time get a fire extinguisher, then start looking at fuel and electrical. Never trust the last few owners and just assume your gonna have a fire. Our bed wood stated smoking. The power for the camper was hanging and was frying up the old dry bed wood. Poured water on it because no gasoline involved. But it really bothered me and it haunts me!!!!! New harness is near the top of my list.
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: san jose california
Posts: 87
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Re: Restoration advice
Ok, i was thinking of changing to disk in front, can you point me in the right direction of what conversion kit i would need to buy?
Also now that you mentioned fire......on a hot day if i don't leave the gas cap vented, the fuel line leaks inside the truck when the tank gets pressure from the heat. I have the behind the seat tank. |
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#6 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Upland Ca
Posts: 4,143
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Re: Restoration advice
Quote:
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1972 C10 SWB, Air, PS, PB, 350/350THM. Second owner. 1965 Corvette roadster, 44K miles, 327/365 SHP, 4 speed, side exhaust, knockoffs, teak, second owner (bought in 1970), Have ALL numbers matching components. My frame off restoration thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=556703 |
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#7 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Post Falls, ID
Posts: 885
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Re: Restoration advice
Quote:
Do you want 5 lug or 6 lug? What is your budget? I never put more than 3/4 tank of fuel in my truck. that seems to help with the fumes. |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: san jose california
Posts: 87
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Re: Restoration advice
I want to buy a new conversion kit, but dont know what to get? When i bought the truck it already had lowering springs installed. ...would the lowering springs make a difference on what kit i would buy?? Also i just found a guy who would install the kit for $400 labor....is that a good price?
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: san jose california
Posts: 87
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Re: Restoration advice
Also my front tires are 6 lug, i figured i would keep them the same
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#10 | ||
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Gray, Ga.
Posts: 183
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Re: Restoration advice
Quote:
Quote:
X2. Get a book. Fix fuel leaks, REPAIR brakes, Shocks, Steering, alignment.
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I just gotta get out here and do it, why? Cause nobody will do it for me... |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MD
Posts: 1,937
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Re: Restoration advice
x5 on the brakes. Stopping is good! And x2 on below. While disks are obviously better, a well set up 4 wheel drum system will serve you well.
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1969 c-10 Step Side Long Bed. I-6 250cid = ![]() |
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#12 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Orem, Utah
Posts: 7,903
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Re: Restoration advice
Your priority should always be:
1. SAFETY 2. Reliability 3. Performance or appearance Whether you decide to do a disk swap or fix the drums, the brakes should be your first priority. |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: san jose california
Posts: 87
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Re: Restoration advice
Thanks for all the replies, i found a guy who will do front and rear breaks and turn both the front drums for $450. He said if i need new drums it will be about $650. I will do a disc conversation when i have a better budget for it
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Paradise TX USA
Posts: 1,200
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Re: Restoration advice
Make it safe and mechanically sound first, then work on the cosmetics.
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"Negative people always seem to have a problem for every solution" |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MD
Posts: 1,937
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Re: Restoration advice
$200 for a set of drums seems expensive. Mine were $28 a piece at NAPA. Then again, they were of asian origin. So I ground off where they said "China".
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1969 c-10 Step Side Long Bed. I-6 250cid = ![]() |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: san jose california
Posts: 87
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Re: Restoration advice
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MD
Posts: 1,937
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Re: Restoration advice
Yep. They seemed pretty much the same as the originals, minus the outer spring band.
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#18 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 6,332
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Re: Restoration advice
Quote:
So far as I remember 3/4-ton and 1-ton rear drums, except for duallies, are made from unobtainium. I would never toss a set. We might wind up re-lining those things one day if no one remakes them soon. Sure there are a bunch out there, but my gently-used, well-maintained truck was already right at spec once we turned them down to consistently fresh metal. So finding a set doesn't mean they're even usable. Now half tons you can probably get for $10 on RockAuto. You half-ton guys are living large, like '69 Camaros. We HD guys have it rough, like Canadian Pontiac rough. But, for the purposes of this thread, I'll say the same as pretty much everyone else has. Don't spend a penny on looks until the thing is safe, solid, and reliable. Then drive it that way for a while to see if it stays that way. On a truck you haven't owned for a long time, quite often fixing something just pushes the failure point up to the next old and worn part behind it (think ball joints revealing bad tie rods revealing bad idler arm - and you don't know until those are all fixed that there's too much slop in your steering box). So same as everyone else: first safe, then pretty.
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1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible |
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