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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 784
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Talk about Retro
Went for a drive in my 69 GMC 910, the one I just bought, that has no power steering, and no power brakes. Driving it is interesting to say the least.
Plan your stops and turns well ahead of time... The engine and trans perform well, and I guess, for what they are, the four-wheel drums do the job. The steering is crazy slow, with probably about 6 turns of the steering wheel lock-to-lock. Afer maybe 35 years of driving cars and trucks with all the modern conveniences, I must be spoiled. The steering is not all that heavy, just very slow to respond, and a lot of cranking the wheel to do basic cornering and parking. On the other hand, I haven't seen an engine this easy to work on in a helluva long time. You can literally see all the plugs to do a plug change, and there's lots of room to climb right into the engine compartment to work on the distributor. I was thinking of converting the truck to power steering and power disk brakes, but now i'm gonna think about it before I jump in. And, yes, I love this old truck. Just needs a decal on one door of maybe a moose, and maybe a trout decal on the other door.
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Rick -69 GMC 910 Long Box, 350 -98 Chev Silverado 1500, 350 Vortec 4L60e -08 Mustang GT Convertible |
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#2 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 3,733
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Re: Talk about Retro
You may find you like the feel of manual drum brakes and manual steering and the interesting old steering gear ratio after using it a while. I kind of like it.
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Poway, CA
Posts: 119
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Re: Talk about Retro
I’m in the same boat. Bought my 68 GMC last year and it had no power brakes or steering. Put in power steering. About 4 turns lock to lock. I’m happy with it. I had to buy a 13/16 rag joint from Rock Auto to fit the new power steering box. The most expensive part was the power steering pump bracket as it has a 250 six. I was able to find one on ebay for $250.00. I bought everything else locally. Getting ready to put in power brakes with front disc as soon as the weather cools down. Keep us posted on your progress!
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 784
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Re: Talk about Retro
I found out more about this truck today when I went to get the legal work done (estate sale). I noticed the tags showed the truck was last insured in 2002. This was kinda scary, as most machinery does not do well if left idle that long. The daughter of the owner told me that he garaged it in 2002, but continued to maintain it, and started it from time to time. She did not know if he warmed it up thoroughly when he did so. She said he changed out the gasoline a couple of times, but it surely does stink like old gas. Frankly, I'm surprised it runs as well as it does.
Going on a longer drive this weekend, partly to see what needs to be done, but mostly to burn up some of that old gas, so that I can get some new stuff in the tank. The tank, by the way, was pretty well full up, which is a good sign.There are three gas filters in the system, an inline filter near the tank, a glass sediment bowl style filter in the engine compartment, and the usual filter at the carb inlet, which I cleaned. I plan to do some cleanup tomorrow, then take a few photos for insurance purposes. Where I live, the truck should qualify for "collector's insurance", which means much cheaper annual premiums. Going to get my application in ASAP, and that means quite a few photos. Also plan to pull the brake drums off, to inspect, although they seem ok. At that time, will do a chassis grease, and an engine oil change. The trans oil looks and smells good, but i plan to change it out anyway. This forum will be really helpful as I enjoy this truck, and get some minor changes made, such as adding a stock cigar lighter, so I can plug in my GPS. Can't believe they did not put one in at the factory.
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Rick -69 GMC 910 Long Box, 350 -98 Chev Silverado 1500, 350 Vortec 4L60e -08 Mustang GT Convertible |
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#5 |
70+ ( Old Skool Club )
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Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada
Posts: 9,118
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Re: Talk about Retro
Sounds to me like you are on the right track with your truck. Get to know it and its idiosyncrasies as you would any with any new lady in your life.. Sounds like you ahve very,very good base to start with. Do you have possession yet and if you do have you posted pictures of the truck? .
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1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4 1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package 1992 K1500 GMC Suburban Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601 " Circumsatances Do Not Change Responsibility " " The Sky is not the Limit, Your Mind is." Marilyn Monroe .. RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021 |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Gwinnett GA
Posts: 1,803
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Re: Talk about Retro
I thought these all came with cig lighters?
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1982 K10 SWB 1987 V20 - Sold - Doh! |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 6,332
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Re: Talk about Retro
Nope, I had one with a plastic plug in its place.
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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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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Oregon
Posts: 328
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Re: Talk about Retro
I had pretty much the same experience when I bought my 69 C1500 about 15 years ago. It had no power steering or power brakes. I did add a lighter socket and power steering pretty quickly, and a few other things over the years.
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 784
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Re: Talk about Retro
I will post some pictures soon. I think I have already posted some on a couple of other threads I started. Still dealing with all sorts of little cleanups, lubrication tasks, etc.
Really enjoying this thing, and am so impressed that it has the original paint all panels. The cheapy bench seat is nothing to write home about, but at least the covering is in like new condition. Perhaps I can get an upholstery guy to re-pad the seat for more support. It's a totally different driving experience from my 98 Silverado. Trucks have come a long way over the years.
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Rick -69 GMC 910 Long Box, 350 -98 Chev Silverado 1500, 350 Vortec 4L60e -08 Mustang GT Convertible |
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#10 |
Senior Member
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Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 3,733
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Re: Talk about Retro
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 784
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Re: Talk about Retro
Whoa! Did I hear someone say those cigarette lighter delete plugs are worth big bucks! guess I'll start planning my next high-end cruise vacation. ;=)
Still working my way through this new toy. The old guy that owned it, being a mechanic for the phone company, took special pains to make sure everything, and I mean everything, was well lubed. There is congealed grease or oil in places that no longer make sense. Case in point: the shifter. It's supposed to drop down so that you have to lift it to shift into park, or low, or reverse. This one is really sluggish, and I've been busy with stuff like WD 40 Silicone spray to loosen it up. I also found a box with a new fuel pump, some new points, new rotor, and zillions of bulbs and fuses. He even left the very nifty tool that you need to adjust the dwell angle, a long driver with a swivel hex head, and a spring shaft at the end to allow it to bend into place. In addition, there was a box full of containers of liquids. Many were not labeled, so toxic or not, off to the landfill. However, he used 10W-40 Valvoline oil, and left me two cans, along with a quart of DExron II, and a can of Chryco brake fluid. Going to the dump. Can't wait to get rid of the gas that's in it now, as it's old and stale, and it stinks. Once that's gone, I'm going to fill it with fresh, then do a tune up. New plugs (came in the box) new points, set the dwell and the timing. I used to think I hated this kind of work (I'm 72), but I'm kinda enjoying it, at least for a while.
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Rick -69 GMC 910 Long Box, 350 -98 Chev Silverado 1500, 350 Vortec 4L60e -08 Mustang GT Convertible |
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#12 | |
70+ ( Old Skool Club )
![]() Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada
Posts: 9,118
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Re: Talk about Retro
Quote:
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1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4 1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package 1992 K1500 GMC Suburban Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601 " Circumsatances Do Not Change Responsibility " " The Sky is not the Limit, Your Mind is." Marilyn Monroe .. RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021 |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Gwinnett GA
Posts: 1,803
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Re: Talk about Retro
My 71 is without PS and PB. It seems to stop great for its age, but I do fight that steering in parking lots. I'm OK with it for now. It fits in with that column shifter 3 speed.
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1982 K10 SWB 1987 V20 - Sold - Doh! |
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#14 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Posts: 7,285
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Re: Talk about Retro
Quote:
[Or you could sell the vintage oilcans on eBay to auto nostalgia collectors.]
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Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not. |
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#15 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Long Island NY
Posts: 598
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Re: Talk about Retro
Quote:
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 784
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Re: Talk about Retro
I will definitely recycle the stuff that is labelled. Couldn't tell what the other stuff was, sniffed it, shook it, no clue. Could be household stuff, could be snake oil that will knock out Blackie Carbon, Dissolve Gummy Rings, and fix Sticky Valves. Who knows?
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Rick -69 GMC 910 Long Box, 350 -98 Chev Silverado 1500, 350 Vortec 4L60e -08 Mustang GT Convertible |
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#17 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Mohnton pa.
Posts: 208
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Re: Talk about Retro
I added power brake booster to my 4 wheel drums, nite and day difference. I greased the front end and as long as the truck is moving some its like power steering, I am considering power steering in the future. As long as i dont jump back and forth from the mini cooper to the truck im ok with the steering turn ratio.
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