1965 C10 Shortbed Fleetside

[Nick_R_23]

I scored this 1965 C10 Short bed fleetside yesterday for $500! It’s rusty and beat up, but complete. It appears to have a 230/6 and powerglide. No idea if it runs or even turns over at this point, I was told it was parked a long time ago, the owner passed away, and nobody knows why the truck was parked. I think the tags expired in 2001. I’m not really sure what I want to do with it yet, but I may try to get it running and fix some rust and damage, and lower it.





This is after getting home last night around midnight through a three hour drive and a snowstorm!

[Nick_R_23]

I threw on an extra set of hubcaps I had around. It looks a bit better anyway!





This is the interior - with custom switches!





I messed around with it a bit today, the starter solenoid was junk, so I replaced it with one I had off another bad starter. The engine cranks well, I cleaned the points and poured some gas down the carb. After a bit of fighting, it finally fired up and somewhat idled for a bit until it ran out of fuel. It definitely needs a carb kit, but at least the engine might be good!

[rbruno68]

Can't say I have ever seen electrical switches used in a car/truck. That is different. Glad it ran for a bit.

[Nick_R_23]

There’s a new carb kit in the glove box, so I’m going to try to use that to rebuild the carb. I also ordered an AAW ignition switch with a new connector, a new key cylinder, and a new HEI distributor. Hopefully between all that, I can make it start and run without too many issues.

[Nick_R_23]

Key switch assembly showed up today!

[Nick_R_23]

The weather crested into the 40’s this week, so I took advantage of the nicer weather and pressure washed 25+ years of grime off the truck

[DPowers]

Very Cool. Congrats

[Nick_R_23]

I scored a set of M1009 wheels today! 6 lug, deeper offset, clears disc brakes, 15x8, and accepts hubcaps.

[rbruno68]

Originally Posted by Nick_R_23

I scored a set of M1009 wheels today! 6 lug, deeper offset, clears disc brakes, 15x8, and accepts hubcaps.

That is a great score. I am starting to like steelies and caps more and more. I have ralleys now, but am thinking I might clean them up and sell to get steelies. If I can find some good hubcaps, I definitely will.

[Nick_R_23]

Even better was they were only $150!

New HEI distributor showed up today, got a full tuneup ready.

[Nick_R_23]

Started on the tune up today and ended up jumping around on a few different things. Started off with changing the oil and filter. Distributor removal made that easy.



Block numbers if anyone cares to decode them.



New spark plugs, also redid the harness and changed out the resistor wire to a standard wire for the HEI.



New distributor and wires installed.



Repinned the key switch plug



Ignition installed! The engine cranks with the key now!



I also pulled the carb off for a rebuild, but the kit I had with the truck was incorrect. I ordered the correct carb kit which should be here tomorrow.

[Braunschweiger]

Good work,
I'm excited to see what the truck looks like in the end.
Greetings Harald

[Nick_R_23]

The carb was missing the filter and definitely due for a rebuild. It would be cool to try out the Sniper 1100 on this, but we’ll see how the carb does for now!





Picked up a new radiator cap as well as a fuel cap.

[Nick_R_23]

Hopefully these work. I took a video of the truck running after the HEI conversion and carb rebuild. It’s not tuned as of yet, and the exhaust gasket is leaking, but it’s idling pretty well! The truck would try to reverse when I revved the engine up, so I had to adjust the linkage to make Park actually be Park.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9zBGg5miEU

I topped off the transmission fluid and took it for a quick spin down the block!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v90jaTMqXyM

[Nick_R_23]

I started to replace the blown out exhaust gasket today. Manifolds came off surprisingly smoothly.



Failed gasket



I figured I was going to have trouble with a few of the studs, however, I didn’t anticipate a chunk of the exhaust manifold being broken off. I have a new one on order.

[TJ's Chevy]

Congrats on the find for that cheap! In my part of Oregon that's just about unheard of now a days.
There's something about getting an old truck, cleaning it, and making it run that just makes the soul happy.
I've gotta find my book but I could probably decode the I6 for ya. If it's a 250 they make some pretty cool hotrod parts for them.
I upgraded my 292 a little haha

[SkinnyG]

What part is broken off? Isn't that just the heat stove for the carburetor? It should just seal up against the bottom of the intake manifold, no??

[bsarts]

I'm glad you're saving her, she'll be a beauty!

[Nick_R_23]

Thanks guys!

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

What part is broken off? Isn't that just the heat stove for the carburetor? It should just seal up against the bottom of the intake manifold, no??

It’s hard to tell from the pic, as it appears to have been broken off for a while due to the rust, but the third bolt hole opposite the two studs is completely broken off.

[Nick_R_23]

The new exhaust manifold showed up yesterday. It’s definitely a rough Chinese casting, but for an inline 6 it should do the job.



Test fitting



Manifold loosely mounted to the block



Carb manifold reinstalled! It runs much quieter with the leaks fixed.

[shp4man]

I've got one of those Chinese exhaust manifolds on my truck So far, so good at over 10,000 miles.
Wish my truck was a Powerglide. I'm lazy.

[Nick_R_23]

I found a good set of tires for really cheap, just to get this thing back on solid rubber that holds air and stays drivable. Pulled the wheels off.



Ultimately, I think I want to paint the 15x8 wheels white, but I’m curious what the red would look like, so I spray painted these red to try out the look. I’ll be getting the new tires mounted Monday.

[Nick_R_23]

I got the new tires installed today!



Cleaned up the white walls



Wheels installed!



Hubcaps installed!

[Nick_R_23]

I sold the topper today for $80! The truck looks so much better without it!





I also picked up some extra parts I think I forgot to post. Two core supports, a grille, and a pair of doors!

[Nick_R_23]

Last night I sold the 230/6 and powerglide for $500, so right now the truck itself was free! I found a cab that got crushed, but the lower side seems to be in good shape, so I might try to get that picked up and grafted onto mine.

I’m considering my engine and transmission options now.