Me & My '59 Apache - The Story Begins - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

B52bobardier1 · 10-04-2025, 10:01 PM

Hello,

I have been looking for an Apache for a long time and actually joined this site many years ago, back in 2017. This red truck fell into my lap for a very good price and it actually runs and I drove it forty miles or so home last Tuesday. This truck had to be sold to make space in the previous owners garage for his second early 60's Chevy Impala. This truck sits on a '79 C-10 frame with that donor vehicle's 350 engine and TH350 transmission. And maybe, its '79 wiring harness. It also has the 79 C-10 tilt steering column but the horn does not work. The PO put maybe 2000 miles on it since his ownership began back in 2002 and my guess is not 65,568 miles on the odometer but probably 165,568. Not 265,568 but nobody will ever know for sure.

As was not the situation with my Catalina or El Camino, the metal work and body work has already been done. This truck will never see salt on a winter road here in Louisiana and only very rarely will it see any rain.

As always with my LS swapped Catalina convertible and an El Camino, I keep a list of things to do and this Apache already has a to-do list. The 10SI alternator voltage regulator failed and I think it might have toasted the HEI distributor ignition module. The 350 starts easily, idles well but going down the road, the engine wants to not accelerate well - its hesitant to rev up. Also, with paint on the harmonic balancer stripe, I can't see the paint with my old school strobe timing light. The timing chain cover is missing the timing indicator thingy that is welded onto the cover. Cylinder 7 also does not fire with the timing light. I really need to get that #7 spark plug out and see what it looks like. The Edelbrock 4-barrel carb on an Edelbrock intake manifold carb choke plate opens fully so its not starved for air and the air cleaner is new.

The steering gear box is a little loose and I will eventually tighten up the lash in it very slightly. I'm also in the market for chrome pieces for the front of this truck to give all of that red paint some contrast.

As I make progress, I will chime in here with a report.

Rick

10-04-2025, 10:01 PM	#1
B52bobardier1 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Bossier City, Louisiana Posts: 57	Me & My '59 Apache - The Story Begins Hello, I have been looking for an Apache for a long time and actually joined this site many years ago, back in 2017. This red truck fell into my lap for a very good price and it actually runs and I drove it forty miles or so home last Tuesday. This truck had to be sold to make space in the previous owners garage for his second early 60's Chevy Impala. This truck sits on a '79 C-10 frame with that donor vehicle's 350 engine and TH350 transmission. And maybe, its '79 wiring harness. It also has the 79 C-10 tilt steering column but the horn does not work. The PO put maybe 2000 miles on it since his ownership began back in 2002 and my guess is not 65,568 miles on the odometer but probably 165,568. Not 265,568 but nobody will ever know for sure. As was not the situation with my Catalina or El Camino, the metal work and body work has already been done. This truck will never see salt on a winter road here in Louisiana and only very rarely will it see any rain. As always with my LS swapped Catalina convertible and an El Camino, I keep a list of things to do and this Apache already has a to-do list. The 10SI alternator voltage regulator failed and I think it might have toasted the HEI distributor ignition module. The 350 starts easily, idles well but going down the road, the engine wants to not accelerate well - its hesitant to rev up. Also, with paint on the harmonic balancer stripe, I can't see the paint with my old school strobe timing light. The timing chain cover is missing the timing indicator thingy that is welded onto the cover. Cylinder 7 also does not fire with the timing light. I really need to get that #7 spark plug out and see what it looks like. The Edelbrock 4-barrel carb on an Edelbrock intake manifold carb choke plate opens fully so its not starved for air and the air cleaner is new. The steering gear box is a little loose and I will eventually tighten up the lash in it very slightly. I'm also in the market for chrome pieces for the front of this truck to give all of that red paint some contrast. As I make progress, I will chime in here with a report. Rick Attached Images



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