Engine and parts mixup?

[1969C10shortbed]

I have a '69 C10 short bed step side with a 250 in it. However, I've been interested in rebuilding the 250 and have been researching parts. As I began, I began to wonder if the engine in the truck is the right engine. I ran the casting number on the side of the block through the stovebolt registry and they don't show a record for it. After tons of searching, I finally found what I was looking for, and it doesn't sound good, nor does it sound correct. The casting number I have on the block is 473483 which through searching, seems to be a 250 from a 73-86, but the truck is a '69! The truck has always been in the family, and my mom (it was her Dad's truck) says the engine was never changed, but when the truck was bought in '70, the engine was rebuilt. If it was rebuilt in '70, a '73 and later engine would not have been available. The reason for the rebuild was because it was an airforce work truck before it was purchased by my grandfather and my uncle. I'm racking my brains over this, and I don't know why. Should I go to the local pick-n-pull and get a period correct 250? Or just rebuild this one? Without much information on this block, I know I'm going to have a hell of a time getting parts for it. The local pick-n-pull charges 200 for an engine, so I don't mind going out, removing about 10 bolts and pulling an engine. I don't have any desire to swap in a V8 right now because it's not a hot rod. I have a turbocharged neon for that. Another concern that was brought up while I was researching was that the carburetor does not seem to match anything either. It's a Rochester MonoJet with the carb number of 17056014 which while searching for it, popped up as a '70 truck carb. I really just want a matching engine combination for the truck so that I can drive it for many more years to come as I slowly restore it. Any help that anyone can offer would be great.

Thanks,

Chris

[ole dollor]

if you can rebuild yours that would be the cheapest way...unless you want to drive it while you rebuild another motor to just drop in and go....that would be your and your back pocket decision to make...good luck on your project...

[1969C10shortbed]

I'm thinking it'll probably be better for me to find a period correct engine, rebuild it, and drop it in, complete. I found out today that my Mom had bought that carb off a guy who had it on a Camaro. Go figure. The mounting gaskets for the 1 barrels are all the same anyway.

[68gmsee]

After 40-50 years it's hard to keep up with what's been done to these trucks and some shops -I'm not saying all of them- will take the easy way out when replacing parts. I have one shop that put two non period heads into a rebuild of mine many years ago. The heads are stocked in the shop and when an engine is brought in they just grab what's on the shelves. I told them I wanted my original ones in and found out they hadn't even taken them apart yet.

Most people never even knew or cared as long as the engine is repaired but it's something that needs to brought up out front when taking an engine in for rebuild. Make sure that the shop manager/owner knows that you want to keep the engine as it is and numbers matching if possible. Ask them to let you know if parts have to be swapped because of cracks etc. Also, be sure and take pictures, write down all numbers so that you will know if parts are mixed up.

[1969C10shortbed]

Well, the thing is I'm doing the rebuild myself. I can work on it myself the only thing I have a problem with is that the engine isn't the correct one. If I buy a rebuild kit for it, it's not going to have the right gaskets. I'm thinking I'll go check if they have a period correct 250 in the wrecking yard when I go this Thursday. I've got to go get some parts for my uncle's 2000 GMC. Same uncle that helped my Grandpa when they first bought the truck. I'll have to go see what they have for 69-70 truck parts. I've got to go pull an engine for my little hot rod too. Thank you all for the help and information.

[SS Tim]

Chris,
First off you need to determine what you have. Can you see an engine build code stamped into the block at the distributor pad?
There were not too many variations on these engines as I recall. The biggest was the integral or bolt on intake manifold on the head. Here is the chart for '69 I6s and a pretty good site link.
You might toss up a picture or two as well. We love dissecting pictures.

http://no25.chuckthetruck.com/index.html

Might want read this as well, maybe first.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=271439

[MARKDTN]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

Chris,
First off you need to determine what you have. Can you see an engine build code stamped into the block at the distributor pad?
There were not too many variations on these engines as I recall. The biggest was the integral or bolt on intake manifold on the head.....

I agree-need some date codes. I would not go buy a different engine just because. If there isn't much wrong with the one you got I would just build it.

[1969C10shortbed]

Hey guys, I had already searched those numbers as well. The ones above the starter say
CON 2 (conveyer 2) E120 (May 12 1970?) And the flat part above the distributor says 34F 5060

And Mark, there's plenty wrong with my 250. I need a crank for sure. Not to mention the block probably needs to be re-bored. So that means a new crank, and a new pistons for sure. If I can find a good engine in the junkyard, I think I'll be better off rebuilding it while I drive my truck for now. Especially if I don't have to spend 150+ shipping on a refurbished crankshaft.

[1969C10shortbed]

So I did some real investigating into this, and found out that the block itself MUST be from an '85 truck, passenger car, or van. The head however, is still giving me grief. It's a non-integral head, single barrel intake manifold, has a carb off of a '70 Camaro (my parents admitted swapping the carbs) and I can't find anything on the head. The casting number (besides the 34F 5060) would be under the valve cover correct? I haven't pulled the valve cover yet, but I plan to soon. This truck is a bunch of headaches. I should just pull this old 250 and toss in a 327 or a 427. I'm tired of trying to figure out parts on this thing.

[truckster]

Parts aren't the only things that change over time; memories do too. If the truck is a 69 and was used by the Air Force, it's not very likely it was sold to a private party in 1970. The military just doesn't keep vehicles for that short of a time. The history of your truck may be more mixed than you realize.

If you really want a correct period motor, you're going to have to be prepared to pay some money. Anything you find at a pick-n-pull is likely going to need a complete rebuild. My experience is that they usually are missing the carbs and water has often gotten into the motors. It may be different in El Paso, though.

In any case, good luck with your search.

[1969C10shortbed]

I understand the military uses vehicles for a good while, but there is some good documentation of it being owned by my grandfather in 1970. I can't get much else history on it, though. Not really worried about what the truck really was when it was sold new in '68 or '69, just worried about what I'm doing with it now. I think I'm done with this tired old 250. I won't scrap it, but I'm definitely yanking it. Now, on to the search for a '70-'72 427. I'm doing this thing right.

Thank you for your insight. I'll eventually get a build log up on the truck or something. Extremely frustrated, and definitely looking forward to doing something with this poor truck that's been sitting pretty much for 15+ years that my parents have owned it and not used it.

[ChevyCruizer]

i can back up that the AF dont use anything for just a year and sell it. Out here at Nellis/Creech the vehicles are used until the wheels fall off and then they are sent out to the range for target practice. Seriously, my shop had a 80's breadvan that didnt have a lot of miles but must of had a million hours on the engine from sitting around idle'ing while the jets would do their start up checks. Anyway the thing broke down and it sat at transportation for over a year and I was trying to buy it but it ended up getting stripped of any enviromental hazzardous material and sent out to the range for fighter target practice.

So if you have proof your family owned it a year after manafacture then it was most likely not a government asset, but hey it dont matter cause the world is ending in two days (Mayan calander). LOL

[truckster]

Going from a 250 to a 427? That's some serious juice.

[1969C10shortbed]

Originally Posted by ChevyCruizer

i can back up that the AF dont use anything for just a year and sell it. Out here at Nellis/Creech the vehicles are used until the wheels fall off and then they are sent out to the range for target practice. Seriously, my shop had a 80's breadvan that didnt have a lot of miles but must of had a million hours on the engine from sitting around idle'ing while the jets would do their start up checks. Anyway the thing broke down and it sat at transportation for over a year and I was trying to buy it but it ended up getting stripped of any enviromental hazzardous material and sent out to the range for fighter target practice.

So if you have proof your family owned it a year after manafacture then it was most likely not a government asset, but hey it dont matter cause the world is ending in two days (Mayan calander). LOL

I don't know how to explain the spotlight, the light color, or the fact that it was purchased from the auction at the local Air Force Base a couple years after 1969. Not sure on the exact year, now that I'm skeptical about the engine and other parts that are mixed up. Doesn't really matter though, I know I have a jumble of parts, and a '69 C10 shell with a 12 bolt and a factory equipped 3 speed that was changed to a floor shift. The floor needs to be replaced because of rust, the rocker panels also need to be replaced because of rust, and I need new front fenders, I need all sorts of body work. I don't know. If this hadn't been my grandfather's truck, I don't see any real want to restore the thing. I figure the disc brakes all around, 5 lug swap, a nice engine and trans combo, and a decent paint job will make it all worth it in the end. Just takes way too much to get there.

Originally Posted by truckster

Going from a 250 to a 427? That's some serious juice.

It should be pretty darn fun =)

[buckskins4ever]

If you hadnt found your motor yet, K and K Motors Inc. in Graham TX shows they have one on had. I would definitely give them a call. 1-800-766-2009

[1969C10shortbed]

Originally Posted by buckskins4ever

If you hadnt found your motor yet, K and K Motors Inc. in Graham TX shows they have one on had. I would definitely give them a call. 1-800-766-2009

Holy ****! Excuse my language, but Graham TX is a good 10+ hours from me