1966 C 10 - "Wild Thang"

[jimmythompson1964]

Originally Posted by 66K20

Nice work!

I really like your approach to the truck and how nothing seems to slow you down. Seeing the truck used and loved is great too.

Congrats on the locker

Thanks 66K20, I do love driving my truck it has personality for sure, it is no where near as nice as some of the truck on this site but it’s my pride and joy. This old truck is my hobby, don’t hunt or fish and have mostly quit watching TV, so This is where I spend my time here lately. I have a lot of upgrades planned and I will be on the Power Tour next year, that was as much fun as a man can have in a old truck or a hot rod.

Thanks for the reply I was beginning to wonder if anyone was reading or interested in my ramblings.

[jimmythompson1964]

Originally Posted by lumpy63

Did you ever get the balance issue truly fixed ? Between the balancer walking off and the broken water pump, My guess is something is out of balance.In all my years of working on small block chevy's never have I seen a water pump break like that.

Lumpy63, I was at a loss same as you at first, I had never heard of that happening either, I have a friend that races street stock dirt track and has had that happen using the 7 blade fan so he went back to the good old 4 blade and no spacer. So after some time to process all of the facts here is what I think:
1- solid 7 blade fan that was reasonably heavy
2- 3” spacer between the water pump and the fan trying to get the fan closer to the radiator (no shroud trying to keep it cool)
3- turning it about 6800 hundred RPM’s and slamming a 4 speed caused it to pull off the pressed on piece the fan bolts to. The fan may have been out of balance.


Electric fan set up installed so no worries now...

Now that you mention something about being out of balance you made me think... as I posted earlier I had some issues with getting the flywheel balanced when I change it from an automatic trans, Maybe that contributed to this failure, I,m glad I caught it before I left on the Power Tour.

[Captainfab]

Is the crank in your 383 internally balanced or externally as a SB 400 is? Running the incorrect balancer or flexplate/flywheel will cause issues.

[jimmythompson1964]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Is the crank in your 383 internally balanced or externally as a SB 400 is? Running the incorrect balancer or flexplate/flywheel will cause issues.

It was internally balanced along with the flywheel, I ran into trouble when I was changing the motor from auto to 4 speed when I put in the truck. I finnally found a machine shop that match balanced the standard flywheel to the auto flywheel. How ever I did put a few miles on it with first a 350 flywheel and then a 400 flywheel before figuring it out. I completed the Hot Rod Power Tour driving my truck somewhere north of 2,300 miles in 8 days with no trouble. I hope I have these issue behind me.

[jimmythompson1964]

Well I found me a square body cab and chassis for power disc brakes & power steering for $300.00 guess I now know what comes next....Git R Done!

[Captainfab]

Let me know if you need a steering box adapter plate and a booster bracket.

[jimmythompson1964]

I will need both, can you send me a PM with pricing?

[Captainfab]

Will do......

Originally Posted by jimmythompson1964

I will need both, can you send me a PM with pricing?

[RDrancher]

Great thread! Your truck sure looks like a lot of fun.

What tire size are you running and did you do any suspension mods?

[jimmythompson1964]

Originally Posted by RDrancher

Great thread! Your truck sure looks like a lot of fun.

What tire size are you running and did you do any suspension mods?

Thanks, it is a lot of fun, I am running 225-70-15's on the front 275-60-15's on the rear. All stock for so far but I plan to lower it a few inches.

[66C10LB]

That bumper modification looks terrific, and quite natural. Congrats on winning the posi diff!

[jimmythompson1964]

Originally Posted by 66C10LB

That bumper modification looks terrific, and quite natural. Congrats on winning the posi diff!

Thanks for the compliment, it ended up being way more work than I Anticipated but the end result was worth the work. Winning the posiunit was cool I am still debating on which one to get I’m leaning towards the true track.

[jimmythompson1964]

Stopped by at Clemdaddy's place and picked up some rust free part for Wild Thang, Got a nice hood & left fender, I continue to be impressed with the work I see him doing for his customers and really enjoy spending some time with him talking about these old trucks. Clem is a real class act and a good man to deal with...I just wish I lived a little closer to his shop. 1,620 mile round trip is a little far to travel.

[jimmythompson1964]

I read in somebody's build page that when you lower your truck you need to move the cross member forward 1" so it will be centered in the wheel opening. Does anyone know where I can find this information. I am doing this front end swap after the first of the year and would like to read some good detailed threads on this swap if anyone know which ones to read it would save me a lot of time. I would like to gather everything needed before I start. Thanks in advanced guys.

[Palf70Step]

You do not have to.

This was my 64 with 1970 upper/lower A-arms, ECE 2.5" spindles, disk brake conversion, and 2" lowering springs/shocks.

[jimmythompson1964]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

You do not have to.

This was my 64 with 1970 upper/lower A-arms, ECE 2.5" spindles, disk brake conversion, and 2" lowering springs/shocks.

I know it is not necessary but I want to reread that post before I make my decision. I have heard that some of the after market drop member center the wheel for you.

[jimmythompson1964]

Wild Thang has a new Sibling

[jimmythompson1964]

Got my parts truck to the house and will start tearing it down and sand blasting and painting everything before I take my truck off of the road. My plan is to have power steering, new hood left front fender and repaint everything under the hood for the Hot Rod Power tour this summer. I am going to use the seat belts from my parts truck also and do a static drop to get a better stance...sounds like I better get to work

[jimmythompson1964]

a few more pictures...I am planning on cutting the frame on the 86 and graft the section for the power steering gear box.

[Lokin4AReason]

nice upgrade(s) ....

[Johns 66]

Looking Good Jimmy.....I know what you mean about life is short and the feeling these old trucks give us...Simply Awesome.

[jimmythompson1964]

Originally Posted by Johns 66

Looking Good Jimmy.....I know what you mean about life is short and the feeling these old trucks give us...Simply Awesome.

Thanks John, I agree with you on that one.

[The Rocknrod]

Originally Posted by jimmythompson1964

Thanks for the compliment, it ended up being way more work than I Anticipated but the end result was worth the work. Winning the posiunit was cool I am still debating on which one to get I’m leaning towards the true track.

I have an Eaton posi in mine. I didn't even know about the true track at the time or I would have gone with it.

[Lokin4AReason]

would someone have " Clemdaddy's place " contact information ... ?

[SkinnyG]

My '77 Silverado daily has a TrueTrac, I love it. Especially in these Canadian winters.

I bought one for my V8 Pontiac Firefly.

I'll be buying one for my '61 Apache.

I love them.