New Guy from Georgia

[msg]

Hi folks,

Newbie to auto work with my 1966 C10 (Dixie) to get her into better shape, and I would like to start learning how to get it done myself.
Here she is




Some things on my to do list are:

1. Learn how to do body repair on rusted fender corners, doors, cab corners, rocker panels, floor panels, as well as a big ole dent a neighbor added to the passenger side of the bed. Never welded a thing in my life but I'd like to learn how.
2. Fix the transmission leak or maybe replace the powerglide with a transmission with a higher gear ratio. I've had 2 transmission shops look over the leak and I am told its not something that seal replacements will fix and that the connections are not correct.
3. Figure out more about the 350 motor, what year etc.
4. Figure out why in hot weather the starter has issues when recranking after a 10 mile drive or so. Ive tried heat shield wraps and replacing with a high torque. The headers heating up so close to the starter is all I can figure. Headers are pretty rusty and I think may need replacing.
5. Add AC

This should keep me busy for a while.

Thanks for having me.
Sean

[aerotruk63]

Hello and welcome. Nice truck!
I'll bite, whats the two circular things on the rear lower box?

[mark 66]

welcome, nice looking truck to start with. bummer about the dent.youll now be addicted. congrats

[msg]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

Hello and welcome. Nice truck!
I'll bite, whats the two circular things on the rear lower box?

I have owned this truck for nearly 20 years and never gave it thought. I just looked and they appear to be blinkers but there is no bulb in them nor any wire leading to them. In fact one lens was painted over when the shot the burgundy paint.

So I take it this isn't a usual thing to have on the lower back panel?

[aerotruk63]

We'll wait for the 66 guys to tell you what they think. lol

[61_FL_Apache]

Dang nice truck for a new guy!!

Welcome!! Sweet ride!

[Brad54]

Nice looking truck!
-Brad

[flashed]

Welcome ,What part of Ga are you from ? Nice truck you have there .

[62 Barnfind]

Welcome!

[msg]

Thanks for all the welcome posts, really excited about signing up!
I'm in Newnan and have owned my 66 since 96. Bought it as you see it (minus the dent) but need to get that fixed and learn how to do body work to repair the rusted spots that I wish I had back in 96 paid closer attention to.

[1enick72]

Welcome, nice looking truck.

[RANDY COX]

Nice truck and ouch to the bed...yea iv'e seen those marker lights i believe on an early 70's mopar...

[Ta2Don]

from Arkansas...aboard, you are gonna love this board, awesome members and a wealth of info... Have fun with your truck, and find the casting number on the block behind the driver's side head to decipher what 350 it has...

[TehNewGuy]

Welcome to the forums from sunny south Florida!!! Nice truck! from one dented up 66 to another, it looks pretty clean!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum

That's a nice truck. Too bad about the dent in the box. I really like that color combo.

[Blue666]

Originally Posted by msg

I have owned this truck for nearly 20 years and never gave it thought. I just looked and they appear to be blinkers but there is no bulb in them nor any wire leading to them. In fact one lens was painted over when the shot the burgundy paint.

So I take it this isn't a usual thing to have on the lower back panel?

Nice truck, I like the color combo also.

Tell us more about the mechanicals & your ideas & plans.

IMO, The round things resemble side marker lights from the front of Mopar passenger cars, Polara, Duster, Satellite, etc.

[Alan's Classic]

Welcome aboard. Nice truck!!
Posted via Mobile Device

[msg]

The mechanicals are part of what I am figuring out, some I know.

Engine= 350



Trans = Powerglide that leaks
Axle = ? Found this casting # 3856525 at the base facing the cab , and this at the back facing the tailgate E176



Carb = ? Need some help with this actually, looks like this




Power Steering
Front end Power Disc Brakes

My plan is to take what I have and learn how to repair it myself if possible.
Need to learn alot. Body repair and auto mechanics.

In the end I would love to have the interior rust free and restored, new bench, flooring, shoulder strap seatbelts, stereo upgrade, AC added.
I am thinking about painting her a dark root beer color like this, but with an off white/cream top.



Shouldn't take long right?

[flashed]

Shouldnt take long at all or a lot of money says the guy that has been waiting almost 2 years for mine to escape bodyshop jail .I like your plans for it especially the color . The carb looks to me to be a quadrajet .

[Alan's Classic]

Looks like your track bar is bent.
Posted via Mobile Device

[mwmeador38]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

We'll wait for the 66 guys to tell you what they think. lol

look like side marker lights off of a late 60's mopar to me.
they are definitely added on.

side marker lights were not standard equipment until 68 on
cars. not sure about trucks.

[msg]

Originally Posted by Alan's Classic

Looks like your track bar is bent.
Posted via Mobile Device

Looks like I need to learn now what a track bar is and does and why it might be bent.

[LostMy65]

Root beer would be a beautiful color.
There's a member here that has a computer program that he used to render his truck.
I think it was a root beer flavor.
Posted via Mobile Device

[da_bears_da1]

Originally Posted by msg

Hi folks,[*]Learn how to do body repair on rusted fender corners, doors, cab corners, rocker panels, floor panels, as well as a big ole dent a neighbor added to the passenger side of the bed. Never welded a thing in my life but I'd like to learn how.

Started on my restore last fall. I also had never welded before and decided to jump into it. Did a lot of research on types of welders and what is best for sheet metal. Ended up buying a Mig welder. Its easier than other types of welding according to what I read and works well with sheet metal. After 3 weeks of having it, I can weld in patch panels and do an acceptable job (still have to grind down the welds a fair amount but am getting better).

My advice would be to buy a brand name welder (stay away from Chinese cheap stuff, hard to get the consumables and supposedly impossible to repair). Spend a little more than you want to and grow into the welder's capabilities. I am very happy I went this route and that I am now patching up my cab myself.

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by msg

Looks like I need to learn now what a track bar is and does and why it might be bent.

First, welcome. Second, nice color combo, altho' you sound like you wanna change after 20 years: ok, it's yours, but you gotta keep showing us any new colors as it progresses 'cause we all love pictures.
Third, carb is a quadrajet(excellent imo), has electric choke(better still imo), likely came on a Chevy(has side-fuel-inlet vs. straight in from front: still good). They are a science by themselves and quite a performer when tuned properly--plus up to just about whatever task you ask of it, from putting around town to performance on the strip. Yields about whatever cfm your engine combo requests.
You'll learn all about track bars including why someone may have purposely bent yours--like for added clearance, or for altering chassis/bed shift over the rear end, or for adapting an other-than-original to fit your truck, or for more interesting reasons. You can rest: it didn't get bent during a slight bump over a curb in a parking lot and prolly does not even need to be straightened.

Hope you enjoy our forum and learn as much as I have and still do!
sam