Do you guys have the same problem.... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

RodC · 09-12-2002, 02:24 PM

You can see my 71 on webshots. It is pretty streight has a little rust under the rear fenders and cab supports. One of these days (probably in about 15 years) I'm going to do a full resto. Well to get to the problem, I keep putting things off that I would like to do to it because "I'm gona restore it someday" I feel like I should not buy that shiney new manifold, or replace the wood in the bed because it aint going to be perfect ya da ya da bla bla. Yet I go to car shows and see guys with total rust buckets (no offence I have had some) that have more in their engine than I have in my truck. They seem to handle it pretty well.

Well start the free analysis of my problems and I will get off the couch and give the next addict his turn

brennecke · 09-12-2002, 02:49 PM

Ask yourself what matters to you.
If a so-so looking truck that will do a ten second quarter is OK for now, then start pouring cash into the motor. If show quality shine is what matters, then wait till you can afford to do the bodywork right the first time, and build the motor after.
Personally I will be the guy with a rust bucket and an expensive engine. I can do the bodywork later.

Southpa · 09-12-2002, 02:51 PM

I've done my fair share of procrastinating. I bought my truck 8 yrs ago and never really had any grand plans for it until I found this website. But the truck was, is and always will be my daily driver. So you have to decide what you want to use it for. I will still be hauling crap to the dump and helping people move, even after its painted. Of course, I will take the usual precautions against denting and scratching.

But getting it mechanically sound and reliable should be your first priority. Of course, that is after you've made sure that the body of the truck is worth saving. But everything costs money. Lots of the work I've done on my truck was out of necessity.

RodC · 09-12-2002, 02:52 PM

What sucks is that neither is important to me. I want a daily driver that is good looking at 20 feet and is reliable. But I have this attitude that why do it unless it is 100%!

bigjimzlll · 09-12-2002, 06:40 PM

I justify it this way...I have to make sure it runs just the way I want, so when I paint and make it all nice and shinny, I wont have to worry about scratching and denting, by pulling the motor and tranny, and leaning on it and greasy hand prints...I have to tell my self this all the time though....of course my wife is the one who wants it all nice and shinny..NOW...

Benrs86 · 09-12-2002, 07:00 PM

good call, i bought mine when i turned 14 just for a daily driver, and started taking things apart. i ended up doing a frame off with WAAAAAAAAY more money i ever imagined i would own into it. i vote if its a daily driver then dont worry about the body. i would rather be driving a fast rusty one then mine that has a pretty much stock rebuilt 350 and pretty nice paint. but this way more poeople notice my pickup, and that is waht keeps me gion when people compliment it, so i guess just decide what you want and go for it, if you like it the way it is leave it. good luck, Ben

71GMC_3/4T · 09-12-2002, 08:29 PM

Yep, I have the same problem. I have a garage full of "good" used parts that are better than mine, but the ones on mine ain't broke yet, so I haven't replaced them. Some day I will hopefully put all the pieces together, but then what would I have to look forward to? I guess at that time, I could start thinking about paint... Nah!

When I go to the store, I don't have to worry about locking *my* truck! People don't usually park too close either...

72chevyLWB · 09-12-2002, 10:19 PM

I would do the engine now. Like he said, get it running good and sound first so you don't scratch while tinkering. When you rebuild it the engine will come out anyways right? All you would have to do is clean it up. No biggie.

*Zkast* · 09-12-2002, 10:28 PM

My theory on this is, If you allow problems to accumulate because your "going to" restore it someday will end you up with a old truck in need of A LOT OF WORK.

I'm in no place to talk really... I do the same thing as you. I hate to put that new engine in this dirty, rusty old truck so I wait and wait and wait. Pretty soon its been 7 years! The new part I bought is rusty or bad now, the part I was going to replace is gone lol.

Think of it this way... If you are fairly close to your resto time, AND YOU KNOW YOUR CLOSE (as in date is set) Then hold off and save your self some time and money. But if your like me and there is only the WANT to resto the ole truck, and no definate time? Install what you need to keep her going.

Case in point, look at this engine bay LOL its a mess but I "needed" to get the old engine out before it made a bigger mess.

09-12-2002, 02:24 PM	#1
RodC Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Fairmont WV Posts: 304	Do you guys have the same problem.... You can see my 71 on webshots. It is pretty streight has a little rust under the rear fenders and cab supports. One of these days (probably in about 15 years) I'm going to do a full resto. Well to get to the problem, I keep putting things off that I would like to do to it because "I'm gona restore it someday" I feel like I should not buy that shiney new manifold, or replace the wood in the bed because it aint going to be perfect ya da ya da bla bla. Yet I go to car shows and see guys with total rust buckets (no offence I have had some) that have more in their engine than I have in my truck. They seem to handle it pretty well. Well start the free analysis of my problems and I will get off the couch and give the next addict his turn __________________ Rod Childers '71 C10 Stepside

09-12-2002, 02:49 PM	#2
brennecke Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Missouri Posts: 469	Ask yourself what matters to you. If a so-so looking truck that will do a ten second quarter is OK for now, then start pouring cash into the motor. If show quality shine is what matters, then wait till you can afford to do the bodywork right the first time, and build the motor after. Personally I will be the guy with a rust bucket and an expensive engine. I can do the bodywork later. __________________ Never tire of doing what is right II Thess. 3:13 Northeast Missouri 71 LWB original 350 3/speed Soon to be 500

09-12-2002, 02:51 PM	#3
Southpa Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 2,409	I've done my fair share of procrastinating. I bought my truck 8 yrs ago and never really had any grand plans for it until I found this website. But the truck was, is and always will be my daily driver. So you have to decide what you want to use it for. I will still be hauling crap to the dump and helping people move, even after its painted. Of course, I will take the usual precautions against denting and scratching. But getting it mechanically sound and reliable should be your first priority. Of course, that is after you've made sure that the body of the truck is worth saving. But everything costs money. Lots of the work I've done on my truck was out of necessity. __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Original 350/TH350 Victoria, BC, Canada You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets filled first.

09-12-2002, 02:52 PM	#4
RodC Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Fairmont WV Posts: 304	What sucks is that neither is important to me. I want a daily driver that is good looking at 20 feet and is reliable. But I have this attitude that why do it unless it is 100%! __________________ Rod Childers '71 C10 Stepside

09-12-2002, 06:40 PM	#5
bigjimzlll Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Redding,CA...USA Posts: 4,736	I justify it this way...I have to make sure it runs just the way I want, so when I paint and make it all nice and shinny, I wont have to worry about scratching and denting, by pulling the motor and tranny, and leaning on it and greasy hand prints...I have to tell my self this all the time though....of course my wife is the one who wants it all nice and shinny..NOW... __________________ It's called "drag racing" if they called it "tic..tic..WHAM!..BANG! F*&K!!!", they'd have to keep the magazines under the counter with the other men's publications click the clicky to join the site.... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php 67 lwb..first hotrod in 25 years..540 best ET is 9.45 @ 141.44 Anderson,CA

09-12-2002, 07:00 PM	#6
Benrs86 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Brandon, SD, USA Posts: 1,292	good call, i bought mine when i turned 14 just for a daily driver, and started taking things apart. i ended up doing a frame off with WAAAAAAAAY more money i ever imagined i would own into it. i vote if its a daily driver then dont worry about the body. i would rather be driving a fast rusty one then mine that has a pretty much stock rebuilt 350 and pretty nice paint. but this way more poeople notice my pickup, and that is waht keeps me gion when people compliment it, so i guess just decide what you want and go for it, if you like it the way it is leave it. good luck, Ben __________________ Brandon, SD 69 GMC 1/2 ton 2wd wide long bed with wood 3 on the tree 350 engine 4 bolt main rv cam AIM = Alphray04

09-12-2002, 08:29 PM	#7
71GMC_3/4T Weapons Of Construction Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 1,095	Yep, I have the same problem. I have a garage full of "good" used parts that are better than mine, but the ones on mine ain't broke yet, so I haven't replaced them. Some day I will hopefully put all the pieces together, but then what would I have to look forward to? I guess at that time, I could start thinking about paint... Nah! When I go to the store, I don't have to worry about locking my truck! People don't usually park too close either... __________________ 1971 GMC 2500, 402/TH400 4.10 Daily Driver Lafayette, CO

09-12-2002, 10:19 PM	#8
72chevyLWB Got 20's???? Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Aberdeen SD Posts: 1,451	I would do the engine now. Like he said, get it running good and sound first so you don't scratch while tinkering. When you rebuild it the engine will come out anyways right? All you would have to do is clean it up. No biggie. __________________ 99 Silverado Ex-Cab 2wd, Bagged&WhippleCharged 02 Sierra Ex-Cab 4wd 2500 HD The 72 went down the road.

09-12-2002, 10:28 PM	#9
Zkast Account Suspended Join Date: May 2002 Location: Olathe, Kansas Posts: 929	My theory on this is, If you allow problems to accumulate because your "going to" restore it someday will end you up with a old truck in need of A LOT OF WORK. I'm in no place to talk really... I do the same thing as you. I hate to put that new engine in this dirty, rusty old truck so I wait and wait and wait. Pretty soon its been 7 years! The new part I bought is rusty or bad now, the part I was going to replace is gone lol. Think of it this way... If you are fairly close to your resto time, AND YOU KNOW YOUR CLOSE (as in date is set) Then hold off and save your self some time and money. But if your like me and there is only the WANT to resto the ole truck, and no definate time? Install what you need to keep her going. Case in point, look at this engine bay LOL its a mess but I "needed" to get the old engine out before it made a bigger mess.



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