1966 C10 in Michigan - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Scot_Douglas · 10-31-2009, 08:48 PM

Hello!

My wife had been wanting another single cab truck - she's had a ranger and a dakota before and misses them. I had an idea to look for an old truck we could restore together - and we found one.

1966 C-10
283, 4-spd, 39K, 139K, 239K???

It spent the first 40 years around SLC, Utah and the last few in Michigan. I had wanted to drop a modern aluminum 5.3 in it, however, my wife likes the old engine and the stinky exhaust - says it reminds her of her Dad's Volga when she grew up in Moscow.

This winter (providing I can clear enough space in the garage) the project list is:
Replacing the brakes for something that is dual circuit and at least discs on the front. I found a spendy kit online for about $1500, but it has to be able to be done cheaper...

Changing out all the suspension bushings / BJ's / TRE's for new, modern units.
New springs and shocks F&R - want to lower it about 3" total.
Sway bars.
Power steering - if only to reduce the number of turns lock to lock.

New wiring harness.
New bed floor.
Repair largest rust areas - doors/rockers/cab supports
...and any misc thing that comes along. lol

I'm hoping to find a reasonable deal on a pair of rustfree doors and tailgate when I visit my parents in AR this Christmas - that'll save plenty of work.

As far as the engine, it looks like it will stay carbureted - but I'd like more torque than the lil 283 can provide.

I like it (used to prefer 289's back in the day) but I'd like to be around 400lbft of torque (and not at 4000 rpm, lol ) so I'm thinking of a 400 SBC that I can make look authentic under the hood to keep appearances up.

I have stayed away from modifying vehicles as I got older, I just seem to lose control when I work on anything - and I fear for my wallet.

If anyone has info, opinions or comments they would like to share, PLEASE - do so!!!

A bit of background - both my wife and I work for GM in Milford Michigan. She is an engine calibrator for the Ecotec 4-cylinder programs and I work in advanced engineering on potential production programs. I turned wrenches and ran a durability dyno to put myself through school, so I'm pretty handy. I also am not above admitting I'm wrong or learning new things from people - I tend to ask lots of questions and try to weigh every option.

I also am very laid back, have a silly sense of humor and have many years of internet forum interaction under my belt - in other words, don't worry about offending me!

(Just remember, if you poke fun, I'll poke fun back - and it will never be ill-willed)

Looking forward to learning!

Scot

63 & 64 Bowties · 11-01-2009, 08:28 AM

Welcome Scot. Sounds like we're gonna be asking you a bunch of questions considering your background.
Remember, we like pictures. So keep us updated.
And again, welcome. Always good to have another 60-66 guy here.

Scot_Douglas · 11-01-2009, 09:21 AM

Bill - a few things:

Most importantly:
THANK YOU FOR SERVING!

Second of all - I am ALWAYS happy to try to help out and share information if I can.

Looks like I have a line on a rebuilt "377" on the cheap - just need to decide if that's the "character" I want for the engine in the truck. Would make an excellent sleeper when someone tries to pass me on the right when their lane ends (like some moron demonstrated to me last night

)

Nice to make your acquaintance!

Scot

jsbgump · 11-01-2009, 10:13 AM

Welcome to the board from Texas

10-31-2009, 08:48 PM	#1
Scot_Douglas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Howell, MI Posts: 403	1966 C10 in Michigan Hello! My wife had been wanting another single cab truck - she's had a ranger and a dakota before and misses them. I had an idea to look for an old truck we could restore together - and we found one. 1966 C-10 283, 4-spd, 39K, 139K, 239K??? It spent the first 40 years around SLC, Utah and the last few in Michigan. I had wanted to drop a modern aluminum 5.3 in it, however, my wife likes the old engine and the stinky exhaust - says it reminds her of her Dad's Volga when she grew up in Moscow. This winter (providing I can clear enough space in the garage) the project list is: Replacing the brakes for something that is dual circuit and at least discs on the front. I found a spendy kit online for about $1500, but it has to be able to be done cheaper... Changing out all the suspension bushings / BJ's / TRE's for new, modern units. New springs and shocks F&R - want to lower it about 3" total. Sway bars. Power steering - if only to reduce the number of turns lock to lock. New wiring harness. New bed floor. Repair largest rust areas - doors/rockers/cab supports ...and any misc thing that comes along. lol I'm hoping to find a reasonable deal on a pair of rustfree doors and tailgate when I visit my parents in AR this Christmas - that'll save plenty of work. As far as the engine, it looks like it will stay carbureted - but I'd like more torque than the lil 283 can provide. I like it (used to prefer 289's back in the day) but I'd like to be around 400lbft of torque (and not at 4000 rpm, lol ) so I'm thinking of a 400 SBC that I can make look authentic under the hood to keep appearances up. I have stayed away from modifying vehicles as I got older, I just seem to lose control when I work on anything - and I fear for my wallet. If anyone has info, opinions or comments they would like to share, PLEASE - do so!!! A bit of background - both my wife and I work for GM in Milford Michigan. She is an engine calibrator for the Ecotec 4-cylinder programs and I work in advanced engineering on potential production programs. I turned wrenches and ran a durability dyno to put myself through school, so I'm pretty handy. I also am not above admitting I'm wrong or learning new things from people - I tend to ask lots of questions and try to weigh every option. I also am very laid back, have a silly sense of humor and have many years of internet forum interaction under my belt - in other words, don't worry about offending me! (Just remember, if you poke fun, I'll poke fun back - and it will never be ill-willed) Looking forward to learning! Scot

11-01-2009, 08:28 AM	#2
63 & 64 Bowties and a few others Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of VA Posts: 5,638	Re: 1966 C10 in Michigan Welcome Scot. Sounds like we're gonna be asking you a bunch of questions considering your background. Remember, we like pictures. So keep us updated. And again, welcome. Always good to have another 60-66 guy here. __________________ Bill US Army Vet -193rd Infantry BlueRidgeMuscleCars.com “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” Gandhi

11-01-2009, 09:21 AM	#3
Scot_Douglas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Howell, MI Posts: 403	Re: 1966 C10 in Michigan Bill - a few things: Most importantly: THANK YOU FOR SERVING! Second of all - I am ALWAYS happy to try to help out and share information if I can. Looks like I have a line on a rebuilt "377" on the cheap - just need to decide if that's the "character" I want for the engine in the truck. Would make an excellent sleeper when someone tries to pass me on the right when their lane ends (like some moron demonstrated to me last night ) Nice to make your acquaintance! Scot __________________ 1964 C10 - sold to chris1044 1966 C10 Build 'Fread

11-01-2009, 10:13 AM	#4
jsbgump Gone Fishing Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Fort Worth, Texas 76135 Posts: 12,361	Re: 1966 C10 in Michigan Welcome to the board from Texas __________________ 68 Chevy Short Fleetside LSX Swap Under Way 3.73 posi 2.5/4 drop Frame of resto has been started 2022 Hyundai Tucson Limited 2019 Chevy Traverse Redline Edition Wifes Ride Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3483616



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